• Meghan Markle has a banana pudding recipe named after her daughter, Princess Lilibet.
• It features a twist on the Southern dessert with macerated strawberries and crumbled vanilla wafers.
• The dessert is delicious and beautiful. I think it's perfect for Mother's Day.

What does a weekend living like Meghan Markle look like?

There were endless flowers — in the bouquets, in ice cubes, on top of avocado toast — and lots of chopping for her beloved crudité platter and a surprisingly labor-intensive spring pasta salad.

But my favorite part of the weekend was whipping up Meghan's recipe for Chantilly Lili, a light and beautiful dessert that seems made for Mother's Day.

Here's how to make it.

Meghan Markle named the Chantilly Lili dessert after her daughter, Princess Lilibet.

The recipe, shared on The New York Times, is inspired by a banana pudding that Meghan's grandmother used to make.

"Grandma Jeanette would have used instant," Meghan told the Times as she whipped up the homemade vanilla pudding for the base. "But she would have loved this."

Meghan puts her own spin on the classic Southern dessert, including macerating the strawberries with lemon zest and juice and using finely-crushed vanilla wafers instead of whole cookies.

"I know some people will be upset that I took out the wafers, but I like them crumbled on top," she added.

Meghan's recipe features homemade pudding and Chantilly cream, plus a banana and strawberries.

To make the homemade vanilla pudding, which serves six, you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 2 cups of whole milk
• ⅓ cup of sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon of cold, unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste or extract
• ¼ teaspoon of fine salt

To make the Chantilly cream, you'll need:

• ¾ cup of heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla paste or extract

For the assembly, you'll need:

• 8 ounces of strawberries, sliced
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 lemon
• 1 ripe banana
• 4 vanilla wafers, finely crushed
• 6 mint leaves, for garnish

I made the vanilla pudding the day before I planned to serve Meghan's dessert.

The pudding needs to chill for at least two hours, but you can keep it in the fridge for up to two days before serving. I let mine sit overnight.

Per the recipe, I began by adding the cornstarch and ¼ cup of whole milk into a small bowl. I whisked my ingredients together until the mixture was smooth.

I added the sugar, yolks, and remaining milk in a saucepan, then threw in the cornstarch mixture.

I separated the eggs over a bowl, throwing the yolks into the saucepan before adding the sugar and 1 ¾ cups of milk.

I whisked the cornstarch mixture again, then whisked it into the saucepan.

I set my saucepan over medium heat, continuously whisking it while waiting for the pudding to thicken.

Meghan says this step will take about five to seven minutes. You'll know it's ready when the pudding starts to bubble.

My pudding began to bubble at the five-minute mark.

I allowed the pudding to boil gently while whisking for another two minutes.

After two more minutes of whisking, I transferred the mixture to a bowl and added the remaining ingredients.

I whisked in the butter, vanilla, and salt, continuing to mix until the butter had melted.

Then, I covered my pudding and placed it in the fridge to chill overnight.

Meghan's recipe recommends pressing plastic wrap directly against the surface of the pudding while you allow it to chill.

The following day, I prepared my strawberries about half an hour before serving.

I sliced all my strawberries and threw them into a bowl with the tablespoon of sugar, gently stirring them together.

I zested half a lemon over the strawberries and squeezed some of its juice on top.

The recipe specifies using a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, but I just eyeballed it.

After mixing everything together, Meghan recommends tasting the strawberries to see if they need more sugar. I added a sprinkle more for extra sweetness and set the bowl to the side for 30 minutes.

This process, known as maceration, allows the strawberries to soften and sweeten — just make sure to keep them at room temperature.

Then I began making the Chantilly cream.

I added the heavy cream to a bowl and whisked until soft peaks formed. Meghan says you can do this by hand or with an electric mixer. I opted for the latter.

I added the sugar and vanilla once I saw the soft peaks, then kept whisking until medium peaks formed in the whipped cream.

I took my chilled pudding out of the fridge and whisked it until the texture was smooth and airy.

It was time to assemble!

I added a spoonful of pudding into each of my six serving glasses.

I used an ice cream scoop for this step, making sure to spread the pudding so the bottom of each glass was covered.

I cut my banana into thin slices and equally distributed the pieces across my serving glasses.

Then, I added a spoonful of pudding on top, creating a new layer in each glass.

I placed some of the macerated strawberries on top of the new pudding layer, making sure not to include the leftover juices.

The recipe says you should use about two-thirds of the strawberries for this step.

I covered the strawberries with my remaining pudding, then added the fresh Chantilly cream.

