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In another world, pressing play on a “heal overnight manifestation” video or taking a nice hot bath would be enough to relieve our tech necks and tense muscles. Instead, we usually need real, everyday support.

At the Filter, we’ve tested a lot of gadgets to soothe our own achy bodies: eight seat cushions, 18 massage guns and countless products for sleep aid. Below we’ve selected six practical items from our coverage that may help ease your aches and pains.

I like the UE Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker so much that I bought two of them, though I wish I could have paid less for them. Fortunately, you can stock up on the cheap, so long as you like the color blue. The Wonderboom 4 is available in blue at Amazon for $51.49, and at Walmart and Best Buy for $51.99 ($28 off its regular price). That’s the lowest price we’ve seen yet for the waterproof speaker, with most of the other color options selling at a slightly higher (but still discounted) $69.99.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

The Wonderboom 4 might feature a compact design, but it still delivers big sound for its diminutive size. It also carries an IP67 rating, meaning it’s both water- and dust-resistant (it can even float if you need it to).

Where to Buy:

• $79.99 $51.49 at Amazon
• $79.99 $51.99 at Walmart
• $79.99 $51.99 at Best Buy

Despite the Wonderboom 4’s compact size, the speaker sounds great, and is IP67-rated, meaning it can survive being submerged in water for a while. Although, its floatable design means that it’ll quickly return to the surface so you can put it back on dry land (it’s not meant to be listened to while in the water). If you have two of them, like me, they can be wirelessly paired together for stereo sound. With up to 14 hours of battery life per charge, the speaker will likely outlast your long summer outings. 

Other deals to consider

• Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to Team Cherry’s 2017 metroidvania,  is discounted for the first time on the Nintendo eShop, bringing the price for the Switch and Switch 2 digital versions down to just $15.99 ($4 off). The difficult sequel pits players against relentless bosses and demanding platforming sections, and is great for anyone who loves a challenging side-scroller. Read our review.
• This MAG 272QP 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED gaming monitor from MSI is marked down to $339.99 ($60 off) for Costco members, its lowest price yet. It’s selling for around $400 at other retailers, so this is a good deal even if you have to get a Costco membership to snag. The monitor features a fast 240Hz refresh rate, plus FreeSync Premium and G-Sync support to keep the image looking smooth even if the frame rate fluctuates. In terms of ports, it offers two HDMI 2.1 inputs and one DisplayPort 1.4 port, plus a USB-C connection for DP Alt Mode, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The monitor includes a three-year warranty that also covers OLED burn-in.
• Fractal Design may be best known for PC components, but the case maker’s Scape wireless gaming headset surprised us with excellent sound and a sleek, refined aesthetic. They’re marked down to $169.99 ($30 off) at Amazon for Prime members, available in both silver or black finishes, with an included inductive charging dock. In addition to working with PC, we also got it working on a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 with its included USB audio transmitter. Read our review.

A glass screen protector is one of a few essential accessories that I strongly recommend to every Switch 2 owner. In fact, it should be a priority to stick one onto the console’s screen as soon as possible to avoid accidental scratches. 

To test the candidates below, I installed and removed Switch 2 screen protectors on my console at an alarming rate, more than any sane person should, and here are the most important takeaways:

• Do not buy a flimsy plastic screen protector. They are a waste of money and won’t protect your Switch 2 enough.
• It’s impossible to tell different brands’ protectors apart once they’re on your screen; product packaging and the installation process are the biggest differences (as well as the key factors that increase cost).
• Some protectors are glossy and some are anti-reflective, each with its own tradeoffs. For my money, glossy is the way to go. The matte finish looks good, but it reduces the screen’s vivid quality and its viewing angles.

Of the options below, it’s easiest to recommend amFilm’s three-pack of glossy screen protectors. Not only is the pack affordable ($9.99 from Amazon), but the tray also allows for perfect alignment of the glass protector for easy, bubble-free installation. I’ve used this company’s screen protectors on various gadgets for years, and I particularly like its glossy option over the matte finish, since it lets the Switch 2’s screen fully shine through.

amFilm three-pack of glossy screen protectors

My go-to screen protector brand for years has been amFilm. Three glossy tempered glass sheets come in the box, and the tools make installation fairly simple. JSAUX’s model is just as good based on my testing, and just as affordable.

Where to Buy:

• $9.99 at Amazon

AmFilm OneTouch screen protectors (two-pack)

In keeping up with some brands that offer faster installations, amFilm offers a two-pack of glossy protectors that includes a “OneTouch” tray. Remove the protector’s bottom film, attach the tray to your device, and then press gently on the protector until it’s fully applied.

Where to Buy:

• $8.99 at Amazon

Dbrand Prism 2.0 two-pack of glossy screen protectors

Dbrand’s Prism 2.0 includes two glass protectors for the Switch 2, each nestled into plastic cases that fit perfectly around the edges of the console (with the Joy-Con 2 removed). $34.99 is expensive for two protectors, but if simplicity and elegant packaging trump value, then this is a good option.

