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TL;DR: With grocery prices still climbing — the price of eggs has jumped nearly 20% — and everyday essentials putting a dent in your wallet, it’s more important than ever to shop smart. If you're tired of hopping between Aldi, Target, and other shops just to find the best deals, it might be time to join BJ’s Wholesale Club for just $20.

Opens in a new window Credit: BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. $20 for a 1-year The Club Card Membership $20
$60 Save $40 with BJ’s Easy Renewal Get Deal

You might be glad you waited to grab a BJ's membership, since the Club Card membership is now only $20 (reg. $60) — but only for two more days. You'll be able to enjoy an entire year of savings, perks, and convenience.

BJ’s isn’t just about bulk deals, though you’ll find plenty of those. Members can save up to 25% off grocery store prices, which is a game changer since inflation is making even the basics feel like a splurge. You’ll also find top national brands at wholesale prices, from snacks and fresh produce to cleaning supplies and pet food.

Beyond groceries, your BJ's membership also unlocks exclusive deals on furniture, electronics, home goods, and even holiday decor. You can even enjoy extra member services, BJ’s Home Improvement, Optical, Tire Center, and Travel services, plus everyday low gas prices. Another bonus? BJ’s is one of the few wholesale clubs that accepts manufacturer coupons, and you can stack them with BJ’s own coupons for even deeper discounts.

BJ's isn't just about finding better bang for your buck — you'll be able to enjoy incredible convenience since this wholesale shop offers shopping features like ExpressPay to skip the line, Curbside Pickup to avoid crowds, and even same-day delivery on select items.

Whether you're stocking up the fridge for your family or simply want to minimize your shopping trips, BJ’s can help stretch your budget further.

You have until May 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT to join BJ’s with this one-year The Club Card membership, now just $20 while supplies last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In the summer of 1995, Robert Williams, then director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, which manages the Hubble Space Telescope's research program, was paid two visits by the renowned astronomer John Bahcall, considered one of Hubble's founding fathers.

Bahcall had, in hindsight, a strange request.

He urged Williams not to train the powerful NASA telescope into an uncharted region of space, where the school bus-sized observatory would stare for days in an attempt to observe profoundly distant, never-before-seen galaxies. It was a proposed endeavor to capture an unprecedented "deep field" view of the cosmos, allowing humanity to look back billions of years, near the dawn of time.

Though Bahcall believed Hubble would make many astronomical advances, he didn't think it would observe any new, undiscovered galaxies — even in its lofty position above Earth's image-distorting atmosphere. Crucially, a failed attempt would bring more shame to a telescope that was already an orbiting object of ridicule: After launching in 1990, a flawed mirror captured blurry images in what was then the most expensive science project in history, requiring astronauts to visit Hubble and install a refrigerator-sized instrument to act as Hubble's "correcting eyeglasses."

So Williams knew the deep field was indeed a risk. Still, he told Bahcall he was compelled to take it.

"I told him that I'm willing to fall on my sword," Williams told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Soon after those meetings, Williams directed Hubble — which, in April 2025, celebrated its 35-year anniversary of launching — to peer at a seemingly empty patch of space for 10 straight days. The space telescope beamed home iconic imagery, a "cosmic zoo" of some 3,000 galaxies. It changed everything.

"It was mind-blowing," Jennifer Wiseman, a postdoctoral researcher at the time, today the Hubble Space Telescope's senior project scientist, told Mashable. "To actually see thousands of smudges of light — and now we know each of them can contain billions to hundreds of billions of stars and planetary systems — is a feast for the mind."

"It was mind-blowing."

Behold, the central portion of the first Hubble Deep Field. This is a view from a patch of sky the size of a grain of sand held at arm's length.

The central portion of the Hubble Deep Field, captured between Dec. 18 and 28, 1995. Credit: NASA / Robert Williams / Hubble Deep Field Team (STScI) The endeavor to capture Hubble's Deep Field

The year NASA first landed astronauts on the moon, 1969, was when the first real rumblings of a space telescope began. That year, the National Academy of Sciences published a report called "Scientific Uses of the Large Space Telescope." In the mid-'70s the idea progressed, and by 1977 Congress had approved the first funding for the "Large Space Telescope project," amounting to $36 million. The very next year, work began on Hubble's nearly eight-foot mirror. By 1983, the developing telescope was named for astronomer Edwin Hubble — the scientist who discovered that innumerable galaxies exist in space beyond our Milky Way.

