Category Archives: Blog

In the near future, your finger may no longer need to press up against an inkpad in order to provide your identity.

A recent report from Wired takes a look at “contactless fingerprinting” technology, a growing space that is starting to see some concerning real-world use applications, namely law enforcement and surveillance.

One such contactless fingerprinting technology company, Telos, explained to Wired how it works. Basically, using this tech, one can scan an individual’s hand with a smartphone camera with a resolution as little as two megapixels. The camera can scan the individual’s fingers from around 2 inches away and produce a “traditional fingerprint image.”

Teslos, along with five other fingerprint technology companies, won a U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) competition last week called the Mobile Fingerprinting Innovation Technology (mFIT) Challenge. The contest was specifically designed to test the “performance of contactless fingerprint systems and how they can be used by law enforcement.”

According to Biometric Update, which covered the competition, “experts say the evaluation shows touchless fingerprint biometrics are now ready for practical deployments.”

However, civil liberties experts and privacy groups are understandably worried about the use of such technology. Mashable has covered the issues with biometrics use by law enforcement over the years, although the technology usually being discussed is facial recognition. A few years ago, Amazon was slammed by human rights organizations for selling its facial recognition technology to law enforcement. Studies have found that such technologies are flawed and have high rates of providing false positives, especially when it comes to people of color. Simply put, these technologies sometimes would wrongly identify an individual.

More of a direct issue with contactless fingerprinting from its critics appears to be just how easy it will now be for law enforcement to gather and collect even more data on the civilian population. As Wired pointed out, in a 2020 investigation, the outlet discovered that a fingerprint scanning technology that connects to smartphones was being used to primarily target ethnic minorities in the UK.

Contactless fingerprinting may seem like less of an intrusion than facial recognition, but the same problems remain. The surveillance state is easily scooping up your personal identifying information.

Using a virtual private network (VPN) is one of the best ways to protect your online data and stay anonymous on the web, whether you’re trying to stream movies abroad, torrent, bypass geo-restrictions, or just plain browse. Most providers’ plans cost anywhere from $2 to $12 per month, though many lure customers in with discounted introductory rates that skyrocket after your initial term. To help you lock in a plan that’ll fit your budget in the short and long term, we’re compiling a weekly roundup of the best deals on all the VPNs we’ve personally tested. Below, you can check out our top picks as of June 17.

ExpressVPN — save 49% on a 15-month plan

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

A reliable server network, a user-friendly app, a strong commitment to data protection, and a headquarters in the privacy-forward British Virgin Islands make ExpressVPN our favorite full-featured VPN on the market. It also happens to be one of the most expensive VPNs out there, which is why we highly recommend taking advantage of the sale it’s been running since early June: You can enroll in a 15-month plan at just $6.67/month, which is 49% off its standard $12.95/month rate. (Bonus: Your purchase is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee and comes with a year’s worth of unlimited cloud backups from Backblaze — that’s a $7/month value by itself.) You’ll switch to an $8.32/month annual plan after the first term is up. Bitcoin is accepted.

NordVPN — save 61% on a 25-month plan

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Power users shouldn’t think twice about signing up for NordVPN, another industry giant based in British Virgin Islands that packs robust security features like double encryption, obfuscated servers, dark web monitoring, malware protection, ad and tracker blockers, and Onion Over VPN, a tool that combines your VPN connection with the Tor network for an extra layer of privacy. It’s currently offering a Father’s Day promotion where you can score a 25-month plan for an introductory rate of just $3.16/month, or 61% off its usual usual $11.99/month pricing. That comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and switches over to an annual plan at $8.29/month after two years. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP are accepted.

