Fitbits are some of the best Android smartwatches and fitness wearables you can buy, keeping you on top of your fitness goals and tracking your health affordably. Let's not forget the battery life: These things can last for days without needing a charge, unlike an Apple Watch that needs to be recharged practically daily. Our favorite of the lineup is the Fitbit Charge 6 thanks to its slim and sleek design packing loads of features. But Fitbits come in all sorts of styles and sizes, so you can find one that best fits your vibe.TL;DR These Are the Best Fitbits:Similarly to other smartwatches and fitness trackers, Fitbits count steps, monitor your heart rate, track your sleep patterns, and a whole lot more. On top of that, theyre incredibly user-friendly and sync up with your phone. Some even make great Apple Watch alternatives.Its important to note that Google owns Fitbit and has made several changes to the fitness tracker brand, including requiring a Google account and cutting social features like Challenges, Adventures, and Open Group a few years ago. It's also been removing the music functionality and some third-party apps, pushing people after smartwatch features to the Goole Pixel Watch. Still, Fitbits make excellent tools for those on a health and fitness journey. Take a look at our top picks below:1. Fitbit Charge 6Best Fitbit Fitness BandThe Fitbit Charge 6 is like your personal health guru strapped to your wrist. It's packed with features that make living a healthier life a breeze. This bad boy doesn't just count steps. With over 40 exercise modes, it's got your back whether you're hitting the gym or doing a yoga session at home. The built-in GPS means you can track your routes without lugging your phone around. Plus, it keeps tabs on your heart rate 24/7, and with the Active Zone Minutes and Cardio Fitness Level, you get a comprehensive view of your workout intensity and overall fitness.Think of the Charge 6 like your health wingman. It has seriously accurate heart rate monitoring, ECG capabilities, and alerts for irregular heart rhythms. With SpO2 monitoring and notifications for high/low heart rates, it keeps a close eye on your overall heart health. And the stress management and nightly sleep scores? They're like your personal wellness coaches, helping you understand and manage your stress levels and sleep quality.To top it off, you get a six-month Premium membership thrown in, giving you access to deeper insights, exclusive workouts, mindfulness sessions, and more. Plus, it's compatible with both iOS and Android, so it's a buddy for everyone!2. Fitbit Versa 4Best Fitbit SmartwatchRocking more smarts and a bigger AMOLED touch display than the Charge 6, the Fitbit Versa 4 is the smartwatch-meets-fitness tracker you've been looking for. Its easy-to-use interface makes finding the details of your exercises, responding to phone notifications, and more a breeze. With a battery life hovering around six days, it also outdoes many other smartwatcheswere looking at you Apple Watch. Though, advanced tracking and the screens always-on mode drop that number. The Versa 4 offers a combination of sensors, including a heart rate (which isnt as accurate as wed like), blood oxygen saturation, and even GPS, allowing you to track over 40 different exercises. It can even guide you through various workouts and keep tabs on your fitness goals. If youre curious about your sleeping habits, the devices sleep tracking is also impressive, telling you the different stages of your sleep along with providing a detailed overview every month. 3. Fitbit Sense 2Best Health Monitoring FitbitIf you like everything the Fitbit Versa 4 offers, the Fitbit Sense 2 takes all that and adds a dash of extra health monitoring. This smartwatch not only automatically recognizes various fitness activities, monitors your heart rate, and tracks your blood oxygen saturation levels but also accurately measures skin temperature variation and detects atrial fibrillation. There's even a GPS and altimeter built-in to keep track of distance, pace, and altitude whether you're hiking, biking, or running.Your mental health is just as crucial as your physical well-being, so this Fitbit includes a sensor to track your stress levels throughout the day using continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) responses. It then prompts you to reflect on your feelings during those stressful times and suggests ways to decompress, ensuring youre in better shape inside and out. Beyond that, you get a decent six-day battery life with light use and your typical smartwatch features, though theres no music functionality or third-party app support.4. Fitbit Inspire 3Best Budget FitbitFitness tracking doesnt need to be expensive, especially if youre just looking for the basics. Look at Fitbit Inspire 3: It's the best budget fitness tracker you can buy, costing under $100, and you really arent missing out on too many features. You can scroll through fitness data and view pings from your connected smartphones supported apps on a bright AMOLED touch display with two haptic buttons for easy navigation. Its battery life is also the best you can find on a Fitbit, lasting an impressive 10 days though thats less when taking advantage of the always-on display mode.As for fitness, the Fitbit Inspire 3 counts your steps, measures sleep quality, and automatically detects various exercises to track and catalog them for you. Theres no GPS on this model, but the device still measures your heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. Its water-resistant design can go down to 50m, so the only time youll ever need to take it off is to recharge. 