But the same year Hubble launched, in 1990, the astronomer Bahcall released a prominent paper that concluded, in no uncertain terms, "We do not expect HST to reveal a new population of galaxies."

"That really got me worried," Ray Villard, the Hubble Space Telescope news chief who has worked on the mission for decades, told Mashable.

It was worrying that Hubble — decades in planning and at a steep cost — might not break through the galactic boundaries of Earth-based observatories, Villard explained. That would be hard to explain to the public.

"Someone has to try it."

Why might Bahcall, a prominent advocate for the mission, have such dampened hopes? Before launching, Bahcall and other astronomers sought to simulate what Hubble would see, Williams explained. The calculations were complicated, and they required some assumptions, one of which was that galaxies had relatively smooth levels of brightness across their surfaces. But, in fact, they don't. Most galaxies have regions of robust star formation that create luminous areas, allowing powerful telescopes like Hubble to observe them at profound distances. Bahcall's calculations, however, concluded that Hubble was not likely to resolve such distant galaxies.

By 1995, these discouraging expectations were amplified by a hostile cultural climate. Hubble required a Space Shuttle repair mission costing over $1 billion to remedy its blurry cosmic images. "The telescope had become a big joke," Williams said. "Political cartoons lambasted NASA." What's more, if Hubble failed to view farther into space than land-based telescopes, the federal government — the primary financial patron for astronomy — would almost certainly decrease funding for Hubble and reject another such project, at least anytime soon. But Williams, quite simply, swung for the fences.

"If you want to make discoveries, one must take risks," he said. "Someone has to try it."

In April 1990, a crew of five astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle deployed the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit. Credit: NASA Astronauts installing the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement on the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993. Credit: NASA

Even picking a deep field target was a contested issue. Williams wanted to observe a black, largely blank field of space, to avoid a known or prominent object dominating the image. The majority of Hubble's advisory committee disagreed, thinking it was too risky to choose an uncharted region of space. "That was a big debate," Williams recalled. But, as director, Williams had a card to play, known as "Director's Discretionary Time," which can be used relatively sparingly to bypass a long review process.

He played the card. Months later, Hubble viewed a seemingly empty part of space near the handle of the Big Dipper.

Thousands of galaxies popped up in a previously black ether. Where previously ground-based telescopes took humanity about halfway across the universe, Hubble's first deep field took us most of the way, some 12 billion miles (the universe is about 13.7 billion years old).

"Hubble opened up an undiscovered country," Villard marveled.

When the Space Telescope Science Institute revealed the Hubble Deep Field to the public, it was difficult to contain the anticipation. The institute made a 10-foot poster of the cosmic vista, and covered it up for a great unveiling. "People kept peeking under the sheet," Villard said.

The full view of 1995's Hubble Deep Field, comprising 342 exposures. Credit: R. Williams (STScI) / the Hubble Deep Field Team / NASA / ESA The Deep Field was just the beginning

Thirty years later, the deep field's impact hasn't faded.

"Hubble is the first to open our eyes to the full richness of the universe, especially through cosmic time," Wiseman, Hubble's senior project scientist, said.

Crucially, the aging telescope is enabling new and innovative science, including complementary studies with other observatories. "Hubble is actually more scientifically productive now than ever before," Wiseman emphasized, noting the number of scientific papers based on Hubble data is at a record high. Astronomers have used Hubble to detect a rogue black hole, scrutinize the expansion of the universe, advance our grasp of galactic evolution, detect atmospheres on distant exoplanets, and beyond.

Hubble's Deep Field also showed us what to strive for. "Hubble baked the cake," Villard said. Now, powerful observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope, designed to peer beyond Hubble's view, are the frosting.

"Hubble baked the cake."

"We wouldn't even know it was worth looking if it weren't for Hubble's Deep Field," Wiseman said. Webb has now peered back at galaxies formed just some 300 million years after the Big Bang.

