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AI is democratizing access to software development in new and innovative ways, with 'vibe coding' emerging as the latest buzzword for budding developers. For the uninitiated, vibe coding makes it easy for anyone to get a head start on projects, by merely describing what they want AI tools such as Cursor, GitHub’s Copilot or Replit to accomplish.

This is no small thing, especially for those who before had not been able to create software on their own. However, vibe coding requires a high level of trust in the AI’s output, and there are potential trade-offs in confidence and security for a faster turnaround and expanding capabilities to those who would not otherwise be able to code.

Exploring the latest AI technologies

Exploring the latest AI technologies can undoubtedly help developers experiment with new ways in which to do things better and faster, and vibe coding is no exception. However, even Andrej Karpathy, the former AI director at Tesla who coined the term, advises that the methodology is better suited for “weekend projects” than for more complex projects.

For smaller, proof-of-concept style projects, the speed of vibe coding can shine, but as things grow so does the need for important context and knowledge of edge cases. Vibe coding practicalities aside - recognising security exploits, lack of contextual understanding, bug fixing and software life cycle/maintenance considerations – there’s also a larger issue at play.

For AI-powered coding grunt work to improve in any format or scale, socially responsible AI must be the foundation on which technology solutions are built and delivered. The more trusted and accurate the data that large language models train on, the higher quality the outcome - for the code and most importantly, for the larger tech community.

There is a need for a symbiotic relationship to form: data helps create and improve AI experiences, and AI experiences help guide new, human verified information.

Understanding the opportunities and risks associated with vibe coding

AI continues to democratize access to software development in new and innovative ways for aspiring developers. Developers can ask AI tools such as Cursor, GitHub’s Copilot or Replit to help initially scaffold what they would like to see at the beginning of a new project. This is where AI generated code can be very powerful, and I use it on my own homegrown projects.

There is little need for context, edge cases are much fewer, and security concerns are more “standard” than other larger projects with bespoke needs. However, the trade-off for improved speed can be a sacrifice in potential security concerns as those code bases grow.

For budding programmers, vibe coding has the potential to provide the necessary support during the early stages of a project, and anything that gets more people into our field and shortens the learning curve to coding is always a good thing. But caution should also be exercised given the risks associated with the method for things outside of some early, base use cases.

Handing over the reins to AI

Andrej Karpathy describes vibe coding as interacting with AI to assist developers shift away from manual programming activities through LLMs (large language models), prompting developers through intuitive decisions to make it easier to create software as LLMs continue to improve code writing skills.

To fully embrace vibe coding, developers must cede much of the control to the AI assistant during the entire process, rather than becoming aware and having an understanding of the code as it is put into the codebase.

As LLM assistants continue to improve their corpus of knowledge on developing code, real-time decisions and predictions are made around what you would like to happen next to successfully complete a project, but these are still assumptions and educated guesses based on the experiences of others.

Vibe code with caution

It should always be remembered that every coding process cannot be overseen exclusively with the help of AI assistance. Small, low-risk side projects are ideal for vibe coding. When it comes to larger, more complex projects – a human should always be a first-class part of that loop.

AI coding tools powered by LLMs can and do produce mistakes. Developing larger datasets of information and considering other factors such as quality control and security requires an expert eye to monitor flaws or weaknesses that could be new or unexpected to an AI who is only thinking of other use cases, or the most common ones.

Knowledgeable developers are able to identify and test vulnerable code themselves – LLMs are sometimes simply unable to even register any mistakes they may produce.

In short, what the AI assistant doesn’t know, it will not flag as an issue – be that a bug or security vulnerability, AI can be quite confidently wrong. Vibe coding is a new trend for the industry but cannot be seen as a silver bullet or license for cutting corners in the development process when quality and stability matter.

Human expertise must always contribute to the process along the way as code bases grow, either vertically or horizontally.

We list the best site for hiring developers.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Claude can now connect to apps like Notion, Canva, and Stripe
• The AI can understand and assist with tasks using your actual work data
• Claude's secure access reduces the need to constantly explain context to the AI

Anthropic has upgraded Claude with a major new set of tools that let the AI assistant integrate directly with several popular software tools, including Notion, Canva, Stripe, Figma, Socket, and Prisma. The new Claude tool directory means you don't need to explain what you want to Claude every time you want to employ those tools; Claude can now look at the same information as you to help.

Until now, most AI interactions have required copying and pasting every detail from your project management tool, explaining what’s important, clarifying what each task means, and double-checking that the AI understood it. Now you can just ask it to do the task, and Claude will pull the information directly from the relevant tool to handle things.

That might not seem groundbreaking at first glance, but that context gap is where things usually fall apart when asking AI chatbots to help you. For instance, if you're working on a product launch in Notion and have a list of things to do, you'd normally have to retype or upload all the information to Claude. Now, once you connect Notion to Claude, the AI can read your project documents directly and start putting together timelines and presentation materials that fit the product because it sees what you see.

Or imagine a small business owner using Stripe to manage payments who wants a summary of which customers paid last week and which still owe you for your services. Claude can now pull that data directly from Stripe with your permission. And with Canva, a blank social media post template can now be filled in with a design and copy from Claude based on your brief. You describe what you need in plain language, and Claude will make something usable.

Claude connected

These integrations are powered by something called the Model Context Protocol, or MCP. That basically means Claude can understand and act on the tools you use without needing a whole tutorial. You just connect an app once, and Claude gets secure, limited access to the relevant information inside it. It doesn’t read your entire inbox or download your bank history, just what’s necessary to help you with the task at hand.

You can go to Claude’s tool directory and connect whatever apps you already use. If you’re on a paid Claude plan, you’ll get access to remote app connections like Stripe and Notion. Desktop integrations, like Figma and Socket, are available through the Claude desktop app.

Other AI tools are trying something similar. Google’s Gemini shows up in Docs and Gmail. Microsoft’s Copilot is baked into Word and Excel. But Anthropic’s take is more about linking what you already do with the AI, as opposed to baking the AI into those apps directly.

Of course, this doesn't make Claude autonomous. It can’t pay your bills or fully run your job. And while Anthropic says it’s designed everything with privacy and security in mind, some are likely to be wary, even if you can choose what Claude can access. But for most regular users, this update represents something potentially very useful in staying on top of things. If, as Anthropic claims, it will save time and mean you don't have to redo a lot of tedious paperwork, it will likely be a very popular feature.

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• Sony is sharing more details on its NFL coaching headset
• The Sony NFL Coach's Headset will make its debut for the 2025 NFL season
• This one won't be purchasable by consumers, but promises best-in-class ANC like the WH-1000XM6

Sony is the official technology partner of the NFL – the National Football League – and we know that the tech giant has been working on a headset for coaches and other officials. We even got a first look at it back in January at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Now, though, Sony’s NFL Coach’s Headset is official, comes in three styles, and will be making its debut ahead of the 2025 season. And when the season does kick off later this year, you can expect 32 teams to be using the headset.

Unlike the latest Sony WH-1000XM6 for Sony, the NFL Coach’s Headset is tailor-made for, well, what the name describes. It’s designed from the ground up to work for coaches in a game environment, and that starts with connectivity. It doesn’t have Bluetooth onboard, but plugs into a special connectivity box that taps into the private network, powered by Verizon, for the NFL and the teams.

(Image credit: Sony)

There are also physical buttons or capacitive touch controls on the NFL Coach’s Headset. It also doesn’t have a rechargeable battery; rather, Sony is going old-school, possibly a quicker route than requiring a recharge by powering this headset with two AAA batteries. It’s also not carrying a specific IPX rating, but Sony did stress-test the unit for both extreme cold and extreme heat at NFL games.

This was done in environments where these weather conditions are recreated, as well as through live testing during NFL games this past season, including a frigid and snowy game at the Buffalo Bills' Highmark Stadium.

Sony’s past experience with various consumer headphones, including the WH-1000 series, will inform the design and other aspects, but it will likely focus on noise cancellation and pickup. It’s also not as straightforward as there are multiple design options for this headset, depending on the team and even individual preference.

Yes, it comes in a model with left and right earcups, but there are also two other options – just a left earcup and just a right earcup. All three, though, come with a microphone on a boom. Sony, however, is offering active noise cancellation on all three models.

Sony put this to the test in stadium environments where ambient crowd noise was measured at 100 decibels.

The resulting noise cancellation does, claims Sony, work effectively and has been tuned specifically for this use-case – here that means being able to hear communication while on the sidelines, but also for the microphone onboard using signal voice processing to pickup just the person speaking, and not the background chatter or even sound of the stadium.

Considering there are no buttons on the headphones, the microphone will automatically mute when the boom is raised. However, the belt pack, to which the headset will be plugged, will also have some manual controls.

Much of the focus here clearly went into making a durable headset that could withstand game after game use, though Sony confirmed with us that each team would have backups and that the overall feature set was purpose-crafted for each coaching staff.

Sony’s NFL Coach’s Headset will be worn during the 2025 season, which starts early September, but will make an early debut during the Hall of Fame game at the end of July. It, of course, does have some Sony branding front and center, after all, it’ll be shown on TV. I’m just curious if these will make it into a Beyond Sports simulcast – Homer rocking one could be neat.

As you might suspect with such a purpose-built product, there are no plans for a consumer release for the NFL Coach’s Headset. Those after a Sony headphone will need to consider the Sony WH-1000XM6, and you can read our full review here.

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• Freepik launches unlimited AI video and image generation for Premium+ and Pro plans
• Model rollout will be gradual, but more are expected to be supported soon
• It could cost Freepik in the short term, but it'll result in long-term customers

Freepik is rolling out unlimited AI generation across the platform for paying users, meaning they won't be limited to caps or credits as is the case with many other rival platforms.

Premium+ and Pro account holders now get unlimited AI video and image generation as Freepik becomes one of the first major platforms to remove restrictions entirely.

Despite lifted limits, users will still be limited in other aspects - for example, video will be rendered in 768p resolution, using the MiniMax model from launch.

Freepik lifts AI limits

The company has promised to add further models as time goes on, with weekly launches planned for July 2025. Most will become unlimited, just like MiniMax, but some of the more powerful models like Veo 3 will be restricted.

"We decided to eliminate credits and offer unlimited generation because we understood that what holds users back is not the technology, but the frictions in the usage model," Freepik CEO Joaquin Cuenca explained.

Cuenca emphasized accessibility, creativity and mass adoption were the company's key drivers, rather than monetizing limitations, with the company expecting to absorb technological costs to promote long-term platform loyalty, ultimately leading to more sustainable revenue from long-term customers.

To get access to unlimited video and image generation, users will need to be on one of the two paying plans, starting at $24.50 per month.

"That's the real revolution of AI: not just in what it can do, but in how it is put at the service of people," the Cuenca added.

No details have been shared about upcoming models, but we do know that Premium+ and Pro plans get priority speed when using ChatGPT, Imagen 4 and Veo 3 compared with the cheaper and free plans. They also get early access to upcoming AI features, with top-tier Pro customers getting advanced AI models soonest.

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• Silverstone Seta H2 could be overkill for some, but it solves a very specific problem
• Storage density is the priority, and that comes with layout and thermal trade-offs
• Cable clutter and airflow chaos are inevitable when you chase maximum drive capacity

In a market full of flashy PC cases with glass panels, RGB lighting, and limited internal expandability, SilverStone’s newly unveiled Seta H2 case takes a far more practical approach focused on functionality.

Built as a full tower workstation case, the Seta H2 is about storage expansion rather than stylistic embellishments, and while its 540TB capacity might sound like overkill, this case makes it technically possible.

At a glance, it may look like a throwback, but beneath its plain surface lies the capacity to support what could be the largest HDD array in any consumer-grade tower case.

Not flashy, but engineered for scale

The case’s internal volume of 70 liters is used efficiently to accommodate up to 15 hard drives, and if each of these drives is 36TB, this enables a theoretical storage capacity of 540TB.

This configuration requires multiple removable brackets and cages, which allow users to mount a mix of 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives.