Optional upgrades include:

• NordVPN Plus (with cross-platform password manager and data breach scanner) — $3.99/month $10.58/month (save 62%) for two years

• NordVPN Complete (with cross-platform password manager, data breach scanner, and 1TB encrypted cloud storage) — $5.29/month $16.57/month (save 68%) for two years

Proton VPN — save 50% on a two-year Plus plan

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

The Swiss-based Proton VPN is another great pick for privacy wonks, with open-source apps and critical infrastructure that’s stored inside a datacenter requiring biometric access. We recommend its Plus plan, which gets you full access to its server network, streaming service and P2P support, ad/tracker/malware protection, and a Tor over VPN tool that lets you direct traffic through the Tor network with a single click. Monthly subscriptions go for $9.99, but you’ll pay just $4.99/month if you commit to two years (with a 30-day money-back guarantee) — that’s a 50% savings. Bitcoin is accepted.

CyberGhost VPN — save 83% on a 40-month plan

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

This Romania-based provider lays claim to the biggest, most globally diverse network we’ve seen, with special severs optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P to maintain consistent connections. It’s currently celebrating its 17th anniversary with a limited-time sale that nabs you 40 months of coverage for only $2.23/month (or 83% off its standard monthly fee of $12.99), which renews as a 36-month plan at $2.48/month. Like all of CyberGhost’s multi-year plans, that’s protected by a 45-day money-back guarantee and includes free access to its ID Guard and Privacy Guard tools. Bitcoin is accepted.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $3.75/month $5/month (save 25%) for three years

• CyberGhost Password Manager — $2/month $3.49/month (save 43%) for one year

TunnelBear — save 67% on a three-year Unlimited plan

Read our full review of TunnelBear.

Our go-to recommendation for anyone who’s never used the technology before, TunnelBear is simple, lightweight VPN with an intuitive (and adorable) interface. Though it’s incapable of unblocking streaming sites and based in Canada, a Five Eyes country, it should serve you well if you’re just surfing the web. We recommend its Unlimited plan over the free version for unlimited browsing and priority customer service, which goes for just $3.33/month when you enroll for three years — that’s 67% off its usual $9.99/month rate and a fixed price that won’t increase after your first term. Bitcoin is accepted and refunds are offered on a case-by-case basis.

Private Internet Access (PIA) — save 80% on a 39-month plan

Read our full review of PIA.

It’s nothing particularly special (and its U.S. headquarters location isn’t ideal), but for users in search of a basic VPN with open-source apps, built-in ad blocking, and a free email breach monitor, PIA is worth a look. Take advantage of its limited-time summer sale to score 39 months of coverage for only $2.03/month, which shaves 80% off its regular rate of $9.95/month (with a 30-day money-back guarantee). That switches over to an annual plan at $4.75/month after the term is up, which still isn’t terrible. Crypto and third-party gift cards are accepted.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $4/month $5/month (save 20%) for two years

• Antivirus by PIA — $1.45/month $4.50/month (save 68%) for two years

IPVanish — save 64% on a one-year plan

Read our full review of IPVanish.

Another middle-of-the-road pick with a U.S. headquarters (boo), IPVanish makes up for a lack of advanced security features with a minimalist, straightforward app and support for unlimited simultaneous connections. You can get your first term of its annual plan for just $3.99/month (or 64% off its standard monthly rate of $10.99), which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and free antivirus protection from VIPRE. After that first year is up, you’ll get bumped to $7.50/month. Bitcoin is not accepted.

Editor’s Note: IPVanish and VIPRE are owned by Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any Ziff Davis products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our editorial team.

PureVPN — save 82% on a 27-month plan

Read our full review of PureVPN.

We don’t have a ton of nice things to say about PureVPN — our review turned up slow download speeds, buggy apps, iffy Netflix support, and a questionable privacy policy — but hey, it’s cheap! Enroll in a 27-month plan and you’ll pay only $1.99/month, which is an 82% discount on its normal monthly rate of $10.95. (Don’t be afraid to take advantage of its 31-day money-back guarantee if necessary.) You’ll switch to a $4.50/month yearly plan at the end of that initial term. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are accepted.

Optional add-ons include:

• Dedicated IP — $2.99/month

• Port forwarding — $0.99/month

• Dedicated IP with port forwarding — $3.49/month

• DDoS protection — $3.99/month

Thursday! What a concept! And what a day to solve a brand new Wordle. While technically the idea is to figure it out using your own personal brain and/or arcane letter-math, but if you get stuck and start to get nervous about your streak, we’ve got some tips and hints to nudge you towards the solution.