More Hubble deep fields followed the 1995 success. And numerous astronaut servicing missions improved the telescope's cosmic-viewing abilities. In 2002, astronauts installed the Advanced Camera for Surveys, or ACS, providing even sharper images. That year, Hubble captured an image of the warped "Tadpole Galaxy," backed by a pond of thousands of diverse galaxies.

"My jaw dropped," Villard said of the 2002 view. "I don't want to get religious, but it was almost god-like vision."

The Tadpole Galaxy as viewed by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2002. Credit: NASA / H. Ford (JHU) / G. Illingworth (UCSC/LO) / M.Clampin (STScI) / G. Hartig (STScI) / the ACS Science Team / ESA; The ACS Science Team: H. Ford, G. Illingworth, M. Clampin, G. Hartig, T. Allen, K. Anderson, F. Bartko, N. Benitez, J. Blakeslee, R. Bouwens, T. Broadhurst, R. Brown, C. Burrows, D. Campbell, E. Cheng, N. Cross, P. Feldman, M. Franx, D. Golimowski, C. Gronwall, R. Kimble, J. Krist, M. Lesser, D. Magee, A. Martel, W. J. McCann, G. Meurer, G. Miley, M. Postman, P. Rosati, M. Sirianni, W. Sparks, P. Sullivan, H. Tran, Z. Tsvetanov, R. White, and R. Woodruff A graphic showing how far Hubble Deep Fields viewed back in time. The bottom row shows the James Webb Space Telescope, which launched in December 2021. Credit: NASA / ESA

Decades later, the view Williams risked Hubble's public credibility for, and his own, evokes in him the same feeling he gets when peering at the cosmos atop a mountain on a starry, moonless night.

"I am overcome," Williams said.

Staring deeply into the Hubble Deep Field is peering far into cosmic history, a look at these far-off galaxies as they existed billions of years ago. But it's also where we came from, as ancient exploding stars birthed the ingredients for new stars and dispersed the essential ingredients, like the iron in our blood, throughout new realms of the universe. If you look deeply, you're looking at yourself, too.

"We're looking at our origins," Williams said.

SAVE $70: As of May 1, the Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro is on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. That's a 26% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: BISSELL Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro $199.95 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $70.04 Get Deal

We love our pets, but it's not tough to admit that we don't love the mess they leave behind, especially on your carpets and soft furnishings. Balls of fluff embedded into rugs, floating strands of hair landing here, there, and everywhere, and of course, muddy paw prints that have you scrubbing on your hands and knees.

This is why you need a good pet vacuum, and we've found just the deal at Amazon. As of May 1, you can pick up the Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro vacuum for under $200, currently priced at $199.95. For this price you will receive the vacuum as well as two tangle-free brush rolls, two pet-friendly multi-surface formulas, and a rinse and clean out storage tray.

SEE ALSO: The Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum is back down to its lowest-ever price

Not only does it vacuum and pick up hair with ease, it washes your floors at the same time. It can work across everything from rugs and vinyl to sealed wood and tile with the two-tank system that keeps clean and dirty water separate. For tough, long pet hairs, the tangle-free brush roll helps stop them from getting wrapped around rollers. And a built-in strainer even catches larger debris to help keep your sink clear when emptying.

And every purchase of a Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro vacuum saves an animal. The Bissell Pet Foundation works to help save homeless pets.

This is a limited-time deal from Amazon, so act fast to save big.

SAVE $80: As of May 1, the RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager is on sale for $149.97 at Amazon. That's a 35% saving on the list price. And for a limited time, get an extra $20 off with an on-site coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: RENPHO RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager $149.97 at Amazon
$229.97 Save $80 Get Deal

Mother's Day is just around the corner, so why not treat mom to some relaxation with this incredible RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager deal at Amazon? It was even our top pick for foot massagers.

As of May 1, you can save $80 on list price and get it for just $149.97. But that's not all, for a limited time you can save another $20 off the price with an on-site coupon. Just click the orange coupon box below the price, and see your additional discount applied at the checkout. With both these discounts, this foot massager is just $129.97.

