As Business Insider's sleep editor, I track mattress sales year-round. People always ask me whether buying a mattress on Prime Day is worth it, and I often advise buying directly from brands for the best pricing. However, after spending hours sifting through the deals on Amazon, I found several genuinely worthwhile price drops on the best mattresses we've tested and recommend. Plus, Amazon offers fast shipping, affordable in-home set-up services, and a minimum of 90-day sleep trial to decide if it's the best option for you.

I also compared prices between Amazon and the retailers themselves to make sure the deals here are truly the best, since many mattress brands are running early 4th of July sales on their own sites.

The most noteworthy deals include the Nectar Classic Mattress for $537, our pick for the best mattress under $1,000, and our favorite cheap foam mattress from Zinus, on sale for just $188.

If you're in the mood to fully upgrade your bed, consider one of the best pillow deals and savings on other bedding accessories, too.

• See all Prime Day mattress deals on Amazon

The best Prime Day mattress deals

Nectar Classic Mattress

Why we love this deal: As our top pick for a mattress under $1,000, the Nectar Classic is a well-rounded foam mattress with a medium-firm feel that should appeal to most sleep styles, including those struggling with back pain. For Prime Day, Nectar has dropped the price to $532 on Amazon. This beats buying directly from Nectar by more than $150 and is lower than the roughly $700 price we've seen around other major shopping holidays like Memorial Day. You still get Nectar's yearlong trial and lifetime warranty.

Who should buy it: Best for back, side, and combination sleepers who want a medium-firm foam mattress with broad appeal. It's also good for couples who want strong motion isolation, but don't need advanced cooling. Read our full Nectar review.

Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress

Why we love this deal: Leesa is offering 30% off mattresses right now, including the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, the comfiest mattress we've ever tested and the top pick in our best mattress guide. This premium bed-in-a-box costs more than many Amazon mattress deals, but it delivers a high-quality build with contouring foam, individually wrapped coils, excellent pressure relief, responsive support, and strong cooling.

Who should buy it: Best for side, back, and combination sleepers who want a medium-feel hybrid that balances pressure relief and support. It's also a strong pick for couples, hot sleepers, and people with back pain. Read our Leesa Sapira review.

DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress

Why we love this deal: DreamCloud has pulled out all the stops for Prime Day, dropping the price of the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress to $535 from its typical $700 price. You can also opt into Amazon's in-home setup for $80, which is far less than DreamCloud's $199 fee for White Glove Delivery. Plus, you still get the yearlong trial and lifetime warranty.

If you prefer to shop DreamCloud directly, it is offering an extra 15% off its typical pricing. We found slight price differences between Amazon and DreamCloud, so I suggest comparing prices based on the model you choose. For instance, the Premier is $849 instead of its typical $1,100 on DreamCloud (unavailable on Amazon), but the Amazon pricing on the more premium 14-inch Luxe beats DreamCloud direct ($966 versus $1,189).

Who should buy it: The Classic has the same essential construction as the Premier, which our testers liked, but lacks the additional foam support and a euro-top with a cashmere blend. Best for back and combination sleepers who want the support and bounce of a hybrid without a high price. Couples who prefer a more responsive feel should like it too. The yearlong sleep trial will give you peace of mind to try it out for yourself.

Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Foam Mattress

Why we love this deal: Zinus makes some of the best cheap mattresses around. The all-foam Green Tea Cooling Gel Foam Mattress offers outstanding edge support and motion isolation, and sleeps cool too. Its medium-firm design appeals to all sleep types. While it's available in various depths, we recommend choosing at least 10 inches. Otherwise, you lose support.

Who should buy it: This is a solid option for budget shoppers, guest bedrooms, college apartments, and anyone who wants a no-frills foam mattress with better-than-expected cooling, edge support, and motion isolation.

Casper Original Hybrid Mattress

Why we love this deal: This is Casper's OG hybrid mattress, now exclusively sold on Amazon. Compared to its successor, the Casper Dream Hybrid, you're saving about $300 for a very similar construction. Amazon is also offering free in-home setup and mattress removal, which adds rare value for a bed-in-a-box deal. Compare the Casper lineup here.

Who should buy it: It's a good fit for combination sleepers, couples, and anyone who prefers an average-firmness mattress that feels more responsive than an all-foam bed. It's also a smart pick if you want zoned support and don't want to set up the mattress yourself.

Casper Element Mattress

Why we love this deal: The Element foam mattress is a cheaper alternative to some of Casper's other options and a rare chance to snag a mattress from the brand for under $500. It's only available through Amazon and offers a firm base and excellent edge support. It's made of two layers of foam: a base layer for support and durability, and a top layer for pressure relief and breathability.

Who should buy it: A good choice for back and stomach sleepers who want a firmer foam mattress from a recognizable brand for under $500. It's also a practical pick for guest rooms, teens, and first apartments. Side sleepers or anyone who needs deep cushioning around the shoulders and hips may want a softer, more pressure-relieving option.

Serta Five Star Mattress

Why we love this deal: On our radar for testing, Serta's affordable bed-in-a-box innerspring offering is available in several different firmnesses (plush, medium, firm) and depths (8 to 16 inches) and features zoned support, a rarity in the budget mattress category. Very few budget mattresses also see price cuts this deep, making this pricing especially noteworthy.

Who should buy it: Those looking for an affordable option from a legacy mattress brand. It's also offered in various firmness levels and depths, something you don't typically see in affordable mattresses, though the pricing does creep up for the plusher, thicker options.

Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid Mattress

Why we love this deal: Tuft & Needle seldom goes on sale, so this 33% Prime Day price cut on its flagship Original Hybrid Mattress is a great option if you've been wanting to try the brand's adaptive foam.

Who should buy it: Our tester recommends this bed for side and back sleepers seeking a plusher sleep surface and highlights its excellent temperature regulation and motion isolation, but hopes for more advanced pressure relief. It's a strong choice for couples, hot sleepers, and anyone who prefers a more cushioned feel while still wanting coil support.

Beautyrest Silver Mattress

Why we love this deal: Several Beautyrest Silver mattresses are 15% off for Prime Day, which only happens occasionally. This classic option features an antimicrobial cooling cover and gel lumbar support over 900 individually wrapped coils. It's several hundred dollars less on Amazon than what we've seen from other retailers, and you can add on a free in-home setup.

Who should buy it: This is a good pick for shoppers who want a more traditional coil mattress from a legacy brand, especially if they value cooling features, lumbar support, and the option of in-home setup. It's best for people who prefer sturdy support over the slow-sinking feel of memory foam. It's also worth considering for anyone replacing an older innerspring mattress and wanting something familiar but more updated. It's available in multiple firmness options, offering a more tailored feel.

Sweetnight CoolNest Cooling Memory Foam Mattress

Why we love this deal: This 14-inch memory foam mattress combines phase change material foam with gel-infused memory foam for layered cooling comfort and five-zone support for pressure relief where you need it most. It's a thick mattress too, which feels more luxurious than thinner counterparts.

Who should buy it: This is best for shoppers who want a tall, cooling-focused memory foam mattress. Its medium feel makes it a practical option for couples with different sleep preferences, combination sleepers, and guest rooms. We haven't tested it firsthand yet, but 81% of Amazon reviews are 5-star, which is a very high approval rating in the mattress category.

Tuft & Needle Kin Foam Mattress

Why we love this deal: The Amazon-exclusive Kin by Tuft & Needle mattress features 10 inches of adaptive foam technology to help you sleep cooler and offers balanced support between soft and firm.

Who sold buy it: This is a good pick for shoppers who want Tuft & Needle's adaptive foam feel at a lower Amazon-exclusive price. It's best for people who want a balanced, not-too-soft, not-too-firm foam mattress with better breathability than traditional memory foam. It's also a smart option for guest rooms, teens, and anyone who wants a straightforward foam mattress with a 100-day trial and a 10-year warranty.

Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress

Why we love this deal: Helix mattresses are up to 30% off for Prime Day, and they truly have a mattress for everyone. I suggest taking the brand's mattress quiz to help you find the right option for your needs. Helix mattresses have a 120-night sleep trial and a limited lifetime guarantee.

Who should buy it: I like the Dusk Luxe for back, stomach, and combination sleepers who want a medium-feel hybrid with extra support around the hips and lower back. Side sleepers may prefer the softer Midnight Luxe. The cooling upgrades are also worth it if you're a hot sleeper.

Puffy Royal Mattress

Why we love this deal: Puffy frequently offers $1,350 off its mattresses, but the current free upgrade deal makes the sale even more compelling by letting shoppers get a more luxe model for less. For example, you can get the Puffy Royal for the price of the Puffy Lux. The way to "activate" the deal can be a little confusing, as you must go through the cheaper mattress's product page and opt in to the upgrade.

Who should buy: Our tester loved the Puffy Royal for side and petite sleepers, citing its plush, sink-in feel that was extremely pressure-relieving. It does sleep warmer, so it's better for cold sleepers or anyone who isn't temperature sensitive.

Avocado Green Mattress

Why we love this deal: Avocado offers sales around major holidays like July 4th, and its entire lineup of organic mattresses is 15% off. Avocado is one of the most trusted names in organic bedding, and backs its products with various third-party certifications. The beds have a one-year trial and 25-year warranty.

Who should buy it: If you're looking for an organic or latex hybrid bed backed by tons of eco-friendly certifications. The Avocado Green is available in three firmness options and sleeps cool. The tight-top medium is best for back, stomach, and combination sleepers who like a firmer, more lifted feel. Side sleepers should consider the pillow-top plush version for more pressure relief.

The best Prime Day mattress sales by retailer

Several amazing mattresses are available directly from the brands themselves. Here are some competing offers to consider

• Avocado: Get up to 15% off mattresses
• Awara: Save up to 50% on mattresses
• Bear: Get 35% off mattresses with code JULY35
• Big Fig: Get $500 off a mattress and 20% off sitewide
• Birch: Save up to 30% off sitewide
• Brooklyn Bedding: Get 25% off sitewide
• Casper: Save up to 30% off mattresses
• DreamCloud: Save up to 60%, plus an extra 15% off on mattresses and 66% on bundles
• Glacier: Save 15% off cooling mattresses
• Helix: Save up to 30% off mattresses
• Leesa: Save 30% off mattresses
• Mattress Firm: Save up to $700 off mattresses, plus a free adjustable base
• Nectar: Get up to 50% off mattresses, plus an extra 15% off and 66% off bundles
• Nolah: Get 35% off sitewide
• Plushbeds: Get up to 50% off mattresses and $99 white glove delivery
• Puffy: Save $1,350 off mattresses, plus a free mattress upgrade
• Purple: Save up to $800 off a mattress and a base
• Saatva: Save $300 off your $1,000 order
• Siena: Save up to 60% on mattresses
• Sleep Number: Up to 20% off, plus free delivery
• Tempur-Pedic: Save $500 on Tempur-Breeze mattresses
• Zoma: Get 30% off mattresses

Prime Day deals on other bedding accessories

If you're considering a new mattress, your bed is just one part of your sleep setup. I also found several of the best mattress protectors (an essential) and mattress toppers (an affordable way to add more comfort to a bed). Adjustable bases are growing in popularity, too, and are helpful for relieving back pain, reducing pressure, minimizing snoring and acid reflux, and making watching TV or reading in bed more comfortable.

Prime Day mattress deals FAQs

What are the best mattresses?

The top pick in our best mattress guide is the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, an excellent medium-firm bed that's currently 25% off on Leesa's site.

Is Prime Day a good time to buy a new mattress?

A mattress is a pricey investment, so we recommend buying one during a sale like Prime Day. For mattresses available exclusively through Amazon, you'll find the lowest prices there, but many other brands are running mattress sales that will carry into July 4th.

Why buy a mattress from Amazon?

There are some perks to buying a mattress from Amazon. Your purchase is backed by a sleep trial of at least 90 days and includes free shipping. Some models offer scheduled delivery, in-home setup, and removal of your old mattress for $80. I've even noticed offers for free in-home delivery on certain beds.

Can I use my HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress?

People with a qualifying medical condition — like sleep apnea, chronic pain, or mental illness — are able to use pre-taxed dollars from their HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress, meaning extra savings for you. Using these funds requires a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a doctor, but brands like Sleep Number and Purple partner with organizations like TrueMed and Sika to make the process easier. Read our guide to using HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress for more information.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• Wendy's stock surged 37% on Wednesday.
• Retail traders see the fast food chain as a potential short-squeeze target.
• Others are cautious, pointing to the Beyond Meat short-squeeze that quickly fizzled.

Wendy's was already the subject of retail traders' favorite memes. Now they're hoping it'll be their new favorite meme stock.

The fast food chain suddenly exploded on Wednesday, surging by as much as 37%. Trading volume soared to 46 million shares compared to the daily average of about 8 million.

The spike would put the stock on track to erase its year-to-date loss of about 24%.

For retail traders, all of this means just one thing: a short squeeze is brewing.

"You are looking at a classic combo," one trader wrote on Reddit. "Institutional short sellers getting caught off guard by fundamental turnaround news, and retail communities immediately weaponizing that high short interest to force a squeeze."

Data from MarketBeat shows that roughly 32% of Wendy's stock is being sold short right now.

Retail traders pointed to some corporate news they took as bullish for the company. The burger chain announced the hiring of two new leaders, CEO Bob Wright and CFO Steve Cirulis, both of whom helped lead popular sandwich chain Potbelly Corp.

But retail traders seem more focused on the potential for a short squeeze in they stock, highlighting the short interest and company's volatile year.

"I bought thanks to a WSB post," another Reddit user said on the popular WallStreetBets trading forum. "I'm not kidding. But I also actually did some checking and think it is undervalued. I don't expect this to pop, but I'm wanting it to go up slowly over the next year."

One WallStreetBets user shared a post comparing it to GameStop and AMC Entertainment, often seen as the OGs of the meme stock movement. The GameStop short squeeze of 2021 is often credited with sparking the rise of the retail trader movement that has reshaped the market in the last five years.

But other traders aren't so sure that Wendy's stock is destined for greatness, highlighting the Beyond Meat short squeeze of October 2025 that whipsawed investors as the stock rapidly surged by triple digits before quickly plunging again.

"Look at the push for Beyond Meat," another trader noted. "That did not end well."

Another Reddit user echoed that sentiment. "This is a continuation of the meme stock rerun," they said. "We've seen most of the tickers that ran in 2021 get astroturfed in WSB and run shortly afterwards."

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
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Home is where the cold plunge is.

Forget curbside appeal and great school districts. Some homeowners are playing the really long game with their homes. From infrared saunas to cold-plunge pools, BI's James Rodriguez reports on the wellness and longevity hacks people are upgrading their homes with.

Turning your place into a Bryan Johnson fantasy can get expensive. (Hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers can easily run you north of $45,000.) But it's not just the ultrawealthy getting in on the action. People with more moderate means are turning their homes into mini wellness retreats.

The trend is real, with mentions of the word "wellness" in Zillow listings increasing 33% last year.

Renovating a house based on any trend comes with risks. (Anyone in the market for a house with popcorn ceilings? Anyone?) But since this is just as much an investment in yourself as your home, maybe there's more upside.

Creating wellness palaces in isolation might risk turning our homes into prisons.

Research consistently shows, and even longevity experts like Johnson admit, that the most effective ways to improve your lifespan are free or cheap.

As nice as it is to have all this stuff in your backyard, there are real benefits to leaving your house. Or, as the kids say, 'touching grass.'

People who have lived past 100 previously told BI they view regular social interactions as far more important than any pill or fancy machine.

That's why I'd like to make the case for an under-the-radar wellness hack: the gym friend.

A unique relationship in our social structure, the gym friend is a close confidant who doesn't even know your last name.

Relationships bonded between sets and spins are built differently. They hold you accountable in ways that are less annoying than a lifelong friend or family member.

I might only see Dave in gym shorts and sneakers, but that doesn't make the knowledge we trade any less valuable.

So go out and get yourself a gym friend. And who knows. Maybe they'll have an at-home sauna that they'll let you use.

• A new analysis of AI "slop" on TikTok classified 59% of videos in a new user's For You Feed as AI-generated.
• AI-generated content was particularly prevalent on some kid-targeted hashtags, like #nurseryrhymes or #kidscartoons.
• This is not great!

Imagine you're 3 years old. You've gorged yourself on an afternoon snack of expensive berries, and you have no idea what the Strait of Hormuz is. Life is good. Your mom or dad needs to take a bathroom break and hands you their phone to watch some videos while strange sounds and smells happen behind the closed door.

You watch a cartoon of a young boy with the Cocomelon phenotype face playing with several colored balloons and a red toy truck that looks suspiciously like Lightning McQueen from "Cars."

Something's slightly off, but it's not totally clear what — could it be that the balloons sometimes have two knots? Or when the clear water balloons explode, they expel paint instead of water? This flies against some of your early observations of the natural world, but the video sure is entertaining. If you could read, you might see the tiny print of a label at the bottom of the TikTok app that reads "Contains AI-generated media." But you, and probably most of the other 280,000 viewers of this video, cannot read.

AI slop for kids is here — especially in the cartoons aimed at toddlers and preschoolers on YouTube. These AI-generated videos of colors and letters are also all over TikTok, says a new report by Kapwing, a video editing software company.

The report analyzed thousands of TikTok videos with kid-targeted hashtags and classified more than half as AI slop, which Kapwing defines as "careless, low-quality content generated using automatic computer applications and distributed to farm views and subscriptions or sway political opinion." Videos were categorized as slop if they carried TikTok's AI-generated content label or, in some cases, contained obvious signs of generative AI.

AI is prevalent elsewhere in the app, as well, the report said. Kapwing created a new TikTok account (with no specific age identifiers) and said 59% of the content on its For You Page was some form of AI slop.

That's bleak, but it's most grim when looking at the levels of AI-slop targeting kids versus other categories. Here's what they found:

We checked a sample of 10,742 TikTok videos across the most popular tags in 20 categories, noting the number of AI slop and non-AI slop videos. The category with the highest slop density by far was Kids (57.4%) — more on that below.

Science and Education (35.0%), Health (33.8%), and History (33.5%) are the nearest contenders. In the top nine categories, more than one in ten videos were AI slop. But videos in the Fitness (1.6%), Music (1.5%), and Fashion (1.3%) categories are almost entirely human-made.

(I should note here that Kapwing makes video-editing software; they're not a research firm or child advocacy group. They're also somewhat of a competitor to the popular CapCut app, which is owned by ByteDance along with TikTok). TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

When Kapwing drilled more into kids-targeted content, here's what they found:

Of the 2,000 featured videos we analyzed in TikTok's Kids category, some 1,147 (57.4%) were AI slop.

The worst-affected tag, #cartoonkids, was almost entirely made up of slop, with only three of the 100 videos we checked being human-made. Around one-third or more of the videos for nearly all of the tags we checked were AI slop, and even #babytok — which had significantly less slop than other tags — featured one slop video out of every ten on its tag page.

Of course, it's not surprising that #cartoonkids is largely slop, because AI is so prevalent in animation. But Kapwing also found 83% of videos with the hashtag #babysong qualified as AI slop, along with 77% of #nurseryrhyme videos, and 52% of #kidslearning.

Yikes!

I suppose I should take a pause here and point out that TikTok is not really an ideal place for toddlers to hang out. Unlike the dedicated YouTube Kids app, there's no dedicated separate app for under-13s on TikTok. (TikTok has a teen experience for 13-17 year olds, where parents can link accounts to monitor and control the experience, but that's not really what we're talking about here; this is more stuff for toddlers and preschoolers.)

TikTok allows users under 13 to sign up, and it puts them into a very limited experience with curated content for kids.

I tested this by signing up for a new TikTok account with a 2020 birth year. When I scrolled through the feed, the top videos were slop-free — there were animal videos, coloring and art videos, some soccer and unboxing videos. Not the most enriching stuff out there, but I didn't initially see any AI slop.

When I search some of those hashtags like #nurseryrhymes or #kidscartoons on my own adult account, however, I see plenty of it — some of it with millions of views. Clearly, some little kids are watching this on adult accounts — my guess is that parents are passing their own phones to their kids to watch some videos when they need a moment of distraction.

What does this kidslop look like?

Imagine training an AI on hours and hours of Cocomelon, and somehow the results make you long for the comparatively "human" feelings of classic YouTube Kids fare like "Johny Johny Yes Papa."

These videos are churned out at a massive scale for profit, and they're not always educationally sound on a basic level. Emily Tate Sullivan recently reported for Mother Jones on the proliferation of AI slop for kids on YouTube, and how experts are concerned both about how young brains absorb it, and how low-quality it can be:

A video about vowels includes visuals of consonants. It also depicts letters on screen that don't align with the audio overlay. A video promising to teach about the 50 US. states sings along as butchered state names appear in text at the bottom of the screen — Ribio Island, Conmecticut, Oklolodia, Louggisslia. A video about the seven continents frequently shows a compass with more than four points and indecipherable symbols where the "N," "S," "E" and "W" should be.

Not great!

I try to keep an open mind about some of the AI-generated videos that are flooding social networks. Some of the surreal and weird ones, like soap operas about adulterous anthropomorphic fruits, are genuinely amusing, and I think that adults can enjoy them for what they are.

But the stuff targeted to toddlers and little kids, who can't tell if something is AI-generated, feels opportunistic. My personal feelings on this are that it's fine to sometimes let kids watch entertaining videos — and sometimes adults need a break. I'm not the screentime police here, far from it. But from my limited review, many of these videos are not high-quality educational content, even if they include the word "learning" in the video title.

• Living abroad without family nearby, my husband and I haven't taken a child-free vacation in years.
• Instead, we travel with our daughter and show her romance doesn't need to be "scheduled."
• We find moments of connection and romance while also traveling as a family.

My husband and I chose to spend New Year's Day at Hakuto Shrine, a site famous for its connection to one of Japan's oldest love stories.

Standing beside an icy pond, we watched a pair of bonded ducks circle each other in the heavy snow. "Look, it's us," he joked.

As we approached our 15th anniversary, it felt like the perfect place to celebrate our history and our future.

After leaving the grounds, we grabbed hot coffees to warm our hands and watched stormy winter waves crash against the coastline as the snow fell thick and heavy. That moment was just one of many romantic experiences we've shared while on family trips.

Living abroad without nearby family support means my husband and I haven't taken a true child-free vacation in years.

Although there are certainly times we wish we had that option, we stopped waiting for uninterrupted time and started finding ways to feel connected during the trips we were already taking.

Our anniversary trip included Legoland and still felt romantic

For a long time, I thought romance lived in a completely different category from family travel, but years on the road together have changed my view entirely.

We've shared bucket-list moments watching wild snow monkeys soak in mountain hot springs, and taking twilight canal rides through the historic old quarter of Kurashiki, under swaying willow trees.

We've walked along the soft, white beaches of Rarotonga at night to admire the stars. Sometimes it's the destination that makes it easier to reconnect.

For our 15th anniversary this year, the three of us went to Nagoya. The itinerary looked like a 10-year-old's birthday party, split between Legoland and the Maglev railway museum, but the three of us got completely carried away geeking out over trains and Lego sculptures.

We finished the day with dinner at a high-end restaurant, sharing past travel memories and talking long after the food was gone. By the end of the night, we felt deeply connected.

A romantic getaway now looks very different to us

Mainstream culture often frames romantic getaways around rose petals over a bed and private, candlelit dinners, but that version has never felt relatable to me.

To me, romance looks like a messy collection of souvenir trinkets scattered across the bed or my husband slipping out to grab takeout, just so I can have an extra hour to soak in the hotel bathtub.

Although family travel has plenty of chaotic, "we should have hired a babysitter" moments, the little routines we've built while traveling together matter more than I expected.

Once our daughter is asleep, we spread out a haul of local snacks, put on a movie, and become amateur food critics.

Even shifting our transit logistics has brought us closer. Now that our daughter claims the window seat, my husband and I sit side by side again, sharing a movie screen and instantly feeling more like a couple instead of tag-teaming parents.

When we travel, the usual distractions fall away for a while. Away from home, there's less pressure competing for our attention.

It creates room for connection, like sharing a laugh when I completely butcher the local language trying to order lunch, or finding a moment to buy each other little surprise presents from a gift shop.

Ironically, one of the ways we make our trips more romantic has been to book accommodation geared toward children. Hotels with play spaces have actually helped us more than luxury hotels ever did, as we can share a relaxed coffee while she plays.

I don't want my daughter to think romance has to be scheduled

Now that our daughter is 10, any public displays of affection from her parents are met with dramatic eye-rolls and performative gagging noises.

Still, she notices our relationship more than she lets on and volunteers to take photos of us together or sits on the other side of a restaurant booth so we can be closer.

By traveling as a family, we hope she learns that romance isn't something reserved exclusively for anniversaries or when the kids are left at the grandparents'. Instead, she sees how we handle stress, affection, and compromise together.

She watches us laugh off a missed train stop, share the load by taking turns hauling heavy luggage through airports, and calmly talk through disagreements over directions. Granted, that last part has also provided her with definitive, firsthand proof that her mother has zero sense of direction.

Most importantly, I don't want her growing up thinking she interrupted our life together. Rather, many of our favorite memories exist because she was there, too.