Where to Buy:

• $34.95 at Best Buy
• $34.95 at Dbrand

Genki Aegis Shield two-pack of glossy screen protectors

Genki offers a cheaper alternative to Dbrand with the Aegis Shield. It includes two protectors, and the installation process is nearly identical: just align the plastic frame with the console, pull the tab, and run your finger across the exposed section of the frame. Spigen makes a similar product that costs $24.99 for a two-pack.

Where to Buy:

• $19.99 $15.99 at Amazon
• $19.99 at Genki

amFilm two-pack of matte screen protectors

Let’s start with one of the most affordable options if you want to go the matte-textured route. AmFilm sells a two-pack of protectors at Amazon for $8.99. The set includes a plastic frame that serves as a guide to align the protector just right. JSAUX makes a similar product that’s the same price.

Where to Buy:

• $9.99 at Amazon

amFilm OneTouch two-pack of matte screen protectors

AmFilm also sells a two-pack with a OneTouch frame for easier installation. Again, keep in mind that opting for matte over glossy will reduce glare, but at the cost of viewing angles as well as the full vivid quality of the Switch 2’s screen. That’ll be an acceptable tradeoff for some, but not all people.

Where to Buy:

• $12.99 at Amazon

Update, June 2nd: Adjusted prices as needed.

If you’re looking for a way to add a personal touch to Father’s Day or graduation gifts, the Cricut Joy 2 can help you customize everything from water bottles and bookmarks to greeting cards and gift cards. The Cricut Joy 2 Rainbow Essential Bundle includes enough vinyl, cardstock, iron-on materials, and other supplies to create up to 75 projects, and it’s currently down to a new low of $119.99 ($50 off) at Amazon.

Cricut Joy 2

Where to Buy:

• $169.99 $119.99 at Amazon (Rainbow Essentials Bundle)

As somebody who had never used a cutting machine before, I found the Cricut Joy 2 relatively easy to get started with. The bundle includes a 30-day Cricut Access trial that helps by giving you access to hundreds of additional templates, images, and fonts while you’re figuring things out. Setup is simple, and while the Design Space software takes some getting used to, I found it much easier to navigate after a few days of tinkering around with different projects and watching tutorials from Cricut’s community.

What’s especially cool about the Joy 2 is that it brings Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature to the company’s entry-level machine, allowing you to print full-color designs on your home printer and then have the Joy 2 cut them out for you. While it’s great for creating personalized gifts, I’ve also used it to make bullet journal templates and cabinet labels, making it feel just as practical as it is fun. The bundle also includes iron-on materials for customizing T-shirts, tote bags, and other fabric items. Unlike the Ultimate Bundle I tested, though, the Rainbow Essential Bundle doesn’t include a heat press, so you’ll need to buy your own. It’s also small enough to leave on a desk or tuck away when you’re not using it, which is a nice perk if you’re already as short on storage as I am.

Read our hands-on impressions of the Cricut Joy 2. 

After expanding its offerings to video with the CS-8 inspired by Kodak and Canon's retro Super 8mm film cameras, Camp Snap is returning to its roots. The Camp Snap 2 is a sequel to the company's first screenless digital point-and-shoot camera that updates the original with a slimmer design, faster performance, filters available right out of the box, and new features making it easier for kids to use.

The Camp Snap 2 is available starting today through the company's online store for $69.95, which is the same price as the original. Color options being carried forward include stealth black, chestnut brown, arctic white, forest green, and sunbea …

Read the full story at The Verge.

When Lego announced its tech-packed Smart Bricks at CES, we were impressed by the potential - enough to give it our Best in Show award. But when the first Star Wars sets actually launched in March, we were less enamored. All that promise of clever interaction and creative play ultimately boiled down to a few voice barks and flashing lights, with the smartest features we'd seen at CES nowhere to be found.

Today, Lego announced the second generation, with 12 new sets launching this summer, promising Pokémon play and some of the smarts we'd been missing. After a few hours training and battling with the new sets this morning, it's clear the Sm …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Amazon bucked its usual tradition of having Prime Day in July. Prime Day 2026 is happening in June, kicking off in just a few weeks. Prime members will get access to many deals starting June 23rd at 3:01AM ET through June 27th at 3:01AM ET.

As with Amazon’s previous events, you don’t need to be a Prime member to buy products during Prime Day, but there will likely be member-exclusive sales. Moreover, you’ll get fast shipping on purchases, access to Prime Video, plus other member benefits (like a few $5 pizzas and early access tickets to the new Spider-Man movie).

The company has launched some early deals on its own tech products, including eero, Kindle, Echo, and other gadgets. We anticipate a lot more early deals to come over the next couple weeks leading into the event, and we’ll be sharing the best ones with you soon. We’ll also be highlighting deals happening at competing retailers, like Best Buy, Walmart, and more.

An easy way to keep up with the latest deals you shouldn’t miss is by visiting The Verge, of course. We have some other free, convenient methods for those who prefer to catch up over email. Our Verge Shopping dispatch launches a few times each week, and serves as a roundup for good deals, as well as recent reviews and guides. You can sign up below. We’re also debuting Verge Shopping Deal Alerts, a newsletter that contains a deal we think is too good to miss (and might be sold out before you know it). It’s like breaking news, but for deals.

It’s going to be a busy month full of deals (and developer conferences), so stay tuned for more.