SEE ALSO: Amazon deal of the day: Our favorite budget earbuds are on sale for under $65

This is a great gift to give, especially for Mother's Day. It uses a combination of rotating balls, rolling sticks, and gentle heat to mimic the feel of a deep shiatsu massage, perfect for relaxing after a long day on your feet. With three kneading and three air compression levels, it’s easy to adjust to your preference. And if mobility restrictions are an issue, the intuitive foot-controlled panel means there’s no need to bend down to turn it on.

The foot chambers are roomy and lined with removable, washable cloth covers to keep it clean. It’s FSA and HSA eligible, too.

Get this deal in time for Mother's Day at Amazon.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, May 1, 2025:

AcrossQuestion that looks like today's date

• The answer is MayI.

Marvel's "The Avengers," e.g.

• The answer is Comic.

Bring to mind

• The answer is Evoke.

Like notebook paper

• The answer is Lined.

An Australian millipede holds the record for the most in the animal kingdom, at 1,306

• The answer is Legs.

DownMarvel's "The Avengers," e.g.

• The answer is Movie.

Surrounded by

• The answer is Among.

"That is not good!"

• The answer is Yikes.

Like some coffee orders

• The answer is Iced.

Where to find ribosomes and mitochondria

• The answer is Cell.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To put up with

• Green: Team mascots

• Blue: They share a first name

• Purple: Where you'd watch a hockey game

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Endure

• Green: NWSL teams

• Blue: Joshes

• Purple: First words of NHL arena names

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #220 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Endure- OVERCOME, SURVIVE, WEATHER, WITHSTAND

• NWSL teams - CURRENT, PRIDE, SPIRIT, WAVE

• Joshes - ALLEN, GIBSON, HART, JACOBS

• First words of NHL arena names- AMALIE, BELL, CLIMATE, SCOTIABANK

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A spy.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

NINJA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Unsteady.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SHAKY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Specialty.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 1, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FORTE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

The opposite of best.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 29 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WORST

Final Hurdle hint

Vague.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

FAINT

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for May 1 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 1, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To be really good at something.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

ADEPT.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 1

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 1 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Gains

• Green: To quit doing something

• Blue: Heard on a film set

• Purple: Miniature

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Winnings

• Green: Stop, as a habit

• Blue: Movie camera verbs

• Purple: Words that precede "-Size" to mean small

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #690 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Winnings: POT, PRIZE, PURSE, REWARD

• Stop, as a habit: BREAK, DROP, KICK, SHAKE

• Movie camera verbs: DOLLY, PAN, TILT, ZOOM

• Words that precede "-Size" to mean small: BITE, FUN, POCKET, TRAVEL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 1

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 1 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I get around

The words are ways to get around.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are a means of transportation.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Wheelie.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 1

• Skateboard

• Scooter

• Wheelie

• Rollerblades

• Bicycle

• Wagon

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

The Four Seasons isn't what you'd expect from a Tina Fey project.

The creator of 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has long been associated with whip-smart pop cultural satire and punchlines that fly at a blink-and-you'll-miss-them pace. With The Four Seasons, Fey opts for a slower burn — but that by no means dulls the show's wit or reward.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming? What is The Four Seasons about? Steve Carell, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, and Will Forte in "The Four Seasons." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Co-created by Fey, Tracey Wigfield (Great News), and Lang Fisher (Never Have I Ever), The Four Seasons re-invents the 1981 Alan Alda film of the same name as a Netflix miniseries. The conceit remains the same: Three couples go on a new vacation every season, with each trip fittingly scored by Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons violin concerti.

Our couples are Jack and Kate (Will Forte and Fey), for whom "complaining is their version of sex;" Nick and Anne (Steve Carell and Kerri Kenney-Silver), whose marriage has hit a bit of a stale patch; and Danny and Claude (Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani), whose differing views on an upcoming medical procedure drum up tension by the bucketful.

(Notably, Claude has been gender-swapped from the original film's Claudia. That's just one of several changes Fey, Wigfield, and Fisher throw into the show in order to make The Four Seasons their own.)

SEE ALSO: 'Étoile' review: Amy Sherman-Palladino brings us to the ballet

These three couples have known each other for decades, as evidenced by the ensemble's easygoing comedic chemistry. (With such a monster cast, would you expect anything else?) Still, the show's first two episodes — the "Spring" section — feel a little off. The pacing is slower than that of other projects from these creators, yet it's at odds with the frantic rush to establish the couples' dynamics.