If you want, you can skip to the very end of this article for the answer to the June 16 Wordle, which is puzzle #362 — or scroll down in a more leisurely fashion for a few tips and strategies to help you every day, as well as similar puzzles to play while you wait for tomorrow’s Wordle.

Wordle was created by former Reddit engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his puzzle-loving partner, but soon went mega-viral. Thousands of people around the globe now play this game each day, and fans have even created alternatives to Wordle inspired by the original format. This includes music identification game Heardle, Hollywood nerd faves Actorle and Framed, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

In fact, the word puzzle game has proved so popular that the New York Times eventually bought it, and TikTok creators livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you’re after? You’ll find the Wordle answer for June 15 here.

What’s the best Wordle starting word?

We have some ideas to help you pick the perfect first move (or as close to perfect as you can get without just magically guessing the exact right word). Such tips include choosing a word with at least two different vowels in it, plus a few common consonants such as S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

While you could once play the entire archive of past puzzles, the archive was taken down at the request of the New York Times, according to the site.

Is Wordle getting harder?

If you’ve been finding Wordle too easy, there is a Hard Mode you can enable to give yourself more of a challenge. But unless you activate this mode, we can assure you that Wordle isn’t getting harder. 

Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?

The whole point of Wordle is that everyone’s solving the same puzzle, with the same answer, no matter where you are in the world. However, occasionally the puzzle game will accept two different correct solutions on the same day, in apparent defiance of Wordle law.

This aberration is due to changes the New York Times began making after it acquired Wordle earlier this year. To make sure you’re always getting the same puzzle as everyone else, refresh your browser before you play — don’t worry, the site will keep your streak.

A subtle hint for the June 16 Wordle answer:

It’s an article of clothing… sort of.

Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…

The letter A!

What’s the answer to Wordle on June 16?

Enough teasing!

We’ll tell you the answer now.

Ready?

Today’s Wordle answer is…

APRON.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Amanda Yeo and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

There’s trash in the deepest ocean depths, at some 35,700 feet beneath the surface. There’s also trash on Mars.

While looking for hints of past microbial Martian life, NASA’s Perseverance rover recently spotted landing debris caught in a jagged rock. It’s thermal material the space agency used to protect the Perseverance spacecraft from extreme temperatures as it journeyed to Mars and plummeted through the Martian atmosphere.

“My team has spotted something unexpected: It’s a piece of a thermal blanket that they think may have come from my descent stage, the rocket-powered jet pack that set me down on landing day back in 2021,” NASA tweeted from the Perseverance rover account on Wednesday.

Foil from thermal material used on the Perseverance spacecraft that the rover found trapped in a rock.
Credit: NASA

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A looming question is how the foil-like debris found its way to this region in Mars’ Jezero Crater, some two kilometers (1.2 miles) from where landing gear (the “rocket-powered jet pack”) crashed in the Martian desert.

“Did this piece land here after that, or was it blown here by the wind?” the space agency wondered.

The Perseverance rover expertly landed on Mars in February 2021. On its way down, the spacecraft holding the rover ditched a variety of instruments and objects, including a heat shield, a supersonic parachute, and a rocket-powered sky crane that lowered the rover to the ground. The car-sized robot has already rumbled by its jettisoned parachute, so it’s not terribly surprising the rover now stumbled by more landing debris.

Perseverance doesn’t have much time to admire trash. It’s now entering the prime of its mission as it explores a dried-up river delta in the Jezero Crater. Some 3 billion years ago, NASA’s planetary scientists suspect this area was filled with water.

“This delta is one of the best locations on Mars for the rover to look for signs of past microscopic life,” NASA said.

UPDATE: Jun. 15, 2022, 2:30 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest 4K and 8K TV deals.