Our trips may look different from the romantic vacations I imagined before kids, but they still feel deeply meaningful to us.

• Gardeners and designers shared what people should remove from their outdoor spaces to improve them.
• The pros suggested replacing synthetic garden decor with more natural elements.
• Old, weathered patio furniture and harsh lighting can cause common design problems.

With warmer weather on the horizon, now's the great time to upgrade your outdoor living space so you can actually enjoy it — and potentially even increase the resale value of your house.

So, Business Insider asked gardeners and interior designers which items and styles are worth removing from an outdoor space. 

Here’s what they said.

Mismatched decor can make a space feel cluttered.

Excessive, mismatched furniture and accessories quickly make an area feel cluttered rather than cohesive, according to Keely Smith, lead interior designer at JD Elite Interiors.

“Select just a few on-theme items like a curated plant display or outdoor sculpture, and forgo extras that distract from the focal pieces,” she told BI.

Giant decorative planters can slowly degrade over time.

Giant planters may not be the most practical option after all.

"These large, round planters tend to look great for the first season but slowly fade and degrade over time," Anna Ohler, gardener and owner of Bright Lane Gardens, told BI.

They're also difficult to move and can cause water staining wherever they sit.

Ohler recommended using built-in flower boxes that match your deck or siding instead. They can usually fit more plants, and they can be insulated to accommodate ones that come back annually.

Synthetic garden decor can detract from a space's natural beauty.

Lawn ornaments, wind chimes, spinners, and other synthetic garden decor can distract from the natural environment in a yard, Barbi Gardiner, gardener and founder of The Outdoor Apothecary, said.

Consider replacing these with items made from natural materials, such as stone, wood, or recycled metals, which blend more seamlessly into your garden.

Unused wood piles can attract unwanted pests.

Having a stack of unused wood can clutter your space and attract unwanted pests.

"Repurpose or remove the wood, and turn it into a stylish fire pit," Mariya Snisar, head of interior design at Renowell, said.

If you're going to keep it, she said, "simply keep a more organized and purposeful wood-storage area."

Single-type flower beds can appear dull and uninspired — or cause other issues.

Single-type flower beds, also known as monocultures, are worth replacing for several reasons.

"A monotonous bed of identical flowers can appear dull and uninspired, missing the vibrant and dynamic energy that mixed varieties provide," Snisar said. "Mix it up with various flowers of different heights, textures, and colors."

Gardiner also told BI that single-species gardens can be more susceptible to pests and diseases because they often require more pesticides and maintenance.

"Diverse plantings encourage a balanced ecosystem and reduce the need for interventions," she said.

Swap out harsh outdoor lighting with softer alternatives to create a relaxed mood.

Bright and harsh outdoor lighting can cause discomfort and create an unwelcoming vibe, Snisar said.

"Embrace the warmth of soft outdoor lighting strategically placed around your space," she told BI. "Lanterns or fairy lights can provide a welcoming glow, setting the perfect mood for relaxation and enjoyment."

Replace worn-out patio furniture with weather-resistant pieces.

Worn-out furniture should be removed to make way for more durable, high-quality pieces suited to outdoor use.

"Harsh weather and sun can quickly deteriorate low-quality materials, leaving furniture with a tired, uneven appearance that dates the space," Smith said.

More weather-resistant options, like wood-slatted seating and wicker accessories, can stay fresh season after season.

Citronella candles can lack finesse.

Citronella candles, often used as insect repellents, can sometimes look unsightly in otherwise beautiful outdoor spaces.

Snisar said she recommends going for a more modern solution, such as insect-repelling plants or stylish, citronella-infused diffusers for a bug-free and aesthetically pleasing outdoor experience.

Invasive plants should be replaced by native species.

As awareness around the importance of native plants continues to grow, many homeowners are ready to swap out some of their invasive ornamental species.

"Plants like burning bush and barberry, though popular for their aesthetics, can overrun native ecosystems," Gardiner told BI.

As an alternative, consider native shrubs and plants that support local wildlife while still offering vibrant colors.

Tiki bars are a thing of the past.

Tropical kitsch might have been a hit in previous decades, but it's time to ditch the tiki bar.

"Upgrade to a more sophisticated outdoor lounge setup with sleek furniture, cozy lighting, and a well-designed outdoor bar for a more timeless and stylish feel," Snisar told BI.

This story was originally published on April 20, 2024, and most recently updated on June 24, 2026

Prime Day is now in its second day, and Amazon is still offering excellent deals on Apple devices. Since Apple rarely discounts its products directly, big sales events like this are usually the smartest time to save on the brand's most popular gadgets. I cover tech products throughout the year, so I'm up to date on the latest pricing trends. The best Prime Day Apple deals so far include savings on AirPods, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, and accessories.

A few of the best Apple discounts right now include a record-low price on the Apple Watch Series 11, up to $200 off select MacBooks, and 28% off the AirPods Pro 3. There are also good deals on iPads, chargers, AirTags, and other Apple essentials, with savings across newer releases and select previous-generation models. Whether you're upgrading your everyday tech or shopping ahead for a gift, this is one of the better times to buy before prices climb back up.

This year's Prime Day sale runs for four days and ends on June 26. Apple deals should continue to appear throughout the event, but the most in-demand products may sell out. AirPods, in particular, have sold out quickly during past sales, so it's worth acting fast when you find a price you're happy with. And if you're shopping for other products, visit our hub of Prime Day deals across tech, kitchen, style, and home.

Prime Day AirPods deals

AirPods are always among the biggest sellers on Prime Day, and I expect this year will be no different. Right now, the AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $180, which is just $10 more than the all-time low they hit earlier this month. The Pro 3 are my pick for the best AirPods overall, as they deliver excellent noise cancellation and advanced features like heart rate tracking and hearing aid modes. The new AirPods Max 2 are also getting their first big deal since their April release, with an excellent $150 discount.

Prime Day Apple Watch deals

Apple's full lineup of smartwatches is on sale for Prime Day. The Series 11, my team's pick for the best Apple Watch, is 30% off, which is the lowest I've seen it yet. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is also on sale, but if you don't mind going a generation back, you can get $300 off the Ultra 2.

Prime Day iPad deals

Apple's iPads are getting solid discounts for Prime Day. The brand-new iPad Air with M4 chip is an especially good buy, since this is one of the first notable discounts it's received since launch. You can learn more about Apple's tablets in our guide to the newest iPads.

Prime Day MacBook deals

Top Prime Day deals on MacBooks include $150 off the new MacBook Air with M5 chip. That's not quite as good as the $200 discount it got for a brief period in May, but it's still a solid deal. I'm also keeping an eye on the MacBook Neo, which is Apple's budget-friendly laptop. Right now, it's only getting a very modest and common $10 discount, but it's such a good value to begin with that it's still worth considering. You can learn more about why this model is so impressive for the money in our MacBook Neo review.

Prime Day Apple accessory deals

Those shopping for various Apple accessories are also in luck. Several items are on sale for Prime Day, including the brand's popular AirTag trackers. You can also save up to $30 on various Apple Pencil models. They've been even cheaper in the past, but these are still good prices. If you're unsure which Apple Pencil works with your iPad, check out our guide to Apple Pencil compatibility.

FAQs

Why aren't iPhones on sale for Prime Day?

Amazon has deals on plenty of Apple products during Prime Day, but new iPhones are the big exception. The retailer generally doesn't sell brand-new iPhones directly, and most of the iPhone listings you'll find there are refurbished models. Those can be fine in some cases, but we don't recommend them for most shoppers.

For a new iPhone, it's better to look at carrier deals from providers like Mint Mobile, T-Mobile, and AT&T. They often run their own phone promotions around major shopping events, so they're the places most likely to have a worthwhile iPhone discount.

You can read our iPhone 17 review and iPhone 17 Pro review for more details on Apple's newest models.

Do Apple products go on sale often?

Though Apple rarely has deals directly on its website, retailers like Amazon frequently offer discounts on Apple products. Year-round, it's not rare to find iPads, MacBooks, and AirPods for $50 to $100 off. However, the biggest deals tend to fall on Prime Day and other major shopping events, such as Black Friday.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• With summer in full swing, it's the perfect time to check out a new seafood joint.
• From poke bowls to Cajun seafood boils, these seafood restaurants have been ranked the best.
• Yelp picked the best seafood restaurant in every state based on customer reviews.

Whether you're craving Cajun-style seafood boils, innovative sushi rolls, or hot and buttery lobster rolls served up oceanside, these seafood restaurants all offer something special.

Yelp recently named the best seafood restaurants in every state by identifying businesses in its seafood category and ranking them using several factors, including total volume and review ratings.

The restaurants had passing health scores and were marked open on Yelp as of June 23.

From hole-in-the-wall taco joints to Indian restaurants and poke bowl spots, here's the best seafood restaurant in every state.

ALABAMA: Skinner's Seafood in Dauphin Island

What to order: Fresh shrimp, blue crab claws, steamed snapper, chowder

What customers say: "Best seafood on the island! The staff was quick to get our order, and we were in and out in 10 minutes. Their main displays showed current fresh seafood. They also had a freezer full of frozen goodies (fish, crab, etc). If you plan to buy raw and prepare a boil at home, they have all the fixings you need," wrote Yelp user Jessica L.

Learn more about Skinner's Seafood.

ALASKA: The Salmon Spot in Talkeetna

What to order: Salmon cakes, salmon burger, chowder in a sourdough bread bowl

What customers say: "If you have time to drive into Downtown Talkeetna for lunch, do it. We chose Salmon Spot for everything salmon. We got the salmon burger, salmon cakes with dressing, and salmon chowder for lunch. My favorite was those salmon cakes, as they weren't heavy and left me enough room for the chowder," wrote Yelp user Joyce Z.

Learn more about The Salmon Spot.

ARIZONA: Just Tacos and More in Phoenix

What to order: Baja-style fish tacos, tequila lime shrimp tacos, mango shrimp tacos

What customers say: "Really, really good! Found Just Tacos on Yelp and was not disappointed! The fried shrimp Baja taco and carne asada taco were excellent," wrote Yelp user Jessica M.

Learn more about Just Tacos and More.

ARKANSAS: Cooyon's Restaurant in Mountain Home

What to order: Crawfish étouffée, shrimp and cheese grits, fried catfish, seafood gumbo

What customers say: "We moved from New Orleans to NWA three years ago and could never find really good, authentic Louisiana food...until now! We had the gumbo, which was awesome, boudin bites, fabulous, fried oyster poboy (my husband said the only thing better is his, lol), and bread pudding. The muffaletta was as good as any I have ever had," wrote Yelp user Marie S.

Learn more about Cooyon's Restaurant.

CALIFORNIA: Mex Peru Gipsy in Los Angeles

What to order: Ceviche, fish tacos, pescado con mariscos

What customers say: "Wow...the best Peruvian food in LA hands down! As a Peruvian, I approve. The best service and best food in downtown! I will gladly be back, and I'll bring my friends and family next time. Yummy lomo saltado and ceviche, I trust their other dishes are delicious as well," wrote Yelp user Natalia C.

Learn more about Mex Peru Gipsy.

COLORADO: Corner Poke in Greenwood Village

What to order: Poke bowl, sushi burrito, lobster tuna bowl, softshell crab

What customers say: "My favorite poke place in the area! Our whole family loves this place and keeps coming back for more. Quality of fish is definitely top-notch, fast service, and good selection. Whether you order to go or dine in, you will not be disappointed," wrote Yelp user Kate L.

Learn more about Corner Poke.

CONNECTICUT: Cold Harbor Seafood & Market in Enfield

What to order: Crab cakes, fish tacos, chowder, blue crab salad

What customers say: "Warm, friendly service, great use of limited space, took home and prepared: shrimp, smelts, smoked salmon, crab cakes, stuffed clams, calamari, more shrimp... everything was of excellent quality, worth the price and will revisit and recommend to anyone looking for good quality seafood in the area," wrote Yelp user Scott R.

Learn more about Cold Harbor Seafood & Market.

DELAWARE: Po' Boys Creole Restaurant in Milton

What to order: Gumbo, shrimp po' boy, crawfish po' boy, crawfish étouffée

What customers say: "This little inconspicuous restaurant has a mighty kitchen and staff. The food is delicious and the service is quick, which allows them to work through their constant line! Everyone is super friendly, and our catfish and gumbo dinners were fantastic," wrote Yelp user Barbara S.

Learn more about Po' Boys Creole Restaurant.

FLORIDA: Skully's Low Country Boil in Port St. Joe

What to order: Gumbo, shrimp bucket

What customers say: "Tonight ate at Skully's. Amazing food and experience. For anyone looking for low country boil this is the place to go. The service and ambiance from the owners is unmatched anywhere we've been so far. I can only say if you've heard the stories of how friendly southern folk are these folks would be who you'd find in the dictionary. So nice and welcoming. We'll definitely be back soon," wrote Yelp user Joe H.

Learn more about Skully's Low Country Boil.

GEORGIA: Che Butter Jonez in Atlanta

What to order: Salmon sandwich, salmon plate

What customers say: "I dined at Che Butter Jonez tonight. I had the salmon sandwich and it was divine, the best salmon sandwich I've ever had. The salmon with seasoned perfectly, it was juicy, the sauce on the sandwich was incredible, the toasted bread, lettuce and tomato — sounds simple, but it was spectacular," wrote Yelp user Christina B.

Learn more about Che Butter Jonez.

HAWAII: Ry's Poke Shack in Kahuku

What to order: Poke nachos, crab salad, pickled cucumbers

What customers say: "I'd say this spot lives up to the hype. The poke is very tender and flavorful, and they give you a huge portion, so it's definitely worth it. Just note that after a certain time, usually around 12:30 or so, they may run out of poke. Both of the owners there are very nice and kind, which makes the experience even better," wrote Yelp user Chunneath K.

Learn more about Ry's Poke Shack.

IDAHO: Red Fort Cuisine of India in Meridian

What to order: Shrimp coconut kurma, fish curry, seafood biryani

What customers say: "The food and flavor is out of this world. Such a nice find in the treasure valley. I love the spice level everytime I go. Sometimes when I get brave I go spicier but, I never regret it," wrote Yelp user Rick P.

Learn more about Red Fort Cuisine of India.

ILLINOIS: Penumbra in Chicago

What to order: Shadow shrimp, Cajun-Creole shrimp, surf and turf

What customers say: "What a hidden gem. My boyfriend and I came here for dinner. The ambience is super sexy and the staff, all of whom are family, were so inviting and welcoming. We shared a bunch of apps so we could try more things. We had the scallops, shadow shrimp, the quesadillas, and the pork chops. Everything was delicious," wrote Yelp user Jamie M.

Learn more about Penumbra.

INDIANA: Ali'i Poke Indy in Indianapolis

What to order: Marinated ahi poke, spicy tuna poke, salmon poke

What customers say: "Food was great, as always. Service was friendly and fast. Ambiance is casual and nice for takeaway," wrote Yelp user Taylor B.

Learn more about Ali'i Poke Indy.

IOWA: Kathmandu Restaurant in Windsor Heights

What to order: Shrimp masala, coconut seafood curry, seafood fried rice

What customers say: "I had the chicken vindaloo (medium spice) for dinner, and my mom had the shrimp coconut curry (mild). The chicken vindaloo was so tasty, and the spice builds nicely — the more you eat, the spicier it gets. The basmati rice and buttery naan bread complement the spiciness very well, for a lovely overall experience. My mom loved her shrimp curry, I tried a bit of the sauce, and it was quite good — subtle and flavorful," wrote Yelp user Vanessa M.

Learn more about Kathmandu Restaurant.

KANSAS: Lulu's Latin Food in Lawrence

What to order: Shrimp ceviche, shrimp street tacos, seafood fajitas

What customers say: "This place is the best Mexican food I have had. I've been there twice, now. I had the chicken and shrimp street tacos. They were both very tender and good tasting. I will keep going back. Service was quick. But very busy," wrote Yelp user Renee H.

Learn more about Lulu's Latin Food.

KENTUCKY: India Oven in Bowling Green

What to order: Shrimp curry, fish masala, tandoori seafood platters

What customers say: "I had the chicken saag (spinach) and my wife had the tandoori (marinated in yogurt and spices) shrimp. Both came with basmati rice, and we ordered two orders of naan (flatbread). The food was outstanding; don't let the unfamiliar terms scare you. I can't wait to go back for the lunch buffet and try more," wrote Yelp user Daniel M.

Learn more about India Oven.

LOUISIANA: Heard Dat Kitchen in New Orleans

What to order: Heard Dat pasta, crawfish, catfish, bread pudding

What customers say: "This food is delicious beyond measure. Can't even describe how scrumptious and flavorful everything was. I got the seafood extravaganza (blackened) and the most delicious sweet tea I've had lately. My friend got the Bourbon Street Love and potato salad. Practically licked our plates clean," wrote Yelp user Paige P.

Learn more about Heard Dat Kitchen.

MAINE: The Travelin Lobster in Bar Harbor

What to order: Hot lobster roll, blueberry pie, clam chowder

What customers say: "We had our one and only true lobster dinner experience here, and it was a delight! It was a hot day, but a fun experience. The other items looked great! Also shared some blueberry pie and ice cream. Good stuff," wrote Yelp user Erica L.

Learn more about The Travelin Lobster.

MARYLAND: Tandoor Spice in Woodstock

What to order: Shrimp tandoor, mango garlic shrimp, shrimp pakora

What customers say: "Wow! First time trying and I will return. Mango shrimp was so flavorful, and the stuffed nan with nuts & fruits was so yummy. My mom really liked the butter chicken, which was prepared at the spicy level you indicated. Food was ready when I arrived earlier than the time, and the workers were very friendly," wrote Yelp user Sarah O.

Learn more about Tandoor Spice.

MASSACHUSETTS: New Deal Fish Market in Cambridge

What to order: Suhsi-grade fish, oysters, snapper

What customers say: "Everything about New Deal is exceptional. The quality, the ambience, and especially the service. Carl Fantasia and his team take great pride in what they do and it shows," wrote Yelp user Mark R.

Learn more about New Deal Fish Market.

MICHIGAN: The Butcher's Block by Maxbauer in Traverse City

What to order: Scallops, battered cod, yellowfin tuna

What customers say: "I love this place. Mark is incredibly friendly and knows his stuff. By stuff, I mean every intricacy and nuance in the seafood and meat industry. Resources from honest butchers and fishmongers to bring high-quality goods into his store every day. Honestly, there are fewer and fewer places like this and it's a shame. Grade-A business," wrote Yelp user Tucker R.

Learn more about The Butcher's Block by Maxbauer.

MINNESOTA: Kusina in Mounds View

What to order: Sinigang soup, fried fish, shrimp pinakbet, seafood pancit

What customers say: "A little bit of Manila in the northern suburbs. The fare is typical, chicken adobo, roast pork, fried fish, lumpia, etc. Everything cooked fresh on-site. The manager is super friendly as well," wrote Yelp user Willie L.

Learn more about Kusina.

MISSISSIPPI: Rice Thai Cuisine in Gulfport

What to order: Shrimp fried rice, shrimp pad thai, tom yum soup

What customers say: "This is a great small family business with really good Thai food. They are always welcoming, the food is freshly made to order, and very reasonably priced. Small divey hidden gem. Coming from the West Coast, this was a huge win to find here," wrote Yelp user Justine W.

Learn more about Rice Thai Cuisine.

MISSOURI: Jalea in St. Charles

What to order: Arroz con mariscos, ceviche mixto, tuna tiradito

What customers say: "The food is astronomically amazing. The ceviche was fresh and tasty. The service was good. The ambiance was chill and relaxed," wrote Yelp user Megan M.

Learn more about Jalea.

MONTANA: Josephine's Speakeasy in Coram

What to order: Smoked trout cakes, mussels, clams

What customers say: "We loved everything about Josephine's! Hands down our favorite meal while in GNP! Service was divine and I'll be dreaming of those trout cakes until we can return," wrote Yelp user Emily F.

Learn more about Josephine's Speakeasy.

NEBRASKA: North 40 Chophouse in North Platte

What to order: Montauk Point diver scallops, seafood stew, shrimp cocktail

What customers say: "Awesome food and awesome service! I try to go here anytime I am in North Platte!! Happy hour menu, live piano in the bar, and great ambiance make this one of the very best restaurants in all of Nebraska," wrote Yelp user Carrie S.

Learn more about North 40 Chophouse.

NEVADA: Fideua in Las Vegas

What to order: Seafood paella, garlic shrimp, calamari

What customers say: "Amazing experience. The owners are present, friendly, and engaging. The restaurant is very inviting, and they've put pictures of the regions of Spain on the wall. They take the time to explain the dishes and make recommendations. We had the sangria, which was nicely balanced and not too sweet. Appetizer of Spanish ham, and for dinner, the seafood paella with steak on the side. The paella is the main star and was perfect. The seafood was so fresh, and everything was cooked right," wrote Yelp user Timmy B.

Learn more about Fideua.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: El Rincón Zacatecano in Manchester

What to order: Fish tacos, shrimp tacos, shrimp chimichangas, seafood fajitas

What customers say: "Stopped here on the way to Burlington, VT. Looks like a hole on wall on the outside, but inside it's nice. The staff is super friendly, and the service was excellent. I had the fish tacos, which were perfectly cooked and pretty much the best I've ever had," wrote Yelp user Ryan N.

Learn more about El Rincon Zacatecano.

NEW JERSEY: B2J Fish Soup in Edison

What to order: Spicy fish hotpot, suancai fish

What customers say: "B2J serves up delicious eats through their amazing soups, fair prices, and great sides. The soups are so generous and the food so fragrant," wrote Yelp user Brian L.

Learn more about B2J Fish Soup.

NEW MEXICO: Sa Thai in Albuquerque

What to order: Fish pla lad prik, shrimp jungle noodles, shrimp curry

What customers say: "My favorite Thai place in ABQ so far. It gets busy, so expect to wait 15-plus minutes for your food. I ordered the drunken noodles (Pad Kee Mao), and it was really good. My friend also ordered the Tom Kha soup, and she enjoyed it and was able to add a side of rice noodles, too. The ambiance is lively but chill. Servers were kind and apologetic about the wait, but I'm glad the food was fresh," wrote Yelp user Stephanie L.

Learn more about Sa Thai.

NEW YORK: Mr. Jones Supper Club in New York

What to order: Scallop crudo, tuna tartare, cured salmon gravlax

What customers say: "We started with the scallop crude, followed by a beef tartar with crispy lotus plant chips, fish, a twist on a carbonara by using udon noodles, and then to really blow our minds — he ended with the star of the show — a fried pork belly that had been marinated in tea, with an apple slaw, and some delicious sauce to drizzle on top. I'm drooling just thinking about it again," wrote Yelp user Suyun W.

Learn more about Mr. Jones Supper Club.

NORTH CAROLINA: Harbor House Seafood Market in Hatteras

What to order: Seafood boils, crab cakes, steamed shrimp

What customers say: "Harbor House Seafood is our go-to every year. Vicki is a delight! Imagine all of the customers she meets... and she remembers our names and our favorite items year after year. She makes us feel like we're at home when we visit. She's warm and welcoming, and the food is prepared perfectly every time. We highly recommend Harbor House," wrote Yelp user Suzanne B.

Learn more about Harbor House Seafood Market.

NORTH DAKOTA: India Clay Oven Bar and Grill in Bismarck

What to order: Shrimp kabab masala, Balti shrimp curry, fish curry

What customers say: "Wouldn't think to eat Indian in Bismarck, but dining options near the hotel were limited. This was good value, fast service, and tasted authentic," wrote Yelp user Judy C.

Learn more about India Clay Oven Bar and Grill.

OHIO: La Jaiba Seafood and Taqueria in Cincinnati

What to order: Fish tacos, shrimp burritos, seafood enchiladas

What customers say: "Portions are gigantic! The seafood burrito is enough for a few meals and is very good. The ceviche is not to be missed. Perfectly balanced. Yum! Great service, and the family that owns it was nice and treated us well. I will be back," wrote Yelp user Michael P.

Learn more about La Jaiba Seafood and Taqueria.

OKLAHOMA: Signature Grill in Edmond

What to order: Chilean sea bass, crab cakes, tomato crab bisque

What customers say: "Signature Grill is quietly one of the best and most underrated restaurants in OKC. The service and food are always top-notch. This place is great for special occasions like anniversaries, date nights, etc. Be sure to make a reservation before you go. Their halibut with crab topping is seriously excellent!!! If I were on death row and had to choose a last meal, this dish would be one of the memorable dishes I have had in my life," wrote Yelp user Torri H.

Learn more about Signature Grill.

OREGON: Yuubi Sushi in Beaverton

What to order: Pink dragon roll, dry-aged nigiri, uni wagyu caviar

What customers say: "Truly a 5-star and heavenly experience. The best sushi and raw fish experience I've had in Oregon. The raw fish is so rich, the freshest and most delicious. We tried everything from their aged salmon to their uni wagyu caviar. Everything just shoots passed our expectations we never knew we had," wrote Yelp user Duc K.

Learn more about Yuubi Sushi.