I topped each serving cup with the remaining strawberries, sprinkled on some crumbs from my vanilla wafers, and added a mint leaf for garnish.

Meghan's dessert has a beautiful presentation.

The bright bursts of color from the strawberries and mint garnish give the dessert a cheerful feel, and the overall presentation is quite elegant.

It's a dessert that would fit right in at a fancy brunch, but doesn't require expensive ingredients.

I would make Meghan's Chantilly Lili again, especially for Mother's Day.

These lovely little cups are so delicious. The vanilla pudding is light and airy, with just the right amount of sweetness, and the macerated strawberries give a pop of zing to add depth and interest.

I ended up topping mine with more cookie crumbs and might try this again with a few whole wafers for extra crunch, but overall, I was really impressed with Meghan's dessert.

If you're looking for a recipe that will make your mom feel special on Mother's Day, Meghan's Chantilly Lili definitely takes the cake — or should I say pudding.

• Ukraine's allies are interested in its weaponry, tactics, and how its industry innovates so fast.
• Much of that was developed as Ukraine didn't get the Western weapons it wanted.
• If it had, it wouldn't have needed to develop its own gear "quite so urgently," one analyst said.

Ukraine, once hugely reliant on Western support and expected to lose quickly to Russia's invasion, is now pioneering new types of weaponry and building expertise in new ways of warfare that have its partners' interest.

From the start of the war to now, Ukraine has shifted from the underdog to a center of expertise that partner nations are increasingly eager to work with for their own defensive needs.

The irony, warfare experts say, is that Ukraine might never have been in this position if it had received the weaponry it wanted from its Western partners. It was that lack of critical capability that drove it to innovate and create new weaponry on a shoestring budget.

"The coalition backing Ukraine has triggered this process by being hesitant in how much support they were providing to Ukraine," Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House's Russia and Eurasia Program, told Business Insider.

Ukraine has requested many Western weapons throughout Russia's war, including long-range missiles, tanks, and fighter jets. Many of these requests were denied, delayed after lengthy debates, approved in too-small numbers, or restricted in how they could be used. Partners sent billions of dollars in aid, but deliveries were often slow, and support — especially from the US — has fluctuated.

Although it continued making its requests, Ukraine also looked inward and sought to domestically produce as much of the weaponry it needed as possible, from drones to air defense, to reduce reliance on partner nations whose support could be affected by strained stockpiles or political shifts.

"If they'd got more equipment of what they wanted, they wouldn't have been driven to develop their own stuff quite so urgently," Michael Clarke, a former UK security advisor and current defense analyst, told Business Insider.

Ukraine was pushed to make new weapons

Chief among Ukraine's necessity-driven innovations is its uncrewed systems technology.

Ukraine has used drones at a scale and intensity unmatched by its Western partners, helping drive a surge of investment in the technology across NATO. Some Western officials now see drones, from loitering munitions to small first-person-view drones, as central to future warfare and as a technology that has fundamentally reshaped combat.

Ukraine's initial turn to inexpensive attack drones as a front-line combat tool was sparked by shortages of artillery and other necessary firepower, and the country leaned into long-range drones for deep strikes into Russia, strikes against airbases, oil facilities, and military stores, as partners withheld missiles or put restrictions on their use.

Ukraine developed interceptor drones to stop one-way attack drones for a fraction of what traditional air defense missiles cost. The country, which has been constantly struggling with air defense shortages, developed these capabilities to fill the gap without blowing its limited budget.

"Because air defense munitions were in such critical short supply throughout the whole of the war," Giles said, "Ukraine had to develop its own techniques for dealing with this new aspect of warfare."

The Ukrainian military also has a growing fleet of ground robots that can attack positions and evacuate wounded soldiers, technology that was developed in part to offset shortages of armored vehicles. Ukraine received tanks and other armored systems from partners, but often not in large enough numbers to deploy effectively. Western militaries are now increasingly interested in the technology.

The robots are not as capable as tanks and armored personnel carriers, but they are significantly cheaper and easier to quickly turn out in large volumes.

There's a similar dynamic with naval drones, which Ukraine has developed and used to destroy Russian warships, and other nations are now eyeing them as asymmetric combat options.

Ukraine has lessons for the West

Some of Ukraine's innovations aren't direct replacements for Western systems but products of a battlefield where Ukraine lacked the weapons to fight the way NATO militaries do.

Its heavy reliance on drones stemmed from shortages of traditional firepower. Western allies aren't looking to fully replicate Ukraine's model, but they are studying the tactics and technologies it developed out of necessity and incorporating some of those lessons into their own training and planning.