• The Samsung 85-inch Q900A QLED TV is a huge 8K masterpiece from 2021 that’s half off — $4,999.99 $8,999.99 (save $4,000)

• The LG 65-inch NanoCell 99 QNED 8K TV has double the pixels of a 4K TV and utilizes smaller-than-usual LEDs for more precise contrast — $1,999.99 $2,699.99 (save $700)

• This Insignia 55-inch F50 Series QLED TV deal is a rare opportunity to score the quantum dot color range for under $350 — $339.99 $499.99 (save $160)

Large 4K TVs no longer have to cost an exorbitant amount of money. These high-quality TVs featuring punchy colors, decipherable shadows, and smooth transitions are actually affordable for regular consumers. And to make them even more budget-friendly, we’ve gathered up the best deals on 4K and QLED TVs from top brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more.

Samsung TV deals

Why we love it

You know when you’re in the movie theater and the audio sounds like it’s coming from the direction of the action on screen? The Samsung Neo QLED TV does that, too. On top of Object Tracking Sound, the QN800 has 8K resolution (double the pixels of 4K) and super thin bezels to seal in that immersive theater feel.

More Samsung TVs on sale

• Samsung 32-inch The Frame QLED TV — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 43-inch The Sero Rotating QLED TV — $1,499.99 $1,999.99 (save $500)

• Samsung 50-inch QN90A Neo QLED TV — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $30)

• Samsung 55-inch TU8300 4K TV — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Q60A Series QLED TV — $699.99 $849.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 55-inch Q70A Series QLED TV — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 55-inch Q80A Series QLED TV — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 65-inch QN900A 8K TV — $2,999.99 $4,999.99 (save $2,000)

• Samsung 75-inch Q70A Series QLED TV — $1,599.99 $2,299.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 85-inch Q70A Series QLED TV — $2,399.99 $3,299.99 (save $900)

• Samsung 85-inch The Frame QLED TV — $3,999.99 $4,299.99 (save $300)

LG TV deals

Why we love it

In 2021, LG dropped a mid-range line of 4K TVs featuring its NanoCell technology, which amps up color depth using an extra light filter. In 2022, that line is becoming more affordable.

More LG TVs on sale

• LG 50-inch UP8000 Series 4K TV — $379.99 $429.99 (save $50)

• LG 55-inch NanoCell 80 4K TV — $496.99 $799.99 (save $303)

• LG 65-inch NanoCell 90 4K TV — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

• LG 65-inch NanoCell 99 QNED 8K TV — $1,999.99 $2,699.99 (save $700)

• LG 65-inch NanoCell 90 QNED TV — $1,299.99 $1,599.99 (save $300)

• LG 65-inch C1 Series OLED TV — $1,596.99 $2,499.99 (save $903)

• LG 77-inch G1 Gallery Series QLED TV — $2,999.99 $3,799.99 (save $700)

• LG 82-inch Up8770 Series 4K TV — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200)

• LG 83-inch C1 Series OLED TV — $3,999.99 $4,999.99 (save $1,000)

Sony TV deals

Why we love it

Two well-priced Sony TVs from 2021 — the X90J and the X85J — use a premium VA panel instead of an IPS panel, but we prefer the X90J. Rather than relying on stagnant direct light, this TV’s full array local dimming feature bumps contrast and reduces that hazy blooming effect that happens when something bright bursts onto an otherwise dark screen.

More Sony TVs on sale

• Sony 48-inch A9S OLED TV — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

• Sony 50-inch X80K 4K TV — $699.99 $749.99 (save $50)

• Sony 55-inch A80J OLED TV — $1,299.99 $1,699.99 (save $400)

• Sony 65-inch X80K 4K TV — $899.99 $999.99 (save $100)

• Sony 65-inch X95J 4K TV — $1,499.99 $1,799.99 (save $300)

• Sony 65-inch A90J OLED TV — $2,999.99 $3,299.99 (save $300)

• Sony 75-inch X90J 4K TV — $1,497.70 $1,899.99 (save $402.59)

• Sony 75-inch XR Z9J 8K TV — $3,999.99 $5,499.99 (save $1,500)

Other TV deals from TCL, Vizio, and more

Why we love it

Peak moving season is here. TCL’s 4 Series is solid, affordable model for your new place, and the 55-inch model works well for a compact TV stand in a room with limited space. Its brightness levels and pops of colors are great for binge-watching, though picture might get laggy during high-graphics gaming.