Additional 2.5-inch slots are hidden behind the motherboard tray and in various corners, suggesting this design caters to users who value storage density over airflow or clean cable layouts.

Enthusiasts considering this setup may find cooling to be a bottleneck, despite support for multiple fans and even large radiators.

Airflow becomes more complicated when 15 drives are tightly packed in the front, and those drives themselves are not exactly low-power or low-heat components.

Support for E-ATX and SSI-EEB motherboards makes the Seta H2 viable for enterprise or heavy workstation use.

The ability to fit long GPUs, up to 428mm, is impressive given the limited internal space, but installing a side radiator or using one of the drive brackets near the GPU can reduce clearance and make cooling and layout choices more difficult.

Whether the Seta H2 offers the best HDD setup is debatable, as power, heat, and cable management issues may limit its practical use.

With a starting price of around $216 or €200, this case is neither budget-friendly nor prohibitively expensive.

However, if you need the full 540TB capacity, a 36TB HDD like the Seagate Exos M 36TB is priced at $800.

At this rate, the total cost for 540TB could be over $12,000, depending on the models selected and current market conditions.

Via Techpowerup

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• GDP MicroPC 2 packs performance upgrades into one of the lightest laptops with full Windows
• Full-size ports and PCIe 3.0 storage make this mini-PC surprisingly versatile for fieldwork
• 7-inch screen is sharp, bright, and folds flat for flexible use, but not for long sessions or multitasking

While most modern ultraportables chase thin bezels and all-day battery life, GPD’s new MicroPC 2, the follow up to the original MicroPC (first launched in 2018 and refreshed in 2021), takes a different route.

It brings back the netbook format with updated internals and rugged, field-ready durability, aimed at specific use cases like IT maintenance, networking, and mobile diagnostics.

Weighing around 490 grams and measuring 171.2 x 110.8 x 23.5 mm, it is one of the lightest laptops with full x86 compatibility.

Performance in a tiny shell

At its core, the MicroPC 2 runs Intel’s N250 processor, built on the newer Intel 7 process.

While still a low-power chip, it offers clear improvements in base and boost clock speeds, cache size, and integrated graphics performance.

Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 512GB M.2 SSD with PCIe 3.0 x4 bandwidth, the system delivers surprisingly capable performance for light workloads.

Benchmark scores show large gains in both CPU and GPU performance compared to the original MicroPC.

Even with those upgrades, it is hard to see this compact device - now available for backing on Indiegogo - gaining broad appeal, especially with an early-backer price close to $500.

Its 7-inch 1080p display offers 500 nits of brightness, making it readable and usable despite the compact form factor.

The screen folds flat for added flexibility in tight environments. Still, the size and layout make it uncomfortable for extended typing or multitasking.

For engineers or mobile professionals who need command-line access, it may serve as a compact problem-solver. But it is best viewed as a backup terminal, not a primary machine.

The MicroPC 2 does make smart use of its rear I/O layout. With dual USB-C and USB-A Gen 2 ports, HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and microSD support, it offers more connectivity than most tablets.

However, the removal of legacy ports like RS-232, available on the original MicroPC, could be a drawback for technicians working with older systems.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have been upgraded, but their value depends on whether users see the benefit of these features in a 7-inch form factor.

For IT administrators, field testers, or mobile teams who need a physical keyboard on the go, it could function as an efficient, task-specific business PC.

But most users will find the cramped keyboard, limited performance, and narrow software support too restrictive for general use.

The 512GB version of the MicroPC 2 is currently priced at $495 for backers, with retail pricing set at $607.

At the time of writing, it has raised HKD 754,620 (about $96,131.80) in crowdfunding and is scheduled to begin shipping in September 2025.

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It's an excellent time to find AirPods deals, thanks to the new release of the AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2. This means you can find fantastic AirPods sales on all models, including the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 2 and 3, the luxurious over-ear AirPods Max, and even rare AirPods 4 deals.

The AirPods 4 and AirPods 2 were just unveiled at last year's September Apple Event and are available in two models: one with active noise cancellation, priced at $179 / £179, and one without, costing $129 / £129. Thanks to holiday sales, you can find impressive discounts on Apple's newest AirPods and AirPods deals on older models, with prices as low as $69 / £69.

Below, you'll find all the best AirPods deals, categorized by Apple's standard AirPods, which include the AirPods 2, the AirPods 3, the all-new AirPods 4, the AirPods Pro 2, which include noise-canceling technology, and Apple's only over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2.

Our price comparison tool automatically brings you the best savings from all your favorite retailers. You can shop the latest prices when they hit the shelves to ensure you get the best AirPods deals.

The best AirPods sales and dealsThe best AirPods deals

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple's all-new AirPods 4 are available in two models: one with active noise cancellation, priced at $179 / £179, and one without, costing $129 / £129.

Apple says the AirPods 4 are the best-fitting AirPods ever and feature a new refined contour and shorter stem. The AirPods include Apple's H2 chip that supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation to improve the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Other features include new controls for playing music and muting calls, a case that delivers 30 hours of battery life, and support for USB-C for wireless charging.

There are plenty of AirPods deals to be found for the 2019 AirPods that had a launch price of $159 / £159 / AU$249. But thanks to the AirPods 3 release, you can find frequent discounts on the 2nd generation AirPods, dropping as low as $99 / £99 / AU$99.

While the AirPods 2 lack noise cancellation, the 2nd generation earbuds come with Apple's H1 chip to deliver quality sound and faster pairing with seamless connectivity. The H1 chip also offers voice control via Siri, so you can get directions, skip songs, and make calls completely hands-free. The earbuds come with a charging case that provides a further 20 hours of battery life in addition to the five hours in the buds themselves.

(Image credit: Apple)

The Apple AirPods 3 were released in 2021 and are the latest true wireless earbuds in Apple's line-up of AirPods. The earbuds feature a new design that resembles the AirPods Pro with shorter stems that include touch-capacitive force sensors for easy control. You're also getting improved sound with spatial audio, resulting in a more immersive experience, and a MagSafe charging case that provides more than 30 hours of total listening time.

The 3rd generation AirPods have a starting retail price of $179 / £169 / AU$279, but you can regularly find the earbuds on sale since their release.

The best AirPods Pro deals

(Image credit: Apple)

In September of 2022, the long-awaited AirPods Pro 2 launched with a starting price of $249 / £249 / AU$399. You're getting enhanced noise cancellation and overall sound quality thanks to Apple's new H2 chip and improved in-ear detection and touch controls for volume adjustment. At the 2023 Apple September event, the AirPods Pro 2 received an upgrade and now come with a USB-C charging case, so you don't have to rely on a Lightning cable, plus additional dust resistance and Lossless Audio with Apple Vision Pro.

Thanks to recent holiday sales, we've already seen impressive AirPods Pro deals, with record-low prices reaching $189.99 in the US.

The original AirPods Pro were released in 2019 with a starting price of $249 / £249 / AU$399. While the earbuds are no longer available to purchase from the Apple store, you can sometimes find the original AirPods Pro on sale at third-party retailers.

The AirPods Pro were the first AirPods to include active noise-canceling technology to keep outside distractions away from your music, which is excellent for those noisy commutes or keeping your concentration going at work. The AirPods Pro are also water and sweat resistant, making them much better suited to the gym than the standard AirPods, and they come with multiple tips so you can adjust to the best fit for you.

• Check out AirPods Pro deals direct from Apple

The best AirPods Max deals

Apple quietly released the AirPods Max in December of 2020 as Apple's most expensive headphones with a starting price of $549.99 / £549.

The AirPods Max not only stand out because of their price, but the Apple headphones also feature an over-ear design, which is a first from the AirPods line. Apple claims the AirPods Max bring the magic of AirPods to an over-the-ear design, which means you're getting Active Noise Cancellation, powerful H1 Chips, and an enhanced audio experience.

The AirPods Max also feature a unique design with a breathable knit mesh headband and a stainless steel frame with memory foam earcups for ultimate comfort. The Apple headphones come in several sleek color choices, such as space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink, and provide up to 20 hours of battery life.

• Check out AirPods Max deals direct from Apple

How much are AirPods?

The official AirPods' price is $159 in the US and £159 in the UK and $249 in Australia. So you shouldn't pay any more. Although, we have seen some stores cheekily push the price up when stock thins out. If you're looking for the version with the wireless charging case, then prices shoot up to around $199 in the US and £199 in the UK.

Expect the usual outlets to charge closer to the MSRP and, better yet, potentially dip below it around the key shopping seasons. Fingers crossed we don't have to wait long for some proper Apple AirPod sales though!

As an alternative, there are lots of wireless earphone and headphone deals in our Beats headphone deals page and other brands are covered in our wireless headphone deals page.

What about the original 2016 Apple AirPods?

These models have been discontinued and phased out at most stores now. On the rare occasions that we do spot unused stock units, they're actually the same price as the new and improved 2019 versions.

Short version: get the 2019 models instead via one of the deals in the comparison chart above. To be sure they are the new ones, look out for H1 chip and hands-free Siri functionality in the description if the title doesn't say something along the lines of '2019' or 'latest/newest version'.

Should I wait for a cheaper AirPods deal?

You might be waiting a while for seriously big discounts. Last year around Black Friday, we were seeing $20 discounts selling out in minutes, and it was one of the most popular deals we highlighted in our extensive roundups of the hottest offers. We saw similar discounts in the UK too - much better than last year's $7 discount but still no flash sales around right now.

Things have actually been better overall this year though with much better deals available in various regions. We're regularly seeing discounts of $15/£20 outside of peak seasonal discounts, so you should be able to beat the recommended asking price to be honest.

• Apple fan in general? Then take a look at the latest iPad deals and the best Apple AirTag prices and sales.

GoPro deals are offering up some excellent savings across the full Hero range right now, with the release of the Hero 13 Black and older models dropping even further in price. We've been watching these costs trickle down over the last few months, so anyone on the hunt for a cheap GoPro right now is well-catered for. Those GoPro sales aren't just reserved for those with the big bucks, though, we're also seeing older models taking steep savings these days. From the Hero 12 to the latest entry-level action camera, there are GoPro deals at every budget level available.

If you're just after the newest release, however, you're shopping at the right time. The latest GoPro Hero action camera is on our best GoPro camera list, thanks to its affordable price tag of $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$349.99. It's easy to use and features a compact and rugged design with an impressive battery life.

We'll explain each model's specs, making it easy for you to compare them all. So whether you're after the smoothest 4K scene shooting or a reliable budget 1080p option, we've got the best GoPro deal for you.

The best GoPro prices right now

(Image credit: GoPro)1: GoPro Hero Action Camera

GoPro's cheapest action camera

4K video: up to 30fps | Stills: 12MP | Waterproof: 5m | Battery life: 80 minutes estimate | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | Launch price: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$349.99

AffordableCompact designSimple to useLimited video options

If you want a cheap and easy-to-use action camera, the 2024 GoPro Hero is a fantastic option, priced at just $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$349.99. While it lacks some of the high-quality video options that GoPros are known for, the camera does include impressive features such as HyperSmooth video stabilization, ultra HD 4K video, and an LCD touch-screen display.

It's also highly compact, with 35% less volume and 44% less mass than the Hero12 Black. It also has a battery life of up to 80 minutes and a rugged, waterproof design of up to 16ft under water.

(Image credit: GoPro)1: GoPro Hero 12 Black deals

Extra features at a great price

5.3K video: up to 60fps | 4K video: up to 120fps | Stills: 27.6MP | Waterproof: 10m | Battery life: 1.5 to 2.5 hours estimate | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | Launch price: $399.99 / £399.99 / AU$649

Frequently discountedSuberb stabilizationSupport for Bluetooth audioStill expensive

The GoPro Hero 12 Black was released in 2023 and sat at the top of our best GoPro list before the GoPro Hero 13 was released in 2024. It's feature-packed and still one of the best action cameras you can buy, and it's also frequently discounted thanks to newer releases.