Ukraine still wants and needs Western combat equipment, particularly fighter jets and large air defense systems, but Kyiv is no longer solely a recipient of security assistance, having built experience and systems with value beyond its war.

Looking back, Ukrainian forces likely still "would've wanted all the equipment they asked for to start with," which would have put it in a stronger position earlier in the war, Clarke said.

Challenges with partner nation support hamstrung Ukrainian operations and came at a cost of land and lives, but they also built the defense industrial powerhouse Ukraine manages today. The choice was in many ways existential: adapt or fall.

Former Australian Army Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan, now a warfare strategist, told Business Insider that while Ukraine might have done its own defense development even if it had gotten the weapons it wanted, "a lot of these innovations may not have happened" otherwise.

And now the West wants to learn from how Ukraine, not just weapons and tactics, but also how it's making new weapons, often much faster and much cheaper than Western countries. Iterative innovation moves much faster, and the update and upgrade processes are notably swifter.

NATO officials have highlighted how quickly Ukrainian companies can innovate and bring updates to soldiers and said the alliance needs to learn from Ukraine.

Some countries are working directly with Ukraine on this, with some even partnering with Ukrainian companies to have them manufacture on their soil, so that their own manufacturers can learn from how Ukrainian companies operate.

Partner nations are also using Ukrainian soldiers to inform their training and defense preparations.

Ukraine still needs Western support, but it's increasingly after funding, rather than weapons.

"They know they'll always be dependent on the West," Clarke said, "but they're hoping that they can be dependent on the West for cash and loans rather than for military technology."

• Daycare waitlists are long, and it's also expensive.
• My mom and mother-in-law help with childcare a couple of times a week.
• I'm grateful for their help and that my daughter gets time with them, but our system isn't perfect.

One of the first things I did when I got pregnant with my daughter was put her on every daycare waitlist I could find.

Daycares in Vancouver are extremely competitive — many have waitlists of a couple of years, and some have waitlists of four years or more. And if you do manage to get a spot, it can be very expensive, since only a few daycares receive government subsidies.

So my husband and I crossed our fingers as we put ourselves on waitlists, but we knew we'd need a backup childcare plan.

I work for myself and from home, so my working hours are very flexible. But I still need time away from our now 15-month-old to actually get my work done. Thankfully, our moms came to the rescue.

My mom and my mother-in-law help with childcare one morning a week

On Wednesday mornings, my mother-in-law picks up our daughter and takes her to the local community center, where there is drop-in playtime. They spend the morning there, go for a walk if the weather is nice, and then come home to meet me for lunch.

My mom does the same thing on Friday mornings, sometimes stopping at the playground on the way back home. Both grandmothers are responsible for snacktime and diaper changes.

During these mornings, I head out to a coffee shop to get an hour or two of work in. I sneak in a dog walk and sometimes do household tasks that are harder with a toddler running around, like unloading the dishwasher or meal prep.

When I don't have childcare help, I'm in full-time mom mode

In the afternoons and on mornings when my mom and mother-in-law aren't with us, I'm solely responsible for childcare. Any work I need to do has to wait.

I'll head out with my daughter to the community center or library, sometimes running errands on the way. We'll come home for lunch, and in the afternoon, we'll walk the dog together with a stop at the playground.

My only time to do work is while she's napping. This gives me about 90 minutes to do as much work as I can, though I often use part of that time for other important things, like taking a shower.

I love our system, but there are things I wish I could change

I'm so grateful to my mom and mother-in-law for helping us out with childcare. And they do it for free, which we really appreciate!

Having a few hours to get my work done without interruption is so valuable. I feel so much more energized coming back to my daughter when I've had a few hours to focus on non-childcare tasks.

I also love that our daughter gets some one-on-one time with her grandmothers. It's been really special to watch them bond and see the photos and videos they take of their time together.

Of course, there have been some hiccups. There was a bit of a learning curve to teach our moms how we do things. And I feel pressure to have our house in order when they arrive.

There are some weeks coming up when our moms aren't available to help or need to switch their childcare days. While it's not common that something like that happens, it's different from the consistent schedule we would have with a daycare.

I still wish we had more childcare support. Having two to three hours of childcare twice a week isn't enough time for me to get all of my work done. When my husband is off work, he encourages me to take some time for myself, though it still feels like the to-do list is endless.

But until we're able to bring in more support, I'm happy with our childcare system. I appreciate our moms so much for helping us out. And as much as I wish I had more time to work, I love that I have the flexibility to spend so much time with my daughter.

I know we're so lucky to have free childcare, even if it's limited. One of the best parts of not getting a daycare spot is all of this extra bonding time between my daughter and her grandmothers.