5. Google Pixel Watch 3Best Premium FitbitThe Google Pixel Watch 3 is technically not a Fitbit, but it offers Fitbit health and tracking features alongside wearOS smarts, making for a brilliant premium option. With a range of sensors, including blood oxygen, optical heart rate, and ambient light, the watch delivers helpful metrics. In turn, it uses that data, along with AI, to build custom workouts. Its especially great for runners, building plans, tracking form, and offering real-time guidance. A daily readiness score can even be created using sleep tracking and activities from the previous day, letting you know the best way to tackle the day ahead. Just note that some of these features require a Fitbit Premium subscription. Using Fitbit features is simple since the Fitbit app is preloaded onto the Google Pixel Watch 3, but this smartwatch is capable of a whole lot more. Googles wearOS and a Qualcomm processor are zippy and lag-free. Shuffling through and opening the endless apps is painless, while doing things like answering calls, responding to texts, and using Google Pay is seamless. When connected to a Pixel phone, the watchs abilities are amplified. With all of those features crammed into a wearable, it'll net you only about 24 hours of use from a single charge. The latest model of the Pixel Watch has a slight redesign from previous models. Most notably, it now comes in a larger 45mm size option. Even when opting for the smaller 41mm watch, the screen feels bigger due to its thinner bezels. Brightness is also doubled with this model for easy viewing in just about any environment. Other than these changes, the Watch 3 comes with a familiar rounded body and digital crown that works wonderfully in conjunction with the touchscreen. 6. Fitbit Ace 3Best Fitbit for KidsA fitness tracker for kids may seem extra, but these devices can challenge and excite them to get up and moving. One of the few kid-friendly options out there is the Fitbit Ace LTE. Designed for ages 7 to 11, this compact smartwatch is full of games and activities to get kids away from their screens and focused on reaching movement and step goals. To appease parents, it includes GPS location tracking, LTE for calls and texts, and activity tracking for a constant link to your child.For parents who are hesitant to get a phone for their kid but still want a way to keep in contact when theyre outside, on a playdate, or at school, the Fitbit Ace LTE is a great solution. Its cellular support makes it possible to call or text straight from the watch, while the GPS powered by Google Maps will quickly and accurately pinpoint the watchs location. It also comes with tons of safety features and parental controls, like trusted contacts, school time hours, and full access to what kids are doing on the watch, making things far more restricted than typical smartwatches. The downside with this is that access to the LTE network and many games require a $9.99 monthly subscription, though it is cheaper than most cell plans. The watch is sturdy and durable, while the display is colorful, vibrant, and easy to interact with. Unlike this smartwatch's biggest competition, the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3, a selfie camera isnt available. 7. Fitbit LuxeBest Stylish FitbitThe Fitbit Luxe takes Fitbits tracking tech, and packs it into a classy little number that flies under the radar. The silicone band comes in several subtle colors, including orchid, black, and white, or you can go for the soft gold link band from jewelry designer Gorjana. Theres also a choice of stainless steel frames in soft gold, black, or platinum that blend smoothly with the rounded glass AMOLED display of the tracker. You can even customize your watch face using an app, making it uniquely yours. The small footprint of the Fitbit Luxe keeps it subtle on your wrist but still delivers capable tracking that can keep up with you throughout the week, thanks to the five-day battery life. In total, it tracks 20 different exercises, and you wont need to take it off when you shower after with water resistance down to 50m. Itll monitor your heart rate nonstop and let you know your sleeping habits, though you dont get GPS on this model. 8. Apple Watch Series 10Best Fitbit AlternativeFitbit has cornered the market on fitness trackers, but Apple runs the smartwatch game, and it continues to shine with the Apple Watch Series 10. Its the best Apple Watch model you can buy for a reason. Apples latest wearable sees the biggest design changes in years, as its now rocking a bigger OLED display while remaining thinner and lighter than previous generations. Anyone will appreciate the better readability and lower profile for added comfort. Under the hood, the Series 10 offers a S10 SiP chip, essentially the same processor on the Apple Watch 9. While that means there isnt a major performance boost with the new model, its still full of machine learning and ready to power the extensive sensors and tracking that go head-to-head with the best Fitbits and often surpass them. From an ECG and skin temperature to crash detection and GPS, this watch does it all except for blood oxygen saturation in the U.S. due to an ongoing patent dispute. Divers and swimmers will love the new water temperature sensor and depth gauge, while an FDA-approved sleep apnea detection tool could help doctors in a diagnosis. Beyond health and fitness tracking, the Apple Watch Series 10 is ready to take advantage of the extensive apps available with watchOS. For those looking to make calls, the upgraded voice isolation helps to eliminate a decent amount of background noise, and audio playback sounds better than ever. When responding to texts and notifications, or even just navigating, the larger display will make a surprisingly big and welcome difference in your experience. If youre looking to unlock even more capability out of the device, there is the option for cellular connectivity. Battery life remains unchanged with the Apple Watch Series 10, lasting far shorter than all the Fitbits. Eighteen hours of juice is the average with typical usage, while a power-saving mode doubles that time to 36 hours. The one positive is charging times have gotten a boost. With a 30W USB-C charger, the watch will be 80% charged in about 30 minutes. What to Look for in the Best FitbitsMost Fitbits share the same set of core features: tracking steps, exercise, and activity level, as well as provide at least a rudimentary sort of sleep tracking, and approximate a calorie count as well. From that basic set, though, trackers can vary quite a bit, with simpler models clocking in under $100 and advanced smartwatch models costing $200 or more.These days, virtually all fitness bands can conveniently detect when youre starting common kinds of exercise, but not all trackers are equipped to measure every kind of exercise. If youre a swimmer or want to track stairs, your options will narrow significantly. And if you want to leave your phone at home when you go for a jog, look for models with integrated GPS (and perhaps even the ability to store or stream music).The key takeaway is that you dont need a tracker bristling with sensors that can do everything it depends upon what you want to track. If you never swim, you obviously dont need swim tracking. If youre mainly trying to get your 10,000 steps in and dont do intense workouts, you probably dont need a heart rate monitor.Since most fitness trackers go on your wrist, some try to replicate some smartwatch functionality. Many bands can display phone call and text notifications, for example, but the best smartwatch experience comes from a fitness tracker thats actually shaped like a watch, with a large screen, support for apps, and perhaps even the option to show on-screen workout while you exercise.Finally, keep an eye on battery life. While most Fitbits run for at least a few days on a charge, some can go over a week. And thats not necessarily true of non-Fitbit trackers. The Apple Watch, for example, needs to be charged daily. While the Fitbit device itself is a big part of the equation, don't forget that Fitbit also has a large community of active users. Getting a Fitbit will let you join the community, sharing exercise tips, troubleshooting issues with devices, and plenty more. Although, as we mentioned, Google has cut some of those features. There's also Fitbit Premum, which can offer guided workouts to help you reach your fitness goals.Fitbit FAQWhat are the disadvantages of a Fitbit? Although Fitbits are great tools to track your fitness activity and help motivate you to reach your fitness goals, everything isnt perfect. Its sensors and tracking arent always 100% accurate, so you must view the information provided with some skepticism. Also, most Fitbits cannot connect to cellular networks, so to use certain apps and features, youll need to be connected over Wi-Fi or paired via Bluetooth with your smartphone. Plus, accessing some advanced health data and tracking requires a subscription, adding an additional expense to make the most of your Fitbit. Does your Fitbit require a subscription? Fitbits dont require a subscription to use most features, but a Premium Membership Plan for $9.99/month unlocks more detailed health data and fitness classes. With this subscription, youll get a daily readiness score to know when to exercise, recipes, a sleep profile, mindfulness sessions, audio/video workouts, and more. But if youre just looking to get all the traditional tracking and fitness basics, theres no need for a Premium Membership. What are some upcoming Fitbits?The Google-owned Fitbit has been slow to release new models of these budget-friendly fitness trackers. Instead, Google is focusing more attention on its Google Watch lineup, most recently announcing the Galaxy Watch 8 Series models. Dave Johnson has been writing about gaming and tech since the days of the Palm Pilot. See him shout into the Twitter void @davejoh.Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.

Prime Day is on its fourth and final day, but there are still amazing deals to score before it's too late. This year, some of the best deals came from Apple, with discounts on Apple AirTags, iPads, and AirPods dropping them to the lowest prices we've ever seen. With the sale set to wrap in just a matter of hours, now is the time to grab these Apple products at a discount before it is too late. These are some of the best Prime Day deals to grab before the sale ends.Prime Day Apple Deals Ending TonightThe most popular Apple deal has by far been the AirPods Pro 2, which are $100 off through tonight. It's hard to even begin to describe just how convenient these earbuds are, as you can use them for taking calls, listening to music mid-workout, and so much more. I use my AirPods Pro every day, and I don't think the convenience factor can be beat by any other headphones out there. This is the lowest we have ever seen AirPods Pro 2, so if you've ever been on the fence, now is the time to buy.Another great deal you can still score is a four-pack of Apple AirTags for $64.99. I have recently used AirTags to track luggage while flying across the world and keeping tabs on my Nintendo Switch 2. Since these trackers are so small, you can get very creative in where you place them. Whether you decide to track your purse, wallet, keys, or even pet, this four-pack of AirTags can be a lifesaver.There's also the Prime Day iPad deals here that are currently at their lowest prices of all time. The new iPad mini deal in particular has been very popular throughout Prime Day as it is a solid Kindle competitor for those looking for a reading tablet.Is it worth waiting for Black Friday?As we all know, Black Friday in November is often seen as the biggest sales event of the year. Apple usually has great deals at this time, with Apple Gift Cards given out for purchasing specific items. If you're looking to buy a pair of AirPods Pro, I would recommend grabbing a pair unless you are willing to spend $250 or more on a pair of AirPods Pro 3. For Apple Watch, we might see a slightly lower discount, but the Prime Day deals we have are very solidsame goes for iPad. However, if you're aiming to pick up a new iPhone, it's best to wait until the new models drop this Fall.Noah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