PENNSYLVANIA: Geronimo's in Ambler

What to order: Sea bass ceviche, arroz con mariscos, seafood pasta

What customers say: "Great service and amazing food! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by the owner, who chilled our wine and gave us a quick background on his Peruvian restaurant. The Geronimo ceviche was great, as was the langostino soup. We can't wait to come back," wrote Yelp user Rose G.

Learn more about Geronimo's.

RHODE ISLAND: Hometown Poké & Bubble Tea in Providence

What to order: Ahi tuna poke, salmon poke, shrimp poke

What customers say: "A meal that is well-priced and made with real ingredients. It's one of my favorite restaurants because it doesn't leave me feeling bogged down like other quick lunch options usually do. I like building my own bowl so I can customize my ingredients — I switch between tuna or chicken for my protein, but always with citrus ponzu sauce," wrote Yelp user Nina C.

Learn more about Hometown Poké & Bubble Tea.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The Jones Oyster in Greenville

What to order: Raw and chargrilled oysters, lobster roll, chowder, shrimp po' boy

What customers say: "Awesome spot in Greenville. Was in town for work and came here for a quick dinner. Excellent service, great food, and good atmosphere. I got oysters on the half shell and a shrimp po boy. Would definitely come back," wrote Yelp user M R.

Learn more about The Jones Oyster.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Chef Lance's On Phillips in Sioux Falls

What to order: Crab cakes, Parmesan-crusted halibut, seared scallops

What customers say: "We had the best time and dinner out experience at Chef Lance's. The whole dining experience was top-notch and lived up to and exceeded all the hype that you might have heard about dining at Chef Lance's. We highly highly recommend a night out enjoying this experience," wrote Yelp user Mark C.

Learn more about Chef Lance's On Phillips.

TENNESSEE: Uncle Larry's in Chattanooga

What to order: Fried catfish, fried tilapia, hush puppies

What customers say: "Great southern style fish. They have grilled or fried options. Sandwiches or plates. Best turnip greens I've ever had! Fried catfish with their hot sauce was super delicious," wrote Yelp user TN C.

Learn more about Uncle Larry's.

TEXAS: Mahi Nic in South Padre Island

What to order: Blackened mahi mahi sandwiches, shrimp tacos, mahi ceviché

What customers say: "Walk up and order at the counter and seat yourself type of restaurant. The food was fresh and delicious. The mahi tacos were on point. The fries are HUGE and next level. Great spot," wrote Yelp user Kyle M.

Learn more about Mahi Nic.

UTAH: Hawaiian Poké Bowl in St. George

What to order: Sweet and spicy ahi, shoyu poke, furikake salmon

What customers say: "This is shocking to say, but this is some of the best poke I've had. I was put on to this spot by a friend and make it a point to eat here every time I'm in town. Definitely one of the best in Utah. The quality of the tuna is top-notch. Simple flavors but done just right. You can order a bowl with one or two scoops. They have about 12 poke options, and when they sell out, they're out for the day. Go early, or you might be disappointed. Shoyu and furikake are the way to go," wrote Yelp user Pro S.

Learn more about Hawaiian Poké Bowl.

VERMONT: Mystico 802 in Manchester

What to order: Day-boat crudo, branzino, olive oil-poached halibut

What customers say: "The crudo, and main pasta courses were exceptional. The pasta is homemade, and all the seafood ingredients are fresh. The focaccia with whipped ricotta is superb. The service and ambiance are also exceptional. My vote for the best restaurant in Southern Vermont," wrote Yelp user Riff C.

Learn more about Mystico 802.

VIRGINIA: Blue Seafood & Spirits in Virginia Beach

What to order: Crab cakes, crab soup, fried oysters

What customers say: "High-quality and fresh seafood, prepared well, plus excellent service. Cocktails are also tasty. We travel around the country for work, and Blue can hold its own against any seafood restaurant we've eaten at in cities large and small," wrote Yelp user Amy C.

Learn more about Blue Seafood & Spirits.

WASHINGTON: Bistro San Martin in Arlington

What to order: Crab cakes, oven-baked jumbo prawns, Dungeness crab wild rice soup, pan-seared diver scallops

What customers say: "We absolutely loved this restaurant. I can't say enough great things about the food. We loved everything that we ordered and can't wait to try more from their changing menu. We started off with the bread and olive oil and ordered drinks. The shrimp appetizer was great! We ordered halibut and crab cakes. Followed by crème brûlée. The service was exceptional and very attentive. The chef cooked everything right there in the open kitchen, and it was wonderfully prepared. The ambiance was very warm and inviting," wrote Yelp user Andy A.

Learn more about Bistro San Martin.

WEST VIRGINIA: Cheetah B's in Petersburg

What to order: Shrimp scampi, crispy coconut shrimp, low-country boil with shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes

What customers say: "This was the most upscale restaurant that my family ate at while in the area, and we definitely got bang for our buck! We came by on a weekday afternoon, so the place was very empty. The food was wonderful! I ordered the shrimp scampi, which comes with a side salad and garlic bread (which I had replaced with applesauce). The food came out very quickly and was delicious. Would definitely come back if I'm ever back in the area," wrote Yelp user Billy T.

Learn more about Cheetah B's.

WISCONSIN: Fairchild in Madison

What to order: Halibut, snapper, lobster bisque

What customers say: "Went here for a birthday and had a great experience. The service was attentive, and the atmosphere was perfect for a celebration. The Snowdrift and Manhattan were both excellent. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The Broccolini paired well with the salmon, and the steak with potatoes and onion was full of flavor. We also tried a special appetizer that was unique and made for some great bites. Overall, a wonderful spot for a special night out," wrote Yelp user Johanna E.

Learn more about Fairchild.

WYOMING: Jalisco Mexican Grill in Evanston

What to order: Grilled shrimp tacos, Diablo shrimp, shrimp fajitas

What customers say: "Doesn't look like much from the outside, but do yourself a favor and push the door open for the best Mexican food in Southwest Wyoming. Perfectly spiced and very generous servings. You'll have leftovers to enjoy! The staff is kind, attentive, and very personable," wrote Yelp user Dave B.

Learn more about Jalisco Mexican Grill.

• Our children see my husband and me focused on our screens for work and life for most of the day.
• We started using voice chat with Claude so they can understand how we're using the technology.
• We're teaching our children that AI is a tool for support, not a substitute for thinking.

AI chatbots have been tremendously helpful in running our workflows for quite a while now. As a freelance copywriter working from home, and with my husband working as an IT configuration engineer, our laptops have always been fixtures of daily life.

Our three children, aged 12, 9, and 5, are used to seeing us focused on screens. They knew we both worked hard, but they didn't really understand how, until we started using the voice assistant feature of Claude.

A few months ago, my husband started a voice chat with Claude in our living room. We were simply trying to choose an accent setting, but the moment a warm voice answered back, the kids' faces lit up. What started as an experiment quickly turned into a fun family experience, with everyone trying to come up with questions to ask. That conversation literally ended with my son asking for tips on how to make the perfect chocolate mug cake in the microwave.

That afternoon, we had great fun, but it actually helped start something unexpected.

Of course, we still use AI for work. I use it to brainstorm ideas, organize research, and speed up editing. My husband uses it to troubleshoot technical issues and make sense of coding problems more quickly. But AI has also found its way into our everyday family life, too. After work, we keep using it for things like meal planning, researching products, organizing trips, settling random debates, and answering the endless stream of questions that my curious kids have.

Our kids are listening to us problem-solve out loud

Using the live, spoken conversation feature with AI apps is helping our children learn it well. Initially, switching to voice chat was just a matter of convenience. But over time, I realized our children were watching us think, question, verify information, and solve problems in real time. They weren't just seeing technology in action; they were actually learning how to interact with it.

Thankfully, our kids understand the difference between work time and family time. They know not to interrupt when we are deep in concentration. But when we are using the voice assistant for collaborative tasks, they love to join in. They are fascinated by the technology, but more importantly, they are learning how to direct it.

My 9-year-old recently spent an afternoon asking Claude for strategies to become better at Scrabble. My 5-year-old is the funniest. She asks Claude things like how to convince her brothers to let her join their soccer games or how to stop them from fighting. Sometimes their questions are funny, sometimes surprisingly thoughtful, but they all create opportunities for conversation.

I initially worried about what AI might mean for children

Like many parents, I was worried about how AI use might impact my kids. The most common concern, I believe, is that it will weaken their critical thinking skills.

We're working hard to avoid that. Instead, we have been teaching our children that AI is a tool for support, not a substitute for thinking. They can use it to brainstorm ideas, do basic research, or get unstuck when they are struggling with a task. But the final ideas, opinions, and arguments must always be their own. If they are working on a school assignment, AI can help organize their thoughts, but it cannot do the thinking for them. I am the one who scrutinizes their AI use.

We also make a point of discussing its limitations. When Claude gets something wrong or confidently presents inaccurate information, we treat it as a teaching moment. Our children are learning an important lesson early: technology can be helpful, but it should never be followed blindly.

The biggest benefit has nothing to do with technology

Like many working parents, I know the guilt of answering a child's question with, "In a minute," while trying to finish one more task. But because AI helps us complete certain tasks more efficiently, it has given us something incredibly valuable back: time.

Work that once took me several hours can often be completed much faster. My husband spends less time tackling technical problems. As a result, our workdays no longer stretch as aggressively into evenings and weekends.

Claude is not replacing our connection with our children. If anything, it is helping protect it. Outsourcing some of the repetitive work gives us more opportunities to focus on the things that matter most, like helping with homework, cheering for them at sporting events, playing board games, or simply being present. And that, for us, is the biggest achievement of all.

Networking is one of the best ways to land a job right now, but going about it the wrong way can do more harm than good for your reputation and potential future opportunities.

That's why Business Insider asked two etiquette experts to share the mistakes that should be avoided while networking.

Here's what they said.

Collecting contacts instead of cultivating connections

Pamela Eyring, owner of The Protocol School of Washington, which teaches business and professional etiquette, told Business Insider that networking has changed a lot over the years.

Although collecting business cards was once seen as important, now it's all about building slow, genuine connections with others.

To do this, Eyring said it's helpful to find things you have in common, which makes the conversation feel genuine rather than transactional.

For example, connect over being alums from the same college, having both traveled to the conference from the Midwest, or even shared hobbies. These things can make you more memorable later, too.

Interrupting conversations already happening

When it comes to networking, first impressions are incredibly important. That's why you should never interrupt a conversation that's already in progress.

Instead, she suggests looking for an open circle and making direct eye contact with one person.

Catching one person's attention creates space to ask permission to join the conversation, which comes off much warmer than pushing in.

Huddling with people you already know

Stayce Wagner, business etiquette consultant and founder of Spencer Crane Etiquette, told BI that one of the biggest mistakes people make at networking events is sticking with colleagues or friends they already know.

"It's a mistake because you're missing the purpose of networking — you're not expanding your network, you're not connecting with new people," she said. "It also makes you seem unapproachable."

Instead, Wagner recommends checking in with colleagues only when you feel anxious or there's a lull in conversation. This can help you preserve that sense of security without missing out on what you came to do — meet new people.

Avoiding small talk

Despite how you may feel about small talk, it's an important part of networking and creating inclusive conversations. That's why it's good to come prepared with topics to talk about.

Eyring said some good examples include, "'Is this your first time at this conference?' or 'This is my first time at this event, can you tell me what to expect?'"

She added that it's important to invite others into the conversation and that small talk naturally offers opportunities to share more about yourself and your work.

Taking your name tag off early

Most people don't love wearing name tags or lanyards, but they serve an important purpose beyond an initial introduction. According to Wagner, name tags help you seem approachable and make it easier for new contacts to remember your name.

"Everyone's learning lots of names, meeting lots of people. So keeping that name tag on keeps you approachable and it helps other people be comfortable around you."

Although it may be tempting to take it off after initial introductions, it's important to keep your name tag on until you leave the event.

Using the food and beverage table as a crutch

Hovering around the refreshments and snacks can feel comforting to some, but Wagner said it can also become a crutch and might look unprofessional.

"Avoid treating the food and beverage table as the main event," she told BI. "If you can avoid it, don't go to the event hungry."

Not preparing an adequate setup for virtual networking

Networking online is important in the digital world. Although many of the same rules apply, one of the most overlooked missteps is the lack of an appropriate camera setup and background.

Eyring said that even if you're taking a call in your car, there are ways to make your setup look more professional.

For example, she said, check what's appearing in the background of your video call before you join it to make sure it's appropriate.

Forgetting to send a thank-you note

Networking is about building connections, helping one another, and strengthening relationships. That's why Wagner said sending a thank-you note after meeting someone who helped you at a networking event is non-negotiable.

Depending on your industry norms, she said this can come in the form of an email, direct message, or handwritten note.

Of course, sometimes people get busy and this step can slip their minds. However, Wagner said, "A late thank you is much, much better than not thanking someone."

Amazon Prime Day is going strong, and the event's second day of deals continues to bring major discounts on TVs. I've spent over a decade reviewing TVs, so I know how to spot the deals that are genuinely worth buying (and what you're better off skipping). This year's best Prime Day TV deals include great prices on some of my favorite OLED, Mini LED, and QLED sets from Samsung, LG, TCL, Sony, and Hisense.

Some of the top TV discounts I'm seeing are on 2025 models, but a handful of newer 2026 models are also getting their first notable price drops. One of the most impressive deals right now is on the 65-inch Samsung S90F, which is down to an all-time low of $1,198. It's my pick for the best TV overall thanks to its excellent contrast, wide viewing angles, and vibrant color. Meanwhile, for shoppers who want a truly massive screen for movies, sports, or gaming, I recommend the 98-inch TCL QM7K, which is down to a record-low $1,898.

I'll continue updating this guide throughout the week as prices change and availability shifts. Several Prime Day TV deals have already sold out, while others have dropped even lower. And for more savings across every category, head to our Prime Day deals hub, where our expert deal hunters are tracking the best discounts across Amazon.

The best Prime Day Samsung TV deals

Some of the best Samsung TVs are down to record-low prices for Prime Day. At a new all-time low price, the brand's S90F OLED is an especially great value for shoppers who prioritize picture quality. The brand-new S90H is also getting its first notable discount of the year. It's pricier than the S90F and its color performance is slightly worse, but it has a glare-free screen that's much better at fighting reflections. Meanwhile, the brand's Frame TVs are an ideal fit for people who want a display that blends seamlessly into their living room, like a hanging piece of art.

The best Prime Day LG TV deals

LG makes some of the best OLED TVs I've tested, and several of its top models are on sale for Prime Day, including the midrange C5. The brand-new C6H is also back down to its lowest price since its spring release. The C6H is available in 77- and 83-inch sizes, and it offers a notably brighter image than the C5. You can learn more in my LG C6H TV review and guide to the best LG TVs.

The best Prime Day TCL TV deals

The best TCL TVs are already a great value year-round, but these Prime Day deals make them an even better buy. The extra-large 98-inch QM7K is a standout at an all-time low price of $1,898. The QM7K's brightness and contrast rival many pricier QLED models from Samsung, LG, and Sony.

The best Prime Day Roku TV deals

Roku is well known for its intuitive streaming devices, and the brand also makes its own smart TVs with its interface built in. The Roku Plus Series earned a spot in my guide to the best budget TVs thanks to its easy-to-use smart platform and solid QLED image quality. For Prime Day, the 55- and 65-inch models are both back down to all-time low prices. You can learn more in my guide to the best Roku TVs.

The best Prime Day Sony TV deals

Sony TVs are pricey, but their image accuracy and processing are tough to beat. For Prime Day, you can save on some of the brand's top QLED sets, including the Bravia 9, which is an excellent high-end Mini LED set with a bright picture. For an in-depth breakdown of Sony's lineup, visit my guide to the best Sony TVs.

The best Prime Day Hisense TV deals

Hisense continues to stand out as a value-focused TV brand, offering models that compete closely with TCL while often undercutting premium sets from Sony and Samsung. The U8QG is a prime example: it's one of the brightest TVs you can buy, yet it costs far less than many dimmer high-end alternatives. One caveat, however, is that the 65- and 85-inch versions use a different panel than the other sizes, which gives them better contrast but narrower viewing angles. For a full breakdown, check out my guide to the best Hisense TVs.

The best Prime Day Amazon Ember and Fire TV deals

Amazon makes its own lineup of smart TVs powered by the Fire TV platform. Though TCL and Hisense often offer better picture quality for the money, Amazon's models can still be worthwhile budget options when they're on sale. The 50-inch Omni QLED is an especially great option as it's one of the few TVs this small to include local dimming, which enhances contrast. It's back down to an all-time low of $250. For a closer look at Amazon's TV lineup, check out my Fire TV guide.

Prime Day TV FAQs

What type of TV should you buy?

TV shopping can be confusing since there are several display types to choose from, including LED, OLED, QLED, Mini LED, and RGB LED. Each technology has its own strengths, so the right pick depends on your budget, room setup, and viewing habits. Here's a simple breakdown:

• OLED TVs: OLEDs, including QD-OLED and tandem OLED models, offer the best overall picture quality, with perfect black levels, pixel-level contrast, and wide viewing angles. They're ideal for movie fans, but they cost more (especially in larger sizes), aren't as bright as top QLEDs, and carry a small risk of burn-in. You can learn more in our OLED vs. QLED comparison.
• QLED TVs: QLED TVs use quantum dots to deliver bright images and vibrant color. They're great for rooms with ambient light, come in many sizes and price points, and don't pose a burn-in risk. However, they can't match OLED contrast or viewing angles, and performance is best on models with Mini LED local dimming.
• LED TVs: Basic LED TVs are the cheapest choice and work well for casual viewing or getting a large screen on a budget. But they lack premium features like quantum dots, and usually lack local dimming and wide color support, so picture quality is limited.
• RGB LED TVs: Also called Micro RGB, RGB Mini LED, or True RGB, these TVs use separate red, green, and blue LEDs to deliver an expanded color range. The tech is promising, but options are limited, and OLED remains better for contrast. You can learn more in our RGB LED vs. Mini LED comparison.

Should you buy a 2025 or 2026 TV model?

For most shoppers, a discounted 2025 TV offers the best value on Prime Day. Generally speaking, new 2026 TVs only offer modest upgrades but currently cost a lot more than last year's models. That said, certain 2026 TVs deliver bigger improvements that could be worth the extra money if you're an enthusiast who wants the latest panel technology. With that in mind, I've singled out a few particularly noteworthy 2026 TV models in this roundup.

What size TV is best?

The ideal TV size depends on your room, seating distance, and budget. Big-screen TVs larger than 65 inches can make movie nights, live sports, and gaming sessions feel more immersive, but don't let screen size be the only thing that sways you. A cheap TV with a huge display will often fall short in contrast, color, and brightness compared to a smaller, high-end model. As you compare Prime Day TV deals, pay close attention to the panel type, picture-quality features, and design perks, rather than just picking the largest screen at the lowest price.

Is Prime Day a good time to buy a TV?

Yes, Prime Day is a great time to purchase a new TV, as select models are reaching record-low or near-all-time-low prices. While there are a few dud deals out there, I spend my days tracking prices and testing TVs, so I'm careful to only recommend truly good deals on quality televisions.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• Alex Kessler grew up helping his father with his toy business.
• He heard stories about the toys his grandfather invented, including a toy hoop.
• He didn't want to join the family business, but started a related company.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Alex Kessler, founder and CEO of Kess Toys and Entertainment, and Brian Kessler, chairman of the board at Kess Toys. It has been edited for length and clarity.

My grandfather's career started in a junkyard. He was a kid coming out of the depression in Ohio, scrapping junk to make money. Eventually, he began playing with those scraps and inventing things in the back of his junkyard.

He ended up with many patents. He made most of his money off weatherstripping (material that's used to seal doors and windows), and even invented a type of water bottle cap that's still popular today. But the product that gets the most attention in our family lore is a toy hoop he made in the 1950s.

The family story goes like this: my grandpa invented the toy hoop in the early 1950s, but couldn't give it away. Then, a hoop dancer appeared on Art Linkletter's variety show. Demand for the hoops boomed, and my grandpa sold thousands of them. Still, construction was booming faster, so my grandfather decided to focus on weatherstripping. By the time the Hula Hoop hit the market in 1958, my grandfather's hoop was just family folklore.

I learned business from being immersed

Then, 30 years later, my dad brought back the hoop. He opened Maui Toys in 1988 and grew it to become a major supplier of toy hoops. Growing up, I was the play-test dummy for all the toys my dad invented. I broke many prototypes, but I like to think the toys that made it to market were better for it.

When I was 8, I attended the New York Toy Show with my dad. It was like Halloween for my cousins and me, walking around and picking up sample toys when the conference ended. By the time I was 12, I visited my dad's Hong Kong factory with him.

I was learning business through osmosis. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was gaining knowledge most people have never been exposed to.

I was terrified of having my dad as my boss

If you asked me in college, I would have said I wasn't interested in getting into the toy business. After graduating, I worked in video production. I enjoy creating stuff, and ultimately that's what drew me back to toys.

I love "Magic: The Gathering" and created video content about the card game. I wanted to create more products rooted in geek culture, like tabletop games. Yet, the idea of having my dad as my boss was terrifying.

Then, my father decided to sell Maui Toys. I helped him with that and took on a marketing role at the toy company he sold to. By 2016, I felt I had enough experience to start my own business, and I launched Kess Co. It was initially focused on the tabletop games I enjoy, and has expanded from there.

There's a family connection, even through different businesses

I've started a company based on my interests, and I've also been able to tap into my dad's industry knowledge and our family history.

Today, my dad is the chairman of the board at Kess Co., so we still work closely together. I'm a child of divorce, and have always been a bridge builder. My default is to mitigate conflict, and my dad is very good at helping me run the company.

Even though my grandfather, father, and I ran different companies, there's a through line connecting us. Kess Co. still sells hoops like the ones my grandfather created, and my dad helped popularize. We have warehouse and distribution facilities in the same Ohio community where my grandfather had his junk yard. It may not be a typical third-generation business, but it's a legacy we're proud of.

Welcome to day two of Amazon Prime Day! We're not even halfway through the event yet, and we've already witnessed so many great deals come and go. Don't get overwhelmed by the influx of it all — let us guide you to what's actually worth your time.

• Browse all deals at Amazon

Keep scrolling to find great discounts on products we've tested, reviewed, researched, or personally love ourselves. Home, tech, kitchen, style, beauty, outdoors, fitness — everything is included in the Amazon sale bonanza. You'll need to be a member to save on the retailer's deals over the next few days; newcomers can take advantage of a free 30-day trial to get access.

Headphone deals

With how often they're on sale, there's no reason to cheap out on headphones. Especially for Prime Day, you can find brands like Apple, Beats, Sony, and Bose down to unbelievable lows, making it easier than ever to get a new pair.

Note: The price of the AirPods Pro 3 has been fluctuating recently. It briefly dropped to $169 before settling back to its usual discount price of $199 last night. I'm tempted to hold out for $169, but $179 might be the best we see during Prime Day.

Struggling to choose between the two Sony models above? While the XM6 does sound a touch better, the XM5 topped multiple best headphones lists before its sequel came along. As such, we still think it's an excellent buy, especially at this price. If you travel a lot, the XM6 folds flatter and offers better noise cancellation and call quality, which could come in handy, but you're paying a lot extra today.

• See more Prime Day headphone and earbud deals

Tech deals

As soon as the clock struck 12 on Prime Day one, many tech deals dropped to incredible lows, marking some of the best prices we've seen all year. Like 35% off the Oura Ring 4 and some incredibly low prices on some of the best phones out there. Like the S26 Ultra, and a range of excellent foldables with hundreds of dollars knocked off those high MSRPs. Our favorite portable charger has also dropped to a new low.

I've highlighted this Chromebook as it's one of the few options in this price range with 8GB of RAM. I'd urge you to avoid the 4GB models, despite their tempting price tags around $170, as they're going to feel super sluggish from the off, even for the most basic tasks. The Chrome browser alone will gobble up all that RAM with just a few tabs, but 8GB here will give you a little flex, even if the processor is on the weaker side, too. All things considered, though, there's a lot to like about this Prime Day laptop deal for such a low price when a lot of laptops are going up due to the RAM shortage brought on by AI datacenters.

If you want extra storage and a better processor, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is $90 off for Prime Day at $339.

I love this mouse so much, I bought it twice. One for home (paired with multiple devices via a simple switch) and the other at my office. A newer version has recently been released, with more shortcut buttons, but at this price, I'd stick with the 3S. It's supremely comfortable for all-day use without going fully upright like many ergonomic mice. I'm a big fan of the unlockable index-finger scroll wheel, and the thumb wheel is a killer app for horizontal spreadsheet scrolling.

TV deals

With most top brands launching new flagships in recent weeks, this is the perfect time to get huge discounts on slightly older models. There are strong showings today from Samsung, TCL, and LG. And as with every Prime Day, fire Sticks are down to super-low prices if you're tired of your current smart TV's sluggish operating system.

• See more Prime Day TV deals

Coffee deals

Coffee rigs are notoriously expensive, especially if you're hoping to invest in a trusted brand name. Luckily, Amazon offers many of the greats, like Breville, Moccamaster, and Keurig, all of which are on sale for Prime Day. Whether you're pulling smooth espresso for a latte or hustling out a quick single-serve cuppa, these machines are what you're looking for.