Compared to the Hero 11, new features include a 1/4-inch thread mount to handle mini tripods, HDR video capture for improved picture, and support for wireless audio from a Bluetooth microphone. You're also getting GoPro's excellent Hypersmooth stabilization to handle your action shots, 10m waterproofing, and a battery life lasting up to two and a half hours.

(Image credit: Gopro)1: GoPro Hero 11 Black deals

The best GoPro action camera for social media

5.3K video: up to 60fps | 4K video: up to 120fps | Stills: 27MP | Waterproof: 10m | Battery life: 1-2 hours estimate | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | Launch price: $499.99 / £499.99 / AU$799

HyperSmooth 5.0 with 360° horizon lock Support for 10-bit videoImproved battery lifeUser friendlyExpensive

GoPro's latest and greatest, the Hero 11 Black, was released in September of 2022 and is no longer available from the official GoPro store. The Hero 11 Black includes new updates over the Hero 11, like the 1/1.9in sensor, which helps boost versatility, including exporting videos in various formats, a feature that will please social media gurus. The Hero 11 Black also includes an improved Enduro rechargeable battery, support for 10-bit video, and HyperSmooth 5.0 for the smoothest and steadiest recording experience.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black has a starting retail price of $499.99/ £499.99/ AU$799.95 and is now GoPro's most expensive camera. Thanks to recent holiday sales, we've already seen discounts on the camera, so you shouldn't expect to pay full price.

(Image credit: GoPro)2: GoPro Hero 10 Black deals

One of GoPro's best cameras at a discounted price

5.3K video: up to 60fps | 4K video: up to 120fps | 1080p video: up to 240fps | Stills: 23MP | Waterproof: 10m | Battery life: 1-2 hours estimate | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | Launch price: $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$749

5.3K at 60fps Snappier menus and interfacePowerful GP2 processorClass-leading stabilization

The GoPro Hero 10 Black launched back in 2021, but it still leads the market with its 5.3K 60fps recording quality and high-powered processor under the hood. Of course, all that grunt comes with a high asking price, and the MSRP here represents a considerable jump over the previous generation Hero 9.

You're looking at a maximum cost of $499.99 / £479.99 / AU$749 for this professional level action camera, though we have seen GoPro deals dropping that price to as little as $399 / £379 in the past year. In fact, over the last few months we've been seeing that sub-$400 price position relatively regularly, so you're browsing at an excellent time.

(Image credit: GoPro)3: GoPro Hero 9 Black deals

An older generation is seeing some strong discounts

5K video: up to 30fps | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080p video: up to 240fps | Stills: 20MP | Waterproof: 10m | Battery life: 1-3 hours estimate | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | Launch price: $449.99 / £429.99 / AU$699.95

Extra detail in 5K Additional front displayImproved batteryNew software tricks

The GoPro Hero 9 Black still comes with a range of new software features, an extended battery life, brand new 5K shooting capabilities, and a front facing display. That's a good list of upgrades that adds more to the value than the Hero 8 Black offered, but you'll find little improvement in 4K shooting here.

That 5K option, however, makes up for the stasis of shooting 4K at 60fps. You'll get better clarity and more vivid details with the new shooting mode, and pair that with HyperSmooth Boost (GoPro's latest and most powerful stabilization tech) and it's possible to achieve some amazing footage with the GoPro Hero 9 Black.

With all that new tech does come a shift in the GoPro price, with the new model launching for £100 / $200 more than the previous version now sits at. However, if you're shopping in the UK you can save that £100 by picking up GoPro's own launch bundle which offers up a year of the GoPro subscription (unlimited cloud storage, savings on accessories, and warranty replacement) with the new camera for far less than the action cam by itself.

(Image credit: GoPro)4: GoPro Hero 8 deals

A more affordable GoPro if you can find stock

FOV: SuperView, Wide, Linear, Narrow | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080p video: up to 240fps | 720p video: up to 240fps | Stills: 12MP | Burst: up to 30fps | Battery: 1220mAh | Launch price: $399 / £379 / AU$599

Excellent image stabilizationFolding built-in mountBetter micNow superseded

This older GoPro was more about internal improvements over radical redesigns. But make no mistake, the GoPro Hero 8 Black is still one of the best action cameras GoPro has ever made.

Image Stabilization 2.0 combats the most chaotic of scenes you can throw at it and there's a better microphone on the device now too. The water resistance is a solid 10m and the shock resistance rating of the Gorilla Glass lens cover has been doubled - especially handy if you're likely to make a mess of a landing or take a bit of a beating from the great outdoors.

So, it's still a fantastic action camera for 2022, and now with two generations ahead of it there's plenty of room for discounts. You can currently pick it up for around $100 / £100 cheaper than the Hero 9 Black. A very tempting pick if you're not too bothered about the latest features.

(Image credit: GoPro)5: GoPro Max prices

The best GoPro with a 360 degree camera

FOV: Max SuperView, SuperView, Wide, Linear, Narrow | 5.6k video: up to 30fps | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080p video: up to 240fps | 720p video: up to 240fps | Stills: 16.6MP | Battery: 1600mAh | Launch Price: $499 / £479 / AU$799

Film in full 360 modesNow with a proper displayCheap launch priceHero 8 Black has better camera

If you want to film your latest adventures in full 360-degree vision then the new GoPro Max is the action camera you've been looking for. Its launch price is much cheaper than the older GoPro Fusion was on day one too.

We're glad to see a proper display screen on the GoPro Max as that was a feature we sorely missed on the older Fusion 360 degree camera. If filming in 360 isn't that high on your priorities, then the GoPro Hero 8 Black is the better camera for you, although the mic quality on the Max is better.

The GoPro Max only requires one memory card now and stitches the footage together in-camera, making editing much simpler and the Max HyperSmooth technology does a much better job at leveling the horizon out - as long as you keep up your end of the deal by not flying over the handlebars and into a tree that is.

6: GoPro Hero 7 Black prices

A great camera, with falling prices

FOV: Super view, Wide, Medium, Linear | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080p video: up to 240fps | Stills: 12MP | Burst: up to 30fps | Wireless: Wi-Fi, bluetooth, GPS | Auto low light: Yes | Launch Price: $399 / £379 / AU$599

HyperSmooth is a great additionLive streaming featuresTakes better still images tooExcellent value now

For even cheaper still (sometimes), you can sometimes pick up the Hero 7 Black - an older device, but one that still shoots 4K 60fps video, and was the first to feature GoPro's 'HyperSmooth' image stabilization.

The resolution and frame-rates may be similar to the older 6 series (we were bound to hit a wall sooner or later), but GoPro HyperSmooth dramatically increases image stabilization with the Hero 7 Black. This motion smoothing technology can be used in numerous shooting modes to record the smoothest possible video running at 60fps. The voice-activated commands are more responsive than older models too. SuperPhoto tech performs automatic improvements on lighting colour and noise-reduction across multiple frames. ProTune options allow you to take the safety wheels off and tweak setting to your own particular style too.

Right now, depending on stock levels, the Hero 7 Black can sometimes be picked up for around $50 / £50 cheaper than the Hero 8, and about $130 / £130 cheaper than the Hero 9.

7: GoPro Hero 7 Silver prices

Cheaper but lacking some of the latest features

FOV: Wide | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080p video: up to 60fps | Stills: 10MP | Burst: up to 15fps | Wireless: Wi-Fi, bluetooth, GPS | Auto low light: No | Launch price: $279 / £229 / AU$399

Cheaper than the Hero7 Black4K shooting impressesDecent stills capabilitiesOnly 30fps at 4K

Even cheaper still is the GoPro Hero7 Silver - a fantastic budget action camera that still manages to shoot in 4K, albeit at a reduced 30fps.

That's the main difference here between the Silver and Hero7 Black, which will of course shoot in 4K and 60fps. So, you're still getting 4K here and this is generally the most widely available cheap 4K GoPro in 2020 but the picture isn't quite as smooth as on the later or more premium models. The 1080p fps capabilities are slightly lower too and you also don't get the new HyperSmooth, SuperSmooth or Live Streaming features either.

For the $150 / £150 odd price though, this is still an extremely capable, durable, and waterproof action camera. There are cheaper models available on this page though if some of the features seem like overkill or it's still a bit pricey.

8: GoPro Hero 7 White prices

No 4K, but very cheap for a GoPro with a touchscreen

FOV: Wide | 4K video: No | 1080p video: up to 60fps | Stills: 10MP | Burst: up to 15fps | Wireless: Wi-Fi, bluetooth | Auto low light: No | Launch price: $199 / £149 / AU$279

Very, very cheapRecords 1080p at 60fpsGreat build qualityNo 4K video

The GoPro Hero7 White is perhaps the cheapest widely available GoPro device that's still around in 2020, going for as cheap as $149 / £149 at the retailers which still have stock. That's seriously cheap for a new GoPro camera, though as you can imagine this is definitely more of a stripped-down basic affair than the newer, more premium entries.

This more entry-level GoPro has the main omission of 4K video shooting. You do get a touchscreen though, and plenty of fps for 1080p standard HD resolution. If you'd be happier with 4K shooting instead of a touchscreen though you might be able to get a similar price via one of our highlighted GoPro Hero5 Session deals further down this page.

9: GoPro Hero 6 Black prices

Still worth a look if the price is right

FOV: Super view, Wide, Medium, Narrow | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080p video: up to 240fps | Stills: 12MP | Burst: up to 30fps | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Auto low light: Yes | Launch price: $399 / £379 / AU$599

Captures 4K video at 60fpsImproved image stabilizationWater-resistant without housingStill fairly pricey

If you can find it in stock, and for a decent price (we recommend around $200 / £200), the Hero 6 Black is a flagship of yesteryear that still manages to pack in a ton of quality.

This is still an excellent GoPro camera with 4K recording at a super smooth 60 fps (frame per second). Image stabilization is super important given the active lifestyles most GoPros record, so it's great to see this model improve even further on older ones. Even the 1080p recording has been improved with a boost to 240fps - excellent for maximizing those slow-motion shots. We expect the price to drop on this one over time with the new Hero7 Black now on the scene. If the prices are still close though, you may as well opt for the new one.

10: GoPro Hero 5 Black prices

Decent 4K shooting (albeit at 30fps)

FOV: Super view, Wide, Medium, Narrow | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080p video: up to 120fps | WVGA video: up to 240fps | Stills: 12MP | Burst: up to 30fps | Auto low light: Yes | Launch price: $399 / £379 / AU$599

Captures 4K videoTouchscreen for easy controlsWater-resistant without housingOnly 30fps at 4K

The Hero5 Black wass the GoPro we wanted for years. It was the first GoPro to have a waterproof design out-of-the-box, making it more resilient and the camera has enough to make it a convincing update on the older models. The picture quality is better, it has video stabilization and the touchscreen makes it easier to use than any other GoPro before it. Sale items aside, it's often cheaper than the older GoPro Hero 4 Black now too.

An oldie, but a goodie, the Hero 5 Black is unfortunately showing its age now but is still a worthwhile pickup if you can score a deal. We definitely wouldn't recommend spending more than $150 / £150 though since there are better, newer options now which are sometimes actually cheaper, depending on stock.

11: GoPro Hero deals (2018 model)

Great value for a GoPro with a touchscreen

FOV: Wide, Medium, Narrow | 1080p video: up to 60fps | Stills: 10MP | Burst: up to 10fps | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Auto low light: Yes | Launch price: $199 / £149 / AU$279

Cheap for a GoProHas a touchscreenGreat HD footageLower availability in 2020

Update: We'd imagine this model is going to be phased out soon despite still being quite new. This is because it's pretty much identical to the ever newer GoPro Hero7 White in terms of capabilities. Actually, it's looking like the Hero7 White is currently cheaper! Always worth keeping an eye on this one though as clearance sales should mean potential discounts.

The simply-named GoPro Hero is cheaper than most other Hero models. You're not getting 4K capture options, but you are getting a display and a touchscreen, features many of you might miss from the other budget GoPro option, the GoPro Hero Session. There was an older GoPro Hero released years ago and if you want to avoid getting that one by mistake, avoid models with a big, round, red light on the front as they can pop up in search results. They're not much cheaper, sometimes even more expensive and aren't as good as this 2018 version.

