Tech / Technology

Bissell EggoVac giveaway ahead of Black Friday

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Bissell’s EggoVac robot vacuum and mop combo sold out almost instantly after its release a few weeks ago. Luckily, fans have one more chance to get it — and here’s how.
The Bissell EggoVac overlaid on a waffle-themed background and accompanied by a pack of Eggos

Bissell — a beloved vacuum brand — unveiled the EggoVac robot vacuum and mop in collaboration with Eggo on Oct. 25. The robot vacuum sold out twice, but Bissell and Eggo are giving fans one last chance to cop the novelty product. Here’s how you can do just that.


The Bissell EggoVac accompanied by a box of frozen Eggo waffles over a white background

Credit: Bissell


EggoVac robot vacuum and mop

Bissell is giving away five more EggoVacs to lucky customers

Bissell and Eggo teamed up to create the EggoVac robot vacuum and mop — which looks just like a waffle oozing with syrup and butter. The breakfast-themed robovac sold out in hours on release day (and again during a restock a week ago). Fortunately, lovers of waffles and clean floors have one more chance to snag the item.

According to Eggo’s latest Instagram collab post with Bissell, the two companies are extending their generosity by giving away five (!!) free EggoVacs. The EggoVac’s sale price of $150 two weeks ago instead of its usual $549.99 (an over 70% discount!) was already something to throw a party over, but a free EggoVac is a full-fledged, pre-Black Friday miracle. Winners will also get an accompanying $50 Eggo gift card to stock up their freezer with frozen waffles.

All it takes to enter this giveaway is, according to the post, “tag[ging] who should gift [the vac] to you” and including the #EggoVacSweepstakes hashtag in your comment. The contest period ends on Nov. 27 at 11:59 PM (ET).

SEE ALSO:

This week’s best robot vacuum deals include two super cheap 2023 Shark models

The EggoVac Robotic Vacuum and Mop is literally just the Bissell SpinWave R5 robotic vacuum dressed as a waffle with some butter and syrup on it, but we’re kinda here for it. The vac boasts the R5’s 360-degree LiDAR technology, spinning mop pads that thoroughly scrub at floor messes, 140+ minutes of runtime, and carpet avoidance when mopping. Its handy edge brush also picks up dirt or crumbs along baseboards, so you don’t have to worry about chasing the vac around and cleaning up after it.

Executing all of these features while also looking hella cute seems too good to be true — but the EggoVac is real and you have a chance of getting your hands on one very soon. Run don’t walk to the @eggo_us or @bissellclean Instagram accounts to “put your name in the hat.”

Tech / Technology

Best Roomba deal: Score the Roomba Combo j9+ robot vacuum for $999 at Amazon and Best Buy

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Score the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ for just $999, down from $1,399, at Amazon and best Buy as of Nov. 9. That’s a 29% discount.
a roomba combo j9 robot vacuum and mop cleans a wood floor

SAVE $400: Vacuum and mop with the latest iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ for just $999 at Amazon and Best Buy, down from its regular price of $1,399. That’s a 29% discount and the first price drop we’ve seen on this model.


an iRobot Roomba j9+ with its emptying dock and associated app on a white background

Credit: Roomba


iRobot Roomba Combo j9+

$999 at Amazon and Best Buy (save $400)

If cleaning the floors is not your idea of a nice time, Roomba has long been a trusted brand known for deploying robot vacuums to save you the chore. The robot’s tech has become more advanced with each model and the newest one —launched in September — packs some seriously impressive functionality.

As of Nov. 9, you can score the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ for just $999 at Amazon and Best Buy, down from its regular price of $1,399. That’s a savings of $400 and an unexpected and major price drop on Roomba’s latest vacuum.

Mashable’s resident vacuum reviewer Leah Stodart rated the Roomba Combo j9+ as the very best Roomba, combining ideal features from several previous Roomba models. It offers the strongest suction power when it comes to vacuuming and uses Roomba’s best navigational and small-object detection technology. It’s designed to avoid any dangling cords, stray socks, or pet waste. Roomba backs up this claim by offering a Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.) which states the brand will replace the vacuum for free should it run into a pet’s mess.