This Keurig is an excellent purchase at this price, and I'm so glad I picked this model last year over the slightly cheaper Mini (also on sale for $50 today). The larger water reservoir means I don't have to fill it for every cup, and it features a strong brew mode and heats up a lot faster than the Mini, as I found out when using one at a hotel recently. Don't forget to stock up on some coffee pods for it today if you're buying as loads are on sale. — Brendan Griffiths

• See more Prime Day coffee deals

Kitchen deals

If you've been eyeing the fancy countertop appliances influencers flex on social media, this is the time to jump on your new favorite kitchen tool. Air fryers, ice cream makers, stand mixers, and much more are down to great lows for Prime Day — don't miss out.

I only picked up my first air fryer last year (this Instant Pot one that's down to $60 today, by the way). And it's been a good buy so far for things like wings, asparagus, and the like. But I do kind of wish I'd bought one like this Chefman model with a window, as I also use it for warming up/toasting bagels and need to constantly keep opening it to check I'm not burning them. Being able to just look through the glass would be a clutch upgrade. However, glass is a bit harder to clean if oil spits onto it while cooking.

On the flip side of all that, I've also been tempted by something a bit bigger, like this Ninja model below! New York counter space says no, though. — Brendan Griffiths

• See more Prime Day air fryer deals

• See more Prime Day blender deals

I'm not much of a chef, but after seeing our kitchen editors praise the Caraway set, I gave it a shot a few years ago. More than being a pretty lineup on the range, this cookware really… cooks. They're a little heavy for my taste, but considerably lighter than cast iron and other viral brands I've tested. The surfaces heat evenly — and did I mention how nice they look on a countertop?

They're a regular participant during major deal holidays, but outside of that, it can be tough to find them on sale. — Sarah Saril

• See more Prime Day kitchen deals

Bedding and sleep deals

Stop sleeping on ratty sheets and lumpy pillows. Prime Day is here with extremely affordable, customer-loved sleep essentials. From duvet covers to sunrise alarm clocks, these deals will have you sleeping better. You can also find plenty of mattress deals running now.

• See more Prime Day mattress deals

• See more Prime Day pillow deals

Vacuum and cleaning deals

We may not have flying cars, but in case you missed it, vacuums have gotten pretty smart in the last decade. Hopefully, you didn't buy a new one anytime recently, because a range of models are deeply discounted for Prime Day. Robot vacuums that can empty themselves, cordless stick vacuums with budget prices, and powerful upright options are just a few of the products available now.

• See more Prime Day vacuum deals | Pet vacuum deals

Home deals

Whether you're furnishing a new room or finally upgrading from a secondhand couch, Prime Day has you covered. It's surprising how much good furniture you can find on Amazon — and folks shopping for smaller upgrades can also benefit. Air purifiers, lighting, security essentials, and more await you, all at discounted prices.

• See more Prime Day furniture deals

• See more Prime Day luggage deals

Beauty deals

Amazon may not be your first thought when it comes to looking good, but Prime Day is here to change that. From Dyson Airwraps to viral beauty products, you can save a lot by restocking and upgrading your routine with the retailer.

• See more Prime Day red light therapy deals

Dry California weather is not for the dry of skin, and the Laneige lip products above really carry me through the thick of it. They're more than just hype — I actually restocked and bought three Lip Glowy Balm tubes as soon as midnight struck and Prime Day kicked off. They're not often on sale, so now is really the time to stock up. — Sarah Saril

Style deals

Viral styles, weather-proof essentials, breathable athletic wear, and much more are on sale for Prime Day. It doesn't matter if you prefer luxury quality or budget friendliness — we're seeing it all drop. Stock is especially limited in this category, so if you find your size, don't hesitate to head to checkout.

These sub-$20 Celine Triomphe dupes are having a good, long moment. Their versatility for different face shapes, chic design, and of course, low price, make them irresistable. Editor Sam Crozier will be sporting them all summer — and now you can too at this low price.

• See more Levi's Prime Day deals

I had the chance to test out this specific case after the iPhone 17 launched. It's a seriously sweet upgrade from your typical budget case: it uses premium materials with thoughtful features like pivoting loops and a clip for extra wallet security. At $100, it's still considered a pretty luxurious phone accessory, but this is a rare chance to save on a beloved brand. — Sarah Saril

Prime Day luggage and travel deals

The right gear can make a world of difference on your next trip. Don't get caught with broken zippers and painful straps — score a Prime Day travel bag deal to lighten the load financially. Popular brands we love are participating, including Away, Samsonite, Troubador, and many more.

• See more Prime Day luggage deals

• See more Prime Day backpack deals

• See more Prime day travel deals

• See all deals at Amazon

What time does Prime Day start?

Prime Day 2026 officially starts at the stroke of midnight PT (3 a.m. ET) on June 23. We also saw a raft of deals go live the day before.

When does Prime Day end?

Prime Day 2026 ends at the end of the day on Friday, July 26. Some deals will expire beforehand, especially lightning deals, and some items will only have a limited number of units available at the discounted price, so you could see prices increase before the sale officially ends.

On the other hand, we also see a small number of deals stick around a few extra days after Prime Day, so it's certainly worth a late look over the weekend as well.

Is Prime Day only for members?

Yes, the vast majority of deals will require a Prime membership to enjoy the exclusive price.

Not a member? That's OK, as there's a 30-day free trial that you can use to enjoy the full sale, along with all the other perks like fast delivery, Prime Video streaming, and more. You're under no obligation to keep Prime, and are free to cancel it within the 30 days before you become a paid subscriber.

Is Prime Day worth it?

Yes, especially the Summer version - October Prime Day can be hit and miss, as it's too close to Black Friday, but we always find plenty of highlights in the summer.

So much so, we always tell our friends looking for a TV or laptop, a new air fryer or vacuum, or even just things for the apartment like pet items, cleaning supplies, coffee pods, and the like, to hold on for Prime Day if they can, as prices get slashed on every category around the site.

We might get some of the best prices of the year on some items, while other deals we highlight include items with what we'd consider a great price right now - one that we'd make a purchase on ourselves or recommend to a friend. Inflation, tariffs, and the RAM shortage have increased prices on a lot of things this year, for example, so we're taking all of that into account when recommending these deals in the current climate to try to help find you the best bang for your buck.

• Slate finally shared its starting price, a year after the truck's first unveiling: $24,950.
• The company initially said the truck would start under $20,000 with US EV incentives — but those are gone.
• Slate thinks it'll win over shoppers who don't need a tech-filled daily driver.

Slate has finally put a price on its tiny electric truck.

The startup's base two-seat pickup will start at $24,950, excluding taxes and fees. The two-door SUV versions with a second row of seats will start at $29,950.

Slate says that makes its pickup the "most affordable truck in America." The first deliveries will hit customer driveways by the end of 2026, the company said.

The startup — which received early funding from big-name backers like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter — is trying to squeeze into one of the strangest gaps in the US auto market: low-cost, low-tech cars.

To keep prices down, Slate is taking a sharp turn away from the modern truck arms race. Its base model has manual crank windows, tactile controls, no touchscreen, and no stereo system.

It is also betting that it can become the automotive equivalent of Build-A-Bear. Slate wants owners to start with a bare-bones truck and add what they want later, choosing from more than 200 accessories. Buyers can add a second row of seats, a stereo, seat covers, roof racks, light covers, key-fob clips, and wraps in more than 100 colors.

"Slate gives customers the freedom to buy only what they need today and personalize their vehicle as their needs change tomorrow," Peter Faricy, Slate's recently installed CEO, said in an email.

The truck is tiny by American standards. Slate says the pickup is 174.6 inches long, or about 14.5 feet. That puts it closer in length to a Toyota Camry than a Ford F-150.

Its specs are modest, too, with an estimated 205 miles of range, a 1,550-pound payload capacity, and a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds.

Slate says more than 180,000 people have placed $50 reservations, though EV reservations have proved to be a shaky measure of real demand. (Just look at the Ford F-150 Lightning, which collected around 200,000 reservations before it hit American roads. The EV pickup lasted just four model years before it was discontinued.)

Demand drop, more competitors

For Slate, its launch timing could be tricky. The company first unveiled its product in April 2025, when Washington still offered the $7,500 federal tax credit for shoppers who opted for American-made EVs. The company initially said its pricing would start under $20,000, with incentives.

Those tax credits ended in September, and EV sales have slumped since.

Slate is also entering a more crowded EV market. It is launching in the same year that several automakers are unveiling models that are cheaper than their first EVs — including Rivian's R2, Toyota's C-HR, and Lucid's Gravity-based Cosmos.

Still, in recent years, very few Americans have experienced that new-car smell for under $25,000.

Edmunds says just 4.7% of new vehicles sold in 2025 were priced lower. Whether that is because shoppers have reset their expectations or because automakers largely stopped serving that segment is anybody's guess, analysts say.

"Our data show the market quietly walked away from that price years ago, so this is a real test of how much affordability still matters to today's buyers," Ivan Drury, Edmunds' director of insights, said.

• Solomon Rosenblatt, 96, is looking for love in New York City.
• He wants someone to join him at jazz shows and operas.
• He's hoping to fight the loneliness he's felt since his wife died two years ago.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Solomon Rosenblatt and his matchmaker, Brigitte Weil. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was married for 69 years to a wonderful woman who was a partner, wife, and a tremendous support in every way. Vicky was a concert pianist from Egypt and spoke five languages. She lit up my very straight, technical, engineer's life. Since she died in 2023, my days have been gray.

That's why I hired a matchmaker to help me find love again at 96. I miss the company of a woman: someone to talk to, wake up beside, and fall asleep next to. When I wake up alone in an empty apartment, it really starts the day off on a downer.

Finding love at this age is a hard job, but I figured I'm going to do everything possible to find a companion who can help fill some of the blank spaces in my life.

I'm not looking to travel, but I still love concerts

I'm looking for someone I really like, not just someone to fill the time. She should be nice to look at, and if she's Jewish like me, that would be extra comfortable, though religion isn't a dealbreaker.

Since hiring the matchmaker, I've been on dates and met some wonderful women who like the same things I do: concerts, theater, dinners out, and trips to the museum. Who wouldn't like a life filled with those things?

But many of them are independent. They have their routine, and some are still interested in traveling. At my age, I'm looking for someone who is comfortable spending time together at home, holding hands. My days of traveling are behind me, but maybe we call a car to take us to a jazz performance downtown.

On dates, I talk about the past more than the future

I never really dated Vicky. We met at a party in 1953, and I immediately knew she was someone I wanted to be with. We took long walks on the boardwalk in Rockaway, even in the wintertime, no matter what the weather.

We talked our souls out until we really, really understood each other. Then, we'd go to a little Chinese restaurant, and continue the conversation about our hopes and aspirations. I married her four months after we met. We had three kids — who are now near retirement themselves — and were incredibly happy.

Nearly 70 years later, I still take my dates to Chinese food, but these days it's for lunch instead of dinner. The conversations are different. I open up by asking them about their history — and they have 70 or 80 years to tell me about. Instead of looking forward, we spend more time talking about the past.

I'm still curious at 96

Anyone who is my age and still productive — let alone looking for love — is a curiosity. I think that's why people are fascinated by my story.

After Vicky died, I felt I was just treading water. I knew I needed to find my next project, and I ended up finding two. I just finished writing a book about my life. There's a lot hidden in my head, and when I write it just pours out. I'm also working on new patents for bandages, adding to the more than a dozen patents I already hold.

I was born curious. It's just my nature, and I've accepted it as my fate. I'm not a baseball or sports fan — I get my kicks from creating something that can help someone. While my energy has lessened with age, my curiosity hasn't. I hope I find the right woman to share that curiosity with me in my last few years.

• Chinese EV giant BYD is taking on Tesla in the race to build humanoid robots.
• Top executive Stella Li told BI that she wanted to use the robots in the company's showrooms.
• The robots would help sell cars, but wouldn't replace the "emotional connection" of a human salesperson, Li said.

BYD is developing its own rival to Tesla's Optimus robot, and one of the Chinese automaker's top executives wants it on the showroom floor selling cars.

In an interview with Business Insider's editor in chief, Jamie Heller, at the Cannes Lions festival, BYD executive vice president Stella Li said building humanoid robots for the home and service industry will be a "huge" market for the company.

"My goal is to bring two or three robots to every single store. They can explain to the customer, they can have fun, they can even show the car, demonstrate the car," said Li, who predicted that the technology for robot car salespeople would be available in the next "one or two years."

Li added that although she expected BYD's showroom robots to have a role in selling its cars, they would not replace the "emotional connection" provided by a human salesperson.

"We still need the people, but now with robotics we can make our service better," said Li, who is the Chinese carmaker's second most senior executive and the public face of the company.

BYD is the latest company to join the race to manufacture humanoid robots, the global market for which is expected to grow from $3 billion in 2025 to $28 billion in 2030, per Morgan Stanley estimates.

The Chinese EV giant's entry into the robotics market would see it face off once again with perennial rival Tesla. The US automaker is planning to begin production of its Optimus humanoid robot this summer, and CEO Elon Musk believes the robotic helper has the potential to be the biggest product of all time.

The market for humanoid robots is currently dominated by Chinese companies such as Unitree and UBTech. Chinese robotics firms accounted for more than 80% of all humanoid robot shipments last year, according to data from Omdia.

The majority of robot deployments so far have been in controlled factory and warehouse settings, with the greater unpredictability of home and real-world environments typically posing more of a challenge for the technology.

Li told Business Insider that the humanoid robotics industry in China is moving at a rapid pace, but said more efficient energy-consumption systems and better AI "brains" were needed before home robots could become a reality.

The BYD executive said the company would build its humanoid robot in-house, but was open to buying robots from rival companies if needed. BYD is also investing heavily in industrial robots, and Li said that the company was inching closer to so-called "dark factories," where manufacturing is handled entirely by robots.

"I think in the next three to five years there will be a lot of revolution here," said Li.

"Maybe we can start to have some manufacturing where there are no human beings, and then the robot will run the facility," she added.

• Ukrainian naval drones have been used to strike Russian ships in the Black Sea.
• A Ukrainian commander said he wants the drones to start detaining ships rather than sinking them.
• Policing missions would significantly expand the role of the naval drones.

Ukraine wants its naval drones to detain commercial vessels in the Black Sea rather than destroying them, a commander in Kyiv's military intelligence agency told Business Insider.

Ukrainian naval drones have been used to attack vessels by striking them at the waterline and exploding. The targets were primarily Russian warships, although Kyiv has also attacked sanctioned oil tankers belonging to Moscow's so-called shadow fleet.

Ninth, a commander in Ukraine's GUR intelligence agency who requested to be identified only by his call sign, said "a new system is being developed" for the naval drone his unit uses for Black Sea operations.

"Its purpose is not to destroy oil tankers or grain carriers transporting sanctioned goods," said Ninth. Rather, the intent is "to detain and tow them into port."

"If they comply, they will be escorted to a designated port where the vessel and cargo can be seized under international law," he said. "If they refuse, other measures may follow."

Policing missions like these would significantly expand the role of the "Katran," a multi-purpose naval drone developed by the Ukrainian enterprise Military Armored Company HUB and operated by Ninth's unit.

The Katran, like other Ukrainian naval drones, started out as a strike boat, packed with explosives and steered into enemy ships to detonate on impact. Kyiv has used these drones to weaken Russia's Black Sea Fleet, waging what officials often describe as an asymmetrical campaign.

As the Black Sea fight evolved, Katran received modifications, including machine guns and surface-to-air missiles. Other Ukrainian naval drones underwent similar upgrades, making them more capable of more than just one-way explosive attacks.

In late November 2025, after years of focusing mainly on Russian naval vessels, Ukraine began attacking the shadow fleet, a network of ships that Moscow uses to transport oil and circumvent Western sanctions on energy exports.

Ukrainian naval drones struck several commercial ships in the Black Sea toward the end of last year. Now, the GUR wants to make the mission less destructive as Kyiv presses its international partners to adopt a more aggressive stance toward Russia's shadow fleet and vessels linked to Moscow.

Ninth said that these ships are used to transport stolen goods, sanctioned oil, or weapons. He added that using the naval drones in a policing role could allow civilian crews and shipping companies to receive prior warning that their movements may be enforced by naval drones.

"If you encounter such a system, you are under arrest. Proceed calmly to the designated port. Everyone remains safe," the commander said, speculating on how the policing could work. "The vessel and its cargo will be confiscated in accordance with international law."

"Personally, I consider this approach far more humane than simply sinking ships carrying unknown cargo," he added.

This anticipated new role for the naval drones could come as Ukraine continues to replace humans with uncrewed systems wherever possible. On the battlefield, for instance, ground robots are increasingly taking over deadly logistics missions from soldiers.

At-sea policing missions would build on numerous Ukrainian drone innovations that have reshaped the battlefield. One recent introduction, the mid-range strike drone, is having a tremendous effect. Conflict experts attribute the recent shift in momentum favoring Kyiv, particularly in the southern direction, to these newly deployed strike assets.

Ninth said he sees a future in which certain drones could secure a ship's deck and temporarily detain its crew, while others control the airspace above the operation. If needed, Ukraine could sink a noncompliant vessel within seconds.

"The ability to test such concepts in the conditions of today's Black Sea represents an enormous technological leap forward," he said. "What we are discussing is not a single drone. It is an entire system."

• Asian stocks steadied on Wednesday, with South Korea's Kospi gaining 4.6% in early trade before paring gains.
• The moves followed a sharp rout in global technology stocks.
• The sharp swings highlight Asia's growing exposure to shifts in AI and chip-stock sentiment.

Asian markets steadied on Wednesday after a bruising tech-led selloff rattled global investors.

South Korea's benchmark Kospi index rebounded as much as 4.6% in early trade after plunging 10% on Tuesday. The index closed 3.3% higher after trade turned volatile around midday.

Chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix closed 9.8% and 1% higher, respectively.

Elsewhere, trading was mixed. Japan's Nikkei 225 ended 0.9% lower.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained as much as 1%. Taiwan's Taiex lost 2.2%, as heavyweight chipmaker TSMC closed 4% lower.

The moves followed a sharp rout in global technology stocks, as investors dumped high-flying semiconductor and artificial-intelligence names.

"Part of the move in tech reflects funds taking profits and recognising that the risk-reward profile has shifted, particularly given the crowded positioning across parts of the global AI infrastructure and memory complex," wrote Chris Weston, the head of research at Pepperstone, in a note.

The volatility highlights how exposed some of Asia's biggest equity markets have become to shifts in sentiment around AI.

South Korea has been among the world's best-performing stock markets this year, driven by a rally in semiconductor and AI-related shares. But that strong run has left the market vulnerable to any reversal in the global AI trade.

"Overall, whether these moves continue will depend on whether the market believes the cashflows from deployment and diffusion of AI models justify the infrastructure build-out that we are seeing right now," Michael Wan, an analyst at Japan's MUFG, wrote in a note on Wednesday.

Despite the recent turbulence, Wan said he remains positive on the sector's longer-term prospects.

"We tend to lean towards a more positive view and see us as just in the initial innings of a generational shift in technology deployment as the bigger picture beyond the near-term volatility," Wan wrote.

US futures were mixed as of around 7 a.m. ET:

S&P 500 futures: 7,382, up 0.24%

Dow futures: 51,658, down 0.01%

Nasdaq futures: 29,485, up 0.48%

• The US Marine Corps is pushing for better air defense amid its larger force redesign.
• The Marines want more systems, but the Corps also wants them to work together and be easily upgraded.
• Air defenses need to meet a variety of missile and drone threats, as seen in recent conflicts.

Evolving drone and missile threats, from Europe to the Middle East, are pushing the Marine Corps to move faster on critical air-defense programs, a top Marine general said last week.

The Marine Corps is investing in new air-defense systems, including the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, but Lt. Gen. Eric Austin, the Corps' deputy commandant for combat development and integration and senior ground-acquisition official, said the pace of battlefield change means the service needs to move faster to keep up with emerging threats.

Austin shared his thoughts during a discussion on Marine Corps modernization efforts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a DC-based think tank.

"We're on a path for our 2030 vision, but guess what, it's not fast enough," he said of the service's efforts to reform its air defense systems as the entire military overhauls its capabilities after 20 years of the Global War on Terror. "We've got to field faster, and we have to get these out at scale."

The Corps' budget request for the next fiscal year includes weapons like MADIS, but it's not enough to simply purchase more systems, Austin said.

New air-defense systems need to be easy for each service to use and built with open architecture, meaning they can work with other systems and be upgraded quickly.

"For a Marine Corps system, and particularly for air defense, it's absolutely critical that it be able to talk to all the other air agencies," Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and retired Marine colonel, told Business Insider.

Interoperability helps ensure systems can work together to take down threats and also recognize friendly weapons and assets.

Though the Marine Corps is pursuing these capabilities, Austin said the current modernization timeline hasn't kept up with emerging, fluid threats and warrants a much more urgent overhaul.

After the conclusion of the Cold War, the US air defense portfolio slipped due to a lack of modernization efforts and budget cuts.

"Our ground-based air defense portfolio got a little bit sleepy back in the 90s," Austin said. "We were relying on a really point-defense, low altitude air defense mechanism, but that's not good enough anymore."

His comments come as US troops have faced rising missile and drone threats in the Middle East, especially during the Iran war, and as lessons learned from the battlefields of Ukraine continue to influence the US military's sweeping transformation efforts. In March, six US service members were killed in Kuwait after an Iranian Shahed drone penetrated American air defenses.

And in 2024, three US service members were killed with dozens more injured after a one-way attack drone hit Tower 22, a small logistics outpost in northeastern Jordan. An investigation found several failures and a lack of preparedness that led to the drone slipping past defenses.

The strike in Kuwait also highlighted certain vulnerabilities in American combat facilities, which were previously considered to be sufficiently protected with large, thick concrete barriers known as "t-walls," or giant earth-filled HESCO barriers, and even sandbags.

But in a time of prolific drone warfare, in which cheap drones are significantly lowering the barrier to entry on surveillance and precision strike, such perimeter defenses are less effective, leaving troops vulnerable to aerial attacks. The shift has even prompted some US units to begin training for underground operations, echoing Ukrainian tactics.

"One of the things that's come out of the war in Iran is the need to deal with drones," Cancian said, pointing to Iranian-designed Shahed one-way attack drones, which have been fired at times in the hundreds.

The Marine Corps wants an integrated, layered air-defense network capable of defending against threats ranging from missiles to small drones, including tools capable enough to defend bases abroad and safe enough for defense at home as well.

Cancian said that such a defensive setup would likely need to include both kinetic and non-kinetic solutions, as well as low-altitude, medium-altitude, and high-altitude interceptors. Having defenses that can operate across altitudes gives air defenders more options for intercepting a threat.

The Corps hopes to accelerate the air defense overhaul for the next fiscal year, Austin said. MADIS turns two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles into a single short-ranged ground-based air defense system.

In June, Marines in Okinawa received their first MADIS, along with their first Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). "These systems provide Okinawa-based, 3rd Marine Division Marines, with cutting-edge, land-based anti-ship and anti-sUAS [small-uncrewed aerial systems] capabilities tailored for the complex littoral environment," per the press release.

But the more of these capabilities are needed in more places where the Marines are operating.

"We have to field faster, and we have to get these out at scale. It'd sure be nice to have these fielded at scale in CENTCOM today," Austin said, referring to US Central Command, which oversees the US military activities in the Middle East. "We've got some fielded and some forward, but not enough."

• This World Cup is going to be the biggest gambling event ever, as more states legalize betting.
• Gambling can be dangerous, so we asked three experts for tips on betting responsibly.
• They gave us some tips on what to watch out for and explained why the phrase "gamble responsibly" is loaded.

This World Cup will be the largest gambling event in US history. According to a PwC survey, 58% of Americans who plan to watch the World Cup will also plan to place a bet on a game.

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're considering one yourself.

An expanded field of 48 teams means more matches than ever, creating more opportunities to wager as sports-gambling fever is in full force across the US, one of the host nations.

Amid the constant stream of ads promoting bookmakers and prediction markets on TV and online, it can be easy to forget that gambling your savings can also be devastating. Gambling is a booming industry, after all, because it makes billions of dollars of revenue from bettors losing.

We spoke to three behavioral experts to better understand how to gamble responsibly and whether "gamble responsibly" is even the right terminology. Their main advice was to see betting as entertainment, not a way to make money.

Here are four suggested safeguards worth adopting to make sure your World Cup wagers don't turn into a life-altering binge.

Keep a budget

If there's one "golden rule" in gambling, it's setting a budget, Mark Griffiths, who has studied gambling addiction for four decades, told Business Insider.

"You have a budget, and you stick to that budget," Griffiths, distinguished professor of behavioral addiction at Nottingham Trent University, said. "It's all about not spending more than you can afford to lose."'

While that might sound simple, in the era of smartphones where everyone is "carrying around a licensed bookmaker in their pocket," it's much harder, said Griffiths.

Add to that this year's record tournament size, and anyone who says "I only gamble when the World Cup comes around," will have nearly six weeks, instead of four, to keep within their budgets, Griffiths said.

"When you gamble, you're buying entertainment," Griffiths said. "You should expect to lose, and any winning is a bonus."