More TVs from TCL, Vizio, and more

• Hisense 50-inch A6 Series 4K TV — $289.99 $499.99 (save $210)

• Insignia 55-inch F50 Series QLED TV — $339.99 $499.99 (save $160)

• Insignia 65-inch F30 Series 4K TV — $419.99 $569.99 (save $150)

• Amazon 65-inch Omni Series 4K Fire TV – $499.99 $829.99 (save $330)

• Hisense 65-inch U6G ULED TV — $549.99 $849.99 (save $300)

• Insignia 70-inch F30 Series 4K TV — $499.99 $649.99 (save $150)

• Insignia 70-inch F50 Series QLED TV — $549.99 $749.99 (save $200)

• Vizio 70-inch V-Series 4K TV — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)

• TCL 75-inch 5 Series QLED TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)

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• The best tablets for drawing and digital art

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We got a first look at Ryan Gosling as Ken in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie. On June 15, the official Warner Brothers’ Twitter account dropped a sneak peek of Gosling in his acid-wash Ken garb. He’s dressed denim, his washboard abs on full display and his faux-Calvins are poking out. Predictably, the internet is awash in thirst.

If that description wasn’t clear enough, here’s the image for you to see for yourself.

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So, yes, the internet is thirsting over this. Big time. Like big, big time. In a way in which I cannot include some social media posts in this story because of the graphic nature of the memes. But the memes I can share are delightfully hilarious and thirsty.

Memes like this.

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And this.

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Or this.

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Let’s not forget this gif from Community.

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Even the not-so-horny memes were funny, too. Like this Godfather yassification mashup.

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Or this Disney, denim observation.

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Or even this pretty common realization folks had about an old Scooby Doo actor.

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And this quite strange, wonderful Vecna meme I can neither unsee nor forget.

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Let’s not forget one of the original Gosling memes.

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Anyway, the new Barbie movie hits theaters on July 21. Margot Robbie will star as the titular icon in the film directed and co-written by Gerwig, whose previous works include Little Women and Lady Bird. So the odds of it being an instant classic are high, which bodes well for the future meme-ification of Gosling’s Ken.

A grain robot might seem unnecessary, but it keeps your food fresh and saves lives.

Tiny modular robots can be altered to help perform tasks in space.

Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” had TikTok users exposing themselves with their favorite “Vecna” songs. Now, ABBA’s 1979 hit “Angeleyes” has TikTokkers revealing their past loves, unlocking core memories in me that I forgot I had.

Sometimes, when I’m lonely, I sit and think about…

TikTokkers have been using the sound, a sped-up version of “Angeleyes” by ABBA, to reminisce about the things they used to love, from television shows to discontinued candies. While I enjoy a good throwback from time to time, these TikToks have been more on the somber side. It’s clear that there are some things that the collective will not get over.

Characters that were written off too early in TV shows

Gone too soon.
Credit: TikTok / lillieangela

Don’t talk to me about the Red Wedding.
Credit: TikTok / booktoktaylor

TikTok user @lillieangela reminded me that it’s been three years since we lost Dr. Alexei on Stranger Things. And I was just starting to forget that Robb from Game of Thrones existed until I saw @booktoktaylor’s tiktok.

Shows from our childhood

The most comforting octopus.
Credit: TikTok / tooturnttina

Can’t believe there was only one season.
Credit: TikTok / zoepatrick3

I’m convinced that Oswald was ASMR. Does anyone else remember that scene where Oswald cuts into a giant banana just perfectly? I still think about how much I used to love Sagwa, which was my introduction to the beauty of cats, and why I ended up adopting a mixed-Siamese kitten in my adulthood.