While there are plenty of great Amazon Prime Day deals on tech and gaming gear, sometimes you just want something soft and adorable to squeeze when you're stressed or are looking to add a little bit of quirky character to a space. Thats where Squishmallows come in; many of these ultra-plush, top-tier plushies from Jazwares are included in the Prime Day sales this year, and today is the last day to enjoy big savings. From original stuffed plushies with a unique charm to Squishmallows based on major franchises, theres something for everyone. If youre a Prime member, looking for a cute gift, or want to keep these lovable creatures all to yourself, Squishmallows are at their lowest prices of the year. Some are up to 60% off or more. Pokmon Squishmallows are even discounted. An officially licensed Chansey plush, available in both medium and jumbo sizes, is now up to 25% off. Maybe you prefer Harry Potter or Disney? Plenty of plushies from those franchises have dropped in price too. Instead of grabbing an IP-based plushie, Squishmallows has tons of other creative and darling options of its own. Admittedly, the food characters are my kryptonite, and these deals may drain my bank account yet again. Take a look at some of my favorite deals below:New Squishmallow Deal Highlight at WalmartGet the 12 in. Sanrio Squishmallow for only $10 at Walmart today!Pokmon SquishmallowsPokmon Squishmallows are a hot commodity as some of the best plushies for the franchise, so its rare to find them on sale. At least for Prime Day, a couple have gotten a solid discount. Chansey, a Pokmon known to be sweet and caring, with high HP, got its prices slashed on both the 14-inch and massive 20-inch plushies. Marill may be a bit more playful and energetic than Chansey, but it's equally adorable and also on sale for Prime Day just dont go splashing around in lakes with this plushie. For those who prefer a slower pace, Belibolt is a great discounted Squishmallow thats sure to bring chill vibes. Disney SquishmallowsThe Disney Squishmallows deals are plentiful. Two of my favorite animated features ever, Monsters, Inc. and The Lion King, have a bunch of character plushies on sale for Prime Day. Honestly, its taking far too much willpower for me not to snag a Sulley or Pumbaa for myself. Ill probably end up with one by the end of the week. If youre after something a little more compact, 3.5-inch keychain Squishmallows featuring Mickey & Minnie are perfect for adding to a backpack for back to school or a bag for an upcoming Disney trip. There are even a couple of Marvel HugMees on sale, which feature a slightly more huggable design than the classic rounded, pillowy shape of the originals. Harry Potter SquishmallowsGet ready to jump on board the Hogwarts Express with discounted Squishmallows inspired by the Harry Potter series. Whether youre in Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw, you can grab a cute plushie to represent your house. Plushies of Ron sorry, Hermione and Harry fans and Dobby are also on sale this week. These are some great Harry Potter gifts for kids and adults alike.Other Squishmallows Those arent the only franchises with some major Squishmallows discounts. Sonic, Hello Kitty, Stranger Things, and more have great sales for Prime Day. Maybe youd prefer to step away from the franchises altogether? I found deals on tons of darling plushies in a wide range of sizes with super unique styles. From a mystery box complete with five Squishmallows to a mushroom that might be too cute to handle, theres sure to be a plushie that suits just about anyone.What size Squishmallows should I get? Squishmallows come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The 3.5-inch keychain models are perfect for throwing on a bag, while the Micromallows and smaller 5 to 8-inch plushies can sit on a desk or shelf I like to use them as a stress ball. Getting into the medium sizes, around 10 to 14 inches, these are ideal for placing on a couch or bed and are great for hugging. Anything larger is the perfect cuddling plushie, and the jumbo sizes are even a solid option for lounging on. See More Prime Day Toy Deals Below:There are tons of other collectibles and toys on sale for Prime Day. Be sure to check out the wide range of Funko Pop deals, LEGO, board games and more. We'd recommend buying your favorites before Amazon's sale ends tonight at 11:59 pm PT so you don't miss out.Top board gamesGuess Who? Board Game - $12.99Codenames - $14.99Catan - $41.99Top LEGO setsLEGO Wednesday & Enid's Dorm Room - $40.59LEGO Disney Walt Disney Tribute Camera - $62.99LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer - $111.99Random Prime Day findsDanielle is a Tech freelance writer based in Los Angeles who spends her free time creating videos and geeking out over music history.

PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set $28 (was $50) See at Amazon Prime Day 2025 is almost over, but if you act fast, you can grab this great deal on the PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set that's perfect for kids. The magnetic building set normally costs $50, but you can grab it for just $28 for the remainder of Prime Day, which ends tonight, July 11. There are several other great building set toy deals worth checking out, and we've rounded them up below. PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set $28 (was $50) This set includes 100 multi-colored magnetic pieces, with multiple sizes of squares and triangles that easily combine to build castles, skyscrapers, and other structures. The toy is designed for children 3 years of age and older. See at Amazon Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Dark Crystal 4K Collector's Edition $54.49 (was $100) See at Amazon The Dark Crystal (4K) $25 (was $31) See at Amazon Prime Day ends today, July 11, but before the event closes out, might as well grab a deal on th 4K Colelctor's Edition the weirdest fantasy films of the 1980s, Jim Henson's delightful epic The Dark Crystal. Normally $100, the Dark Crystal 4K Collector's Edition is discounted to $51.76, almost half its usual price. Not only do you get the film in ultra-high-definition, but it also comes with a wide range of physical goodies that fans will appreciate. The standard edition 4K Blu-ray is also on sale for just $25 (was $31) The Dark Crystal 4K Collector's Edition $54.49 (was $100) Inside the special edition box you'll find a 1:1 replica of the infamous crystal from the film, stickers, several art cards, and the movie on both 4K Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray discs. For the special