Gambling is an expense line, not an income line, on your budget, said Alex De Marco, who runs a program to provide free financial counseling to problem gamblers called GameFin.

Both agreed that it becomes a problem when you start borrowing, whether it be from a family member or friend, taking out a bank loan, or borrowing from your rent or grocery budget.

"My suggestion is, if you win, send that gambling money right back to your grocery fund or wherever you took it from, so you're playing with the house's money," De Marco.

If not, it's possible to fall into a "vicious circle" of borrowing more to pay off what you owe, which "can become quite problematic very quickly if you're not careful," said De Marco.

Avoid emotion

Griffiths regularly bets against England, his national team, which he described as the emotional form of hedging. If England wins, he's happy, and if they lose, he gets some money back.

"I have to be honest, I've won more money than I've lost," Griffiths said.

The constant deluge of prop bets — wagers on specific outcomes that aren't tied to the game's actual outcome — or in-play bets, which are placed during the game, has supercharged the neurochemical pitfalls of gambling, said De Marco.

"When you're betting on every moment, that dopamine hit you're getting is rewiring your brain and how you engage with the actual sporting event itself," De Marco said. Sports betting, once a simple bet on the outcome of the match, is now more like "one of, if not the, most addictive gambling experience there is," he said: a slot machine with the ability to constantly place wagers.

Daniel Crosby, chief behavioral officer at private wealth tech firm Orion Advisor Solutions, said that "overconfidence" is one of the big emotional mistakes people make.

"The illusion of control can make purely random outcomes feel predictable, especially when a payout just misses," Crosby said. Conversely, there's the "gambler's fallacy," or the "belief that after a string of losses, a win is somehow 'due,'" Crosby said.

"Of course, random events don't have a memory, but our brains are wired to look for patterns whether they're there or not," Crosby said.

The house always wins

For those who choose to gamble, it's best if they understand what they're buying. Promotions, such as $10 free bets or deposit-matching, can be "good value" for people who were already planning to bet and are willing to shop around between different providers, Griffiths said. But gambling companies offer those deals for a reason, thinking of them as "acquisitional factors to get you to gamble in the first place."

Accumulators, also known as parlays, which require correctly predicting multiple outcomes and can offer massive but unlikely payouts, are heavily promoted.

"You have to realize that you have a better chance of Elvis landing on the moon than of winning a six or seven bet accumulator," Griffiths said.

Anything that draws people to bet by focusing on something other than probability is likely to lead to big wins for the house.

"Probability is what I would consider the basic structural characteristic of gambling, which is why I personally would never, ever gamble on the lottery," Griffiths said, though he said he doesn't stand in the way of his wife's love for the lottery.

It's not just up to you

Neither Griffiths nor De Marco is a prohibitionist. Both said they occasionally gamble.

"If there were no bookmakers, then we'd be doing it ourselves, or we'd go underground," Griffiths said.

But that doesn't mean America's system is working perfectly. For people with gambling issues, avoiding betting can be difficult when it's constantly advertised.

American advertising rules may be characteristically laissez-faire, but other countries, like England, strictly regulate when and how gambling can be advertised. In contrast, others, like Italy and the Netherlands, have near-total bans on gambling ads.

The expansion of legal gambling in the US has also led to expanded public health programs, such as those De Marco provides. However, much of the burden still falls on personal responsibility.

"Responsible gambling is not my favorite term," De Marco said. "It puts the onus on the responsibility of the end user even as technology is advancing marketing tactics with bonuses and VIP programs to make the product even more engaging and habit-forming."

De Marco still uses the phrase because it's the industry's language, but he prefers another lens.

"Consumer protection is another way to look at it," he said.

Even off the clock, Danny Hamam feels like he's falling behind.

The software engineer, who lives in New York City, said every new AI tool release can trigger a fresh wave of anxiety.

"The first thought that I get isn't that, 'Oh, this is so exciting. Another AI tool dropped.' It's, 'I'm behind. I have to learn this ASAP,'" Hamam said. "So you start freaking out."

Hamam, like many tech workers, is confronting an ever-growing wave of AI tools that kick-started with the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. Since then, Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI have been in an arms race to outdo each other with the latest frontier model.

The monthly cadence of major model releases has roughly quadrupled since 2023, said Peter Assentorp, a coder and designer based in Denmark who built a database to keep tabs on the expanding AI horsepower.

"The pace got high enough that I was losing track of what was newest and best, and I build and code with these models every day," he said.

The number of major AI releases climbed from 18 in 2023 to 69 in 2025, according to Assentorp's tally. By mid-2026, major AI companies had released another 30 models.

The rapid pace of AI releases can make it feel futile to master any particular tool, said Jack Boudreau, CEO and cofounder of Habits, a fintech company focused on financial planning.

"It's almost not worth it for you to become a subject matter expert, because wait one more week, and they're going to simplify it for you," he said.

AI advances have meant the potential for greater productivity and excitement, but also mean keeping up with a blistering pace of change, software engineers told Business Insider. For some, the information firehose has resulted in workplace paralysis and a growing sense that the tools they feel pressured to master are gaining the upper hand.

"I believe it's only the beginning," Sacha Greif, a developer in Japan, said of AI's impact on coding. He predicts the AI giants will eventually make many stand-alone software products, such as project-management tools, unnecessary, leaving less room for the companies that make them. "I see a hollowing out of the industry."

Coding is AI's first big breakthrough into the world of work, putting the tens of millions of software developers around the world at the forefront of this transformation — and giving other white-collar workers a preview of the existential reckoning coming for everyone else.

Losing agency to the agents

The shadow of that future is already visible to those fearful that AI could replace their jobs. Greif runs the tech research publisher Devographics, which recently conducted a developer survey with roughly 7,000 respondents. In it, more than four in 10 said that AI tools threaten their job security.

Those fears relate in part to how quickly the work itself is changing. As AI takes on more coding tasks, developers are increasingly spending their time guiding and managing AI systems — and now, agents can do the prompting, too.

"We're making the machine that makes the machines now," said Annie Vella, a developer in New Zealand.

So far, though, those changes haven't translated into a collapse in hiring. Software development job postings have recently been inching higher. Yet it's not just the fear of replacement — the advances are forcing developers to rethink their relationship with the craft itself. Each wave of new models is becoming better at writing code, causing some to wrestle with what it means when tools can perform — quickly, if not perfectly — skills they spent years mastering.

Some developers also worry that AI could increasingly dictate how they work, undermining their skills and turning them into "service drones" for the technology, said Cary Cooper, a professor of organizational psychology and health at the University of Manchester's business school.

Cal Newport, author and Georgetown University computer science professor, said "the deep work required to write code from scratch creates deeper satisfactions in the long term" than managing bots.

"Endlessly waiting for models to spit out code — what many now call 'botsitting' — is boring," Newport said.

At the same time, workers are facing added pressure from employers to go all in on AI. Companies are using dashboards to track employees' AI use, monitor how many tokens workers consume, and incorporate AI adoption into performance reviews.

Herminia Ibarra, a professor of organizational behavior at London Business School, said some of the pressure comes from organizations and managers overestimating how quickly engineers can adopt AI and what the technology can and cannot do — then judging workers against those expectations.

"The engineers are stuck because they are being asked to deliver innovation in business-as-usual mode," she said.

Ben Eubanks, an analyst and researcher who studies HR technology and workforce trends, said the anxiety among some software engineers is so deep that he is hearing some are considering career pivots into sales or support roles.

'How much more can I optimize?'

Not everyone is exhausted. Developer Rafa Rafael said AI means he spends less time troubleshooting problems or researching fixes and more time understanding requirements and thinking through features.

"I feel more involved in the overall product and not just the code itself," said Rafael, who lives in the Philippines.

As a developer, Angga Pratama now largely oversees workflows and manages multiple AI tools simultaneously rather than writing code — a change that he said has increased the mental intensity of the job.

"The faster things become, the more the pressure shifts from 'Can I finish this?' to 'How much more can I optimize?'" said Pratama, who is based in Indonesia.

For some, conversations about the technology are difficult to escape. At work, online, and in everyday life, AI chatter can feel constant.

Akshyae Singh, who studied cognitive science with a specialization in computing and AI at UCLA, has tried to channel some of his feelings of uncertainty into action through his San Francisco startup, Frame, which backs creators who make videos about AI and its impact on society.

Singh said he expects humans won't be able to keep pace with AI systems. "It's not biologically possible," he said.

Though Rafael now enjoys riding the AI wave, it took some adjustment. He initially found AI more tiresome than traditional coding as he spent extra hours experimenting with prompts. Rafael said he now avoids coding after work, choosing instead to spend time with his family, watch TV, or relax. He has also stopped trying to keep up with every new AI release.

"There is always something new, so I only look into it when I think it could actually help with my work," Rafael said.

The challenge is as much organizational as it is individual. Many engineers are grappling with the double anxiety of keeping up with AI while also worrying about what it could mean for their careers, said Kathy Gersch, CEO of the change-management firm Kotter.

To help "quiet some of the noise," she said, companies should encourage workers to share what they're learning with one another. That would help workers feel like they're "moving with the tide versus being hit by the tide," she said.

For all the anxiety AI can generate, Hamam, the software engineer in New York, said the upside is seeing how much he's learned and accomplished in the past few years.

"You're building things that you thought you wouldn't have built if it wasn't for the added pressure," he said.

What do you think about how the software engineering industry is changing? Let us know below:

• A sell-off in South Korean chipmaker stocks sent a ripple effect worldwide.
• US chipmakers were sharply lower, exposing their vulnerability to runaway valuations in the Korean market.
• Now traders have to worry about the top-heavy Korean market foiling best-laid plans overnight.

US investors have a tendency to be myopic. And who can blame them? They trade in the biggest market. All the biggest companies are American.

That focus has been reaffirmed in recent months, with the AI trade driving US indexes to repeated record highs. Not to mention the biggest IPO in history just took place stateside.

But beyond the Magnificent 7 — outside the US entirely — gains have been minted that put US returns to shame.

Forget SpaceX. Foreign investors have been all about South Korean chip stocks. Samsung and SK Hynix have stormed the global market-cap rankings, breaking the $1 trillion valuation mark and continuing higher. At their recent peaks, they were up 196% and 354% year to date, respectively.

But the problem with gains that rapid was laid bare on Tuesday, when Korean chipmakers tanked double-digit percentages, setting off a chain reaction of selling across the world.

The Korean Kospi index — which had more than doubled in 2026 — started off the session inheriting some late-day jitters from the US around rate hikes and AI spending. That was then compounded by a local report that SK Hynix is slowing production for its top-end memory chips. A circuit-breaker stoppage and matching 13% losses from Samsung and SK Hynix later, the Kospi closed 10% lower.

In the US, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 shed 3.3%, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index tanked 7.9%. There was nowhere to hide for tech investors.

The ordeal shined a light on just how vulnerable the AI trade can be if even one major — albeit relatively overlooked — player has issues.

SK Hynix got some attention when it broke through $1 trillion a few weeks ago, but it's hardly been viewed as having the ability to tank the whole market. If this is the case with the second-biggest Korean chipmaker, what happens if a Magnificent 7 giant has similar issues?

It's the question that's likely to keep AI investors up at night for the foreseeable future.

But there are some key differences between the US and Korean markets that may put investors' minds at ease. As Tuesday showed, the US won't be completely immune to Korean influence, but it should be able to avoid a full-fledged contagion event.

A primary pain point for the Korean market was the forced unwinding of retail-investor positions trading with borrowed money. There was also deep selling of leveraged ETFs tracking Samsung and SK Hynix. Both situations show what can happen in a market driven to an outsized degree by risk-hungry retail traders.

But on a given day in Korea, 50% to 70% of trading can be driven by retail. That's much more than the 20% to 25% normally seen in the US, lessening the overall market-moving impact.

The next big event for US chipmakers will come this week in the form of Micron earnings, due after the closing bell today. Traders are going to be especially sensitive to chip-demand guidance, and signs of how spending is holding up. Investors appear to already be pricing in disappointment, with Micron shares down 13% on Tuesday.

No pressure, Micron, but the near-term fate of the AI trade rests in your hands. Let's see what you've got.

• Stifel thinks the US economy is headed for a "Running Hot" investment regime.
• That's defined by hot inflation and robust economic growth.
• The firm said it was bullish on investment-related cyclical sectors and value stocks in particular.

Get ready for the US economy to burn hot this summer.

That's the new advice from Stifel, with strategists at the firm eyeing a "running hot" setup for the US economy — that is, a dynamic in which economic growth heats up alongside inflation.

In a client note on Tuesday, the firm pointed its proprietary macro model, which showed that the US economy's "growth impulse" was booming, while the economy's "inflation impulse" had moved sharply into "hotter" territory.

That reflects a specific combination of macro conditions expected to rejig the investment landscape, strategists said, laying out what they believed was the ideal playbook for investors to adopt in the current climate.

The firm also said it was bumping up its S&P 500 target for the year to 7,800, implying around 4% upside from the benchmark index's current levels.

"Our sector strategy is based on our economic views: the US economy is 'running hot' and stock indices are reflecting our bifurcating 'Tale of Two Economies' view," a team led by Thomas Carroll, Stifel's vice president of institutional portfolio strategy, wrote in a note. The firm referred to the idea that the US economy is splitting into two distinct narratives, with the AI trade still booming though US consumers are under more pressure from higher inflation.

Here's what Stifel thinks investors should do next, according to its three-part market playbook:

1. Investment-oriented cyclical industries

The firm said it was bullish on investment-related cyclical stocks, which include firms in sectors like banking, transportation, materials, energy, semiconductors, and software and equipment.

Investment in the AI trade has shown no signs of stopping this year, despite some concerns that companies may be pouring too much into the AI buildout without a clear return on investment. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Google are now planning to spend a collective $725 billion on capex in 2026, around $100 billion more than what was previously projected.

"Booming AI fixed investment is outperforming squeezed consumers," Stifel wrote.

Lean away from consumer-linked industries

Stifel pointed to recent weakness in sectors like consumer discretionary, consumer staples, communications, and financial services.

Communications and consumer discretionary are among the worst-performing sectors of the S&P 500 this year.

"Negative EPS revisions signal the avoid playbook' inflation-squeezed Consumer-led downgrades," the firm wrote of those areas.

3. Value stocks, with defensive hedges

Stifel also said it favored value stocks, with a hedge in defensive sectors of the market.

Value stocks haven't kept pace with growth stocks this year, though value areas of the market have outperformed recently amid the selling pressure in tech. The iShares S&P 500 Value ETF is relatively flat over the last month, though the iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF is down 3%.

On the defensive side, Stifel pointed in particular to sectors like insurance, autos, energy, and banks, all of which tend to benefit when growth runs hot alongside inflation.

"We prefer 'Running Hot' Cyclical Value, hedged with Defensive Value," the firm said. "Value is beating Growth as the US shifts into an Inflationary Boom, favoring 'Running Hot' Cyclicals."

• Serial entrepreneur Cody Berman has tried over 30 side hustles.
• He's found that scalable side hustles, like digital products and real estate, are most lucrative over time.
• His advice to beginners, though, is to start with time-for-money gigs to quickly earn cash and fund bigger ventures.

Cody Berman's first entrepreneurial venture was a disc golf manufacturing company he started with a friend at 19.

The business was not a financial home run, the now 30-year-old told Business Insider, but it taught him skills he would use for years: "I learned how to market, how to network, how manufacturing works, how to talk to customers, build websites."

Over the next decade, Berman kept experimenting.

The Massachusetts-based serial entrepreneur, author of "Retire by 30," and host of "The FI Show" had a brief stint in the corporate world, working about seven months in commercial real estate lending. During that time, he lived on side-hustle income and saved his full salary, building a roughly $35,000 cushion that gave him the confidence to quit corporate and pursue entrepreneurship full time.

Since then, Berman said, he has tried more than 30 side hustles. The ones that worked best helped him reach financial independence in his mid-20s.

The most lucrative side hustles were scalable

Berman thinks of side hustles in four categories: trading time for money, scalable income streams, sharing-economy plays, and hybrid or agency-style businesses. The ones that have been most lucrative for him fall into the second category, which he calls "type two" side hustles.

These are scalable income streams that can keep earning after the initial work is done. Or, as he puts it, "something that is going to pay me in perpetuity," such as a digital product, blog post, podcast episode, YouTube video, or rental property — anything that requires upfront effort but can continue producing income over time.

His top income driver today is his digital product business, Gold City Ventures. It started with Berman selling Valentine's Day-themed love coupons and notes on Etsy and has since expanded into a template library and courses, including an E-Printables side hustle course.

Real estate has become another major income stream. Having experimented with long-term rentals, Airbnbs, house hacking, flipping, and hard-money lending, Berman now focuses on real-estate syndications. His third main income bucket is personal-finance education, which includes his podcast, social media, YouTube channel, and book.

The appeal of "type two" side hustles is that they're not strictly tied to hours worked. The trade-off is that they typically require upfront time and effort before they produce meaningful income.

"You're not going to start a YouTube channel or create a digital product today and make money with either of those things tomorrow," Berman said. "But in six months' time, those things might start making serious income."

His biggest flop paid about $2.30 an hour

Not every side hustle was worth repeating. Berman said the biggest waste of time for him was filling out online surveys, which he estimated paid about $2.30 an hour. Simply put, "it was awful," he said.

The funniest flop, he added, was delivering Uber Eats by bicycle while living in Australia for six months.

He had some free time and wanted to make money in a way that didn't involve sitting at a computer. So he signed up for Uber Eats, bought a pink, single-speed bike on Gumtree for about $25, and started delivering food.

"It was super hot. I was in a hilly suburb," he recalled. "Within the first month, I got two one-star reviews because I was sweating on people's food." The gig paid better than surveys, he said — roughly $12 to $15 an hour — but it was physically demanding. "My shifts would only last so long until my legs gave out."

The easiest way to get started is trading time for money

Digital products, real estate, podcasts, and YouTube channels can take months to become profitable. For someone who needs extra cash quickly, Berman said the easiest place to start is usually a "type one" side hustle: trading time for money.

That could mean freelance writing, video or podcast editing, website building, landscaping, driving for Uber, shopping for Instacart, or completing tasks on Taskrabbit.

This is how Berman supported himself early on. "I needed time for my type two side hustles to season, and I supplemented that with the type one stuff," he said.

The main advantage of a type one side hustle is speed.

"You could literally hop on Taskrabbit tomorrow and go do a couple of tasks, or hop on Instacart or drive Uber tomorrow," he said. "And then whenever you're done with it, you can just put it down."

Thanks to years of experimentation, Berman has found what works for him, but there's no universal "best side hustle," he said. The right one depends on a person's skills, personality, interests, and goals.

His advice is to lean into what you enjoy and avoid what you do not: "There is a side hustle for everyone. You don't have to do the ones that I did just because those worked for me."

• Alex Karp buys 3,720-acre Snowmass ranch, once listed at $150M, for $120M.
• St. Benedict's Monastery, with dwindling monks, sells vast Colorado land used mainly for ranching.
• Karp plans to treat it as a residency, but may be limited in what he can change on the property.

Alex Karp has added to the growing list of billionaires buying large pieces of land for personal residences.

The Palantir Technologies cofounder and CEO spent $120 million on a 3,720-acre ranch in Snowmass, Colorado — a ski town 15 miles north of Aspen.

Karp, who's worth $11.7 billion as of June 23, 2026, according to Forbes, purchased the land from St. Benedict's Monastery, which no longer has enough monks to support itself. It was originally listed for $150 million in 2024. Karp knocked a few million dollars off the price tag and bought it in 2025.

Ken Mirr of Douglas Elliman, who specializes in ranches, had the listing with his colleague and daughter, Haley Mirr. He told Business Insider in 2024 that an opportunity to own this property doesn't come up often.

"It is such a unique landscape. Somebody will sit there and go, 'Wow, there's nothing like this,'" Mirr told Business Insider. "You're not going to duplicate it."

The Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, a Roman Catholic religious order colloquially known as the Trappists, bought the property in 1956 for an unknown price. It built the original monastery in 1958.

Early on, the monks supported themselves by cattle ranching, making candy, and selling eggs to local restaurants and farmers. Later, they tapped a local cattle rancher to do the physical work with livestock on the land.

The monastery includes a chapel, prayer areas, and living quarters for the monks. More buildings have been added to the compound since the 1950s, including a retreat center for hosting events.

The Rev. Thomas Keating founded the Snowmass Interreligious Conference in 1984, bringing regular interfaith retreats to St. Benedict's. Mirr said the space had also been used by the Aspen Institute, which hosts the yearly Aspen Ideas Festival attended by business executives, public officials, and other thinkers.

The county has caucuses that uphold its laws and approve land uses. In Snowmass, the caucus approved a 5,750-square-foot limit to the floor area of homes, so putting up an extra-large megamansion on the ranch is out of the question.

The county is known for oversize luxury homes that trade for handsome sums — a 22,405-square-foot mansion in Aspen sold for a record-setting $108 million in April to an LLC called Buddies Aspen, which The Wall Street Journal said was made up of a powerful duo: the billionaire financier Thomas Peterffy and the former casino developer Steve Wynn.

Mirr said he'd already turned away buyers who weren't the right fit for the property. He and the monastery leadership were looking for someone who wanted to do a little with a lot.

"There's going to be a limited buying pool, and we understand that," Mirr said in 2024. "Our focus really is to look at a conservation buyer ultimately who can work with the code and work with the open space."

This year, Karp moved Palantir's headquarters out of Denver to Miami. Karp, himself, has ties to Miami, but plans to treat the large plot of land in Colorado as a home, according to the Journal.

The property, as it exists today, is about 3,720 acres in total.

The monastery accumulated multiple parcels over time, Mirr said.

The Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance acquired the property in 1956.

Before monks bought the property, ranchers and farmers who had settled there years before occupied the land.

The early monastery buildings — built by the monks themselves — were finished in 1958.

"They based it on a 14th-century design of a monastery from France," Mirr said. "They had the brothers there help build it."

There have been additions since then.

The buildings that make up the monastery total about 18,000 square feet.

Along with a chapel, prayer areas, and living quarters for the monks, there are additional buildings that were built during expansion, such as barns, sheds, and an old schoolhouse.

There's also a retreat center where events are held.

But the living quarters are sparsely occupied today.

Mirr said only about six monks still lived on the property. More than a dozen monks lived there in the late 1950s.

"That is part of the reason they're shutting down," Mirr said. "There are just not as many gentlemen in the world — at least in the United States — who want to become monks. And it's just much more of a facility now that they can manage."

The monastery is hardly in use these days.

On Sundays, the monastery still holds mass for the public.

But Karp doesn't have to become a monk to be there.

"Somebody can have a different idea of what can be done," Mirr said. "Some people say, 'Does this have to be a faith-based enterprise advisor?' Well, maybe there could be a combination of uses out here, too."

Karp plans on treating the property like a residence.

Mirr had been approached by many real estate developers, but nothing was realistic.

One developer approached him with dreams of building a swanky private club, he said.

"When a developer comes up, and they say, 'Oh, we're going to try to go after this many homes or make it like a Yellowstone Club' — maybe in any other area that could work, but we just know it won't likely work here," Mirr added.

"Why go through the brain damage of going through a county approval process that's subject to public scrutiny that would just taint the property?"

Karp should expect to spend a lot of time maintaining the property — or at least be prepared to pay someone to do it.

"The owner won't be there 24/7, 365 days a year," Mirr said. "But they will have a rancher who will manage the ranch."

There is a local rancher who manages the property and considers wildlife conservation, water irrigation, and cattle, Mirr added.

There are about 1,500 acres of irrigated land from the snowpack of the surrounding mountains that support the property.

The property has water rights that date back to the 1800s, and the water flows to the Colorado River.

"Water is important, and certainly they mainly use it for growing hay, but that ground that is irrigated helps support wildlife habitat and other things for the area — and it's just a great amenity," Mirr said.

While Karp does plan to use the property as a residence, he may not be able to make it into a large compound like his billionaire counterparts.

Mirr said that, unlike a state such as Texas, which sometimes allows basically unfettered building on wide-open spaces, Pitkin County has a "growth management quota system," which sets limits each year on the amount of square footage that can be built in a neighborhood.

"Ultimately, somebody who buys this will have to work with the county on some level," he said. "Either accept what they're going to give you, or negotiate with them through a process called the Open Space Master Plan concept or something similar, where you can have a negotiated settlement and still provide a lot of conservation results and outcomes."

During the selling process, Mirr said he had a hard time finding the right buyer who would respect the local codes.

"You can count them on two hands," he said of the number of interested buyers.

Mirr added that the buyer could build "a family compound or something of that nature, where you could build home sites, and you could build more barns and outbuildings."

Snowmass is about 15 miles outside Aspen, which influenced the high sales price.

"If this were 3,800 acres in central Colorado, nowhere near here, it would take on a much different valuation," Mirr said.

Pricing the property was difficult as there aren't many similar properties nearby.

Snowmass Falls Ranch, a 650-acre parcel in the same county, was sold to the county for $34 million earlier this year.

The monastery is more than five times its size, but it helped Mirr get a sense of an appropriate asking price.

It didn't sell for the original listing price, but still broke the record for the most expensive sale in Pitkin County.