This chafing may be due in part to adjusting The Four Seasons' story from film length to TV length, but there's a narrative reason for it too. Things feel wrong because something is wrong: Nick is planning to leave Anne, a decision that will not only wreck their marriage but also tear apart the friend group.

By the "Summer" section, that breakup has occurred, and Nick has moved on to a much younger woman: 30-year-old Ginny (Erika Henningsen). Her arrival shakes up both the group's dynamic and the show's entire trajectory, ushering in pitch-perfect cringe comedy and pertinent questions about marriage and relationships.

The Four Seasons offers up a fascinating, hilarious look at marriage and friendship. Colman Domingo, Tina Fey, Erika Henningsen, Will Forte, and Steve Carell in "The Four Seasons." Credit: Francisco Roman / Netflix

Each of the couples at the heart of The Four Seasons face their own issues, from lack of communication to clinginess. But those terms are really just surface-level descriptors for the complex webs Fey, Wigfield, and Fisher weave between their pairs. These relationships feel lived-in, with years of of history built into every scene. Every pairing gets their moment in the sun, just as every pairing experiences some kind of blow-up or breaking point at a certain point over the course of The Four Seasons.

The same goes for the friendships on display in The Four Seasons. Imagine a full show devoted to the Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, and Michelle Monaghan story arc from The White Lotus Season 3, complete with all the behind-the-back gossip and one-upmanship, as well as genuine love for one another. Without a bunch of other guests pulling focus, The Four Seasons dives even deeper into the fraught dynamic of vacationing friends, and the results are at once poignant and hilarious. For every joke or awkward mishap around Nick and Ginny's May-December romance, there's a heartbreaking moment of Nick and Anne's friends trying to reckon with their separation. How do you stay friends with two people you love when one has harmed the other?

Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, and the entire cast of The Four Seasons shine. Marco Calvani, Colman Domingo, Tina Fey, and Will Forte in "The Four Seasons." Credit: Jon Pack / Netflix

The Four Seasons' cast matches the show's tone beat for beat, whether it's wrestling with the complexity of relationships and the work that goes into them, or making masturbation jokes.

Fey's wry humor makes a perfect foil for Forte's dorky affability, but the two do their best work in the latter half of the season, when cracks in Jack and Kate's relationship force them to examine some hard truths. Domingo is a standout as the oh-so-cool Danny, who's made all the cooler by Calvani's whole-hog commitment to Claude's fretting over Danny's health. Kenney-Silver moves nicely between pitiable and vengeful as Anne, while Carell miraculously makes sure Nick is a somewhat sympathetic figure, and not just a caricature of a man going through a mid-life crisis. As the odd one out in the friend group, Henningsen nails Ginny's vulnerability and occasional obliviousness, something she and Nick both share when it comes to interactions with Nick and Anne's daughter, Lila (Julia Lester, giving a firecracker of a performance).

With all these excellent performances and an array of picturesque vacation spots from a lake house to a ski resort, The Four Seasons makes for a breezy summer binge. Still, it's the substance that sneaks up on you that really makes The Four Seasons a winner, even if it's a slower burn from the jump.

The Four Seasons is now streaming on Netflix.

TL;DR: Get access to 1TB of secure and private data storage with this lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage, now £89.84 with code KOOFR. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £89.86
£606.60 Save £516.74 Get Deal

Trying to consolidate your monthly subscription expenses? If you're tired of shelling out a small fortune on your cloud storage solution, a swap to Koofr Cloud Storage can help. 

Keep 1TB of your important data safe for life with this deal on Koofr Cloud Storage, now just £89.84 with code KOOFR.

Stop the madness of monthly cloud storage fees

Koofr is a trusted cloud storage option that's been around since 2013. And though it may not have the same brand recognition as the big names, there's another thing it doesn't have — monthly storage fees.

With Koofr, you can secure a lifetime subscription for 1TB and pay once. That's enough room for 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD video, or 6.5 million PDF files.

There are other great perks to swapping to Koofr, like their unique Koofr Duplicate Finder feature. It finds and removes duplicate files, helping save you time and freeing up space. And you don't have to worry about data tracking — your files will be encrypted both during transfer and rest. 