12: GoPro Hero 5 Session deals

The small, but still 4K-capable GoPro

FOV: Super view, Wide, Medium, Narrow | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080p video: up to 90fps | Stills: 10MP | Burst: up to 30fps | Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Auto low light: Yes | Launch Price: $299 / £249 / AU$429

Small, unobtrusive designCaptures stabilized 4K videoSeveral new field of view modesOnly 30fps at 4K

The GoPro Hero5 Session is a capable 4K action camera with a minimalist design that pushes the specs to the max within its cube-shaped confines. The Hero5 Session is also a major specs boost for GoPro's tiniest action camera. It now shoots stabilized 4K video and has a variety of new field of view modes. It's more expensive than its predecessor, but it's well worth the upgrade.

13: GoPro Karma Drone prices

Looking to take to the skies with your GoPro camera? There are certainly cheaper camera drones available, but this is one of the best premium setups out there. You can buy the drone on its own (often listed as 'GoPro Karma Light' or 'GoPro Karma with harness'), or get it bundled with the excellent GoPro Hero5 Black camera (some retailers may start to replace these bundles with the more modern Hero6 or Hero7 models instead).

We've also included price comparison charts for both below, but you may be able to save a bit of cash by buying the drone and camera separately (check out the various GoPro Hero Black deals near the top of this page). You'll find the best GoPro Karma prices below though.

You might also want to check out the best cheap dash cam deals and sales.

It's a great time to find Apple Watch deals, thanks to the recent release of the Apple Watch 10, which is available to order. To help you find all the best Apple Watch deals around the web, I've created this guide to bring you the lowest prices available on the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch 9, the all-new Apple Watch 10, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and rare Apple Watch 10 deals.

At last year's September Apple event, the tech giant unveiled the Apple Watch Series 10 with a starting price of $399 / £399 for the 42mm model and $429 / £429 for the larger 46mm display, which is the same starting price as the Apple Watch 9.

This means that Apple Watch deals on older models, including the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2, released last year, and the budget Apple Watch SE, launched in 2022, will be more frequent.

Shop today's best Apple Watch deals below, which include the best prices around the web and more information on each Apple Watch so you can find the best smartwatch that meets your needs at the lowest available price.

Best cheap Apple Watch sales and deals

(Image credit: Apple)Apple Watch 10 (2024)

Apple's latest and greatest smartwatch

OS: watchOS 10 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 42mm - 46mm always-on | Processor: S10 dual-core | Onboard storage: 64GB | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP6X | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS

The largest and most advanced displaySleep apnea detectionNew materials and colors.Expensive

The Apple Watch 10 is the successor to the Apple Watch 9, and pricing starts at $399 / £399. The Series 10 gets a significant design upgrade, and features the largest and most advanced display we've seen on an Apple Watch – it's a wide-angle OLED display that's 40% brighter than its predecessor, making it easier to read apps and texts.

It's the thinest and lightest mainline Apple Watch yet, and other new features include Apple's new S10 chipset, sleep apnea detection, depth gauge, and water temperature sensor. The Watch 10 is also available in a range of stunning new materials and colors.

(Image credit: Apple)Apple Watch 9 (2023)

A great smartwatch often discounted

OS: watchOS 10 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 41mm - 45mm always-on | Processor: S9 dual-core | Onboard storage: 64GB | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP6X | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS

New double-tap gestureBrighter displayFaster on-device SiriStill pricey

The Apple Watch 9 was released in September of last year alongside the Ultra 2 with a starting price of $399 / £399 / AU$649 for the 41mm display and $429 / £429 / AU$1,199 for the larger 45mm display.

The Apple Watch 9 is Apple's first carbon-neutral product, and it's more powerful than ever thanks to the all-new S9 SiP chip, which delivers increased performance and a long-lasting 18 hours of battery life. Apple's new chip also brings new capabilities to the Apple Watch, such as the double-tap gesture, which allows you to control your smartwatch by simply tapping your index and thumb together twice. You also get a brighter display, watchOS 10 with redesigned apps, and for the first time ever, Siri requests can now be processed from your smartwatch.

(Image credit: Apple)Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023)

Apple's brightest and durable smartwatch

OS: watchOS 10 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 49mm | Processor: S9 SiP | Onboard storage: 64GB | Battery: 36 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP6X | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS

Apple's brightest displayDurableImpressive battery lifeExpensive

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was also released last year, with the Apple Watch 9 as an upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra. The premium smartwatch is Apple's most durable smartwatch, made with aerospace-grade titanium, which is also why the Ultra 2 is so expensive, with a retail price of $799 / £799 / AU$1,399. The Ultra 2 now includes Apple's new S9 SiP chip, which offers new features like the impressive hands-free Double Tap control and a 50% brighter display.

You're still getting the adventure-seeking features users love about the Ultra Series, such as GPS tracking, durability in high and low temperatures, and the Oceanic+ app, which turns the watch into a working dive computer.

(Image credit: Apple)Apple Watch SE (2022)

A fantastic smartwatch at an affordable price

OS: watchOS 9 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 40mm - 44mm | Processor: S8 dual-core | Onboard storage: 32GB | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP6X | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS

Affordable priceLightweight designImpressive performanceLacks always-on display

The 2022 Apple Watch SE shares many of the same features as the Apple Watch 8 but with a much more affordable price tag, with a starting cost of $249 /£259/ AU$399. While the SE lacks the always-on display and ECG app (which many might find unnecessary), the smartwatch includes an improved chip for faster performance and new health and safety features such as fall detection and Emergency SOS.

The smartwatch comes with all the features that people love about the Apple Watch, such as tracking heart rate, activity, sleep, and calories burned, and helps you stay connected with the ability to receive notifications, take calls, and reply to texts directly from your wrist.

(Image credit: Future)Apple Watch 8 (2022)

Renewed options available

OS: watchOS 8 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 41mm - 45mm always-on | Processor: S8 dual-core | Onboard storage: 32GB | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP6X | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS

Frequent dealsNew health featuresCar crash detection

Released in 2022, the Apple Watch 8 has a starting price of $399 / £419 / AU$ 629 for a GPS-only model and $499 / £529 / AU$ 749 for the cellular model. The 45mm model starts from $429 / £449 / AU$679, with the cellular model costing $529 / £549 / AU$779. Thanks to the recent release of the Apple Watch 9, you can easily find Apple Watch deals on the Series 8, so you shouldn't expect to pay the full retail price.

The Apple Watch 8 includes health features such as a temperature sensor, an ECG function, and sleep tracking, plus safety features such as crash and fall detection. You're still getting all the fantastic features of the Series 7 smartwatch, including the Always-On display, activity tracking, an ECG app, and impressive all-day battery life.

(Image credit: Apple)Apple Watch 7 (2021)

Difficult to find in stock

OS: watchOS 7 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 41mm - 45mm always-on | Processor: S7 dual-core | Onboard storage: 32GB | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP6X | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS

Larger displayFaster chargingDifficult to find in stock

The Apple Watch 7 was unveiled in 2021 and includes a 70% brighter Always-On display, faster charging, and 20% more screen area, making it easier to use and read. The design also received a refresh with softer and more rounded edges and new sizes of 41mm and 45mm. The Apple Watch 7 still includes all the nifty features of the Series 6 smartwatch, such as blood oxygen monitoring, an ECG app, and activity tracking.

Thanks to the release of the Apple Watch 9, Apple Watch 7 deals have been difficult to find if you're looking for a new model. If you don't mind a renewed smartwatch, plenty of offers are available.

(Image credit: Apple)Apple Watch 6 (2020)

A solid smartwatch

OS: watchOS 7 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 40mm - 44mm always-on | Processor: S6 dual-core | Onboard storage: 32GB | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IPX7 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS

Regularly on saleAlways-on displayBlood oxygen monitoringDifficult to find in stock

The Apple Watch 6 debuted in September 2020 with an introductory price of $399 / £379 - the same baseline costs as the 2019 Series 5.

The Apple Watch 6 comes with a few key upgrades over the Series 5 - namely, a new blood oxygen monitor (with an accompanying app) and a brand new S6 dual-core processor, which Apple claims is 20% faster than last year's model. Aside from these key upgrades, the always-on display is back, but it's been drastically improved with some neat new controls for notifications, allowing you to interact without fully waking up the watch.

The Apple store no longer carries the Apple Watch 6, so like the Series 7, Apple Watch deals on the Series 6 are hard to come by if you're looking for a brand-new smartwatch.

Where to find Apple Watch deals

• Amazon - US
• Best Buy - US
• Walmart - US
• Amazon - UK
• AO.com - UK
• Argos - UK
• Very - UK
• Currys - UK

Apple Watch deals: is the price worth it? 

Apple's hardware often comes with a high price tag, and the Apple Watch doesn't fall far from the tree. That said, if you're looking for a smartwatch to work with your iPhone, no other brand comes close to offering the functionality of Apple's own timepiece.

While the Apple Watch price is still higher than many other brands, you're paying for integration with a massive number of apps you're already using on your iPhone. Plus, with all the Apple Watch deals happening and the recent software updates to older models, you can easily grab a great bargain.

Apple Watch deals from phone carriers

If you're looking for an Apple Watch deal with a Cellular plan, a phone carrier like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile could be your best option. Purchasing an Apple Watch from a carrier allows you to make monthly payments, and you can typically find discounts, especially if you have an existing phone plan with them.

Apple Watch band/strap deals

Bands are not one-size-fits-all-budgets

Wide variety of sizes, colors and pricesIncredibly easy to slide onto your WatchCan't use normal watch strapsOfficial Apple Watch bands are pricey

Your Apple Watch literally isn’t complete without the best deals on Apple Watch bands. They make the geeky smartwatch stylish enough to show off to late adopters.

In fact, you’re going to want multiple cheap Apple Watch straps simply because more elegant bands are far from ideal for the gym. Vice versa, Sport Bands don’t cut it at the fancy dinner table.

Everyday in the news, we see new cheap Apple Watch bands trying to become the de facto alternative to the more expensive, official Apple Watch bands, and they’re usually just as good. Trust us, buying a trio of third-party, lookalike Apple Watch bands for the price of one official strap is a relief after paying so much for the smartwatch itself.

• Straps in the US starting at $5.99
• Straps in the UK starting at £4.98
• Straps in Australia starting at AU$4.89

• Don't know which watch to buy? Read our best Apple Watch guide
• You can also see the best smartwatch prices and deals that are happening now
• See today's best Apple AirTag prices and sales

Cheap headphone deals are always ready and waiting to offer up a discount - whether you're on the hunt for the latest and greatest cups or something a little more wallet-friendly. We're rounding up all the biggest discounts on everything from Sony and Apple to Bose right here, as well as some of our favorite budget picks for extra strong value for money.

With every new product release, older generations will shuffle further down the price scale. That's a lot of tracking to make sure you're getting the best value for your cash possible. We've gathered this roundup of the headphones we're currently watching for the biggest offers - and our price comparison software will bring you all the lowest rates every half an hour.

We cover all the best headphones released, including over-ear headphones, noise-canceling headphones, and wireless headphones, so there's plenty on offer. Luckily, you'll find some pretty low-cost headphone deals here, so you won't have to break the bank to find a pair that should last. Prices start at around $20 / £20 on our list this week, and what's more, most of these headphones have been impartially reviewed by us, so you know what you're getting here.

Best headphone deals

(Image credit: Apple)1. Apple AirPods 4

Apple's latest AirPods at a discounted price

Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .15 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 800ft | Battery life: 6 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 30 hours

AffordableImpressive noise cancellationQuality soundLacking on-ear volume control

Apple's all-new AirPods 4 were released in September of 2024 and are available in two models: one with active noise cancellation, priced at $179 / £179, and one without, costing $129 / £129.

Apple says the AirPods 4 are the best-fitting AirPods ever and feature a new refined contour and shorter stem. The AirPods include Apple's H2 chip that supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation to improve the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Other features include new controls for playing music and muting calls, a case that delivers 30 hours of battery life, and support for USB-C for wireless charging.