Mirr expected the eventual buyer to be an avid skier — which Karp is — and someone who wanted access to other high-profile residents and visitors.

"Aspen's an international city," he said. "If you look at the people who own properties in Aspen, they're from all over the world ‚ a much more diverse buying pool than any other city in Colorado for sure."

According to a 2023 Business Insider article, Karp spends at least five hours a week cross-country skiing.

In addition to the Aspen Ideas Festival, Aspen hosts other events that attract national and global attendees, including the Food & Wine Classic.

"Thirty minutes to a ski area at 3,800 acres — there's nothing like this in the United States," Mirr added.

• The Education Department's inspector general released a new report on the agency's staffing cuts.
• It found that 40% of the Federal Student Aid office's staff had been cut or left.
• The cuts affected offices overseeing key websites borrowers use and servicer oversight.

New data is out on the scope of staffing cuts at the Department of Education — and their impact on student-loan borrowers.

The office of Federal Student Aid, which oversees the $1.7 trillion student-loan portfolio, lost 40% of its staff during the DOGE era in early 2025, according to a new inspector general report released Tuesday.

It offers the clearest picture yet of how deeply the loss of nearly 1,600 staffers at the Department of Education in early 2025 affects borrower-facing and oversight functions.

Some of the hardest hit offices include those that oversaw servicers and lenders, as well as efforts to collect eligibility and financial analysis data for schools participating in FSA programs. The Government Accountability Office found in a March report that FSA stopped assessing servicers' call quality and billing accuracy due to staffing cuts, leaving borrowers at risk of receiving incorrect payment information.

The report also found that offices with half or fewer of their staff remaining include those that managed FSA's customer website, the mobile aid application, IT services for all FSA systems, and risk assessment for FSA programs.

Borrowers rely on the student aid website to apply for repayment plans and get information on changes to their accounts. Glitches in the system can affect a borrower's ability to contact their servicer or make timely payments.

The data was released after a March 2025 request from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who said on Tuesday that she "fought for this report because Americans deserve to know what Donald Trump is doing to gut education in this country."

In response to the inspector general's findings, Philip Rosenfelt, the department's deputy general counsel, said in a letter included in the report that litigation surrounding the staffing cuts limited the information that the department could provide.

The report comes just over a week before Trump's sweeping student-loan overhaul takes effect on July 1, including new repayment plans and borrowing caps. Borrowers have already reported administrative errors as they prepare for their payments, including incorrect payment projections, which they said are making it difficult to budget for expected higher payments.

The staffing cuts were part of a DOGE-led effort to slash the federal workforce and improve efficiency. It also came alongside the Trump administration's goal to dismantle the Education Department altogether. The administration has already taken steps to work toward that goal by announcing partnerships with other agencies, including a plan to transfer the management of federal student loans to the Treasury.

Have a story to share about student loans? Contact this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com.

• We want to hear from you: How do you save money? What do you save for?
• From budgeting, to meal prepping, to buying secondhand, everyone has their own tricks.
• Fill out this quick survey and tell us about your money-saving strategy.

Everyone has their own way to go about saving money. Some go for strict budgeting, coupon collection, and hunting for deals.

Others get creative: they implement no-spend months or commit to only carrying cash when doing groceries.

Whatever your preferred method, Business Insider wants to know: What are your best saving hacks? What do you save money for? How do you track your spending?

Fill out the survey below to let us know how and why you save money on your day-to-day. Make sure you hit submit at the end of the survey so your response is recorded.

This year, Business Insider has looked into how people and small businesses in New York City, one of the most expensive cities in the country, are making ends meet.

From single moms who raise their kids together in a 'mommune' to an artist with an unreliable income adapting to the costly lifestyle of the city, every story offers a different perspective on how Americans budget in their day-to-day lives. We'd love to hear your story as well.

Do you have a story to share about your own experience budgeting in New York City? Contact a reporter at mros@businessinsider.com or allisonkelly@businessinsider.com.

After a long day selling multimillion-dollar condos in downtown Miami, Maile Aguila retreats to her five-acre farm about 30 miles south. The place is a far cry from the city's soaring high-rises, where uber-rich buyers enjoy access to perks like indoor lap pools, private padel courts, and spacious balconies overlooking the water. Tucked inside a barn on Aguila's property, though, is an amenity that would feel right at home in any penthouse: her prized infrared sauna.

Aguila, 71, has lived on the property for decades, but she awoke to the wonders of the sauna a couple of months ago at an event hosted by Biohack Miami. "When you walk out of there, you feel brand new," says Aguila. Several evenings a week, she cranks up Bad Bunny or Marc Anthony and sinks into the hot glow for 20 minutes. Then she enjoys the best sleep she's had in years.

Our twin obsessions with longevity and looksmaxxing — hacking our way to healthier lives and looking hotter while doing it — are reshaping not just bodies but homes, turning spare rooms and garages into dens of tech-enabled optimization rather than lo-fi leisure. The McMansion era had its man caves and home movie theaters; the pandemic sent everyone scrambling to set up a home office or a makeshift gym. The biggest flex these days is a cold plunge, red-light therapy room, or sauna.

These modern luxury markers aren't solely for the superrich. It's never been cheaper to bring the spa home: the model Aguila bought fits two people and costs less than $5,000. I also spoke with a 27-year-old Austin couple who transformed an empty covered patio into what they've playfully dubbed a "wellness hut," complete with sauna and cold plunge, for less than $8,000 — a fraction of the cost of a typical kitchen renovation.

Of course, the wealthy are all in on this stuff, too. During a recent trip to Miami, I watched health-conscious patrons curl up in hyperbaric oxygen chambers and chatted with condo developers at the bleeding edge of the wellness boom. I'm always a little wary of buzzword-y sales pitches, which can veer into the nonsensical, but the longevity craze seems to have real legs. For health-obsessed homeowners, that means a host of new status symbols.

America's homebuyers are a fickle bunch. Marble countertops were all the rage until buyers warmed to quartz. Popcorn ceilings, once en vogue, are now a liability. At least open floor plans are still hot — wait, nope, people suddenly want defined living spaces again.

The latest real-estate buzzword is "wellness." Mentions of the word in Zillow listings increased 33% last year, the home search platform said, while "spa-inspired" bathrooms showed up 22% more often. The uptick likely reflects a couple of things, says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home-trends expert: More people are splurging on nice-to-haves like steam showers and wet rooms, while savvy real estate agents are recognizing the surge in interest and grasping for anything that could fall under a capacious definition.

"It's sort of a mixed bag," Pendleton tells me. "It is marketing, but it's also that these features truly are more common in homes today than they were a year ago."

Cold plunges and saunas are undeniably on the rise. The US sauna market is expected to grow in value by $161.3 million from 2025 to 2030, according to a report from the market-intelligence firm Technavio. Grand View Research, a similar firm, projects an even bigger rise in the cold plunge segment, from roughly $355 million in 2025 to $660 million by 2033. In addition to these mainstays, luxury homes have turned into testing grounds for more exotic amenities. Rich buyers are turning what might once have been a walk-in closet into a red-light therapy room, or swapping a hyperbaric chamber for a plush sofa.

High-dollar condo developers are also allocating more square footage to amenities for buyers looking to optimize their health. Aguila's latest undertaking is selling units at HQ Residences Miami, a condo tower in the city's Edgewater neighborhood where the second-highest floor is devoted entirely to wellness rituals like the requisite hot-and-cold spa circuit as well as yoga, pilates, and robotic massages. The most expensive units will go for $2.2 million. On the more affordable end is House of Wellness, another planned condo development in Miami, where units start at $400,000. The 35-floor tower will include a full-service spa and offer residents a personalized health assessment each year.

"Longevity, it's in our DNA," says Ricardo Dunin, the developer behind the project. "I mean, who doesn't want to live longer?

Just outside Miami, I toured Oasis Hallandale, a development that includes two residential towers, restaurants, and a "fitness and biohacking hub" called Oasis Fit, where residents of the condos — priced from $750,000 to $5.02 million — will enjoy heavily discounted access to features like cryotherapy, peptide injections, several saunas, and a range of recovery treatments. The place leans more into the sterile feel of a doctor's office than the soothing tones of a new-age spa, but it's easy to imagine a resident spending a good chunk of their day there, hopping from a pilates class to the recovery room and maybe tacking on an hour of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

While multimillion-dollar homes may represent the most aspirational end of this shift, I found myself more struck by the regular people devoting slices of their living rooms or backyards to cheaper, prefab longevity tech. The more attainable versions of these status symbols are nonetheless still flexes — especially from my vantage point in a cramped New York City apartment.

Roger and Haley Macin, both 27, began their house hunt in Austin with dreams of finding a place that could accommodate their growing obsession with the cold plunge. Haley, in particular, had been following the work of functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman and seeking out any treatments that could reduce stress and anxiety — the cold plunge was the only thing she tried that delivered instant results. "The first time I did it, I was like, 'Oh my god,' Haley tells me. "I had energy all day. My body felt better, my mind felt clearer."

They found their match in a low-slung, two-bedroom home with a separate structure in the backyard that had once served as a single-car garage. Bug nets on the sides let in light while the roof offered protection from the elements, making it a prime spot for their cold plunge, which they purchased for roughly $6,000 soon after moving in.

"We got a cold plunge before we even got, like, a guest bed or a lot of our furniture," Haley says.

In addition to their big splurge, they've since added more features to round out what they affectionately call their "wellness hut," like a two-person infrared sauna they purchased for about $1,500 and assembled themselves. Sometimes friends drop by to hang out and rotate between the heat and cold. Roger says he knows a few other people who have cold-plunge setups, and he comes across many other boosters on LinkedIn, where he spends a lot of time for work: "They're like, 'I live and die by the cold plunge.'"

Compact amenities like these are natural fits for the age of the shrinking American home, with the typical new house about 300 square feet smaller than it was a decade ago. Stressed out and stretched thin, today's professionals are searching for ways to maximize their space and reduce the amount of time they spend driving to and from the gym.

"We work all day, so we don't really have time to go to another location for a workout, or then a third location for a sauna and cold plunge," Roger tells me.

For now, at least, wellness features may or may not juice your home's value. Zillow found that homes with cold plunges sell for 2% more than comparable places without one, a sizable bump for some bone-chilling water. A sauna, on the other hand, was associated with a 0.2% decrease in value. Homebuyers, Pendleton says, may be willing to "pay above and beyond for a home with wellness features they're actually going to use, but they're not going to pay for a sauna if that's not their vibe, right?"

OK, so clearly some can't handle the heat (or simply don't want an entire room devoted to it). My time in Miami made clear that homeowners these days have a broad range of options at their fingertips. Aguila, for her part, is more than happy to extol the benefits of the sauna. She's still warming to the cold plunge, though.

"I don't know if I can handle it," she tells me. "Maybe I'll go to another biohacking event and submit myself to it."

James Rodriguez is a correspondent on Business Insider's Discourse team.

• Matthew Willsey led a team of doctors for Paradromics' first long-term brain chip implant.
• Willsey first became interested in brain-computer interfaces while studying electrical engineering.
• He says brain-chip surgery must become routine before the technology can scale.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Matthew Willsey, a neurosurgeon who specializes in brain-computer interfaces. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Before I became a neurosurgeon, I was an electrical engineer.

I graduated from MIT with my undergraduate degree and pursued my master's in electrical engineering. I did my thesis with Alan Oppenheim, a professor who helped pioneer the field of digital signal processing.

Signal processing looks at how to extract information from signals. In many ways, that's similar to what we do with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).

Around 2009, I saw a video of someone controlling a computer cursor or robotic arm with electrodes implanted into their brain, and I remember thinking, "That is the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life."

That was the epiphany moment for me.

I soon shadowed a neurosurgeon in Texas. The combination of seeing BCIs and then seeing surgery convinced me that neurosurgery was the right career path.

I went to school at Baylor College of Medicine, then matched into a neurosurgery residency at the University of Michigan. I spent three years doing research and completed a Ph.D., focused on BCIs.

Today, my practice is in functional neurosurgery, with a specialty in deep brain stimulation and epilepsy. I also have a research lab that studies BCIs.

There are diseases and injuries in which the brain is largely functioning fine. People know how they want to move or what they want to say, but the pathway connecting the brain to the body or the mouth is interrupted or degraded.

Someone with ALS, for example, knows what words they want to say, but they can't produce speech.

A BCI tries to record brain activity, recognize patterns, and figure out what someone intends to do. Then, you can put text on a screen or provide a control signal to a robotic arm or a computer cursor.

The Paradromics system is designed to be fully implantable. A lot of the BCIs used in research labs before were implanted into the brain, but they had a connection that passed through the skin, so they could connect to a computer.

If you want to build these devices at scale, ideally, you want fully implantable systems. People don't want to be tethered to a computer.

The procedure should be repeatable

This process is built on careful patient selection. You want someone who has enough impairment that they could benefit, but not so much impairment that it makes surgery unsafe.

For the surgery, we started with the cranial portion. We made an incision, took the bone off, opened the dura — the lining around the brain — and exposed the cortex.

With our navigational system, our own sight, and preoperative imaging, we can identify the exact location where we want to place the array or implant.

The array is gently placed onto the brain and then inserted into the cortex. After we secured the lead, closed the dura, and put the bone back in place, we made an incision in the chest for the transceiver. An extension lead runs under the skin from the brain component down to the chest component.

Before leaving the operating room, you want to know that the electrodes are in the brain, bleeding has stopped, the tissues are closed appropriately, and the whole system is communicating.

The procedure itself takes about four hours.

The operation is not that technically different from a surgical standpoint. Neurosurgeons know how to perform a craniotomy and access the brain. If you want to scale BCI technology, you want neurosurgeons to be able to pick it up very easily.

The hope is that, as we perform these procedures, they become routine.

This surgery takes the next step forward

A lot of the surgery felt like business as usual.

There were times when you would take a step back, when you're placing the array over the cortex, and think: Okay, here we go. This will be a major step forward if we can get everything working correctly.

Then you have to get back into the zone.

Fundamentally, every surgeon is mostly focused on patient safety. Once the patient wakes up, you do the postoperative exam. When the patient is doing well, then you can really take a step back and say, "Wow, I can't believe we're at this point now where we have somebody implanted with a novel brain-computer interface."

It was really remarkable to be part of a team that essentially takes that next step forward.

One of the main reasons I got into medicine was to have the opportunity to help bring these new therapies to the people who needed them.

To have the chance to do that was very fulfilling.

• Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen criticized remote work, calling it "white-collar fraud."
• The logistics CEO also said the company is spending about $5 million a year on AI models.
• He said Flexport expects to keep staff head count flat — and AI spending to increase.

Ryan Petersen has a blunt view of the future of work.

During an interview on the "Twenty Minute VC" podcast, the CEO of Flexport, a global freight forwarding and customs brokerage company, said his firm will likely keep staffing headcount flat while spending more on AI.

He also expects employees to clock in at the office, and didn't mince words describing what he thought about remote work.

At one point in the interview, Petersen called remote work "white collar fraud" — citing workday distractions and a decay in workplace culture.

"I have a three-year-old and a five-year-old. The idea that I could do any work at my house is like a total fantasy," Petersen said. "And, like, I have a bigger house than most employees do. Like, I actually do have a private office I can close the door on. It doesn't matter — there's no work getting done at that house when the kids are around."

Beyond the remote work debate, Petersen also touched on another growing tension in businesses today: executives are pouring money into AI tools that could one day automate expensive white-collar tasks, while also redefining which human roles matter to their business.

Petersen said Flexport is spending about $5 million a year on AI models. When asked whether that could rise to $20 million in five years, he said it was "possible."

But the CEO said his company, which currently employs just under 2,000 people, could maintain the same head count in three or four years, because he needs humans that are good at sales and using AI tools.

"There's every business on the planet that needs to ship something anywhere," he said. "There's a lot of boots on the ground that you want to just to interface with those companies."

He said some employees doing manual operations work would need to move into more customer-facing roles, such as sales and account management. If they cannot make that shift, he said, Flexport may have to "rebalance."

California-based Flexport — which became one of the highest-profile logistics startups during the pandemic-era supply-chain crunch and has raised money from investors including Peter Thiel's Founders Fund and Google Ventures — uses OpenAI and Anthropic, Petersen said. He added that the firm's spending on AI models has doubled in recent months.

He's still bullish on the tech, despite the growing line item.

"These things are just incredible, miraculous products," he said. "What I worry about is that they cut us off and then we can't use it anymore. And like, if I can't use OpenAI, we're all just going to go back to being idiots we were two years ago."

The internet responds

Petersen's comments about remote work struck a nerve online.

Online pushback to Petersen's remarks came from parents who said they often rely on remote work to manage caregiving responsibilities. Several said working from home allows them to develop better relationships with their kids.

Other tech workers also argued that AI makes remote work easier to track, not harder.

"Now that a fully-agentified company is possible — where you're hiring employees that use agents, you use agents, and the company itself has complete visibility into the work that's being done — I think that this just isn't relevant anymore," Ryan Carson, the founder and CEO of Untangle, said in a video. "If you hire good people, and they're using agents aggressively, everything they do is documented."

The return-to-the-office debate has raged in the years since the pandemic ushered in an era where cubicles were replaced by Zoom and Slack.

Business leaders, including Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and AT&T CEO John Stankey, have said in-office work leads to better communication, brainstorming, and a stronger culture while announcing a 5-day office return.

Elon Musk has made a more moralistic argument. In 2023, Musk said remote work was "morally wrong" and unfair to lower-wage factory workers who had to show up in person every day, adding that he thought the "laptop class is living in la la land."

Other companies have settled on a hybrid setup, and some have embraced a "remote-first" approach.

As Petersen's remarks ricocheted around social media, the CEO said criticizing remote work was one of the "most reliable ways to go viral."

"I haven't seen any logistics CEOs disagreeing with me in the comments sadly," he wrote on X. "I want my competitors to be work from home but they stubbornly refuse."

• Polaroid has put up an anti-AI data center billboard at New York's Coney Island Beach.
• "Go jump in some water before the data centers drink it all up," says the ad, which was also posted to Polaroid's Instagram.
• Polaroid's message touches on a growing debate over the environmental impact of the AI boom.

Polaroid is taking another shot at AI — this time by targeting the massive data centers powering the technology.

The 89-year-old camera company recently unveiled a billboard at Brooklyn, New York's iconic Coney Island Beach that reads: "Go jump in some water before the data centers drink it all up."

Polaroid is one of a growing crop of brands leaning into anti-AI marketing. The company's latest ad is part of its global marketing campaign titled "the best of summer is analog," tied to the launch of its new Go Generation 3 camera.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the company echoed the billboard's message and wrote in a caption: "There'll come a day when the things we took for granted can never be taken again. Obviously, we're being a bit cheeky with our line here, but still."

"Go take a swim. Go take a stroll. Go embrace the beautiful, simple, wild, analog stuff. That's where the best of summer, and life, lives," Polaroid wrote.

"While our campaigns are provocative and challenge our relationship with technology, we're not anti-digital," Polaroid's creative director, Patricia Varella, said in a release. "We know we have to live alongside it, but we're deeply pro-human, and know what humanity gives us. And we know what we stand to lose if we don't protect it. That's a fight worth fighting.

Polaroid's message touches on a growing debate over the environmental impact of the AI boom.

Data centers can use vast amounts of water both directly for cooling servers and indirectly through the electricity needed to power them.

A previous Business Insider investigation found that some of the largest data center facilities in the US were permitted to use more water each day than nearly 49,000 Americans would typically use.

Some tech leaders have pushed back on criticism surrounding data centers' water use, arguing that advances in cooling technologies — including closed-loop systems — are making AI infrastructure more efficient.

Earlier this year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman disputed what he called "totally insane" claims circulating online that the AI firm is consuming large amounts of water to power ChatGPT.

"Water is totally fake," Altman said, when asked about concerns over AI companies' water use. "It used to be true, we used to do evaporative cooling in data centers, but now that we don't do that, you know, you see these like things on the internet where, 'Don't use ChatGPT, it's 17 gallons of water for each query' or whatever."

AI chipmaker Nvidia this week announced a "liquid cooling" system designed to help data centers run hotter while using less water.

"We have eliminated massive amounts of power usage and pretty much all water usage," Ali Heydari, Nvidia's director of data center cooling and infrastructure, said in a statement.

CMOs are increasingly in the "driver's seat" of artificial intelligence strategy says BCG's Mark Abraham, global leader of marketing and sales, with oversight over budgets and decision making.

• AI startup Legion sued the government over losing access to Anthropic's top AI models.
• Legion said the directive harmed its business.
• The lawsuit adds another layer to Anthropic's clash with the Trump administration.

One AI startup just sued the US government for cutting its access to Anthropic's top models.

On Tuesday, legal tech company Legion filed a suit in Washington, D.C. over a government order requiring Anthropic to keep its models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 away from foreign nationals.

Earlier this month, Anthropic said it would disable access to both models following a letter from the US government asking it to bar foreign individuals and entities from using the products. The AI lab said this rule would bar some Anthropic employees from using the tools. In order to comply, the company initially disabled access for everyone. Last week, Anthropic restored access to Claude Fable 5 with nationality-based access controls and enhanced onboarding compliance screening.

In Tuesday's complaint, Legion said that it was a US-based company that employs Canadian nationals who work remotely from Canada. It added that its litigation technology tools are built on top of frontier lab models, such as those from Anthropic.

"Legion is a commercial customer of Anthropic with a contractual right and license to access and use the Fable 5 model, which was integral to building and operating its platform," the company wrote in the filing. "When the directive took effect, Legion lost the latest tool at the center of its development instantaneously."

The company added that the order caused it "immediate, irreparable, and existential" harm against competitors because the pace of AI development is so rapid.

Legion, founded in 2024 and based in San Jose, develops AI-powered litigation drafting software that helps lawyers automate pleadings, discovery requests, and other court documents. The company has fewer than 10 employees listed on LinkedIn.

The Department of Commerce didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Legion's lawsuit adds another set of stakeholders to Anthropic's clash with the Trump administration over AI safety and government control over frontier AI models. It may be the first among suits from Anthropic customers who have been complaining about losing access to its most powerful model.

When Anthropic first paused access to the model, it said that the government was concerned that someone might try a jailbreak of Fable 5. The company argued that cutting access for a "narrow potential jailbreak" was overkill and would halt all new model deployments.

• Fintech firm Slash got a rude shock when it saw one of its employees' AI bills.
• The employee spent over $80,000 AI coding a brainrot shooter game.
• Slash is encouraging people to play the game so it can write it off as a "marketing expense."

Fintech company Slash is touting a new product that doesn't quite fit in line with its usual offerings — an AI-coded shooter game.

In an X post on Tuesday, the San Francisco-based company wrote that one of its employees racked up a hefty AI coding bill building a video game.

"We encouraged the company last week to start vibe coding more but @nickbruhman burned $80k in credits on the Slash card for a brainrot shooter," the company wrote.

"Pls play it so we can write this off as a marketing expense," it added.

Literally called "Brainrot shooter," it is a bare-bones game set in a Minecraft-esque landscape, where the player has to shoot characters with internet-viral brainrot names like "skibidi toilet" and "tung tung tung sahur."

Prediction market Polymarket picked up the news, writing in an X post: "Fintech startup Slash reveals it was forced to roll back its AI coding push after an employee burned $80,000 in tokens in the first week."

The employee, Slash's head of strategic verticals, Nicolas Brilliante, posted a screenshot that appeared to be a dashboard of his AI usage, showing he had spent $81,267.

"This was a genuine accident, i underestimated my own ability," Brilliante wrote.

Later, reposting a Polymarket X post, he wrote: "This is actually insane, am I going to become a case study for how AI spend can get out of control."

Brilliante isn't the only employee who's been building things fast and furiously in the era of tokenmaxxing. Still, many companies are now looking at their AI spending with a more critical lens.

Some firms have found that AI costs did not translate into productivity gains, and have cut back on AI budgets.

Companies like Uber, Coinbase, and Walmart have now set caps on how much their employees can spend on AI, with Walmart specifically saying this was done to clamp down on unnecessary, repetitive vibe coding.

• The UK is using an AI-powered system called ASGARD to find targets and make battlefield decisions.
• The head of its land forces said it's cut HQ planning time from 72 hours to just 1 hour.
• Gen. Roly Walker said it's also letting a UK corps hit 10 times as many targets in a day.

The British Army's new AI-powered system has shortened war planning cycles at the corps level from 72 hours to just one hour, its Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Roly Walker, said on Tuesday.

"Now, I said last year that ASGARD would help us sense twice as far, decide twice as quick, and strike twice as deep. And I was wrong," said Walker at the Royal United Services Institute's Land Warfare Conference in London.

"A corps planning cycle that once took 72 hours can now take one," he added. "What they're going to do with the other 71 hours, I do not know."

Dubbed a "digital targeting web" by the UK, ASGARD is designed to gather and process battlefield data to help commanders find targets, make decisions, and coordinate attacks. It's one of several efforts by militaries to use AI to manage war zones, such as Palantir's Maven system for the Pentagon and Ukraine's Delta platform.

The UK announced last year that it plans to spend 1 billion pounds, or about $1.3 billion, on developing such systems for its own military.