They even make moving your files from your former storage provider a breeze. Koofr features convenient integration with other external cloud accounts so that you can connect and access your files from Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive easily. 

Store 1TB for life for the one-time low price of £89.84 with code KOOFR with this Koofr Cloud Storage lifetime subscription deal. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

It might not always seem like it, but the online world is full of content restrictions and blockades. We understand that there are good reasons for this, but we also believe in your right to online freedom.

Porn is obviously something that comes with online restrictions, but when the time is right, there's really nothing wrong with visiting sites like Xnxx. At totally appropriate moments, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access your favorite sites from any location. This is where we can help.

Want to unblock porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world? We've got all the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This quick and easy process bypasses geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock xHamster for free

Unblock porn sites like Xnxx by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Xnxx

4. Visit Xnxx

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

FREE LEGO: On May 4, build a Lego Grogu in a hover pram model at participating stores and take it home with you for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free Grogu for Star Wars Day Learn More

Lego has been running make and take events all year, providing fans with the opportunity to pick up exclusive models for free.

Lego lovers have had the chance to take home a Steering Wheel, Valentine's Day Heart, and Mother's Day Bouquet for free in 2025, but the giveaways don't stop there. Lego is celebrating Star Wars Day in style this year by offering up an exclusive Grogu in a hover pram model on May 4.

SEE ALSO: Building the 'Twilight' Lego set was the therapy session I didn’t know I needed

Visitors to select Lego Stores on May 4 (from 12-2 p.m.) can participate in a Lego Star Wars Grogu make and take event. During this special event, participants can build and bring home a model of Grogu in a hover pram for free. This event is intended for participants aged 10+ years, and the model will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations, while supplies last.

What's important to note is that the Grogu model is not available for purchase. So by taking part, you're getting your hands on something that money cannot buy. The only catch is that you're limited to one build per participant, but that shouldn't stop you from attending.

Build and take home an exclusive Lego Star Wars Grogu for free on May 4.

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 French Open for free on 9Now, France TV, or Servus TV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The world of tennis has turned its attention to the clay courts. Following on from significant tournaments like the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open, it's the turn of the main event: Roland-Garros.

The second Grand Slam of the season is fast approaching, with the best players in the world converging on Paris for a chance to make history. Fans will be expecting big performances from the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek. But they can't all win the main prize. Someone will need to rise above the rest.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 French Open from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the French Open?

The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is a major tennis tournament held over two weeks at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. It's the only Grand Slam tournament held on a clay surface, and is the second of the four annual Grand Slam tournaments.

The current singles champions are Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek.

When is the 2025 French Open?

The 2025 French Open is the 130th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from May 25 to June 8.

How to watch the 2025 French Open for free

It's possible to live stream the 2025 French Open for free on a number of streaming platforms:

• Australia — 9now

• Austria — ServusTV

• France — France TV

These services are geo-restricted, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can stream the 2025 French Open for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 French Open for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia, Austria, or France

4. Connect to 9Now, Servus TV, France TV

5. Watch the 2025 French Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Roland-Garros without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the 2025 French Open before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the French Open?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2025 French Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free on YouTube. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Concacaf Champions Cup semi final between Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL is hanging in the balance. The first leg finished 1-1, so everything is still up for grabs. A place in the final awaits for these talented teams.

If you want to watch Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL?

Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on May 1. This fixture takes place at University Olympic Stadium.

How to watch Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL for free

Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

This free live stream is available in most locations around the world, but not in North or Central America. Fortunately, fans in these excluded territories can still access this free live stream with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK (or somewhere else with access), meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Concacaf Champions Cup from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK (or somewhere else with access)

4. Visit YouTube

5. Live stream Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on YouTube, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Cruz Azul vs. Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Europa League semi finals are here, offering a chance at redemption for Tottenham Hotspur. It has been such a tough season for Spurs, but they could end things on a high by lifting the Europa League. Of course, they've got to get to the final first, with Bodo/Glimt standing in their way.

If you want to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt?

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on May 1. This fixture takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt for free

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Stream Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to ServusTV without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bodo/Glimt for free with ExpressVPN.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Listening to music is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But it's more than that: It's a way of life, too — absolutely intrinsic to leisure, work, travel, and your overall state of mind. It’s little wonder that everyone needs a great pair of headphones. Listening to music is a deeply personal business.