SEE ALSO:

If you have tile floors, these are the robot vacuum mop hybrids to look for on Black Friday

When it comes to mopping, the Roomba Combo j9+ uses the new SuperScrub technique which pulls the mop back and forth with increased scrubbing power.

The Combo j9+ Clean Base can store up to 60 days of debris and refill liquid for up to 30 days, giving you less to check on and less often.

If you’ve been eyeing the Roomba Combo j9+ that just launched in September, but were turned off by its high price tag, here’s your chance to score the latest and best Roomba for just $999.

Tech / Technology

The best robot vacuum and mop combos in 2023

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These hybrid vacs do more than create a puddle and also won’t soak your carpets. Here are our favorites for mopping from iRobot, Shark, Roborock, Eufy, and Yeedi.
Shark robot vacuum cleaning tile floor near bathtub

Best deals on robot mops this week

Despite the enthusiasm of actors in Swiffer commercials, few people are foaming at the mouth when they think about the prospect of manually mopping their floors. We’ve already got so much on our plate that pulling out a handheld device and then having to drag said handheld device around rightfully earns a collective groan.

It’s as if robot vacuum companies heard our groans from afar and decided to make our lives a little easier, by adding mopping to their menu of offerings. Since 2020-ish, countless companies (the few brands you recognize, plus a ton you don’t) have added at least one hybrid model to their lineup, with prices ranging from $100 to well over $1,000. Price is one thing, but whether the wet mopping feature does much more than create a puddle is a whole other story. Often, you end up getting a mediocre vacuum and a mediocre mop for twice the price — and we know you deserve only the very best.

Fortunately, there are some robot mops that excel at making dry floors gleam. Below, we’re outlining some of the best robot mop combos on the market right now — including detailed explanations of the standout features that set them apart. With Black Friday around the corner, you’ll want to find out which models stand out before you shop.

So put that manual mop back in the closet. It’s 2023, after all, and you need a break.

Tech / Technology

Best early Kohl’s Black Friday deals: Home and kitchen, toys, outdoor, and more

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Kohl’s has dropped some early Black Friday deals during its Black Friday Early Access Event from Nov. 3 through Nov. 9. Black Friday Week at Kohl’s officially begins Sunday, Nov. 19.
Barbie car, SodaStream Terra, Shark vacuum, and Blink camera with colorful background

A glimpse at the best early Kohl’s Black Friday deals:
BEST KITCHEN DEAL

SodaStream Terra sparkling water maker bundle

$59.99
(save $40)

soda stream terra

BEST TOY DEAL

Barbie Fiat 500 Doll and Vehicle

$19.99
(save $20)

barbie fiat 500

BEST VACUUM DEAL

Shark Stratos upright vacuum

$299.99
(save $200)

Shark Stratos vacuum

BEST TECH DEAL

Amazon Blink wired floodlight smart security camera

$49.99
(save $50)

Amazon Blink floodlight camera

Black Friday season is upon us. Retailers started rolling out plans for the annual shopping holiday as early as Oct. 27 (looking at you, Best Buy) and early deals have already begun flooding the online retail space. While Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy immediately come to mind as Cyber Week hotspots for saving money, don’t sleep on underdogs like Kohl’s.

Kohl’s Black Friday plans kicked off on Nov. 3 with its Black Friday Early Access Event, which runs through Nov. 9. During this pre-season sale, early birds can score discounts on gifts like toys and kitchen appliances. Not to mention you can take an extra 15% off qualifying items with the code YOUGET15 and get free shipping on all purchases over $25.

Besides its early Black Friday deals, Kohl’s has a secret weapon that makes it worth spending your money there as opposed to other retailers: Kohl’s Cash. On top of big savings, shoppers can also earn $10 of Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent from Nov. 4 through Nov. 9. You can stockpile that Kohl’s Cash and treat yourself to a little something between Nov. 10 and 16.

If you miss out on the early rush, don’t sweat it. Kohl’s has big plans for the entire Black Friday season, including:

  • Super Saturday events on Nov. 11 and Nov. 18, which will feature the same Kohl’s Cash rewards, plus an extra 20% off qualifying purchases (between Nov. 10 and Nov. 18) and $10 off $25 purchases on Nov. 10 and 11.