Walker said ASGARD would allow a corps to attack 10 times as many targets in a single day.

"In fact, they're limited only by the munitions that are available to fire into the sky," he said. "ASGARD is literally a digital juggernaut that is evolving every 8 to 12 weeks."

In the British Army, a corps is at the top of the battlefield command structure and typically oversees logistics, intelligence, strategic strikes, and the deployment of tens of thousands of troops.

That means ASGARD is a headquarters-level platform, used by top commanders who can be away from the actual battlefield. Last month, the UK conducted an exercise that deployed the system from a tube station under Trafalgar Square, which Walker said on Tuesday was managing troops in Estonia.

The makeshift headquarters in the train station was processing 10 terabytes of data, or "nearly three months of non-stop high-definition Netflix," a day, the British Army said.

"If I ever think this was a moment where we had a conversation about what is our century's 'tank versus horse' moment, I feel it's about this area," Walker said.

The British Army head also said the UK is sending thousands of drones to its units and introducing 50 operational-level electronic warfare systems that were used in Ukraine.

To prepare against Russia, a British corps needs to be "capable of doing what a Ukrainian corps can do today," he added.

"So in the next year, I expect to see much greater numbers of our remote and autonomous systems forward on our eastern flank, ready to strike and act within 30 minutes," Walker said.

• Tan France says he writes emails to his kids so they can revisit their childhoods one day.
• The "Queer Eye" star said he also uses the messages to document what life was like for him and his husband at the time.
• "I find it fascinating to know that my kids might see us as just people also," France said.

Tan France says he writes messages to his kids that they won't read until they're older.

On Tuesday's episode of the "Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky" podcast, the "Queer Eye" star said he's been documenting his kids' childhoods through email.

"We created email accounts for my kids," France told podcast host Monica Lewinsky.

Every six months or so, France and his husband, Rob France, will each send their children emails "about who they are, and what they're about, and what they enjoy, and who we think they might be," he said.

The couple, who married in 2007, welcomed two children via surrogacy in 2021 and 2023.

France said the email tradition is his "favorite thing" to do several times each year, and he loves the idea of his kids one day looking back on the messages as adults.

Not only that, he hopes the messages will offer his children a perspective he never had growing up.

"I would love to know if my parents struggled as much as I'm struggling being a parent, and how hard it is, because we only just see our parents as, well, you're my parent," France continued. "I find it fascinating to know that my kids might see us as just people also."

France said he got the idea from Kim Kardashian.

In a 2023 appearance on the "On Purpose with Jay Shetty" podcast, the Skims founder said she writes letters to her kids on their birthdays about the year they've had.

"I know that they'll appreciate this," Kardashian said.

Other celebrity parents have also spoken about preserving memories for their kids this way.

Meghan Markle said in a 2025 appearance on "The Jamie Kern Lima Show" that she emails her kids almost every night before she goes to bed.

"The things that you're not going to frame, the things that you're not going to put pen to paper in a journal, but they will end up wanting at one point in their life, maybe when they're 16 or when they're 18," Markle said.

• Jareb Dougherty was on track to become a semi-pro basketball player.
• When it didn't work out, he moved in with his mom to help out at the Irish pub in Florida, where she worked.
• Now, they're co-owners, and he says he loves working together.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jareb Dougherty, 29, the co-owner of Donovan's Irish Pub in St. Augustine, Florida. When his professional basketball career didn't work out, he went on to manage a restaurant with his mother.

It has been edited for length and clarity.

When I say I was "this close" to going pro, I actually was.

I started playing ball in 6th grade; I was the tallest one in the school. Now, I'm six foot four, and basketball has been the love of my life.

I went to a junior college in Kansas for a year, and then in South Florida, but I've never been a star student. I struggle with multiple learning disabilities and test-taking was always a challenge. After a few years, I stepped away from college.

I moved to St. Augustine and played for a small semi-pro team for two years. When I got invited to a training camp with a minor professional basketball team in Sarasota, the Gulf Coast Lions, it felt like a dream come true.

It would have been my first full-time team, where I could quit other side jobs like bartending and focus on basketball.

Every week during the monthlong training camp, they made a cut. I made it to the last week and was planning on not coming home. During the three-day break, I got a text that I was cut.

I drove home with my basketball career behind me and no idea what was ahead.

The family business back home

While I was busy chasing my basketball dreams, my mother, Kristin Dougherty, landed a bartending job at Donovan's Irish Pub in St. Augustine after responding to a Craigslist ad.

In 2016, when I was still in college, my mom arrived at work and found an eviction notice on the door. She later heard that the owners were behind on rent and taxes. As a single mom — my dad died when I was a toddler — she'd always worked in the food industry to support us. She took this as her moment to level up.

She figured out a way to buy the restaurant. She was following my grandfather's footsteps, who was always putting a bug in her ear to buy the business wherever she worked. Her brother helped her take over the business.

When my basketball career suddenly ended, I came back to the restaurant to bartend and save money until I figured out my life. More curveballs were on the way.

Stepping up to my future career

Despite having never pictured a career in the restaurant business, when my mother and her brother had a falling out, I knew she needed help.

In 2023, at 26, I decided to buy my uncle's shares in the restaurant. I had saved up a good amount from part-time jobs and took a loan from another family member. I had never run a business, but I knew my mom needed help, and I jumped in.

Despite being mostly equal partners, I've told her that she always has the final say.

Co-owning a pub with my mother

While some might say don't mix business and family, I can't see it any other way. My mom is my best friend, and we even lived together until recently. I'm 29 and decided to invest in a place for myself.

Living and working together was easy for us. Learning to run a business was not. For six months, neither of us took a paycheck. We had to replace equipment while money was tight. When we finally got our first check, we could breathe for a moment — I realized this could actually work.

I had to get used to managing people, including their emotions, time, and schedules. With 28 employees, there are lots of personalities to handle. During busy hours, cooks can get grumpy and servers yell for orders. But that's restaurant life.

An essential change from when my mom and her brother ran the business was who was responsible for which parts of the restaurant. With them, he ran the back of the house, and she ran the front of the house. This didn't work because they both had to be there all the time.

Now, my mom and I both run everything, so we can give each other breaks. She's a workaholic with a crazy work ethic, so I have to make sure she takes days off.

Building toward a bigger future

Life is enjoyable these day.

My basketball career is behind me, except for occasionally shooting hoops with friends. Sometimes that devastating text — and what could have been — still plays in my mind. I think that's true for most retired athletes. But what's in front of me is exciting, and I'm always on call, ready for the next phone call from someone who needs me at the restaurant.

My grandma is a prep cook there and makes homemade desserts. I actually enjoy running a business with my family. We discuss every decision together and consider the restaurant our home away from home. We recently launched a traditional Irish brunch featuring rashers, a type of Irish bacon, and blood sausage, although fish and chips remains our most popular dish.

I live a life I never envisioned for myself, but it's also one I wouldn't change.

If you dream of sipping fresh smoothies by the pool or maximizing your workout routines with protein shakes, the best blender is just what you need to turn that vision into reality, even more so when you score a great blender deal during Amazon Prime Day. The summer shopping event of the summer is underway. We found the best discounts on popular blenders from Vitamix, Ninja, NutriBullet, and Breville.

The first deal we recommend is $150 off the Vitamix 5200, the best blender we've tested. This Vitamix is a durable and powerful model with 10 speed settings. It's a do-it-all model that'll whip up smoothies, dips, nut butters, and even hot soup. If you have your heart set on a Vitamix, we've spotlighted a few deals from the brand, too.

We'll keep this article updated with the latest live deals and note any price changes or items that sell out. Keep in mind, Prime Day is a great time to shop for other countertop kitchen appliances like air fryers and coffee makers, among more of the best kitchen deals.

Why the Vitamix deal is the one I'd buy first

Now that we're in summer, my Vitamix gets daily use and sometimes several times a day. My family is all about grabbing a cool drink and heading into the backyard. The Vitamix is my go-to for making morning smoothies, afternoon blended coffees, and blending evening frozen refreshments. The Vitamix 5200 is an ideal blender for making all of these drinks, plus hearty and warm soup come fall.

The large-capacity container can hold up to 64 ounces, so it's perfect for the whole family. But the ease of cleaning the Vitamix also means I'm not hesitant to use it for a single protein smoothie. The Vitamix 5200 has 10 speeds, controlled by a simple dial, a switch to move between high-speed and variable speed, and an on/off switch.

Vitamix blenders are not the cheapest models, but they're well-known for using high-quality materials, including durable stainless steel blades and a powerful 2HP motor. It's strong enough to make nut butter and blend ice into the ideal slushie texture without straining the motor.

If you're short on counter space and want a Vitamix that'll fit under the cabinets, consider the Vitamix Propel Series 510, on sale for $314.95, from $499.95. It has a smaller 48-ounce container and measures 17.5 inches in height, which should fit under most kitchen cabinets. By comparison, the Vitamix 5200 is 20.5 inches tall. The Propel Series 510 also offers 3 presets for smoothies, hot soups, and frozen desserts, which is something the classic 5200 model does not have.

More Vitamix deals

Other blender deals from brands we recommend

Not everyone needs a Vitamix. If you want something more affordable, more compact, or better suited to single-serve smoothies, these early Prime Day blender deals are also worth considering.

All Beast blenders are 15% off for Prime Day. Our pick of the lineup is the Beast Mighty 850, which pairs durable stainless steel blades and an 850-watt motor with sleek design lines for a premium feel. The brand's signature fluted Triatan blending vessels (785mL and 415mL sizes included) look striking on a countertop, while the double-wall insulation of the stainless steel blending vessel keeps contents cold for up to 12 hours, perfect for taking on the go.

FAQs

Is a blender a smart Prime Day deal?

Prime Day offers one of the best opportunities of the year to get deep discounts on kitchen appliances. A blender is a kitchen necessity to whip up smoothies, sauces, dips, and frozen drinks on hot summer days. Since we're seeing some record-low prices on blenders this Prime Day, it's a smart time to buy.

How does Business Insider cover Prime Day blender deals?

I've been covering Prime Day deals for five years, and the Business Insider team of reporters, contributors, and editors knows the ins and outs of shopping the best sales during Prime Day. We prioritize deals on products we've tested, recommend, or can compare against models we know well.

I'll be updating this article as Prime Day approaches, replacing predictions with live deals and removing anything that sells out, changes price, or no longer meets our standards.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon for the full selection.

With summer travel reaching its peak, the best Prime Day luggage deals have rolled in right on time. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an international vacation, now is one of the best times of the year to save on carry-ons, checked bags, and travel sets from top brands.

I've personally tested some of the top luggage brands by chucking them across pavement repeatedly to see which ones can survive the tarmac. Brands we trust, like Swissgear, Away, and Travelpro, have official Amazon storefronts with top-performing suitcases on sale.

If you need something durable, there's a lightweight carry-on bag from Away on sale for $157, as well as a large Samsonite checked bag for $60 off. And in fact, our favorite softshell carry-on, Travelpro's Platinum Elite, is now $152 cheaper than its usual price.

For more of up-to-date Amazon coverage, check out our roundup of the best Prime Day deals.

The best Amazon Prime Day carry-on luggage deals

A good carry-on can make quick trips much easier, especially if you're trying to skip the baggage carousel. The best Prime Day carry-on deals include compact suitcases that fit overhead bins while still offering useful features like spinner wheels, interior dividers, and front pockets.

• Read more: The best carry-on bags we tested

The best Amazon Prime Day checked luggage deals

Checked luggage is best for longer trips, heavy packers, or anyone who wants room for extra outfits and souvenirs. Prime Day is a good time to look for deals on durable hardside and softside suitcases with spinner wheels, expandable storage, and reliable handles.

• Read more: The best checked luggage we tested

The best Amazon Prime Day luggage set deals

A luggage set can be a smarter buy than purchasing each suitcase separately, especially if you need bags for multiple trip lengths or several people. Prime Day brings discounts on matching sets that bundle carry-ons, checked bags, and sometimes smaller travel pieces into one purchase.

• Read more: The best luggage we tested

FAQs on Prime Day luggage deals

Is Prime Day a good time to buy luggage?

Definitely. We're still early in the summer travel season, so now's the perfect opportunity to save on a new carry-on or checked luggage. Plus, during this 4-day period, you can find plenty of luggage sales outside of Amazon.

As someone who travels at least once a month, I think the scarcity of all-black luggage deals this Prime Day is actually a good thing. I prefer when I can clearly see my bright teal hardshell coming around the baggage carousel, so don't be discouraged if you're noticing limited color variety.

What size carry-on should I buy?

Most domestic airlines have a maximum carry-on size requirement of 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and nine inches tall.

What are the best luggage brands on sale?

Some of our favorite luggage brands offer deep discounts on suitcases for Prime Day. Samsonite has slashed prices this Prime Day, with some bundles at over 50% off. Away now has carry-on and checked bags marked down 20%, and there are tons of other deals going live all the time.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

My first job upon landing in NYC was selling Levi's in SoHo. Our store drew tourists from all over the globe, eager for their piece of wearable Americana. With the best Prime Day Levi's deals and 250th anniversary of the U.S. upon us, now's the time to save on something truly timeless: a pair of blue jeans.

So far we've scoped plenty of wide-spanning discounts on Levi's jeans, with some pairs up to 50% off. The '90s-inspired 501s for women are down to $69 off their usual $110, while the forever classic 505s for men are now $28 a pair.

I can confirm after testing the TikTok-viral Levi's Cinch Baggy Jeans, that they're some of the best jeans for curves. The straight wide-leg is easy to style, and the denim is lightweight enough for cool summer evenings. Now they've dropped to $36 off. You can also find them on sale in the Cinch Barrel and Cinch Carpenter versions

For more ways to save, see our curated list of the best Prime Day deals.

The best Amazon Prime Day Levi's deals for women

Why I love them: Usually Levi's are tight on me, but that's not the case here. If you're like me and your hips are wider than your waist, then this curve-friendly design will feel much more comfortable. I got mine in a tall 33-inch inseam, though I've also seen petite wearers raving about their adjustable fit.

• See more curve-friendly Levi's in our guide to the best plus-size jeans.

The best Amazon Prime Day Levi's deals for men

FAQs on Prime Day Levi's deals

Is Prime Day the best time to buy Levi's?

Besides Black Friday, Prime Day is one of the best opportunities to save on Levi's. There are classic year-round fits, trendy low-rise jeans, and even summer-ready "jorts" all being marked down.

Which Levi's are worth buying on Prime Day?

The Levi's 501 Original Fit and 505 Regular Fit are two classic men's styles (and the 501s also come in a short version). For women, I recommend the Cinch Baggy or Ribcage Straights, which both frequently appear in Prime Day sales.

Do all washes and sizes go on sale?

Not always. Levi's pricing on Amazon often varies by wash, size, and inseam. Popular colors and sizes sell out first, so if you see your preferred pair on sale, it's best to nab it while you can.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

Amazon Prime Day is back for another year — and with it, thousands of red-tagged deals competing for your attention. But not every markdown is worth your time, let alone your money.

To cut through the noise, we turned to some of the internet's most discerning shoppers: Redditors. Between flashy gadgets, lookalike dupes, and an endless scroll of "limited-time" offers, even savvy shoppers can get lost in the chaos. But members of anti-consumption-minded communities like r/BuyItForLife and r/Frugal aren't easily swayed. They're some of the pickiest shoppers out there — so when they recommend something, we pay attention.

And it's not just the practical stuff that sparks Reddit's enthusiasm. Entire communities spring to life when a cult-favorite beauty product goes on sale, like the Aestura ATOBARRIER365 cream (which also happens to be the K-beauty cream that our editors swear by for fighting chapped winter skin).

So we mined these subreddits, compared notes with our in-house testing data, and compiled the standout deals worth your attention for Prime Day. In addition to product recommendations, we've also rounded up some of the best Prime Day shopping advice according to Redditors. The event runs from June 23 to 26, and you can find some of the best offers available across categories in our massive roundup of Prime Day deals.

Recommendations from the r/BuyItForLife community

The r/BuyItForLife community is ultra discerning in its recommendations. The group's central tenet is to purchase as few things as possible, with the goal of never having to buy a replacement.

Some of the most popular posts are odes to items that have lasted for years (or, ideally, decades), ranging from water bottles to pocket knives. So when the community rallies around a recommendation, you know you have a product that's made to go the distance. Here are some highlights.

Budget-friendly recommendations from r/Frugal and r/SavingMoney

If you ask r/Frugal or r/SavingMoney what you should buy for Prime Day, you're almost guaranteed to get the same answer: Nothing you don't already need.

These thrifty communities caution strongly against falling for the lure of a red sale tag. For them, the only things worth buying are household essentials that you know you're going to need anyway.

Recommendations from the r/Backpacking community

Backpacking season is in full swing, and Prime Day is a good time to upgrade the gear people keep recommending across Reddit. Here are some products that come highly recommended by us and the r/backpacking community.

Recommendations from r/KoreanSkincare

Korean skincare is still having a major moment, and Prime Day is a good time to try some of the K-beauty products people keep raving about on TikTok and Reddit. This year's Amazon deals include top-rated Korean moisturizers, barrier creams, ceramide masks, and other gentle, hydrating skincare essentials.

A huge favorite of ours is the K-beauty brand Aestura, which we swear by for intense hydration and bouncy skin. Here are some products that come highly recommended by us and the r/koreanskincare community.

Hero products from well-known beauty brands

The Redditors at r/beauty caution against buying unvetted Amazon brands that pop up on Big Deal Days sales (basically, if it has a collection of uppercase, unpronounceable letters, avoid it). Instead, they advise investing in personal care items from brands you already know.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

Prime Day includes hundreds of air purifier deals, but not all deals are created equal (nor are all air purifiers).

The best air purifiers do their job in the background. Whether you're dealing with wildfire smoke, smog and other air pollutants, pet dander, or seasonal allergies, the right model can improve your indoor air quality by continuously filtering out airborne particles.

I skipped the inflated list prices and mystery brands with questionable reviews and went straight to our air purifier buying guide to track the models the BI Reviews team has tested, lived with, and bought with their own money. These are the only Prime Day air purifier deals worth shopping. And if you're still on the hunt for other deals, check out our roundup of the best Prime Day deals on the internet today across categories.

Best value air purifier deal

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier

Best for: Small to medium bedrooms and home offices

The value: The Coway Airmega Mighty is the Toyota Camry of air purifiers. It's not the flashiest air purifier you can buy, but it's been the gold standard for years because it works. It's quiet, energy-efficient, and filters faster than models that cost twice as much.

The trade-off: The design is a bit dated compared to the Mighty 2 model, and the indicator light can be bright at night (a piece of electrical tape will cover it up).

Prime Day deal: We've tracked this model for years. While the MSRP sits around $230 to $240, it frequently drops into the $149 range during major sales events. Right now, it's $142.49 with the coupon on the product page. At that price point, it is a solid deal that matches some of the lowest prices we've recorded since 2021.

Best air purifier deal for large rooms and pet owners

Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max

Best for: People who hate the ongoing cost of replacement filters

The value: The NeverChange is a game-changer for long-term ownership costs. The standout feature is the long-lasting filter system that can save you $300 in replacements over five years. If you're tired of subscription-model air purifiers, this one is for you.

The trade-off: It has a relatively large physical footprint, so it's best suited for living rooms rather than smaller rooms.

Prime Day deal: Historically, this model has seen significant price volatility. While it has reached as high as $426.99, it has dipped to lows around $299.99. A price near the $249 mark is a solid investment for the value, but keep an eye out for those sub-$230 historical lows over Prime Day.

Best deal on a compact smart model air purifier

Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier

Best for: Bedrooms and smaller living spaces where quiet operation and smart-home integration are important

The value: The most affordable Wi-Fi-connected air purifier in its class. The Core 300S balances high-performance filtration (capturing 99.2% of particulate matter in our tests) with excellent energy efficiency and user-friendly app controls.

The trade-off: While compact and quiet, its power and coverage are best suited for smaller rooms; it won't be as effective in large or open-concept living areas compared to larger units.

Prime Day deal: The Levoit Core 300S air purifier is currently priced at a record-low of $119.99. Given its historical average of $139, finding it at or near this "lowest ever" price represents a fantastic value for a smart-enabled air purifier.

Best deal on a budget air purifier

Lasko LP300 HEPA Tower Air Purifier

Best for: Small spaces and people who need portability

The value: This is the cheapest air purifier among our top picks. We found it worked just as quickly as pricier models when removing dust and debris.

The trade-off: It didn't do as great a job removing VOCs as other models, but it still maintained safe levels. It's also one of the noisier models we tested, and it uses a lot of power.

Prime Day deal: The Lasko LP300 HEPA Tower Air Purifier is down to its lowest price in more than a year. It typically goes for between $70 and $80, making the $15-plus savings an excellent deal.

More Prime Day deals on air purifiers we've researched or tested

Coway Airmega 250 (was $399, now $247.99)

This retro air purifier is an excellent choice for larger living areas where both performance and aesthetics are priorities. Though it didn't make our very best list, the Airmega 250 still stands out as an effective unit for removing particulate matter. It maximizes efficiency with an auto mode that adjusts fan speeds based on real-time air quality. Keep in mind that it does not perform as well as other models when filtering out VOCs and household odors.

PuroAir 240 Air Purifer (was $199, now $149.99)

This value-priced PuroAir air purifier is compact and tabletop-sized and features a built-in air quality indicator. It did an average job of getting rid of particles but struggled to decrease VOCs. It uses more energy than others, and the annual filter replacement cost can stretch to over $150.

Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier (was $299.99, now $135.99)

This smart air purifier is whisper-quiet on its lowest setting and can purify rooms up to 400 square feet nearly five times in an hour, but it struggles to lower VOCs. It also features Plasmawave technology, which is technically an ionizer, but you can turn that feature off and operate it without it.

Levoit Vital 200S-P (was $189.99, now $149.99)

This budget-friendly air purifier from Levoit is a great Prime Day pick for shoppers who want smart features without the high price tag. The model offers an auto mode, app controls that let you monitor air quality and adjust settings from anywhere, and affordable replacement filters. It covers a larger area than the Levoit Core, but doesn't quite deliver the same premium performance as some higher-end models we've tested.

Winix T810 air purifier (was $249.99, now $175.63)

The Winix all-in-one strikes an ideal balance between budget and high-end utility, proving highly effective at clearing household odors and common airborne allergens. It is slightly bulky, so make sure there's a dedicated corner in the room where it can live. It's a small trade-off for such reliable air cleaning.

Why you should trust my Prime Day recommendations

As a Los Angeles transplant, I've quickly learned that a high-quality air purifier isn't just a purchase for wildfire season. It's a non-negotiable part of everyday life to combat urban smog, traffic pollution, and endless dust. (Not to mention pet hair and dander.)

Before writing this article, I bought the Coway Airmega Mighty for 35% off in the lead-up to Prime Day, so I've had some hands-on experience with our top pick. And to write this article, I relied on the rigorous, testing-driven picks of the Business Insider Reviews team. We have hands-on tested more than 40 leading models in real-world environments, measuring how quickly they clear particulate matter and VOCs from the air, calculating ongoing filter replacement costs, and tracking daily energy efficiency to confidently crown the absolute best air purifiers for your home.

FAQs

How do I know if a Prime Day air purifier deal is a real discount?

The best way to spot a genuine discount is to check the product's pricing history rather than trusting the slashed MSPR on the page. True record-low prices do happen on Prime Day: The smart-enabled Levoit Core 300S is a perfect example. If a model tested by our team is sitting at or near its historical low, it's a legitimate deal worth buying.

Should I buy a cheap air purifier now or invest in a pricier model that's on sale?

When shopping Prime Day for a quality air purifier, consider the long-term cost of ownership. A cheaper unit from an unknown brand might seem enticing, but replacement filters can quickly drain your wallet. If you want to avoid ongoing subscription costs, look for long-term value plays like the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max. While it sees frequent price volatility, snagging it near the $249 mark saves you an additional $300 in filter replacements over 5 years, making it a smart investment, especially while it's on sale.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out all of our coverage of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon for the full selection.

When people ask me what to buy for the kitchen on Amazon Prime Day, my answer is simple: the quantity of deals doesn't really matter — it's the quality. After covering every Amazon sale since 2019, I use these events to invest in kitchen products I'll use often, whether it's a durable kitchen appliance, a well-made tool, or an everyday essential I'll use for years to come.

In its Prime Day hub, Amazon lists a handful of worth-it kitchen deals, but to find the best of the best, I had to dig deep. That's where I found Prime Day deals on the best kitchen brands, meaningful markdowns on the kitchen products BI Reviews has thoroughly tested, and savings on favorites from my own kitchen.

Below, my findings are organized into five categories, starting with the absolute best Prime Day kitchen deals. You'll also find deals for everyday cooking, coffee drinkers, and the sale's most worthy splurges. You'll also find a handful of worthwhile Prime Day deals under $50 to top off your cart.

Related: 99 actually good Prime Day deals

The top Prime Day kitchen deals

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

Le Creuset is the first name that comes to mind when I think of the best cookware. The brand's Dutch ovens are among my favorite pieces. The enameled cast iron is easier to maintain than its seasoned counterpart and makes an attractive stovetop feature.