(Image credit: Apple)2. Apple AirPods Pro 2

Apple earbuds with premium sound and noice cancellation

Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .18 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 15m | Battery life: 6 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 30 hours

Frequently on saleBattery life is exceptionalImmersive soundExpensive

In September 2022, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 were launched with a starting price of $249 / £249 / AU$399. The earbuds feature enhanced noise cancellation and overall sound quality thanks to Apple's new H2 chip and improved in-ear detection and touch controls for volume adjustment. The 2nd generation AirPods Pro also pack an extended battery life and a redesigned case that provides up to 30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation using ‌the MagSafe‌ Charging Case.

Thanks to the release of the AirPods 4, you can find impressive AirPods Pro 2 sales, with record-low prices reaching well below $200 / £200.

3. Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

Apple's cheapest earbuds

Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .14 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 10m | Battery life: 5 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 24 hours

Affordable for Apple earbudsSound is greatOne-size-fits-all designDon't lose them! 

Don't discount the Apple AirPods; while they may indeed be a pricier option, recent sales have driven prices down to an almost bargain price point, so much in fact, you can often pick them up for as low as $99 / £110.

There’s a lot about the AirPods that we like. They sound great, their battery life and charging speeds run laps around the competition, and it’s hard to overstate just how seamless the pairing process is. If the prices go down even further, as we expect later this year, they could just be a great value pickup - especially for those with an iOS device.

(Image credit: JBL)4. JBL Tune 510BT

Cheap over-ear headphones

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 5.6 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40 hours

AffordableImpressive sound40 hours of battery lifeLacks noise cancellation

The JBL Tune 510BT have over 50,000 positive reviews on Amazon and are one of the best-selling headphones on the site. The over-ear headphones come with JBL's renowned Pure Bass sound to deliver powerful audio and feature Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Streaming, so you can stream music and podcasts and take calls from your device. You also get an impressive 40 hours of battery life plus a quick five-minute recharge, which gives you two additional hours of listening time.

The best part about JBL's headphones is perhaps the price, retailing at just $49.95 / £39.99 and frequently discounted during holiday sales.

(Image credit: Sony)5. Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony's latest over-ear headphones

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.5 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 30 hours

Excellent noise cancellationSmart ambient featuresSleek designExpensive

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones follow their predecessor's steps by offering superb sound, active noise cancellation, and an expensive price tag. Sony's headphones retail for $399/£380/AU$650, which is more than the previous generation, the Sony 1000XM4s, which were priced at $349/£350/AU$549 at launch.

Sony's WH-1000XM5 offer improved noise cancellation, voice microphones for better video and audio calls, and an impressive 40 hours of battery life. Perhaps the most significant change in the WH-1000XM5 is the new design. Sony has gone with a sleeker and curvier style with slimmer headphones for superior comfort.

(Image credit: Sony)6. Sony WH-1000XM4

Premium headphones frequently on sale

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.5 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 30 hours

Discounted regularlySuperb noise cancellation30-hour battery lifeExpensive

The Sony WH1000XM4 are ranked in the top spot of TechRadar's best noise-cancelling headphones list, offering industry-leading digital noise cancellation technology. Whether traveling, walking, or in a busy office, these headphones will adapt to the sounds around you and block out background noise accordingly. The Bluetooth headphones also include Touch Sensor controls so you can easily skip tracks, control volume, answer phone calls, and more. The Sony WH1000XM4 provide up to 30 hours of battery life, with quick charging if you need a fast recharge.

The premium headphones don't come cheap, retailing for $349 / £349 / AU$549, but thanks to the release of Sony's WH1000XM5, you'll frequently find deals on the headphones, especially during holiday sales.

7. Sony WH-CH510

Budget over-ear headphones

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.6 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 35 hours

Impressive soundSmart noise cancellationAffordableLacks 3.5mm jack and USB audio

The Sony WH-CH510 is our top pick for the best budget over-ear headphones, offering industry-leading digital noise cancellation technology. Whether you're traveling, walking, or in a busy office, these headphones will adapt to the sounds around you and block out background noise accordingly. The Bluetooth headphones also include Touch Sensor controls so you can easily skip tracks, control volume, answer phone calls, and more. The Sony WH-CH510 provide up to 35 hours of battery life, with quick charging if you need a fast recharge.

8. JLab Go Air True Wireless Earbuds

Bargain true-wireless earbuds

Headphone type:: In-ear | Weight:: 3.2 oz | Frequency response:: 20Hz-20kHz | Drivers: 8mm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Wireless range: 30ft | Battery life: 5 hours

Unbelievable priceGood connectivityIPX5 waterproof ratingPoor audio

No longer is true-wireless tech a feature reserved for the most premium of buds, thanks to the JLab Go Air - a pair of totally wireless earbuds available for the almost unbelievable price of just $29 / £29.

Sure, these are definitely on the more "budget" end of things, and subsequently, you shouldn't expect world-beating audio, amazing build quality, or premium features like active noise cancellation, but for $30 - you're definitely getting a pair of functional buds here.

Available in white, khaki green, black, and navy blue, the JLab Go Air True Wireless Earbuds feature an IPX5 sweatproof rating, 5 hours of battery life, and three different equalizer settings, which you can use to cater to your tracks of choice. Overall, that's not bad in our books and definitely worth considering if you want to get your hands on a pair of truly wireless buds without spending the $99 that the (admittedly much better) Lypertek Tevi go for these days.

(Image credit: JBL)9. JBL Tune 750BTNC

Great headphones which are often discounted

Headphone type: : Over-ear | Weight:: 7.76 oz | Drivers:: 40mm | Connectivity:: Bluetooth | Battery life:: 22

Great valueGood audio and comfortNo waterproofingAverage battery life

Want a pair of extremely solid, Bluetooth headphones that also pack in excellent active noise cancellation for under $100? Check out the JBL Tune 750BTNC.

While the JBL Tune 750BTNC have an official listing price of $129 / £120, we often see them go for as little as $99 / £89, which makes them one of the best headphone deals around right now. For that price, you're getting a ton of excellent features for the money, including active noise cancellation, great audio, and a pretty damn sturdy pair of headphones for the price.

The only downside we've found with these headphones is the lack of the latest Bluetooth support. These are on a slightly older version so don't quite have the wireless range of the newest premium headphones. There's also no waterproofing on these JBL's either, but otherwise, they get a hearty recommendation for us.

(Image credit: Tascam)10. Tascam TH-02

The cheapest studio-quality over-ears

Headphone type:: Over-ear closed back | Weight:: 1.01 lbs | Drivers:: 50mm | Sensitivity:: 98 dB ± 3dB | Connectivity:: Wired (3.5mm)

Excellent sound for the priceFoldableCan be a tight fit for bigger headsFairly dated aesthetic

If you're looking for a cheap, no-nonsense set of wired headphones for your work desk or home use, check out the Tascam TH-02. These fully over-ear closed-back headphones aim to provide a detailed, studio-ready audio experience, but most importantly, retail for just $20 / £20 at Amazon currently.

Tascam is a trusted brand that has been around for many years, and the TH-02 is a good choice over the many nameless and unbranded headphones that tend to sit at this price point. You're getting some powerful drivers here, as well as a fairly robust (albeit slightly dated) plastic design that should last for a good time.

Of course, you probably won't want to be seen out with these giant old-school headphones, but for home use and sitting at the office desk, these headphones will give you plenty of quality and isolation for the price.

11. AKG K92

Quality over-ears from an Industry giant

Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 1.2 lb | Frequency response: 16Hz-20KHz | Drivers: 40mm | Connectivity: Wired

Great soundingComfortable to wearBudget plastic constructionNo detachable cable

When it comes to headphones, the general consensus is that you very much get what you pay for. But with AKG's K92, what you're getting is so much more. These headphones offer a level of sound quality that far outstrips their budget price tag. That being said, these are some of the largest cans you might ever find, and therefore might not be the best choice for anyone out there who has a petite noggin. Specs-wise, however, it's all good. The K92's professional 40mm drivers offer an extended 16 - 20,000Hz frequency response with a 113 dB SPL/V sensitivity level. It has a cable length of about 9 feet (3 meters) and weighs around 200 grams.

(Image credit: 1more)12. 1MORE Triple Driver

Great value wired earphones that are often on sale

Headphone type: In-ear | Weight: 0.6 oz | Frequency response: 20-40kHz | Drivers: 3 proprietary | Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)

Excellent build qualitySound fantasticRubber cable can snag

One for the audiophiles among you, the 1MORE Triple Driver offers quite simply some of the best audio quality available for under $100, and even better news, they also happen to go on sale frequently for as little as $70 / £80 right now.

For that price, you're getting a pair of specially tuned, audio engineer-approved earbuds that have a pretty novel set of (as the name suggests) proprietary drivers to blast out all your favorite tunes in perfect clarity. Subsequently, you can expect great performance from these, and the built and fit isn't too shabby either.

Remember though, these are fully wired earphones and therefore are subject to tangles, snagging, and general noises unless careful. If you'd prefer wireless, then definitely check out the other great recommendations on our list.

(Image credit: Lypertek)13. Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds

Astoundingly good value earbuds

Headphone type: In-ear | Weight:: 3.53 oz | Frequency response:: 20Hz-20KHz | Drivers:: 6mm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery life: 10 hours

Awesome valueGreat soundAbove average battery lifePedestrian design

The Lypertek Tevi firmly get our nod for the best true wireless earbuds you can buy under $100, and even better news for headphone deals hunters is that they are often discounted to just $89 / £89.

For that price, what's on offer here is pretty unbeatable. Not only have they got a great, balanced sound, but the excellent battery life, USB-C charging, and waterproofing just make for an overall awesome value package here.

While their asking price is firmly on the higher end, especially when compared to the cheaper options on our list, these headphones look, feel and sound like a much more premium set in themselves. Subsequently, if you're happy to spend that little extra that week, you definitely won't be disappointed with these great mid-range earbuds from Lypertek.

(Image credit: Amazon)14. Amazon Echo Buds

Alexa powered earbuds

Weight: 7.6 grams | Battery Life: 5 hours | Connection: Wireless | Bluetooth: 5.0 | Noise Cancellation: Yes | IPX rating: IPX4 (earbuds only)

Built-in Alexa voice assistantActive noise cancellation by BoseCheaper than AirPods 

The Amazon Echo Buds were released in 2019 with an affordable starting price of $129.99/£119.99. Thanks to sale events like Prime Day, we've seen the earbuds drop to as low as $99.99/£89.99.

The earbuds include Active Noise Reduction technology that was developed by Bose and feature an advanced microphone that allows you hands-free access to Amazon Alexa. The Alexa-enabled earbuds allow you to skip songs, adjust the volume, ask questions, and more completely hands-free. The sweat-resistant earbuds provide up to five hours of battery life and come in three different sizes for a secure and comfortable fit.

• If you're interested in wireless headphones see more of the best cheap wireless headphone deals and sales

Beats headphone deals are far more commonplace these days. The previously premium cups have taken some serious price cuts over the years, which means cheap Beats headphones are often lining the shelves if you're browsing at the right time. We often see these headphones taking heavier discounts during holiday sales but if you're browsing outside of an event, there are still likely to be some solid offers on the table.

For you Beats deals hunters, that means some fantastic cheap Beats Headphones sales on the older models, although the new ones are often for sale as well. Thankfully, there are Beats Headphones prices for everyone as well, as prices range from just $69/£69 to $249/£249.

We're helping you find all the latest Beats headphone deals right here, with our price comparison software running through all the biggest offers on the web every half hour. Whether you're after one of the more luxurious models or a budget pick, you'll find all the lowest prices right here.

Beats headphones are something of an institution when it comes to consumer audio tech and are absolutely up there with the very best brands when it comes to popularity. Acquired by Apple back in the heady days of 2014, the Beats brand has gone from strength to strength and now encompasses a wide range of over-ear headphones and in-ear earphones, including some of the best wireless headphones.