  • Black Friday Week from Nov. 19 through Nov. 24, which will feature deals on Amazon Smart Home gadgets, toys, and more, plus an extra 15% off qualifying purchases, $10 in Kohl’s Cash rewards for every $50 spent, and free shipping on orders over $25.

  • Black Friday Super Deals on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24, which includes Beats Studio Buds, Amazon Kindle, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Sky Rider GPS Drones, and more, plus $15 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent.

Below, we’ve compiled a running list of some of the best early Kohl’s Black Friday deals. Be sure to check back in regularly as we update it — Kohl’s has yet to reach its peak shining Black Friday moment.

Early Black Friday kitchen deals


soda stream terra

Credit: SodaStream


Our pick: SodaStream Terra sparkling water maker bundle

$59.99 at Kohl’s (save $40)

Why we like it

A great gift idea for soda lovers or a solid addition to your own kitchen, the SodaStream Terra lets you make fresh sparkling water with the push of a button. It comes with a Quick Connect 60L CO2 cylinder and a 1-liter carbonating bottle for the very low price of $59.99 — that’s $40 off its usual cost and matches the lowest price we’ve seen.

More early Black Friday kitchen deals at Kohl’s

Early Black Friday toy deals


barbie fiat 500

Credit: Mattel


Our pick: Barbie Fiat 500 doll and vehicle

$19.99 at Kohl’s (save $20)

Why we like it

It’s no secret that Barbie is having a moment. If you’re looking for a great gift idea, this Barbie Fiat 500 set comes with a cute pink convertible with working doors and rolling wheels and a Barbie dressed in a lemon-print sundress — all for under 20 bucks. Save $20 for a limited time ahead of Black Friday.

More early Black Friday toy deals at Kohl’s

Early Black Friday vacuum deals


Shark Stratos vacuum

Credit: Shark


Our pick: Shark Stratos upright vacuum

$299.99 (save $200)

Why we like it

At its lowest price since Prime Day, the Shark Stratos is a steal at $299.99. It’s equipped with DuoClean PowerFins HairPro, a self-cleaning brushroll, and odor-neutralizing technology, which all work together to create a powerful cleaning experience — particularly for pet owners. The Stratos is Shark’s most advanced range of vacuums, so it’s no surprise that the regular price tag is pretty steep at nearly $500. But ahead of Black Friday, you can save $200 at Kohl’s and get $60 in Kohl’s Cash.

More early Black Friday vacuum deals at Kohl’s

Early Black Friday tech deals


Amazon Blink floodlight camera

Credit: Amazon


Our pick: Amazon Blink wired floodlight smart security camera

$49.99 at Kohl’s (save $50)

Why we like it

Not only is the Blink wired floodlight security camera on sale for half off, but it’s also matching its lowest price ever. It’s currently sitting at full price on Amazon, so if you’re in the market for a smart and simple security system, snagging this deal at Kohl’s is the way to go. With 2600 lumens of LED lighting, enhanced motion detection, a built-in security siren, and two-way audio through the Blink app, you’ll essentially have another set of eyes outside your home at all times. For what it’s worth, you’ll also score $10 back in Kohl’s Cash with your purchase.

More early Black Friday tech deals at Kohl’s

Tech / Technology

Using Affirm on Amazon: How to buy now, pay later this Black Friday

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This Black Friday, using BNPL tools like Affirm on Amazon help with budgeting…or romanticize overspending.
Amazon logo, Affirm logo, and Amazon package with purple and blue tint

Affirm is the first BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) service to be available directly through Amazon Pay, and shoppers love it. Last year, BNPL orders increased by 85 percent during Cyber Week compared to the week before, while revenue increased 88 percent. And just a few months back, Amazon Prime Day saw a 20% increase in BNPL use from the previous year. With inflation still wreaking havoc, it’s no stretch of the imagination to guess that Affirm use will remain high for Black Friday 2023.

The ability to pay for items in installments can sweeten your Black Friday prospects. But before going BNPL-wild on your Cyber Week haul, there are some factors to consider about Affirm versus other BNPL apps, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using these tools in general.