features, you're getting a deep dive into the 1982 film with audio commentary, documentaries, photo galleries, and vintage promotional materials. One of the new features here is a Q&A session from a fan event with The Jim Henson Company. Here's the full list of everything included on the discs:4K version of the filmStandard Blu-ray version of the filmFan event Q&A with Lisa HensonAudio commentary with conceptual designer Brian FroudThe myth, magic, and Henson legacy featureThe world of The Dark Crystal documentaryReflections of The Dark Crystal: Light on the path of creationReflections of The Dark Crystal: Shard of IllusionPicture-in-picture storyboard trackOriginal Skeksis language scenes with introduction by screenwriter David OdellDeleted scenesPhoto galleriesTheatrical trailers See at Amazon The Dark Crystal (4K) $25 (was $31) If you don't feel like grabbing the edition above, The Dark Crystal is also available as a standalone 4K Blu-ray, which also comes with a standard Blu-ray and digital streaming code for the film. While you aren't getting any of the extra physical goodies, you are getting all of the bonus materials listed above. See at Amazon Labyrinth is also on sale for Prime DayLabyrinth Collector's EditionIt's also worth mentioning that Labyrinth is available to purchase right now in standard and Collector's Editions. The special edition also comes with a range of fun extras, like the iconic glass orb seen throughout the movie, stickers, and art cards, all contained inside of an illustrated display box. Labyrinth starred Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie, and for the extras, you're getting audio commentary, a fan event Q&A, and a guide on how to do build some neat juggling skills. See at Amazon 4K version of the filmStandard Blu-ray version of the filmFan event Q&A with Brian Henson and Toby FroudContact juggling tutorialAudio commentary with conceptual designer Brian FroudReordering time: Looking back at LabyrinthThe Henson LegacyRemembering the Goblin KingAnniversary Q&AInside the Labyrinth documentaryJourney through the Labyrinth: Kingdom of CharactersJourney through the Labyrinth: The quest for the Goblin CityThe Storytellers: Picture-in-picture trackDeleted and alternate scenes, including audio commentary with Brian HensonTheatrical trailersFor more last-minute Prime Day deals on Blu-rays, video games, electronics, and more, be sure to check GameSpot's Prime Day Deals Hub, or browse the full sale at Amazon.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Im just going to come out and say it: RAM is not the most exciting part of your computer. That doesnt mean its not an important part of your system. Picking the best RAM for your gaming PC is something thats usually either overlooked entirely or scrutinized to the point of choice paralyzation. The truth is, for a gaming PC, especially with a powerful graphics card, 32GB of CL38 DDR5 RAM is going to be more than good enough for the next few years. TL;DR These are the Best RAM Kits:The problem is there are dozens of RAM kits out there that fit that bill, and navigating the differences between them is a good way to get lost in the weeds. My advice is to find a RAM kit with the right capacity for your needs, at a decent speed and the lowest price possible. When it comes to gaming, outside of a select few instances differences in RAM latency and speed are typically extremely minor. Still, I totally get the urge to get a RAM kit with gauche RGB lighting and a ridiculous heatsink, because it just looks cool. The point is, though, that you dont need to fork over the extra cash just to have RAM sticks that look neat. RAM is RAM at the end of the day. Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Georgie PeruJust The RAM BasicsWhen picking your RAM, the most important thing is figuring out what type you need in the first place. This will typically depend on the age of your processor and motherboard, but a quick way to check is to look at your motherboard manual. Most processors released in the last few years support DDR5, while anything before the AMD Ryzen 7000 or Intel Core 13000 generations support DDR4, which is quite a bit slower. After you figure out what type of memory you need, you need to decide on how much RAM to put in your system. The right amount is going to vary depending on what youre doing with the system, but these days, 16GB should be considered the minimum for a gaming PC. This is because Windows 11 seemingly gobbles up more memory every day, and PC games are following suit. If you really want to make your system last a few years without needing to upgrade it, 32GB of RAM should be a safe bet for a few years. You can get more than 32GB, of course, with many recent motherboards supporting up to 256GB of memory. Having high amounts of memory is extremely important for creative professionals, as apps like Photoshop, Blender, and Adobe Premiere all need as much memory as possible to run at their best. For gaming, anything over 32GB is pretty much overkill, and will only get you bragging rights when comparing your rig to your friends. There is an active debate in the computing world about which is more important: CAS Latency or clock speed. The real answer is that theyre both important. CAS Latency simply measures how many cycles, or clocks, are required to transmit data to and from the RAM. This is typically measured in a series of four numbers, each representing latency in relation to a different type of data transfer. For instance, the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB kit I use in my test bench has an advertised CAS Latency of CL28-36-36-96. That doesnt mean much to the untrained eye, but basically these numbers represent, in order, the following: CL: How fast your memory can send information requested by your CPUtRCD: How quickly your memory can read and convert a data matrixtRP: How fast your memory can end one function and switch to anothertRAS: How long your memory has to wait between memory requestsFor all of these, the lower the number the better. But dont let that be the only thing that guides you when picking out your memory. The