As a shopping editor, I've been asked if Le Creuset deals are worth it at Prime Day, and generally, I think they are. Check the brand's Amazon storefront for the best Prime Day deals on grilling essentials, cookware sets, and more. They're often comparable to Black Friday prices, and the sale selection includes several multipurpose pieces like these. Keep in mind that discounts typically only apply to the core color range. If you're eyeing a seasonal color, you may need to pay full price. While Le Creuset is the gold standard, you can also score deals on cast iron pieces from Staub and Lodge.

Cuisinart ICE-30 Pure Indulgence ice cream maker

One of the best ice cream makers you can buy is at one of its best prices of the year, which I wouldn't expect at the start of peak ice cream season, when demand is high. It's much less expensive than the Ninja Creami, which makes highly customized treats but ultimately frustrated our reviewer. The Cuisinart, on the other hand, is simple to use and churns out 2 quarts in a half-hour, provided the metal bowl is frozen beforehand.

My tip is to leave it in your freezer at all times so you're ready to go when the ice cream-making mood strikes — that's what I do with the bowl of my Cuisinart ice cream maker, which still works well after nearly 15 years of use. Should it ever break, I'd replace it with the current model.

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer

The only stand mixers worth your time are KitchenAid's. They last for decades with minimal upkeep, and with the breadth of available attachments, they can help you make almost anything. So far, I've only used mine for baking with the basic included attachments, and it's worth the money for that alone.

There are a lot of products that you should never buy at full price, and this is one of them. Prime Day's discount isn't the best KitchenAid deal I've ever seen, but it's still meaningful savings on a buy-it-forever product. And keep in mind that the stand mixer is only going to get more expensive in the future — when I bought mine in 2020 (at 20% off), it retailed for $350, which is 33% less than the current list price.

Prime Day deals on top kitchen tools

Pyrex Sculpted Tinted Glass Mixing Bowls With Plastic Lids

Pyrex is my food storage go-to. I own 19 of its glass containers, each with a colorful BPA-free lid. They keep food fresher for longer than my old plastic containers did, and are easy to keep clean. I've trusted their leak-proof seal to take soup to the office more times than I can count — and via public transportation, no less.

This is one of the best Prime Day Pyrex deals I spotted, and the brand's not often on sale outside events like these (save for clearance). With their bright colors and fluted texture, these containers are perfect for bringing a dish to a picnic or potluck.

John Boos RA-Board Series Rectangular Wooden Maple Cutting Board

A must-have for any kitchen is a solid cutting board. When choosing one, it's essential to consider how it will affect your knife blades. Some can chip or dull with the wrong cutting boards, which is why I prefer wood cutting boards over other materials like glass and plastic. They won't damage knives, and many, like John Boos, are heirloom-worthy if you take care of them. This flat board is a favorite of the BI Reviews team. It is pretty enough to leave on the counter, and easy to maintain.

Cookware upgrades

Caraway Cookware Set

Our former kitchen editor used this set in her own kitchen for more than 2 years, and it held up well. She likes the ceramic nonstick cookware's even heat retention (though they take time to heat up) and interchangeable lids, which fit her pots and pans from other brands. And while the included storage system isn't compatible with her small kitchen, she doesn't mind leaving the attractive saucepan on her stovetop.

Caraway usually sees its highest discounts during Black Friday, but not by much more than what I'm seeing at Prime Day. Before purchasing, it's worth your time to figure out where the storage rack would live in your kitchen, and where you'd store your cookware if it doesn't.

Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro

Titanium cookware is lighter and easier to use than stainless steel, and it has a nonstick surface that won't wear down as quickly as traditional nonstick pans, though it's not quite as slick. Our Place's titanium pan is a winner for its patterned nonstick surface that can both could sear crusts to a crisp and delicately fry an egg during testing. Its high sides and high heat retention come in handy when baking, too.

Our Place is another "never buy full price" brand for me, and it reliably provides good discounts on Prime Day. My best guess is that you won't find it at a better price until November.

Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer

"My favorite day-to-day air fryer is the single-basket Cosori TurboBlaze," said our food writer in her thorough guide to buying an air fryer. "I was shocked that it unseated our previous winner, the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. It was more consistent and also prettier to look at on the counter." At 6 quarts, it's a good size for most households.

I'll admit, I haven't had great experiences with air fryers so far. The one my partner brought over when he moved in is a dud — my clunky rental apartment oven heats tear-and-bake cookies faster. The idea of an easy-to-use air fryer is appealing, particularly when it's at its lowest price, according to the price trackers I consulted.

For coffee drinkers

Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL

This is the best at-home espresso maker you can buy at Amazon Prime Day. Breville's Barista Express, the now-cheaper predecessor to the newest Barista Pro, is a 9.5-pound machine that quickly and reliably makes great-tasting espresso every time. It's a complete setup with grinders, steam wands, and beginner-friendly features that let you enjoy homemade coffee without barista-level skills.

Ninja DualBrew Pro

The versatile Ninja DualBrew Pro brewer can make full carafes, single servings, iced coffee, and concentrate for lattes and cappuccinos. The built-in fold-away frother adds extra value for coffee drinkers who like to make coffee-shop style beverages at home. Its Prime Day discount makes it a compelling all-in-one coffee solution under $200.

Moccamaster KBGV Select

If you're serious about your drip coffee, scoring 35% off the iconic Moccamaster KBGV is a rare discount that deserves your attention. Beloved for its durable build, simple one-switch operation, and consistently excellent drip coffee, this coffee maker brews a full 40-ounce pot in just 4 to 6 minutes and is available in several colors.

Kitchen deals under $50

The products in this section are affordable to begin with, so the Prime Day discounts listed here don't exactly translate to huge savings. Still, we think these deals are worth your time — not every high-quality purchase needs a big price tag.

Rubbermaid Brilliance 2-Compartment Meal Prep Containers: We recommend these meal prep containers for their two-chamber design and airtight lids that won't cause leaks on the go. The vented lids are safe for the microwave and dishwasher, but they require thorough drying before storage.

Yeti Rambler 12 oz Travel Bottle: I love using my 40-ounce water bottles, but they're too heavy to throw in a purse, and I don't chug water when I'm out and about like I do at the gym and around the house. This tiny Rambler is a perfect purse size, and the soft color is unique.

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet Set: A simple way to improve your baked goods and roasted vegetables is to use a sheet pan that heats evenly, and Nordic Ware's sheet pans provide reliable heating every time they go in the oven. Their one downside is that they quickly show wear, despite cleaning easily.

OXO Good Grips Olive and Cherry Pitter: I don't often advocate for single-use devices, but I recently saw my friend use a cherry de-pitter so that her 2-year old son could safely eat the summer fruit, and it intrigued me — so I'm making an exception. In my child-free household, it would come in handy for desserts like pies and ice cream. Getting it at a discount is — dare I make the pun? — a cherry on top.

Why you should trust my Prime Day recommendations

Helping readers make smart shopping decisions is at the core of my career. I started out covering New York City's sample-sale scene, sharing which events were worth the time and money. Since 2019, I've written and edited shopping stories for every Amazon Prime Day event, and I've developed a strong sense for finding its real, true deals. In the past couple of years, I've focused more on kitchen content, testing and researching products, and writing guides for items like cast-iron skillets.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

Amazon Prime Day is underway, and I've been tracking all the latest deals on computer monitors. I've been writing about tech products for over a decade, and I've covered every Prime Day since the event launched in 2015. I've used all that experience to round up the best Prime Day monitor deals that are actually worth your time, whether you're looking to upgrade your gaming setup or improve your work-from-home experience.

Excellent discounts are available on monitors perfect for internet browsing, work, entertainment, and gaming. Right now, you can grab a 24-inch Philips monitor for an all-time low of $64. This entry-level display isn't anything fancy, but for those who just want a basic 1080p monitor, its value is hard to beat. However, if you're a gamer who wants a premium display, I recommend LG's 32-inch UltraGear OLED, which is down to $875. This 4K display supports a 240Hz refresh rate and delivers excellent contrast.

These Prime Day monitor deals are expected to last through the end of the sale on June 26, at least while supplies last. I'll be hunting for additional monitor deals throughout the four-day deal event, so keep checking back for more discounts. If you're interested in shopping even more sale items, you can explore our massive Prime Day deals guide for discounts across home, tech, style, kitchen, and more.

The best Prime Day computer monitor deals

If you're looking for a standard monitor suited for everyday tasks, these models from Samsung, Philips, Dell, Asus, and LG are all solid options, especially with these discounts.

The best Prime Day gaming monitor deals

These gaming monitors all deliver advanced features geared toward providing a smooth, high-contrast image. OLED models, like LG's 32-inch UltraGear, have especially strong picture quality, making them ideal for gamers and media enthusiasts.

Prime Day monitor FAQs

What's the difference between a standard monitor and a gaming monitor?

A standard monitor is built for everyday tasks like browsing the web, drafting documents, streaming videos, and basic photo editing. A gaming monitor is designed to display games with smooth motion and advanced features like HDR (high dynamic range). As such, gaming monitors offer higher refresh rates, faster response times, brighter panels, and additional features, such as adaptive sync, that you won't find in typical productivity monitors.

For casual use, a standard monitor with 1080p or QHD resolution, a basic LED panel, and a 60Hz refresh rate is fine. But if you play fast-paced games, you should invest in a gaming monitor that supports at least 120Hz. Monitors that use OLED, QLED, and Mini LED panels are also better suited for games since they deliver brighter, higher contrast images than basic LED screens. If your PC is powerful enough to handle higher resolutions, a 4K gaming monitor is also a good option since it'll deliver a sharper image.

Is Prime Day a good time to buy a computer monitor?

If you've been meaning to purchase a new computer monitor, Prime Day can be a good time to buy one. Tech deals are often great during Prime Day events, and this year is no exception. That said, there are always a handful of mediocre deals to be wary of, but our recommendations cover notable discounts from quality brands.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

In the whirlwind of Prime Day, it's easy to obsess over deals on the earbuds and haircare that have been sitting on my wish list since the holidays. But as I've taken stock of what I actually use in bulk on a weekly basis, it's clear that's where the real opportunity for saving lies.

Prime Day should be about the expendables: Paper towels, trash bags, dish soap, and the like. These are the "may as well" deals that I'm not particularly excited about, but will be thanking myself later for. And with Prime's free 2-day shipping, I'm saving myself a trip to Target, Whole Foods, or Costco in the long run.

For more ways to save, check out our main Prime Day deals hub. There you'll find other discounted essentials across kitchen, home, beauty, and more.

The best Amazon Prime Day deals to buy in bulk

While I can allow overspending a little on a new desk for myself, I won't accept spending top dollar on a box of tissues (which my family and I will run through in less a day anyway). Here are the everyday basics worth buying in bulk this Prime Day.

FAQs on buying in bulk for Prime Day

Is Prime Day a good time to buy in bulk?

Yes, if you're purchasing products you use regularly and would buy anyway. Household essentials, toiletries, and cleaning supplies are often among the strongest Prime Day values because they combine sale pricing with multi-pack discounts.

Which categories have the best bulk buy deals?

Paper products, cleaning supplies, personal care items, and pantry staples have the best deals. Paper products will give you the best return for your money because they don't expire and will be used consistently.

Should I choose "Subscribe & Save" if it's an option?

Amazon sometimes allows shoppers to stack Prime Day discounts with Subscribe & Save discounts, lowering the effective price further. Check your stock in a month and cancel future shipments if it turns out you don't run through as much as you expected.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• Bill Gates told Congress Jeffrey Epstein pitched him on his connections to billionaires.
• Gates said he believed Epstein could direct the money of billionaires' estates to his foundation.
• Gates also said Epstein wormed his way into his life with "veiled threats" to disclose affairs.

Why did Bill Gates have so many meetings with Jeffrey Epstein?

According to the Microsoft founder, Epstein had something few other people could offer: connections to billionaires planning where their money would go when they died.

The ultrawealthy sex offender had pitched himself as someone who could help bring enormous sums of money to the Gates Foundation's global health initiatives from Wall Street and Middle East billionaires figuring out their estate plans, Gates told a congressional committee.

"It was because of his purported relationship with billionaires, and because he was part of those tax and will discussions, that it seemed credible to me that he might be able to raise — or be a referral source to help raise — billions of dollars for global health," Gates said.

Gates described his relationship with Epstein in a June 10 interview with the House Oversight Committee that lasted nearly six hours. The committee, which is investigating Epstein's relationships with powerful people, released a transcript on Tuesday afternoon.

Gates said he had at least a dozen meetings with Epstein — at his Manhattan mansion, on a private jet, and over Skype — between 2011 and 2014. He said the discussions in those meetings revolved around raising funds for philanthropy, and that he regrets them.

Gates hasn't been accused of any sexual misconduct related to Epstein — who pleaded guilty in 2008 to sex offenses in Florida and died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on more severe federal sex-trafficking charges.

In his interview with members of the House Oversight Committee, Gates disclosed that he had previously cooperated with a law enforcement investigation into Epstein, sitting for an interview with US Virgin Islands investigators into Epstein's sex-trafficking operation. Gates apologized for allowing Epstein to use him to improve his own reputation in the aftermath of his initial criminal conviction.

"I see now that he sought to build an image of legitimacy around himself using connections to reputable and powerful people to deflect scrutiny and attempt to rehabilitate his reputation," Gates said.

Epstein often told people that he made his money by managing the money of billionaires. His estate, which included his Manhattan mansion, an island in the US Virgin Islands, was valued at $630 million after his death.

His only known billionaire financial clients were former L Brands CEO Les Wexner and former Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black, both of whom cut ties with Epstein after accusing him of acting dishonestly with their money. The Epstein files released by the Justice Department showed that he unsuccessfully tried to convince Mort Zuckerman, the billionaire real estate and media mogul, to hand over control of his finances to him.

According to Gates, Epstein said he could direct his clients' money to the Gates Foundation as part of their "tax and will discussions."

"The key time when people think that through is when they're doing their will — how much goes to their children," Gates told the House Oversight Committee. "For people who are very rich, hopefully they think of a large sum being available for philanthropy."

Epstein used his relationship with Gates to maintain ties with JPMorgan Chase, which had raised red flags when his accounts withdrew large sums of cash in the years following his 2008 conviction. Epstein pitched two of the bank's executives, Jes Staley and Mary Erdoes, on the idea of setting up a donor-advised fund for the Gates Foundation's Global Health Program at the bank, according to emails obtained through a now-settled lawsuit by US Virgin Islands against JPMorgan Chase. Gates told the House Oversight Committee that he discussed the donor-advised fund with Epstein "but it was a dead end."

The Epstein files released by the Justice Department show that Epstein communicated with former Microsoft executives Steven Sinofsky and Nathan Myhrvold and former board member Reid Hoffman. Gates told the committee he was unaware of their relationships with Epstein. Gates said he wasn't knowledgeable about Epstein's relationship with Melanie Walker, a former Gates Foundation employee with whom Epstein frequently communicated.

Aside from fruitless discussions about philanthropy, Epstein wormed his way into Gates' life in more sinister ways, Gates said.

Gates told Congress he first met Epstein in 2011, following an introduction by Boris Nikolic, who at the time was a science advisor to his foundation. Representatives for Nikolic didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nikolic knew about extramarital affairs Gates had with two women, Gates said. Emails released by the Justice Department show that Nikolic sought Epstein's advice on extracting a favorable exit package when he stopped working for the foundation.

Epstein knew about those two affairs and appeared to be friendly with a third woman he had an affair with, Gates told Congress. Epstein made "veiled threats" to disclose those affairs, he said.

"He never blackmailed me, but looking at these emails, it raises a serious probability that he contemplated blackmailing me," Gates said.

On one occasion — after Gates said he cut ties with Epstein, in December 2014 — Epstein asked Gates to reimburse him for several thousand dollars in expenses related to one of the women Gates had an affair with, emails show. Gates didn't pay it and said he viewed the request as "a tactic" to re-engage with the sex offender.

"I took that on very explicitly and said, 'Look, if you think you're going to get more money out of this, it's not going to happen, and if that means you go out and talk to people about things, I will just bear the pain of that and deal with it,'" Gates told Congress.

As a home editor with a passion for interior design and furniture, I know shopping for furniture on Amazon can feel like a minefield: Is it good quality? Will it fit your space? Is it easy to assemble?

Fortunately, several recognizable and trusted brands are offering Prime Day deals, including Safavieh, Zinus, Christopher Knight Home, and Signature Design by Ashley, making it the right time to find affordable furniture to refresh your space. I went down the rabbit hole of thousands of listings to handpick the best deals that marry style with substance.

Summer is a big time to press go on outdoor furniture deals, and the first point in the season when you'll start to see price drops on conversation sets and patio dining, with plenty of time left to enjoy them. Indoors, there's no shortage of sofas, desks, and bed frames to revamp every room in your house. Personally, I'm shopping for new nightstands for my bedroom and a floor lamp to light up my dark, cavernous living room.

The best Amazon Prime Day outdoor furniture deals

• See more Prime Day outdoor furniture deals

The best Amazon Prime Day bedroom furniture deals

• See all Prime Day bedroom furniture deals

The best Amazon Prime Day living room furniture deals

• See all Prime Day living room furniture deals

The best Amazon Prime Day kitchen and dining room furniture deals

• See all Prime Day dining room furniture deals

The best Amazon Prime Day home office furniture deals

See all Prime Day home office furniture deals

The best Amazon Prime Day home decor deals

• See all Prime Day home decor deals

The best competing Amazon furniture deals

Some other retailer furniture deals to check out:

• Home Depot: Up to 40% off indoor furniture, bedding, and rugs
• Target: During Target Circle Week save up to 60% on indoor furniture
• Walmart: Up to 50% off furniture
• Wayfair: Flash sale with up to 60% off across the site

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals or browse Amazon for the full selection.

Amazon Prime Day is here, and coffee lovers are in luck. If you've been waiting to buy a new coffee maker or espresso machine, now is a good time. I've scoured Amazon to find the best Prime Day coffee maker deals on machines our editors have tested, as well as popular models.

There are generous discounts across all categories, whether you are in the market for a single-serve coffee maker, an espresso machine for beginners or experts, or a classic drip coffee maker. I found standout discounts on Breville and De'Longhi espresso machines, including the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo. It's on sale for $399.95, which is 43%. Nespresso lovers shouldn't miss the petite Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, which makes incredible coffee and is only $94.

For more of the best Prime Day deals, check out the best deals on kitchen accessories, air fryers, and blenders.

The best Amazon Prime Day coffee maker deals

Prime Day is one of the best times of the year to upgrade your coffee setup. There are major discounts and everything from basic brewers to premium specialty coffee makers. When you're shopping, it's important to consider how much coffee you brew each day, what features you may need, and whether extras like iced-coffee settings, built-in frothers, or smart connectivity are worth paying for. This year, the strongest deals include several of our favorite coffee makers. One of our favorite drip coffee makers, the OXO 9-Cup, is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association for consistently brewing rich, balanced coffee. At $150, it's one of the best prices we've seen on a premium machine.

The best Amazon Prime Day single-serve coffee maker deals

Single-serve coffee makers are ideal for anyone who wants a fresh cup of coffee without brewing an entire pot. Look for machines that offer fast brewing times, multiple cup sizes, and flexible pod options. This year's best deals include compact espresso machines, budget-friendly Keurigs that make mornings easier, and espresso pod brewers.

The best Amazon Prime Day espresso machine deals

Prime Day is considered one of the best times to invest in an espresso machine because there are deep discounts on premium models from Breville, De'Longhi, and KitchenAid. This year's deals range from beginner-friendly machines under $100 to advanced setups that produce cafe-quality drinks at the touch of a button. The Breville Barista Express remains one of the most recommended home espresso machines because it combines an excellent burr grinder and an espresso machine in a single package. This Prime Day discount makes an already strong value even better.

The best Amazon Prime Day coffee accessory deals

The right accessories can dramatically improve your coffee routine, whether you're grinding beans, frothing milk for lattes, or keeping drinks hot longer. Prime Day is an excellent opportunity to pick up useful upgrades at a discount. This year's best accessory deals include grinders, milk frothers, temperature-controlled mugs, and espresso essentials.

The best coffee grinders are burr coffee grinders because they're an easy way to improve coffee flavor and extraction. The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder is a worthwhile upgrade and it's now 25% off for Prime Day.

Prime Day coffee maker FAQs

Is Prime Day a good time to buy a coffee maker?

Prime Day is one of the best times of the year to buy a coffee maker because many of the biggest brands offer discounts that rival Black Friday pricing. We found especially strong deals this year on espresso machines from Breville and De'Longhi, single-serve coffee makers from Nespresso and Keurig, and drip coffee makers from Oxo, Ninja, and Cuisinart.

What kind of coffee maker should I get?

The best coffee Maker depends on your habits and budget. Drip coffee makers are ideal for households that brew multiple cups throughout the day, while single-serve machines offer convenience and minimal cleanup for both home and work settings. Espresso machines are best for coffee enthusiasts who want lattes, cappuccinos, and specialty drinks at home. If versatility is your priority, look for a machine that can brew hot and iced coffee, as well as specialty drinks, from a single appliance.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

Amazon Prime Day is officially here, and some of the top Prime Day deals we're seeing are on fitness and tech items. The best Prime Day Oura Ring deals bring the Oura Ring 4 down to all-time low prices, reaching a little over half off in select colors and sizes.

We've tested and evaluated the best smart rings, and the Oura Ring 4 is our fitness expert's top overall pick. The health and fitness tracker ring is lightweight, subtle, and offers an impressive battery life of 7 to 8 days, meaning that you can likely get a full week of use between charges. You can learn more about why we recommend the product in our Oura Ring 4 review.

This year's Prime Day deal discounts both the metallic and ceramic versions of the Oura Ring 4. The exact prices vary by material, color, and (sometimes) size, but these rings typically cost between $349 and $499 before any discounts. All the deals we're seeing are under $300, matching or exceeding previous sales. The Metallic Silver Oura Ring 4 is up to 38% off, while the Ceramic Cloud Oura Ring 4 is up to 51% off.

FAQ

How long is Amazon Prime Day?

The current Prime Day event runs from June 23 to 26, 2026. While you technically have four days to shop the sale, popular items often go out of stock early, so if you're planning to purchase an Oura Ring 4, we recommend doing so sooner rather than later.

Is Prime Day a good time to buy an Oura Ring?

As we mentioned above, these are some of the best discounts we've seen on the Oura Ring 4 across the metallic and ceramic models, making it a great time to purchase. Since these are all-time lows, we don't expect to see a deeper discount on the rings for quite some time.

Are there other Oura Rings?

The Oura Ring 4 isn't the only Oura Ring on the market, but it is the only one with major Prime Day deals right now. You can also shop the Oura Ring 5 at full price, or the Oura Ring Gen3 Heritage and Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon at slight discounts in select sizes and colors.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

Amazon Prime Day is upon us, marking the best time to upgrade your smart home devices. The retailer's Echo, Ring, Blink, and Kindle tech is at all-time lows, but did you know you can save more by returning your old stuff? That's right: Prime Day is the time to trade in your old Amazon device to score an even deeper discount.

• Check out Amazon's device trade-in discounts.

Here's how it works: after answering some questions about your old smart speaker, tablet, streaming device, or similar device, Amazon will issue you a trade-in rebate or instant payment to be used toward a new device. From there, you'll be able to submit your trade-in by shipping it from your home or dropping it off at a verified location.

Read on to learn how to get an additional 20% off Echo speakers, Kindle e-readers, Fire TV sticks, and more. They're already down to incredibly low prices for Prime Day, but this trick will save you even more.

How to trade in an Amazon device

To trade in an existing device, go to the trade-in page on Amazon's website. There, you'll see a list of devices you can trade in, including phones, e-readers, tablets, smart speakers, and more. Under the device you want to trade in, click "Start Trade-in."

From there, you can enter a device name and model or choose from previous purchases if your device was purchased through the same Amazon account. Once you choose your device, you can see its trade-in value. For example, trading in my old Kindle from 2013 will get me $5 back, plus 20% off a new Kindle. Another editor who tried it with her 2022 Kindle was offered $30 in addition to the 20% off credit.

Once you accept your trade-in offer, you'll receive your trade-in value as an Amazon e-gift card and your trade-in rebate, which you can use to purchase a new device. You'll have 45 days from the start of the trade-in to ship your old device back to Amazon.

Why now's the time to trade in your device

The quality of Amazon Prime Day cannot be emphasized, especially when it comes to the brand's own devices. For weeks, they've been on sale, but now through June 26, they're at the best prices we've seen all year — and likely won't see again for a while.

Trading in your device now can get you exclusive low prices, available only to you, in exchange for your old, outdated tech.

Amazon device deals

If you aren't sure which new device to use your credit for, check out some of these Prime Day deals on Amazon devices.

FAQs

When does Prime Day end?

Prime Day is following last year's trend by carrying the event from June 23 to 26. After midnight PT on June 26, many of the deals will expire.

Do I need a Prime account to shop Prime Day deals?

While you can shop on Amazon without a Prime account, most Amazon Prime Day deals, including ones on Amazon devices, are exclusive to Prime members, making Prime Day one of the biggest Amazon Prime benefits.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.