SEE ALSO:

Amazon will drag out Black Friday and Cyber Monday into 11 days of deals beginning Nov. 17

Why Buy Now, Pay Later is so appealing

Layaway programs were popular with shoppers in the ’90s until they were overtaken by credit cards. But there is a key difference between layaway and BPNL. When you put an item on layaway, it was held for you until you paid it off, at which point you could take it home. With BPNL, you get the goods shipped to you right after you order and then pay off that item in installments.

When combined with Amazon‘s typically lightning-fast shipping and Affirm’s lack of late fees, BPNL can make big purchases feel easier to stomach.

Affirm’s interest rates typically range from 0 to 30% APR based on your credit and on the number of payments you select across three to 48 months. Different plans are available for different purchase amounts, and the minimum purchase amount to use Affirm is $50. Affirm’s APR calculator can help you estimate how much interest you’ll rack up on a certain purchase, which could hit $100 or more if you get a loan for, say, a pricey piece of furniture.

When it’s wise to buy now and pay later

  • For some big purchases, using BNPL services may make sense. Breaking up the cost of big investments like a new MacBook Pro or premium robot vacuum can be easier to manage over time than laying down the whole amount in one go.

  • Using BNPL services on necessities like groceries depends on your habits. Habitually funding little daily expenses (like Starbucks) with an installment app can trigger a domino effect of debt, but may work better if you’re buying something like toilet paper in bulk.

  • When used responsibly, apps like Affirm can also help you work around the timing of your paycheck and monthly costs that require an up-front payment, like rent. Be aware that Affirm’s “soft inquiry” to determine your credit won’t affect your credit score, but the company doesn’t promise not to report your payment history to credit bureaus. To make sure you pay on time, we recommend turning on automatic payments and confirming that your payment method won’t expire over the pay period.

When you shouldn’t buy now and pay later

  • Before purchasing with BPNL, consider whether you’d buy that item if you didn’t have the option to break up the payment.

  • Don’t snag something just to hit Affirm’s $50 minimum.

  • Make a wishlist ahead of time if you have to, and hold yourself accountable. The devil on your shoulder saying “You need this, though” can get louder when something is on sale. Especially during Black Friday, you don’t want to cancel out your savings with a serotonin booster that you didn’t know existed five minutes ago.

  • Impulse purchases may feel less risky at the moment, thanks to tools like Affirm. But they can swiftly feel unnecessary once the Affirm reaper returns for payment month after month. Making a series of small payments can create the harmful illusion that you’re spending less money. While that’s technically accurate (and admittedly blissful) for the first few months, you’ll still be spending the same amount of money by the time you’ve paid out every installment.

Tech / Technology

Best Black Friday robot vacuum deals 2023

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Many of the best robot vacuums will be on sale for Black Friday, and several mopping and self-emptying deals are already live. Get the 2023 Shark Matrix for $199 at Walmart or the Roomba Combo j5+ with obstacle avoidance for $499.99.
Shark robot vacuum and dark, iRobot Roomba, and Roborock robot vacuum, dock, and smartphone on white background with colorful graphics

UPDATE: Nov. 3, 2023, 3:00 a.m. EDT This post has been updated with the best early Black Friday robot vacuum deals including self-emptying robot vacuums, hybrid robot vacuums, and cheap standalone robot vacuums from iRobot, Shark, Roborock, and more.

An overview of the best early Black Friday robot vacuum deals:
Best standalone robot vacuum deal

Shark Matrix RV2300

$199 at Walmart
(save $100.99)

Gray Shark robot vacuum and smartphone with map of home on screen

Best self-emptying robot vacuum deal

Shark Matrix RV2310AE

$299.99 at Amazon
(save $200)

Black Shark robot vacuum with dock and smartphone with home map on screen

Best robot vacuum/mop hybrid deal

iRobot Roomba Combo j5+

$499.99 at iRobot
(save $300)

iRobot Roomba robot vacuum on auto empty dock beside separate water tank

Robot vacuums feel like they’re everywhere and nowhere all at once in the good year of 2023. Shopping holidays have gone hard in this category for years, but you still may not know anyone who actually has one. If you’re wondering if robot vacuums are actually worth it, your best bet is to scope out Black Friday robot vacuum deals to try one yourself, already.