clock speed is also extremely important. Clock speed measures how quickly your memory can access data. But a higher clock speed also means each cycle is shorter. Thats why DDR5 memory typically has higher CL ratings than DDR4 memory because DDR5 is so much faster, it ends up being a wash. The general rule of thumb is that you should figure out how fast your clock speed should be, then find a kit with the lowest latency at that speed. You can tweak CAS Latency in your BIOS, but unless youre experienced with overclocking, I wouldnt advise it. You will have to do a little bit of overclocking to hit your RAMs advertised speed, however. DDR5 memory, when you plug it into your motherboard, will typically run at around 4,800MHz. To get to the speed advertised in the box, youre going to need to go into the BIOS real quick. Intel and AMD both have programs to quickly set RAM to their optimized settings, called XMP and EXPO, respectively. Follow the instructions in your motherboard manual to be on the safe side, but its typically as simple as going into the tweaking section of your BIOS and enabling XMP. I wrote a whole guide on enabling XMP and EXPO, if you want more detailed information. There are some RAM kits that will support both XMP and EXPO, but theyre not common. Instead, you should check to make sure the RAM kit youre getting supports the appropriate processor, otherwise youre going to have to manually overclock your RAM, which is not for the faint of heart. If you want to give your gaming PC a flashy edge to it, you can always pick out RAM with RGB lighting. When Im building a PC with a glass side panel, its always tempting to get the flashiest memory I can just to show off. Just keep in mind that no matter how pretty the RGB is, its not going to make your computer any faster. 1. G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB CL30The Best RAM, Period. As someone who reviews PC hardware for a living, I need memory thats both fast and reliable, especially when testing graphics cards and processors. And, well, theres a reason I have a G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB kit in my main test rig. Not only is this RAM fast at 6,000MHz, it has extremely tight timings, which means it keeps my Ryzen 7 9800X3D fed with data. Even after running this memory through hours and hours of testing with EXPO enabled, I havent run into a single crash or Blue Screen that could be traced to the memory. This RAM is beautiful, too. The AMD version of this kit has a white colorway with a beautiful strip of RGB lighting running mostly across the top of the kit. The light strip ends partway down the length of each DIMM, so while it doesnt have the same amount of lighting as comparable kits, it has a unique look that looks particularly good in all-white PC builds. This RAM kit does only support AMD EXPO, but you can get the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB, which is basically the same RAM, but configured for Intel XMP. You can probably get the advertised speed out of the AMD version on an Intel system, but youd have to manually overclock it. 2. Crucial Pro DDR5 CL36 Best The Best RAM for Most GamersAs much as it might seem like pretty RGB lights make everything go faster, sometimes its best to get a plain kit of RAM that just works. This Crucial CL36 kit has 32GB of DDR5 clocked at 6,000MHz. It also claims to be compatible with both AMD EXPO and Intel XMP, which means you dont have to worry about having the wrong system for the RAM. Just go into your BIOS and enable the appropriate profile and you should be good to go. I havent tested this particular kit, but its the same type of RAM that I usually recommend friends to grab, especially if they want decent performance for the money. Its just a nice mid-range kit, even if there arent many bells and whistles to catch your eye. The Best Gaming PC Deals3. Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB CL30 Best RGB RAMOn the complete opposite side of the spectrum is Corsairs Dominator line. This is the kind of memory you grab if you want your gaming PC to be as good at catching someones eye as it is actually playing games. This kit has 32GB of capacity, which is about what Id recommend for most people these days, plus its clocked at 6,000MHz with 30-36-36-76 timings.If thats not fast enough, Corsair does offer this memory at speeds up to 7,600MHz, though, youll be paying a lot more and it will have slightly looser timings. But even at its base level, its more than enough to play games, and forking over the extra cash for the faster version isnt going to make that much of a difference to your gaming performance. Plus, its going to look just as flashy no matter what the clock speed and timings are set to. 4. G.Skill Trident Z DDR4 CL18 Best DDR4 RAMIf you have an older PC that youre looking to upgrade, its likely you need DDR4 memory. This is the kit I used in my rig for years, which meant I swapped it between different systems constantly and it stayed reliable the whole time. Its more than fast enough to keep up with the processors its compatible with, as this kit is rated at 3,600MHz with CL18-22-22-42 timings. There is faster DDR4 out there, but youre going to start running into diminishing returns quickly if you buy much quicker memory. Plus, I really like the RGB on this kit. It has this blocky lightbar aesthetic that looks really good, especially on a black motherboard. And, I mean, most motherboards are black these days, so you cant really go wrong there. Best RAM FAQIs DDR4 RAM still good?It really depends on what you mean by "good". Current-generation processors and motherboards almost universally require DDR5, so DDR4 memory simply won't work. However, if you have an older processor think Intel 12th-gen and older or Ryzen 5000 and older DDR4 will be your only option. It's less a question on whether or not "DDR4 is good" it's more "what memory standard does your CPU and motherboard actually support?". Jacqueline Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN. When she's not helping her friends and family buy computers, you can usually find her tinkering with her own PC.