But there's an issue with headphones: The modern world can be a loud place. Who can enjoy their favourite tunes or podcast over the incessant rumble of car engines, the non-stop nattering of coworkers, and the earth-rattling din of that nearby building site? If all that racket sounds ear-achingly familiar, we suggest you invest in some noise-cancelling headphones.

Buying headphones is never simple, though. All the brand names, jargon, and ever-evolving tech create another kind of noise. It can be hard to drown it out and tune into the basic facts. To help cut through it all, we've done the hard work of researching the best noise-cancelling headphones and put together some helpful information.

What is noise cancellation?

Noise cancelling headphones do what they say on the box. They block, dampen, or outright kill external noise so you can fully immerse in your tunes and isolate yourself from the outside world. There are two main kinds on noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation.

• Passive noise cancellation works via the design and build of your headphones. They block out noise through physical features, such as large over-ear cups which create a seal and stop environmental noise leaking in.

• Active noise cancellation — usually referred to as ANC — uses a system of mini microphones that listen to what's happening in the world around you, then invert the noise and send it into the loudspeaker. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. Or just the music you want to listen to.

Keep these in mind when considering your options.

What are the most important headphones features?

There are all kinds features to look out for when buying a set of noise cancelling headphones. These are the ones we think you should know about.

• Adaptive noise cancellation — Noise cancellation that detects a change in the surrounding environment and automatically adapts to give you real-time ANC.

• Battery power — Battery life will vary but most modern headphones will offer around 30 hours or more. Remember than some features, particularly ANC, can drain the battery and cut down the advertised battery life.

• Codecs — A codec is a piece of software that compresses music to transmit digitally and decompresses again at the other end. For best quality wireless sounds, look out for headphones that support high bitrate codecs such as aptX.

• Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. They usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones.

• Transparency mode — This allows you to let ambient sound back in. This is handy for things such as having conversations or listening out for announcements. Some transparency modes are adjustable, so you can choose which external sounds to let in. Most brands have their own name for this — such as "ambient" or "passthrough" modes — but they're all essentially the same thing.

These features are a good place to start when shopping around for your next pair of headphones.

What are the best noise cancelling headphones?

There are lots of brands out there, from the household names — Sony, Bose, Apple — to lesser-known brands that offer surprising quality and features for lower prices. If you’re looking for a headphones bargain, such as a pair of headphones for under £100, it’s worth looking at all the alternatives.

For noise cancelling, the best known brands tend to deliver the very best in ANC technology — as you’ll see from the selection below. Now that you know how it works, here are some of the best noise cancelling headphones out there.

These are the best noise-cancelling headphones in 2025.

Is it time to upgrade your TV? Let us answer that one: Yes it is. TV technology moves so fast now, with new TV models hitting shelves at such a rate that it doesn’t take long for TVs to become outdated. Even brand-new TVs are only top of the range for about a year. They’re soon supplanted by even newer, always improving models.

If you haven't gone 4K already, now's the time. Almost all TVs above a certain price point have a 4K resolution. Even if you already have 4K, the latest models will feature upgraded smart functions and an even sharper picture than whatever you have right now. Not only that, but streaming apps have 4K content. Without a 4K TV, you’ll get left behind in this rapidly-evolving world of high-definition entertainment.

The issue, as always, is price. 4K TVs tend to be more expensive, which can be a problem when you're browsing on a budget. But there are affordable 4Ks out there. You just need to know where to look and which models don't compromise too much tech for the sake of a lower price. If you’re unsure about how to choose an affordable 4K TV, we’ve put together a guide and a selection of the very best options.

What is a 4K TV?

Basically, a 4K TV (sometimes called 4K UHD) is any model with 4K resolution. This means that the TV has 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels, making a total of approximately 8.3 million pixels. Resolution relates to how densely packed the pixels are on the display, so the higher the number of pixels, the higher the resolution.

4K TVs have four times the number of pixels than traditional HD TVs. This results in more vivid and detailed picture quality picture, which is what everyone wants, right? You will tend to find 4K TVs are big-screen models, because to really appreciate the higher picture quality, you do need to watch it on a large TV.