Food items that were discontinued

The blue ones just hit different.
Credit: TikTok / madelinewalseman

I could go through an entire tin of these in one sitting.
Credit: TikTok / justjazzzyidk

Thanks to @madelinewalseman’s video, I actually learned today that the iconic blue Scooby Doo gummies are nonexistent now due to a formula change. I was also reminded of a core memory from my middle school experience: One time, I had left my Scooby Doo gummies on the table while I got up to get lunch, and when I returned, a classmate had eaten only the opaque blue gummies (which were obviously the best flavor). And a round of applause for the discontinued Altoids Sours, which I actually signed a petition to bring back. My taste buds are still grieving. 

Historical events that most people did not personally experience

Thanks a lot, tectonic plates!
Credit: TikTok / feelthebern511

I’m not crying, it’s just my allergies.
Credit: TikTok / x.x.gray

This is my favorite variation of the “Angeleyes” trend: nostalgia for a past that one never personally experienced, also known as “anemoia.” In @feelthebern511’s video, they mourn for Pangea, something I wasn’t nostalgic for until today. Just imagine how much we could save on airfare! And @x.xgray’s video reminded me of the “Lovers of Valdaro,” two 6,000-year-old skeletons that were buried in what seems like an embrace. 

While TikTok is collectively going through it, I’m reminded of a quote from another figure of nostalgia, Dr. Seuss: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

UPDATE: Jun. 15, 2022, 12:55 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include the best deals on robot vacuums from iRobot, Shark, Roborock, and more.

We’ve compiled the best deals on robot vacuums from brands like iRobot, Shark, and Ecovacs. Here are the ones to grab as of June 15:

• BEST BUDGET DEAL: The Roomba 694 loosens and lifts with a three-stage system, working harder on dirtier areas — $179.99 $274 ($94.01)

• BEST SELF-EMPTYING DEAL: The Roomba j7+ cleans competently, self-empties, and avoids cords and pet waste — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• BEST ROBOT VACUUM/MOP DEAL: The Roborock S6 Pure can sweep and scrub specific rooms for less than $400 — $359.99 $599.99 (save $240)

Only three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and a few days each month when you need to vacuum but just don’t have time. Whether you detest the chore or get a little bummed when you can’t have that satisfying dance with your Dyson, a robot vacuum is a lifesaver. Shop models on sale below.

Robot vacuums under $200

Why we like it

The 694 is iRobot’s baseline model, offering a standard clean that you can trust to keep floors tidy on a daily basis. Hard floors are a breeze and carpets are tackled efficiently with Roomba’s loosen-then-lift strategy. Schedule cleanings and get custom cleaning suggestions in the iRobot app.

More robot vacuums under $200

• ionvac Smart Clean 2000 — $97 $179.88 (save $82.88)

• Eufy 11S — $139.99 $229.99 (save $90)

• Wyze Robot Vacuum — $165 $329 (save $164)

• Eufy 15C Max – $189.99 $299.99 (save $90)

• Ecovacs G30 Edge — $199.99 $339.99 (save $140)

Robot vacuums under $500

Why we like it

The most affordable self-emptying Roomba is the i1+, which unleashes three times the suction of the baseline Roomba 694. Roombas don’t benefit from smart home mapping until later models, but the i1 still makes its way around efficiently and works harder on areas with more dirt detected. The dock holds up to 60 days’ worth of debris.

More robot vacuums under $500

• Dreamtech D9 — $219.99 $299.99 (save $80)

• iRobot Roomba i1 — $229 $399.99 (save $170.99)

• Roborock E4 — $239.99 $299.99 (save $60)

• iRobot Roomba i3 Evo — $249 $349.99 (save $100.99)

• Shark AI AC22501S — $389.99 $549.99 (save $160)

• Dreametech L10 Pro — $389.99 $489.99 (save $100)

• iRobot Roomba i3+ Evo — $399 $549.99 (save $150.99)

• Shark IQ AV1010AE XL — $399 $599.99 (save $200.99)

• Eufy RoboVac X8 — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

• Neato Robotics D9 — $499 $699.99 (save $200.99)

Robot vacuums under $800

Why we like it

The smartest and newest Roomba is still chilling under $600. Its glow-up includes Genius Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation to avoid obstacles that were previously problem-causers, like phone chargers and pet waste. The j7+ also self-empties.