Episode 1 of Foundation season 3 is now streaming on Apple TV+. New episodes premiere on Fridays through September 12.Taking in the epic scope of a supposedly unadaptable literary masterpiece and showing us all the cool stuff the books could only describe this is Foundations bread and butter. Like Denis Villeneuves Dune movies, the Apple TV+ series makes its source material digestible for a wider audience by filtering the essence of the work a love of science and a focus on the impact and flow of history through a unique vision. And, in the process, its reserved its own spot in the pantheon of epic science fiction. In season 3, we get what this version of Foundation was always building to: a blockbuster-sized, galaxy-spanning story with fantastic action, stunning visuals, and a singular threat that serves as a focal point for plotlines that are scattered across different worlds and millennia.That threat would be The Mule (Pilou Asbk), the planet conquering mutant who was teased in season 2, but arrives in full force in season 3. Hes an ever-present, highly visible menace here much more than the late-stage plot-twist role he serves in Isaac Asimovs Foundation novels. But that doesn't mean the character has a diminished capacity for surprise: Asbk gives what could easily be a one-note character plenty of personality, changing the character's mannerisms and motivations seemingly every episode to keep him mysterious to everyone, even when you think he's being open about who he really is. At times The Mule is Foundations equivalent of the Joker, at others he's Napoleon, or even Paul Atreides. Asbk is great in the role and quite fun to watch bringing the same swashbuckling air of danger that he previously lent to Game of Thrones.All that, plus he touches every storyline and character in season 3, even if theyre not fully aware of it at first. Take the Cleons, for example, who face an unprecedented existential crisis in these episodes. The genetic tampering of generations past, together with Demerzels (Laura Birn) micro-management of their lives to ensure the best future outcome, has fully eradicated any notion that Dawn (Cassian Bilton), Dusk (Terrence Mann) and Day (Lee Pace) are one and the same man.Pace is the highlight of the season a continued delight as Cleon XXIV goes through his Big Lebowski era. He lets his hair grow wild, sports an unruly beard, and spends his time far away from the politics of the crumbling Galactic Empire, choosing instead to get high, gamble on card games with his guards, and clone long-extinct animals for the garden palace he shares with the concubine he's caught feelings for. Pace is clearly having the time of his life in the role, and hes a welcome respite from how plot-heavy things get elsewhere on the capital planet of Trantor-based story (and how lore-heavy Demerzels corner of season 3 gets). Day remains self-centered as ever, and he doesnt care about anything but his own amusement, but he does experience surprising character growth that leads to the best arc of he season.Lee Pace is clearly having the time of his life in season 3.Although it presents a lot of information to sift through, Foundations take on Demerzel remains the biggest surprise and joy of following this show. Birn does a spectacular job portraying the immortal robots identity crisis: If the end of the Cleon dynasty is finally at hand, that means she can consider a future free of her programming. But is such a future even possible? And what is she without her programming? That clash between the desire for freedom and the genuine love within her servitude/programming is the crux of the character, and it's never been as prominent as it is this season. It places the robot at the center of the Empires story and with it, the entire history of Foundation in a way that makes the scope of the show even bigger and its story more complex.Foundation has always been a visually impressive show, but season 3 takes it to a new level, with a stunning mix of practical sets and impressive VFX, bringing vast and varied worlds to life, while also staging action sequences worthy of a blockbuster feature. Through these visuals, we see how important the passage of time has become to this story in the shrinking of the Empire and the growth of Foundation, but also in the worlds themselves. Ignis, home of the secret Second Foundation, changes and flourishes, while Trantor, where the lack of change is part of the illusion of the Empire's power, receives some subtle alterations. What we said about Foundation season 2Season 2 shows why Foundation is such a revered work of fiction, exploring a layered and larger-than-life story with deep themes, all while presenting a blockbuster TV event with gorgeous visuals. This season also focuses more on more intimate character stories, which makes the macro story more meaningful by delivering compelling sci-fi drama. Rafael MotomayorRead the complete Foundation season 2 review.Keeping this all from being too dense or heavy-handed, Foundation still manages to bring in some weirdness and fun in its stories. This is particularly true of the Mallows, specifically Toran (Cody Fern) and Bayta (Synnve Karlsen), a rich influencer couple who feel like theyre on an entirely different show (in a good way). Their story becomes not just funny, but even heartwarming when their paths cross that of a jester named Magnifico Giganticus (Tmas Lemarquis), a guy who plays a Visi-sonor that not only plays sound, but visuals too. The way the show brings that instrument to life is inventive and makes me wish Villeneuve had attempted something slightly more sci-fi with the baliset in Dune.

This is the 11th day of July, the year of Donkey Kong 2025. These are the closing days of Prime Day, and the final hours of my busy work week (you may now clap for my sick Oblivion reference). That's right, today's the final day of Prime Day, but the deals are still flowing. The obvious winner for this year's sale was the extensive buy 2, get 1 free promotion on hundreds of pieces of physical media. From movies and TV box sets to vinyl records and books, you can still bundle and save on so many awesome goodies before Prime Day ends tonight. If you're a physical media collector like me, this deal was a treasure trove of backlog filling and bookshelf padding. Let's have a look at some of the best things included in this promotion, all aggregated in one spot for your convenience. With the end of Prime Day upon us, this is one of the only sales you won't want to miss.Buy 2, Get 1 Free on Movies and TV ShowsThe movie selection here has been pretty great. You can grab 4K or regular Blu-rays on some of my personal favorites like Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and the Back to the Future Trilogy. Also included were some amazing hidden gem animated shows, like the complete collection of the Legend of Zelda animated series on DVD from the 80's. No matter what combination of three you end up picking, you can't go wrong with anything from this deal.Buy 2, Get 1 Free on Books and Box SetsBook nerds were feasting with this deal all week, as well. Countless popular titles could be bundled, like all of the beautiful Lord of the Rings illustrated editions and Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, a personal favorite of mine with a movie adaptation around the corner. I'd also recommend some extremely relevant historical literature like 1984 and Brave New World, which are each under $10. The biggest draw, however, are the discounted full box set collections of series like A Court of Thorns and Roses and Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy. The Best Comics and Graphic Novels to Get 3 for the Price of 2The regular book selection for this bundle promotion was choice, and the comics and graphic novel offerings are just as juicy. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin's new hardcover printing was a hot item this year, and there are dozens of incredible Batman stories to pick from. With James Gunn's Superman out today, I'd highly recommend checking out All-Star Superman, which the film pulls a lot of inspiration from. If physical comics aren't quite your bag, another great Prime Day deal is the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition for $100 off, which I think is the best way to read digital comics. Buy 2, Get 1 Free on CDs and Vinyl RecordsThe buy 2, get 1 free bundle also has a nice music selection. The CD and vinyl records available cover a wide variety of genres, like classical and country to iconic records like the Beatles' Abbey Road. I was hoping for a lot more film soundtracks to be part of this sale, but we at least had the Hobbit & Lord of the Rings Film Music Collection as part of the deal. And for elder emos like me, American Football's self-titled Deluxe Edition LP is an easy choice. Now if you're planning on buying all of these great vinyls on the cheap, how are you supposed to listen to them? I'm glad you asked; Prime Day has a handful of Bluetooth turntable and record player deals to go with your shiny new vinyl. If you're looking for some video game soundtracks on vinyl, check out the IGN Store to get some of the best. Myles Obenza is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Bluesky @mylesobenza.bsky.social.