Can you buy cheap 4K TVs?

Not all 4K TVs will cost big bucks. Nowadays, all the top brands have large ranges of 4K TVs on offer, with everything from cheap entry-level models to giant cinema-like screens. The massive models are obviously impressive and mega expensive, but you can invest in 4K technology without breaking the bank.

What is HDR?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) refers to the contrast between the bright whites and darkest blacks. In simple terms, the higher the dynamic range, the more realistic and nuanced the colours. Examples of HDR formats are HDR 10+ and Dolby Vision. 4K TVs will support different kinds of HDR and other image-enhancing tech.

Does Netflix have 4K content?

Yes, indeed — though your subscription with cost a little more for 4K. If your TV is smart enough, it will advise you to upgrade your Netflix account to a 4K subscription. Other streaming platforms that offer 4K programming include Disney Plus and Prime Video. BBC iPlayer offers a limited selection.

What is the best cheap 4K TV?

To help you find the right model without spending big, we have lined up a selection of cheap 4K TVs from top brands. These are the very best budget-friendly options for streaming marathons, gaming, and everything in between.

These are the best cheap 4K TVs in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Like a laptop, notebook, and pen, a decent pair of headphones is a must-have item for any student — they double up as a tool for both leisure and study. Indeed, a good pair of headphones can help you to focus on studying or writing that overdue essay because they block out background noise and distractions. But they also help you unwind from a hard day's studying with an audiobook, movie, or playlist.

We all know that top quality headphones are expensive, but you don’t have to use up your entire loan. There are excellent options available at a great price. And let’s be honest: being broke is synonymous with being a student. Every penny counts.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as just buying the cheapest pair you see on Amazon. In fact, that’s a fast track to buying a pair that will need replacing just a few months down the line. But students have enough studying to do without researching headphones. That's why we've done the hard work for you and pulled together a list of the best options. First off, here's a quick education on headphones.

How much do headphones cost?

This is the key question for anyone — students included — looking to save money where they can. Headphones can easily cost hundreds of pounds. That’s for top end headphones from the likes of Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser.

But — see below — it’s possible to get good headphones for around £100 or less. We have listed headphones at a range of prices. Even if your student loan doesn't stretch that far, the bank of mum and dad might.

What headphone features are important for students?

Headphone specifications can get really hi-tech, especially if you’re spending a lot of cash. But there are some features that will suit the workload and lifestyles of everyday students, such as noise cancellation and multipoint pairing. A long battery life is also important as well as quick and easy pairing to devices.

What is noise cancellation?

This is an increasingly popular feature that helps block out external noise, giving you an immersive listening experience. It works by using mini microphones within the earcups. These microphones detect external sounds and create anti-noise sound waves to cancel out incoming noise. This feature is especially good for students who are studying hard and need to remove all distractions.

What is multipoint pairing?

This is a cool Bluetooth feature that will suit the device-heavy student lifestyle. It allows you to connect your headphones to two or more devices, meaning you can switch to listening from your smartphone to your laptop to tablet without the hassle of having to manually change your Bluetooth settings.

How long do headphone batteries last?

With over-ear headphones, look out for models that last for 30 hours plus. That's pretty standard these days. Expect the battery to run down faster if you use features such as active noise cancellation. Earbuds have a shorter battery life — six hours is respectable — but usually extend the battery life with a portable charging case.

What’s best, over-ear or in-ear headphones?

If good sound is important, you'll want to be sure you buy the right style. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like in-ear buds that drill tunes directly into their head.

Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound and often have beefed-up features and tech capabilities, but if you’re carrying them around on campus, the bulkier design might be less convenient.

Earbuds are more compact and portable and will better suit anyone who’s moving from place to place with a bag full of books and devices. If you spend time between classes working out, earbuds tend be better for fitness, too.

What are the best headphones for students?

That has to be your decision — it’s all down to personal choice and what works for your lifestyle and study needs. But we’ve helped narrow down your choices with this selection of headphones. With these recommendations, you can save your money and spend it on more important things for school — like textbooks, laptops, and, of course, Deliveroo McDonalds for late night study sessions. 

These are the best headphones for students in 2025.