SEE ALSO:

Roomba models, explained: The 2023 guide to deciding which Roomba you should buy

By Black Friday, we mean the entire month of November. Retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy have all already cut the virtual ribbon on their Black Friday sales, so unless you’re waiting for a very specific premium robot vacuum deal (like the Roomba Combo j9+‘s first discount, if that even happens), there’s no real point in waiting until Black Friday — and denying yourself several weeks of one less chore — to buy a robot vacuum.

Below, we’re tracking the robot vacuum deals live ahead of Black Friday. Early deals are organized into three sections — standalone robot vacuums, self-emptying robot vacuums (that don’t mop), and robot vacuum/mop hybrids — and listed in order of price. We’ll update this list with more models as they go on sale ahead of Black Friday.

Early Black Friday standalone robot vacuum deals under $300


Gray Shark robot vacuum and smartphone with map of home on screen

Credit: Shark


Our pick: Shark Matrix RV2300

$199 at Walmart (save $100.99)

Why we like it

The limbo period between Amazon’s second Prime Day of the year and Black Friday is Shark’s time to shine, apparently. For a solid cheap Shark option, skip the outdated $129 Shark ION and opt for one from the newer Matrix line instead. For less than $200, the RV2300 model (without an auto-empty dock) secures LiDAR-powered smart home mapping and virtual boundaries, plus Shark’s Matrix technology, which tackles debris from multiple angles in a crosshatch pattern to grab anything that was missed on the first pass.

Shark itself claims that the Matrix dishes out 50% more suction power than the Roomba i3 — and when the Roomba i3 costs $100 more even on sale, we’d understand if that’s an experiment you’re willing to test.

More robot vacuums on sale for under $300

Early Black Friday self-emptying robot vacuum deals under $500


Black Shark robot vacuum with dock and smartphone with home map on screen

Credit: Shark


Our pick: Shark Matrix RV2310AE

$299.99 at Amazon (save $200)

Why we like it

Shark released several iterations of its flagship robot vacuum in 2023. This chic black and silver RV2310AE model is on sale at Amazon for less than $300 — a 40% price cut and a record-low price (according to camelcamelcamel) by far. Home mapping and virtual boundaries guided by 360-degree LiDAR are present here, plus Shark’s newest claim to fame: its Matrix cleaning technique that vacuums in a crosshatch pattern to grab any debris missed from the first angle.

More self-emptying robot vacuums on sale for under $500

  • Roborock Q5+ — $449.99 $699.99 (save $250 with on-page coupon)

Early Black Friday self-emptying robot vacuum deals under $700


Roomba with flat edge on auto empty dock and smartphone with green iRobot logo screen

Credit: iRobot


Our pick: iRobot Roomba s9+

$599.99 at iRobot (save $400)

Why we like it

The s9+ hasn’t been the latest or greatest Roomba since iRobot started rolling out its j Series robot vacs in 2021. But it should still be a serious contender if you have pets or lots of thick carpeting in your home — especially when on sale for $599.99, which is just $100 away from the $499.99 it hit during Prime Big Deal Days. For reference, the only Roombas with stronger suction power than the s9+ are the j9+ and Combo j9+, which go for $899.99 and $1,399.99, respectively.

More self-emptying robot vacuums on sale for under $700

Early Black Friday robot vacuum/mop hybrid deals


iRobot Roomba robot vacuum on auto empty dock beside separate water tank

Credit: iRobot


Our pick: iRobot Roomba Combo j5+

$499.99 at iRobot (save $300)

Why we like it

iRobot has also started pushing out Black Friday deals, but more quietly than the big retailers. One discount flying under the radar that needs to be called out is on the Roomba Combo j5+, which is one of five new Roombas just launched in September. At nearly 40% off, the Roomba Combo j5+ is sitting at $499.99 — the same sale price that the less-fancy Roomba Combo i5+ is currently seeing.

Both models mop and require you to be home to manually click the water tank on, and both can map your home and avoid (or tackle) carpeted rooms on command. But there’s one huge difference between the Combo i5 and Combo j5: The j5 Series are the cheapest Roombas that use iRobot’s obstacle avoidance tech to avoid eating phone chargers or smearing pet waste if the vacuum finds an accident before you do. This capability, which we first experienced when testing the Combo j7+, is an absolute game changer if your previous gripe with robot vacuums was that you had to clean up before sending them out to clean.

More robot vacuum/mop hybrids on sale