More robot vacuums under $800:

• Samsung JetBot+ — $570.10 $799 (save $228.90)

• iRobot Roomba s9+ — $799 $999 (save $200)

Robot vacuum and mop hybrids and dedicated robot mops

Why we like it:

Opting for a vacuum with LiDAR mapping is a smart move for floor plans more complicated than a one-bedroom apartment. The Roborock S5 Max solves bumper car woes by remembering the layout of each floor of your home and steering clear of the virtual boundaries you set. It also brings mopping to the table, which the cheaper S4 Max does not.

More hybrids and robot mops on sale

• Roborock E4 — $219.99 $379.99 (save $160)

• Roborock E5 — $219.99 $359.99 (save $140)

• Bissell SpinWave — $288.88 $399.99 (save $111.11)

• Yeedi Vac Station — $379.98 $549.99 (save $170.01)

• Ecovacs T8 Aivi — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300)

• Ecovacs N8 Pro+ — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Ecovacs Deebot T10+ — $749.99 $949.99 (save $200)

Are robot vacuums worth it?

The control of an upright vacuum comes with its own type of satisfaction. But if you’re not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, a robot vacuum could erase that huge, agonizing task from of your chore list. (And did we mention the joy of having “first day clean” floors all the time?)

But whether robot vacuums are worth it or not comes with a caveat: It can’t be just any robot vacuum. A cheap robovac that doesn’t do the job right — scattering dust, bumping into walls, getting stuck on area rugs — might actually create more work for you.

What to consider when buying a robot vacuum

• Suction power: A vacuum is the one purchase that you hope sucks a lot. Suction power is typically measured in Pascals (Pa), with most current vacs ranging between 1,500 Pa and 3,000 Pa. Stronger sucking will be needed to pick up heavier pieces of debris (be sure to set a no-go zone around Legos) and to pull matted-down pet hair from rugs.

• Floor type: Carpeting and high pile rugs will probably require stronger suction than hard floors, as well as special features like an extra-wide or self-cleaning brush roll to prevent hair from wrapping and clogging. Folks in homes with multiple floor types might consider a bigger, sturdier robot vacuum that can hurl itself and its wheels over mats, rugs, and transitions from carpet to hard floors.

• Automatic emptying: Because robot vacuums are typically under four inches tall, their onboard dust bins are also small — which means they frequently require emptying. (Dustbins fill up particularly quickly in homes with pets.) A self-emptying vacuum takes that job out of your hands, emptying itself into a larger dustbin in its charging dock. These larger bins can typically hold weeks of dirt without needing to be cleaned or dumped out.

• Home layout: Every robot vacuum is equipped with sensors and drop detection. But if your home has lots of rooms, lots of turns, or lots of close-together furniture, you’ll have fewer navigation issues with an advanced model that uses intelligent mapping to remember exactly how your home is laid out, including labeling of specific rooms, mental notes of staircases, and ability to deploy zone cleaning.

• Low-profile furniture: No one should have to be scared about what’s accumulated under their couch over the past year. A robot vacuum measuring three inches or less in height should be able to scoot under most low-hanging couches and beds.

• Battery life and square footage: One of the main complaints people have about their robot vacuum is that it craps out in the middle of the floor. Larger spaces require more time to clean, and it all depends on how annoyed you’ll be if it only finishes a few rooms at a time. Average run times for the list below range between 90 and 200 minutes, which translate to about 500 and 2,800 square feet covered on one charge.

• App control: WiFi-enabled robot vacuums can be synced with a smartphone app to control scheduling, manual start, cleaning settings, as well as telling your vac to make its rounds when you’re not home. Low-end models that don’t connect to WiFi will usually come with a separate remote. If you’re used to asking Alexa or Google to turn off the lights or tell you the weather, a model with voice integration will blend in nicely.

Explore related content:

• The Neato D8 robot vacuum is whisper quiet and learns your home’s layout

• iRobot’s Roomba S9+ self empties and tackles corners like a pro

• The ILIFE V3s Pro is a cheap robot vacuum for hands-off spot cleaning