Today's best Beats headphone dealsThe best Beats headphone deals

(Image credit: Beats)1. Beats Solo Buds (2024)

Best earbuds for battery life

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 18h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5.7g | Colors available: Black, Arctic Purple, Transparent Red, Storm Gray | Year released: 2024 | Launch price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95

Long-lasting batteryCompact caseAffordableLacks active noise cancellation

Released in 2024, the Beats Solo Buds are the company's smallest, cheapest, and longest-lasting earbuds, retailing for only $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95.

The most impressive feature of the Solo Buds is its exceptional battery life, with an incredible 18 hours of listening time. The Beats earbuds also feature a compact case and comfortable fit with four ear tip sizes included. While The Solo Buds lack audio features such as active noise cancellation and spatial audio, they still provide quality sound at an affordable price.

(Image credit: Beats)2. Beats Studio Buds Plus (2023)

The best Beats earbuds you can buy

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 9h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5g | Colors available: Black, Silver, Ivory, Transparent | Year released: 2023 | Launch price: $169/£179/AU$269

Unique transparent designImpressive noise cancellationImproved microphone qualityLacks wireless charging

The Beats Studio Buds Plus were launched in 2023 with a starting price of $169 / £179 / AU$269, only $10 more than the original Beats Studio Buds cost. The earbuds feature improved Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode and better microphone quality that filter background noise for crisp and clear calls. The most glaring new feature of the Studio Buds Plus, is the transparent design option, which allows you to see the inner workings of your earbuds, including circuits, power supplies and components. The Beats Studio Buds provide up to 36-hours of battery life and feature enhanced compatibility with both Apple and Android devices.

(Image credit: Beats)3. Beats Fit Pro (2021)

A cheaper alternative to the AirPods Pro 2

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 6h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5.6g | Colors available: Black, Red, White, Gray, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Purple, Nude | Year released: 2022 | Launch price: $199/£199/AU$299.95

Comfortable and secure fitActive noise cancellationH1 chip for hands-free SiriExpensive

The Beats Fit Pro were released in 2021 as workout-friendly earbuds that are an alternative to Apple's pricey AirPods Pro 2, costing $199 / £199 / AU$299.95 at launch.

The wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation and deliver impressive sound quality thanks to Apple's powerful H1 chip that gets you access to hands-free Siri. You're also getting a comfortable and secure fit thanks to the wing tip design, plus an impressive six hours of battery life, on-device controls, and new fun color options like Stone Purple and Sage Green.

(Image credit: Beats)4. Beats Studio Buds (2021)

Budget earbuds with active noise cancellation

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 8h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 10g | Colors available: Black, Red, White, Gray, Blue | Year released: 2021 | Launch price: $149/£159.99

Active noise cancellationCheaper than the AirPods ProQuality soundComfortable fitLacks H1 Wireless Chip

The Beats Studio Buds were released in 2021 as a cheaper option to Apple's AirPods Pro, with a starting price of $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95, which is considerably less than Apple's earbuds.

The Beats Studio Buds deliver a powerful, balanced sound with dynamic range and active noise cancellation, a feature the below Powerbeats Pro lack. You're also getting a comfortable fit with three soft eartip sizes included and full volume and track controls on the earbuds, so you don't need your device to adjust your music. The Beats Studio Buds also provide an impressive 8 hours of battery life and are compatible with Apple and Android devices.

5. Beats Flex (2020)

Beats cheapest earbuds

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 12h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 18.6g | Colors available: Black, Blue, Gray, Yellow | Year released: 2020 | Launch price: $69.95/£69.99

AffordableFast chargingLong-lasting battery lifeNot true wireless earbuds

The Beats Flex wireless earbuds are the brand's cheapest earbuds, retailing for just $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99.95, which is significantly less compared to other premium earbuds. You're getting many of the same features of the Powerbeats Pro, including the Apple W1 Wireless Chip for seamless connectivity and a built-in sensor that automatically plays music when they're in your ears and pauses when attached around your neck. The Beats Flex also offer an impressive 12 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge will give you 1.5 hours of playback time when the battery is low

6. Powerbeats Pro (2019)

Workout-focused earbuds

Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 9h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 22g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Navy, Moss | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $249/£219

Excellent battery lifeSnug fit while exercisingThe best in-ear Beats soundStill expensive

Released in 2019, the Powerbeats Pro were the most exercise-friendly Beats headphones at the time, thanks to the hook that reaches behind the ear that ensures your Beats stay in place during any activity.

In addition to that signature bass-heavy sound, you're getting surprisingly adept quality in mid-range clarity as well as superior noise-isolation to the AirPods. Make no mistake, though, Beats are at their best with high-energy, big tunes. So, if you're hitting the gym, these are the Beats you want. They're not waterproof, mind, so be careful if you go running in the rain.

We're loving the 9-hour battery, and that can be boosted to around 24 hours thanks to the charging case that comes with the new Powerbeats Pro headphones. Running late? A five-minute quick charge gives you 90 minutes of playback. Nice.

Even better, the Powerbeats Pro see regular inclusion in cheap Beats headphones sales, making them a fantastic option for deal hunters in particular.

Cheap Beats deals on headphone models

(Image credit: Beats)1. Beats Solo 4 (2024)

Beats latest over-ear headphones

Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 50h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 217g | Colors available: Black, Slate Blue, Cloud Pink | Year released: 2024 | Launch price: $199 / £199

AffordableImpressive battery lifeLightweight designLacks active noise cancellation

Released in 2024, the Beats Solo 4 are the company's latest over-hear headphones with a starting retail price of $199 / £199 / AU$329. The Beats Solo 4 are the successor to the 2016 Solo 3 and feature updates such as improved audio and a longer battery life.

The Solo 4 also includes an ultra-lightweight design, with comfortable earbuds and a secure fit, which make them great headphones for working out. You're also getting smart features for both Android and iOS – including Personalized Spatial Audio for Apple fans, which works great. While the Solo 4 headphones lack active noise cancellation, the price reflects that compared to similar over-ear headphones with ANC.

(Image credit: Beats)1. Beats Studio Pro (2023)

Beats best noise canceling over-ear headphones

Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 260g | Colors available: Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone | Year released: 2023 | Launch price: $349 / £349

Active noise cancellationImpressive battery lifeSleek designExpensive

The Beats Studio Pro are the company's latest over-ear headphones, and their retail starting price is $349 / £349 / AU$530. The 2023 Studio Pro features a beautiful design that Beats is known for and come in a sleek fabric case with four different colors available: black, deep brown, navy, and sandstone. You're getting impressive sound, deep bass, and active noise cancellation with personalized spatial audio. The wireless headphones feature 40 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute fast charge will give you four more hours of playback.

2. Beats Solo 3 (2018)

Still a fantastic pair of headphones

Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h | NFC: No | Controls: touch+wired | Weight: 215g | Colors available: Matt Black, Satin Gold, Satin Silver, Gloss Black, Gloss White, Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Red, Black/Red | Year released: 2018 | Launch price: $299/£250

Punchy soundExcellent wireless connectionOften available at a discounted price

If you have a modern iPhone and want a pair of the best Beats headphones made specifically for Apple's latest range, you really should take a look at the Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones. In addition to a fantastic wireless connection and punchy sound, you're getting a huge battery run-time. A single charge can last for up to 40 hours which could last you for an entire week's worth of commuting between charges.

The Solo 3 Wireless are the most popular over/on-ear headphones in the Beats range and are regularly featured in cheap Beats headphones sales. They're also available in a whole range of different color designs so there's plenty of scope to choose a color scheme that best represents your personality - whether that's jet black or blingy gold!

They fold neatly away in a bag and don't look massive on your head - although there are no noise cancelling options with this model - for that you'd need either the Beats Studio 3 Wireless or the newer Beats Solo Pro. If you're looking for cheap Beats headphones prices on a set of over-ear cans that don't feel outdated in their spec, the 2018 Solo 3 model is for you.

(Image credit: Beats)3. Beats Solo Pro (2019)

Difficult to find in stock

Design: : On-ear | *Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 267g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Dark Blue, Light BLue, Red, Gray | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $299 / £269

Great noise-cancelation40-hour battery lifeUseful transparency mode

Studier than the Solo 3 line and sporting a cool matte finish in each color, the Beats Solo Pro feels like the biggest step up in quality the series has seen in some time for its larger line of headphones. Beats work best with iPhones and pairs fast thanks to modern chipsets, and we love the hands-free Siri integration, too, which is a first on the Beats Solo Pro.

The active noise cancellation brings Apple's Beats somewhat closer to the best offerings from Sony and Bose, although those two are still ahead by some distance. We do like the simple one-button access to the transparency mode here, though. This optional feature allows some outside noise to come through, which can be handy in an office if you want to be aware of someone calling your name or make sure you're aware of traffic around you when walking or cycling.

You'll see one of the higher Beats headphones prices attached to this particular set of cans, but for a 2019 model with such power as these, it's easily worth it.

4. Beats Studio 3 (2017)

The best Beats headphones for noise-cancelling

Design: Over-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 22-40h | NFC: No | Controls: touch+wired | Weight: 260g | Colors available: Black, White, Blue, Red, Grey, Black/Red | Year released: 2017 | Launch price: $349/£299

Excellent noise-cancellingBetter batterySolid performance

The Beats Studio 3 were first launched in 2017 with a starting price of $349 / £299, but since then, you can find frequent discounts on the wireless headphones. Using an over-ear, closed-back design, the Studio 3 is one of the best noise-cancelling sets of headphones Beats has ever made. The battery has massively improved, too, so that you can enjoy music for up to 22 hours, or 40, with the active noise cancellation turned off.

The Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are a great match for users of modern iPhones missing 3.5mm jacks - you can pair them with any smartphone, though, thanks to the Bluetooth technology. The Studio 3 is available in multiple colors, including red, matte black, white, porcelain rose, blue, and shadow grey. They are more expensive compared with the Solo 3 Wireless, and they're bulkier and heavier, too - so do make sure you're aware of this before you buy.

5. Beats EP headphones (2016)

The cheapest big Beats headphones currently available

Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: No | Battery life: N/A | NFC: No | Controls: Wired | Weight: 204g | Colors available: Black, White, Blue, Red | Year released: 2016 | Launch price: $99/£89

Budget-friendly BeatsGreat color optionsBalanced and rounded sound

The Beats EP headphones are the cheapest on-ear headphones in the Beats by Dre lineup and are a fine place to start if you've had your eye on the colorful stylings for a while. They're wired via a 3.5mm jack, but at least you'll never have to worry about them running out of battery juice.

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Which cheap Beats headphones should you buy?

On the over-ear and on-ear side of the Beats headphones range you'll find the Beats Solo Pro and Beats Studio 3 Wireless leading the charge with the best sound and highest price. The Beats Solo 3 Wireless is the most popular option, and also one of the more recent, with an on-ear slightly more compact design. Meanwhile, the Beats EP is a cheap Beats headphone option that goes for under $100. You can also still pick up a pair of Beats Pro headphones, made for DJs - though they're no longer listed on the Beats website.

Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro are the latest true wireless earbuds in the Beats in-ear headphone range, offering totally wireless listening with a sporty finish – think Apple Airpods but with better noise isolation and better sound.

They're backed up by the Powerbeats3 Wireless, the previous wireless option that connects the earphones behind your neck. The Powerbeats3 and the slightly newer Beats X, a more traditional style of wireless earbuds, are your best bet for cheap Beats headphone sales right now. However, at the bottom end, you also have the wired urBeats3 earphones, available with either 3.5mm or Lightning connector for an iPhone. This is where you'll find the best Beats headphones prices, but not necessarily the quality to back them up.

• Back to the top ^ 

Whether building a surround sound setup or simply investing in a quality home speaker, Sonos deals are essential to keeping costs low while securing excellent audio. It's easy to get carried away syncing multiple speakers for a full surround sound experience, but such a luxury audio system is well within reach if you play your cards right. After all, we're seeing more and more Sonos sales offering significant discounts across the range, so whether you're after premium or budget models, prices are looking pretty good these days.