Amazon has discounted the entire Apple lineup of wireless earbuds as part of its Prime Day Sale. Unfortunately, all of these deals will very likely end tonight, so this is your last chance before the next major sale (probably Black Friday). The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation noise canceling earbuds is down to $149, which is a phenomenal price and the lowest I've seen. However, the Apple AirPods 4 with noise cancelation just dropped to an even better price of just $119. As a comparison, last year's Black Friday price was $150. Both earbuds offer active noise cancelation and seamless synching with your iPhone, but they wear, feel, and sound very differently.Amazon Prime Day AirPods DealsThe Apple AirPods 4 is an open air earbud designThe Apple AirPods 4 was released on September, 2024 in two variants: one with noise canceling and one without. This is an open air earbud design that doesn't sit inside and seal your ear canal. It is rare for an open air earbud to offer effective active noise cancelation, but somehow Apple did it. The AirPods 4 features several other updates over the AirPods 3 which brings it in-line with modern day standards. These improvements include the new Apple H2 chip, Bluetooth 5.3 support, IP54 resistance rating which now protects against dust intrusion, USB Type-C charging, and an optical in-ear sensor.The AirPods Pro 2 is a traditional in-ear designThe AirPods Pro is the best-sounding "truly wireless" earbuds for iPhone users thanks to its passively isolating in-ear design combined with excellent active noise cancelation, low-distortion driver and amp, and the Apple H2 chip. It also has useful features like Adaptive Transparency Mode, which lets you better hear your surroundings without removing your earbuds, and Conversation Mode, which automatically enhances the voices of people you're talking to. The second generation AirPods Pro replaces the Lightning port with a more universal USB Type-C port so you don't have to mix and match cables, and also includes a MagSafe charging case as standard.Should you get the AirPods 4 with ANC or the AirPods Pro?The AirPods 4 with active noise cancelation is quite different from the more expensive AirPods Pro 2 because of the way it is worn: the AirPods 4 is an open-ear earbud with non-adjustable tips that sits just outside your ear canal, whereas the AirPods Pro is an in-ear earbud that sits inside and seals your ear canal with adjustable tips. If you were to base this decision on the current price of the two earbuds, the AirPods 4 would certainly be the way to go. A $30 price difference is pretty significant. But it's just not about the price. You also have to consider what you prioritize more: comfort or performance. In-ear earbuds will provide better noise cancelation and audio quality by nature of its passive isolation, but open-ear earbuds are less intrusive and thus many people find them more comfortable to wear. Still can't decide? Then heck out our recommendations for the best AirPods models to buy.More Random Prime Day FindsEric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Today is the final day of Prime Day, but that hasn't stopped Amazon from releasing another deal on an excellent LEGO set as a last hurrah. Right now you can pick up the LEGO Ideas Treehouse 21318 set for only $174.99. That's 42% off its $250 MSRP and the best price we've ever seen for this model since back in 2023. This is already an officially retired set, meaning this could potentially be the last deal we might ever see for it.30% Off LEGO Ideas Treehouse 21318 (Officially Retired)If you're familiar with the popular LEGO Bonsai kit, think of the Treehouse as a supersized version of it. This 3,036 piece set measures an impressive 14" x 10" x 9" and weighs in at over 8 pounds. This is a rather complex build that's intended for an older audience (16+). At first glance you might just see a majestic tree, but there's definitely more than meets the eye here. The fully landscaped base features a complete picnic setup next to a buildable stream. The treehouse itself is comprised of three separate cabins, each with removable rooftops and fully decorated interiors. There's even a windup crane for hauling goods up to the treetop. A full set of both green and yellow leaves are included to mimic your choice of season. And in keeping with the whole "green nature" aspect of this build, all the plant and tree elements are made of a renewable plant-based plastic as opposed to petroleum-based plastic.More LEGO Sets on Sale for Prime DayMighty Bowser isn't the only set currently on sale for Amazon Prime Day. Check out these other adult-themed sets from Walmart, Amazon, and even the LEGO Shop, including the Milk Way Galaxy, the LEGO Technic BMW M 1000 RR Motorcycle or the LEGO Icons Land Rover Classic Defender 90, which is expected to be retired later this year.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.