Sonos speaker systems offer a wide range of wireless connectivity options to get your music pumping throughout your home. They can tap into your personal collection of MP3s as well as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. From soundbars to subwoofers, there are Sonos speakers for all occasions—though if you don't pick them up during sales seasons, be prepared for premium pricing.

We have hot deals for the whole line-up, including the Sonos Era 100, Sonos Roam 2, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Sonos Arc. Don't forget to check for Sonos promo codes, too.

Today's best Sonos sales and deals

(Image credit: Sonos)Sonos Era 100 deals

A fantastic upgrade to the Sonos One

Dimensions: 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" | Weight: 4.45 lbs | Power supply: 100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Impressive BassCompact design3.5mm line-in option and BluetoothExpensive

The Sonos Era 100 was released in 2023 with a launch price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, which is more expensive than the popular Sonos One speaker. The Sonos Era 100 is an upgrade to the Sonos 100 with the addition of Bluetooth and more connection possibilities, including an adapter that can add a 3.5mm line-in. You're getting room-filling sound with more bass, excellent detail and clarity, and stereo playback, thanks to the two side-firing tweets.

The Sonos Era 100 also features hands-free control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, a beautiful compact design, and Trueplay technology, which analyzes the acoustics of your space to optimize your speaker's EQ.

(Image credit: Sonos)Sonos Roam 2

Dimensions: 6.6" x 2.4" x 2.3" | Weight: .95 lbs | Power supply: 5V/1.5A (7.5W) USB power adapter | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Impressive audioLightweight, portable designExpensiveOnly 10 hours of battery life

The Sonos Roam 2 was released in 2024 and is our pick for the best Sonos portable speaker. The Roam 2 features a rugged design with an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating and weighs just under a pound, making it highly lightweight if you're in the market for an ultra-portable speaker. You're also getting impressive audio with powerful, rich sound and a balanced experience that Sonos speakers are known for, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Sonos Roam 2 retails for $179 / £179 / AU$299 and is available in Black, White, Olive, Sunset, or Wave. While this is pricey for a portable speaker, you can frequently find deals at third-party retailers like Amazon.

Read our full review: Sonos Roam 2

(Image credit: Sonos)Sonos Beam Gen 2

Impressive sound in a compact design

Dimensions: 2.68" x 25.6" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240V, 50/60Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Room-filling soundVirtual Dolby Atmos supportCompact designExpensive

Released in 2021, the 2nd generation Sonos Beam remains one of the best mid-range soundbars from the company. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features a compact, sleek design, allowing you to easily situate it beneath your TV and seamlessly blend in. Despite its size, the Sonos Beam can still fill your home with sound, delivering impressive audio with Atmost and HDMI eARC compatibility.

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is also a great choice if you're looking for a Sonos soundbar under $500 / £500. It had a starting price of $449 / £449 / $699 at launch, and because it's been on the shelves for a couple of years now, you can find frequent discounts on the soundbar.

Read our full review: Sonos Beam Gen 2

(Image credit: Sonos)Sonos Arc deals

The best soundbar you can buy

Dimensions: 5.1" x 2" x 5" | Weight: 24.6 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Fantastic sound qualitySleek, discreet designDolby Atmos, TrueHD, and Dolby Digital PlusExpensiveOnly one HDMI port

Launched in 2020, the Sonoc Arc is still the company's best soundbar, thanks to the immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a video game, you'll feel like you're in the center of the action - no other speakers needed. The Sonos Arc is also easy to set up and features a sleek, discreet design mounted to a wall or beneath a TV.

At launch, the Sonos Arc cost $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, but after a price hike, it now retails for $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. Discounts are few and far between, so if you see the Sonos speaker on sale, you should take advantage.

Read our full review: Sonos Arc

Sonos One deals

Sonos and Amazon's Alexa is a match made in heaven

Dimensions: 4.8" x 4.8" x 6.4" | Weight: 3.92 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Full-bodied, rich sound Combines best of Alexa and Sonos Plays music while Alexa is muted 

Sonos and Alexa, Amazon's smart personal assistant, are a perfect match for one another - it's almost a wonder it's taken this long for the two of them to meet. Regardless, the Sonos One is here now, and it combines the best of both worlds. The One is able to call upon Alexa to answer basic inquiries, adjust appointments on your calendar, and, for Amazon Prime members, voice access to Amazon's expansive Music Unlimited library.

Read our full review: Sonos One

(Image credit: Sonos)Sonos Beam deals

Sonos Beam makes the soundbar integral to your music listening routine

Dimensions: 25.6" x 2.7" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | HDMI ARC?: Yes | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: No

Great compact designHDMI ARC compatibleSuperb soundApp isn't home theater friendlyNo Dolby AtmosDifficult non-HDMI ARC set-up

It was a long time coming, but the Sonos Beam was finally a Sonos soundbar worth waiting for. With a design small enough to match most TVs, it's equipped with smart features, innovation and exquisite sound that impresses. There are a few issues worth pointing out (the lack of Dolby Atmos at the price disappoints), but the way the speaker fits in with the rest of the Sonos eco-system makes it a must-have for those that have invested in other Sonos devices.

Providing you've got a HDMI-ARC compatible TV (which most modern ones are) it's easy to set-up and, if you've got other compatible Sonos speakers, it's a simple way to get wireless surround sound for your movies, too.

Read our review: Sonos Beam

Sonos Sub deals

Love bass-heavy music genres? You're going to need this

Dimensions: 15.3" x 6.2" x 15.8" | Weight: 36.3 lbs | Speakers: 2 | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz 2A AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes

Adds hefty amount of bassSuper easy set upStrange designCostly addition

Sonos systems are great. Like seriously great. We want to call them perfect, and yet without some sort of low-end support they just aren't. For that you need the Sonos Sub, the additional audio piece that adds a hefty amount of bass to your favorite music genres. The design here is a bit funky, we'll admit, but hey, if you were looking for a conversation starter (and ender) at your next house party, this is it. That said, it's 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches (389 x 402 x 158 mm) and weighs 36.3 lbs (16 kg). It's available in two colors – premium white gloss and premium black gloss – that can match either your Playbar or Play:5 speaker. Inside you'll find two Class-D amplifiers, two force-cancelling speaker drivers and dual acoustic ports that help the Sub reach a low frequency of about 25Hz.

Read our hands on review: Sonos Sub

So what’s a good deal for Sonos speakers?

Good deals are subjective, obviously. But if we were in your shoes, we’d wait for at least a $50/£35/AU$75-off sale. These happen around the holidays, mostly, but do happen sporadically throughout the year as well.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, your best bet is to start your Sonos system with a Play:5, the big brother of the bunch, and work your way down. We also have a soft spot in our heart for the Playbar (it’s on our best soundbar list, after all) and a Play One is a great pick for kitchens, bedrooms and studies.

If you want the latest and greatest from Sonos, check out the brand-new Sonos Playbase – it's a speaker and TV stand all in one package. OK, without further ado, here are the best Sonos deals we’ve found today.

• Check out the best soundbars for TV shows, movies and music

• Gemini in Workspace presents unique opportunities for fraud, researchers warn
• The AI tool can be tricked to display fake security warnings
• Businesses should make sure invisible text is not processed by the AI

Cybercriminals have found a creative new way to abuse Google’s Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to steal people’s Gmail accounts.

Google introduced Gemini, its AI-powered chatbot assistant into its Workspace suite of productivity apps some time ago, and one of the things Gemini can do is summarize incoming emails - so when a person receives an email, they can bring up a vertical pane on the right-hand side of the screen, asking Gemini for assistance with different things, such as bringing up vital email information, adding calendar entries, and more.

However experts have warned this also opens up the Gmail accounts for so-called “prompt-injection” attacks - so if the incoming email message contains a hidden prompt for Gemini, it can be executed in the pane.

Is Gemini phishing for your password?

According to security researcher Marco Figueroa, this is exactly what the email provider is now susceptible to.

By using HTML and CSS, threat actors can add a prompt for Gemini, with its font size set to zero, and its color to white. Therefore, the victim will not be able to see it, but Gemini will act on it. If that prompt makes Gemini display a phishing message, it will do just that, and since the message would come from a trusted source, it increases the chances of success.

Figueroa showed how a malicious prompt could notify the victim that their email account has been compromised, and that they need to “call” Google on a phone number displayed in the message to resolve the issue.

To protect against future prompt injection attacks, companies should make sure their email clients remove, neutralize, or ignore content that is styled to be hidden in the body text. Furthermore, they could include a post-processing filter that scans the inbox for “urgent messages”, URLs, or phone numbers.

Finally, businesses should educate their employees that summaries provided by the Gemini tool should not be a replacement for security alerts.

Via BleepingComputer

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We won’t be able to watch it until 2027, but HBO has confirmed production for the Harry Potter TV show is officially underway. It’ll be available on HBO and HBO Max, respectively, in the US – though where it will be available to stream globally is yet to be confirmed.

We might not know what Hogwarts is going to look like in 2025, but we do know that the cast is absolutely stacked. Paapa Essiedu (Snape), John Lithgow (Dumbledore), Nick Frost (Hagrid), Janet McTeer (McGonagall) and Paul Whitehouse (Filch) lead the names we’ll recognise alongside a trio of newcomers Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Alastair Stout (Ron) and Arabella Stanton (Hermione).

The original Harry Potter movies are never going to be forgotten, but it’s fair to say that the new TV show will likely become one of the most-watched programmes of 2027. If the first-look at one lead character is anything to go by, fans are going to be thrilled with what’s to come.

Harry Potter looks like a young Daniel Radcliffe as HBO TV show starts filming

Our new Hermione, Harry and Ron. (Image credit: HBO )

Fresh from their first days on set, McLaughlin looks as though Daniel Radcliffe’s 11-year-old self has jumped forward in time from The Philosopher’s Stone to start filming for HBO. From what we can already see, we’ve got exactly the same level of detail as the Harry Potter movies, but that shouldn’t be a surprise given the budget for the entire series is allegedly between $2 billion and $8 billion.

It’s a hefty price tag, but if we’re to follow the filming timeline of the movies, our cast is locked into this project for at least a decade. This also means McLaughlin and his peers are about to grow up in front of our eyes, so we’re literally witnessing history here by seeing him at the very beginning.

As for everyone else, it remains to be seen how faithful the TV show will stay to the movies or the novel series it’s based on. Author J.K. Rowling is on board as an executive producer, having previously commented on X/Twitter that she "couldn't be happier" with the casting choices for our leading trio. If writer Francesca Gardiner’s previous projects are anything to go by – namely the most recent adaptation of the His Dark Materials trilogy – we might be getting something as dark as Deathly Hallows from the very start.

The release window of 2027 is also newly confirmed, though we don’t have an exact release date at the time of writing.

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• The Topping DX5 II has a double-DAC design with three-stage amplification
• Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and aptX Adaptive/HD
• $299 / £299 – available now in the US, during July 2025 in the UK

Topping's new desktop DAC is surprisingly affordable for its specification: the list price is just $299 / £299. It's a hi-res DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier that's designed for dual duties as either a stand-alone desktop amp or as part of a component hi-fi system.

The DX5 II is the successor to Topping's highly acclaimed DX5, and it's built around two ES9039Q2M DAC chips from ESS Technology’s 32-bit Sabre range. One chip is dedicated to the left channel and the other to the right; because the ES9039Q2M is a two-channel DAC chip, that means there can be two differential signals per channel, which Topping says means a lower noise floor, improved channel separation and better clarity.

(Image credit: Topping)Topping DX5 II: key features

The DX5 II supports PCM data to 32-bit/768kHz over USB (24-bit/192kHz via the coaxial and optical inputs) and DSD to 22.5792MHz (DSD512). It also supports DoP (DSD over PCM).

There's a new 32-bit, 16-core XMOS chip for USB data and a high-performance driver for Windows; other platforms don't require a driver. And there's Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and aptX Adaptive up to 24-bit/96kHz and aptX HD at up to 24-bit/48kHz. The Bluetooth module also supports Low Latency, plain aptX, AAC and SBC.

There are three hi-res digital inputs – USB, coaxial and optical – a 12V trigger in/out and three headphone outs: balanced XLR, balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 6.35mm.

And the headphones are powered by Topping's new X-Hybrid headphone amp, which is a fully balanced four-channel design that's based on Nested Feedback Composite Architecture (NFCA) with a three-stage design: input, op-amp gain stage and output.

Topping says it's powerful enough to drive even difficult planar magnetic headphones, with power output of 2x 7,600mW into 16 ohms, 2x 6,400mW into 32 ohms and 2x 990mW into 300 ohms through its balanced outputs.

The DX5 II DAC/headphone amp will be available in the UK this July in a choice of black, white or silver, and is already available online in the US.

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• A test eSIM profile used by billions of devices carried a major flaw
• It allowed malicious actors with physical access the ability to deploy applets
• A patch is now available, so users should upgrade now

Security researchers have discovered a vulnerability in eSIM technology used in virtually all smartphones and many other internet-connected, smart devices.

In theory, the flaw could have been abused to intercept or manipulate communications, extract sensitive data, inject malicious applets, and more.

There are more than two billion eSIM-enabled devices that could be potentially impacted by this flaw, which includes smartphones, tablets, wearables, and countless IoT devices that rely on Kigen’s eUICC technology.

Updating the bug

The bug allowed anyone with physical access to the compromised device to install custom programs - applets - without proving they weren’t malicious.

Discovered by Security Explorations, a research lab of AG Security Research, the bug was discovered in the GSMA TS.48 Generic Test Profile (v6.0 and earlier), a standardized eSIM profile that supports device testing and certifications, especially for devices with non-removable embedded SIMs (eUICCs).

In other words, it was discovered in a test version of a SIM card, used just for checking if the device worked properly or not.

Kigen has released a patch to mitigate the issue, with the GSMA TS.48 v7.0 specification the first clean version - with the company saying the patch has already been distributed to all customers.

The silver lining here is that the bug was not that easy, or straightforward, to exploit. Besides having physical access to the device or eUICC, the attacker would also need a way to trigger test mode activation. Furthermore, the device would need to use unprotected, legacy test profiles, with RAM keys still intact.

Kigen’s patch and GSMA TS.48 v7.0 update now block RAM key access in test profiles by default, prohibit JavaCard applet installation altogether on test-mode profiles, randomize keysets for future RAM-enabled testing, and harden OS security against unauthorized remote loading. An attack should now be virtually impossible to execute.

Security Exploration was subsequently awarded $30,000 for its troubles.

Via The Hacker News

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• Several leakers have made claims about the iPhone 17’s Dynamic Island
• A new report says it will undergo a “significant evolution”
• But the claims are so vague that they actually tell us very little

If you’ve been keeping up with all the latest iPhone 17 rumors, you’ll probably have heard that Apple’s next iPhone could come with a redesigned Dynamic Island. That idea has just been bolstered by a prominent leaker, although their post is frustratingly short on solid details.

In a new interview with Spanish-language site AppleX4, leaker Majin Bu has chimed in with their thoughts on the upcoming Dynamic Island changes. There, they said the feature is set for a “significant evolution.”

They added: “Apple appears committed to making [the Dynamic Island] more functional and integrated, turning it into a key element of the user experience. This development could mark a step forward in device interaction, but for now, I’ll keep further details under wraps. Stay tuned to see how this innovation unfolds.”

This information comes after Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station commented on the Dynamic Island last week, saying that it would get a new-look design. Digital Chat Station has previously claimed that the Dynamic Island will be shrunk down to its smallest-ever size in the iPhone 17, but that contradicts the belief of Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who argued in January that the Dynamic Island would remain “largely unchanged” in this year’s iPhones.

Is this anything new?

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

While it is a somewhat divisive feature of modern iPhones, I’m a big fan of the Dynamic Island. That means I pay close attention whenever someone talks about how it might change in future Apple devices.

I’d love to see a slimmer Dynamic Island, or even one that disappears entirely until it is needed. The latter would require the use of under-screen cameras and Face ID sensors, but could combine the beauty of an uninterrupted display with the functionality of the Dynamic Island.

Unfortunately, we don’t get anything like that from Majin Bu, whose latest claims are extremely vague to the point of being basically unverifiable. They’ve not shared anything of note, other than saying that the Dynamic Island is due to change in some nebulous, important way, which feels like a safe way to say very little.

Apple, surely, would also argue that the Dynamic Island is already both “functional and integrated” and “a key element of the user experience.” While Majin Bu might have some exclusive information here, their elusiveness and refusal to share solid details could be an indication that the opposite is actually true.

Majin Bu has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple leaks. Some of their predictions have been on the money, while others have been wide of the mark. That, combined with the vagueness of their latest Dynamic Island claims, means we should treat this latest rumor with a healthy degree of skepticism until more reliable information emerges.

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• CitrixBleed 2 was discovered in mid-June 2025
• But there were quickly reports of abuse in the wild
• CISA is now urging FCEB agencies to patch immediately

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added CitrixBleed 2 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, alerting Federal Civilian Branch Agencies (FCEB), as well as other businesses, that the bug is being actively exploited in the wild.

On July 10, CISA added CVE-2025-5777 to the catalog - a critical-severity (9.3/10) insufficient input validation vulnerability that leads to memory overread. It affects Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway devices, versions 14.1 and before 47.46, and from 13.1 and before 59.19.

It can be abused against vulnerable NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway appliances to extract sensitive memory contents, including session tokens, credentials, and potentially other user data, without authentication. Given its similarity to a previous Citrix vulnerability called CitrixBleed, security researchers dubbed it CitrixBleed 2.

"Significant risk"

The bug was first discovered in mid-June 2025, and by early July, there were already reports of abuse in the wild.

Citrix released a patch but apparently, the majority of instances have not yet been patched, presenting a unique opportunity for cybercriminals.

Multiple security researchers, including ReliaQuest, watchTowr, and Horizon3.ai, have warned users of ongoing exploitation campaigns. Akamai also added that it observed a “drastic increase” in scanning for potentially vulnerable NetScaler endpoints.

Now, CISA also confirmed the reports of in-the-wild attacks.

“These types of vulnerabilities are frequent attack vectors for malicious cyber actors and pose significant risks to the federal enterprise,” it said in a short security advisory.

What’s also interesting is the tight deadline it gave FCEB agencies to patch their endpoints. Usually, agencies have 21 days to apply the patch or stop using the affected software altogether. In this case, the deadline was - just 24 hours.

Citrix has not yet unequivocally stated that the bugs were being exploited. It did, however, urge everyone to apply the patch without delay.

Via TechCrunch

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Recently, a team from Hotwire sat on a roundtable, discussing an uncomfortable truth about data centers. While they are imperative for the digital society that is emerging, the industry has so far failed to build the public trust that is needed to support their necessary expansion.

Communities worldwide protest any construction close to their homes, evolving regulation requires frequent changes, and environmental scrutiny places huge pressure on operators.

We often see articles in the media that react to assertions and claims against data centers and their suppliers, but this reactionary approach to communications is rarely the best method. Instead, it is better to employ proactive communications, shaping public perception and building and scaling trust before it’s needed.

Why proactive communication matters

Research from Hotwire's Frontier Tech Confidence Tracker demonstrates the need for better, more proactive business communication by highlighting a fundamental disconnect between industry optimism and public skepticism around frontier technologies, many of which are enabled by data centers. While business leaders scored tech confidence at 77/100, the public gave it just 48/100.

This trust gulf matters enormously to data centers. They don’t just host servers; they are the driving force behind transformative technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, edge technologies, and, soon, quantum computing. If the public doesn’t trust these foundational technologies, then the case for constructing, upgrading, and maintaining data centers becomes harder to justify and support.

The research also showed just 36% of the public trust companies using frontier technologies without transparency. So, is transparent communication the answer we’re looking for?

Default to transparency

To move from reactive to proactive communications, the first and most crucial step is to embrace transparency as a standard practice. This doesn’t mean disclosing intellectual property secrets or publicizing every client relationship. Rather, it involves consistently sharing clear, relevant information that fosters understanding, builds credibility, and demonstrates a genuine commitment to openness.

For example, data centers are under huge scrutiny for their carbon footprint. It’s vital to get in front of this argument by publishing regular environmental performance data, highlighting efficiency improvements and displaying sustainability initiatives. Share updates on renewable energy procurement and waste heat recovery solutions, and make these reports accessible. Remember your audience. If you’re speaking to the public, bin the jargon and use plain language alongside colorful data visualizations and summaries that bring the data to life.

Another common concern is the economic impact of data centers and their component technologies. Frontier technologies, and specifically AI tools, are regularly tied into debates about job markets and local investment. Communications teams can flip this narrative by producing content that demonstrates a facility’s contribution to the local economy, job creation, tax contributions, and community partnerships. When communities understand the value a data center brings, they are more likely to become advocates than detractors.

It’s also helpful to clear up misunderstandings about what happens inside a data center. While the public may not care about the technical details, content that explains operations and the digital services enabled by data centers, using analogies and local examples, can bolster understanding and support.

Leveraging credible voices

Returning to the confidence tracker, it revealed that 43% of the public places the greatest trust in scientists and researchers when seeking reliable and accurate information about technology. This insight should be applied when shaping how businesses craft and deliver their communications to key stakeholders.

Whether communications are handled internally or externally, there is value in collaborating with universities and research associations on studies relating to data center efficiency, environmental impact, or economic contribution. These are the societal implications that matter to the public, and peer-reviewed research carries more weight than corporate content.

Partnerships like this can also be promoted via other channels. Businesses might consider hosting forums or expert panels that educate and inform, while also demonstrating a commitment to objective analysis.

They might also consider how to elevate executive communications to promote environmental initiatives. The key is to show that leadership genuinely cares about the same issues as the wider community. Being green mustn’t be seen as just a box-ticking exercise; it should appear as a shared value.

The path forward

The data center industry is experiencing a pivotal moment in its history, marked by rapid technological advancement and growing societal expectations. To be successful, it needs to embrace its role as a responsible steward of the digital world. This requires proactively fostering public understanding and transparency.

When a business invests in proactive communications, it creates competitive advantages that build over time. Facilities with strong community relationships, for example, face fewer disruptions and more cooperative regulatory environments. They attract the best talent and find expansion easier.

The trust deficit shouldn’t be seen as a challenge but as a call to action. The data center operators and suppliers who answer with sophisticated, proactive communications strategies will define the industry’s future.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• IO Interactive is working to fix the performance issues in Hitman World of Assassination on Nintendo Switch 2
• This was confirmed by franchise director Jonathan Lacaille
• The updates are planned for the "summer"

Developer IO Interactive has confirmed that it's working on fixes for the performance issues in Hitman World of Assassination on Nintendo Switch 2.

This was revealed in a discussion between franchise director Jonathan Lacaille and VGC. “So for Hitman, the team is working on some of those performance issues right now, and they are addressing it over the summer,” Lacaille said.

Although he falls short of providing a specific date, the fact that the fixes are planned to come out "over the summer" suggests that we should start seeing them fairly soon.

I awarded the Nintendo Switch 2 port four out of five stars in my recent Hitman World of Assassination – Signature Edition review, praising the incredible level design and sheer amount of things to do.

It's a game that can keep you occupied for thousands of hours, though I did note some choppy performance at times. While handheld mode is acceptable, some levels struggle when the console is docked.

Hopefully upcoming updates will smooth things over, and help cement it as one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games to play right now.

Interestingly, Lacaille went on to discuss future IO Interactive projects on Nintendo Switch 2 - specifically the upcoming James Bond game 007 First Light.

He described the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Hitman as “good learning for us to bring to First Light as well – so all of this will be learnings we bring to the next title.”

“We had [previously] brought Hitman as a cloud version on the first Switch, and now, the Switch 2 is a powerful device – powerful enough for us to bring First Light to it natively," he added.

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