• Whirlpool stock tumbled 12% on Thursday after cutting full-year profit guidance in half.
• The appliance-maker's CEO blamed the Iran war for tanking consumer sentiment, among other factors.
• Whirlpool shares are now at a 15-year low as the company gets hit by multiple macro headwinds.

When Whirlpool CEO Marc Bitzer said on a Thursday earnings call that his company was hampered by an "almost perfect storm" of headwinds in the first quarter, he might as well have been talking about the last half-decade.

With shares down 81% over the past five years, Whirlpool is an example of an old-economy manufacturer that's struggled in the AI age.

The company's latest hiccup came in the form of dismal earnings. It more than halved its profit outlook for the year, missed net sales forecasts for last quarter, and suspended its dividend.

The resulting 12% drop in Whirlpool shares took them to their lowest level since 2011.

Whirlpool is in a unique spot. It's been stuck in a sort of inverse-Forrest-Gump situation, where — instead of benefiting from every circumstance — it's somehow adversely impacted by every major macro force it comes across.

Let's unpack some key examples:

The Iran war

While many CEOs this earnings season made a point to highlight how insulated their companies were from the war, Bitzer did the opposite.

He blamed the conflict for an erosion in consumer sentiment to record lows — and even put the chart in his analyst presentation. Combined with winter storms, Bitzer said the company saw "recession-level industry contractions."

As an extension of this, Bitzer also cited a 7.4% decline in US-appliance-industry demand in the first quarter, with March down 10%.

A historically tight housing market

Home prices and mortgage rates have stayed stubbornly high. Inventory has been low. People who normally might sell their homes are essentially locked in place by the conditions.

All of this has combined to reduce the number of transactions in recent years. Fewer homes sold means fewer people that need new appliances from sellers like Whirlpool.

What's more, the consumers that have bought products from Whirlpool have shied away from the more profitable high-end models. Once again a conservative consumer comes into play.

Tariffs

This is where it really starts to get uncanny. For the most part, big US-based companies don't want tariffs. They do enough business overseas that it's an impediment.

Whirlpool is the opposite. It makes 80% of its products for the US market. The 25% tariff that Trump wanted to put on imported appliances was going to be a big win for the company.

When the Supreme Court ruled to invalidate Trump's emergency tariffs, those hopes of domestic dominance were dashed.

More specific to the appliance industry, Bitzer complained on the earnings call about "irrational industry pricing," referring to what he viewed as competitors keeping prices too low. He did say, however, that Whirlpool has been raising prices, and that other appliance companies have too.

And then there's the matter of AI. Unlike AI software tools, AI-enabled appliances haven't yet become must-have products for most consumers. That's contributing to softer demand for Whirlpool's higher-end offerings.

Whirlpool could really use a win. But the source of that win is anyone's guess at this point. The situation shows how difficult the past several years have been for some companies outside the AI trade.

• Goldman has rolled out AI tools to its 12,000 engineers, who have adopted them in their workflows.
• Marco Argenti, Goldman's top tech exec, spoke with BI about gauging engineers' productivity with AI.
• The CIO says AI allows engineers to "3D print" software and generate prototypes in real time.

As corporate America races to measure how employees are using AI, Goldman Sachs is taking a different path.

Many firms have taken to tracking individuals. At JPMorgan, the firm monitors dashboards displaying tens of thousands of users' AI-related activities, letting employees compare themselves with their peers. At Meta, the social media giant is installing software on US employees' computers to track keystrokes and mouse movements in order to train its AI, Business Insider reported last month.

At Goldman Sachs, Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti is focusing on evaluating teams' velocity with AI tools rather than zeroing in on the metrics of individual users, which he says can result in "missing the forest for the trees."

Argenti, who oversees roughly 12,000 engineers, is steering the firm through a rapid shift as AI reshapes how developers create software. He's focused on how quickly Goldman's engineers move from idea to production, and whether their output is actually improving how long it takes to go from an innovative idea to a product that's ready for rollout.

While Goldman can access data on individuals' use of tools, including its AI products, the firm is more focused on taking a cross-team view to speed up project timelines, perform quality control assessments, and track AI token consumption for budgeting. The bank hasn't built tracking dashboards to enforce AI usage for developers to actively compare their adoption rates to their colleagues.

I sat down with Argenti to discuss how Goldman is defining success for developers in the AI age, and why he says individual monitoring of developers' activities risks missing the point.

Here is our conversation, edited for length and clarity.

There's a debate over whether to track or not. As a manager, what's your take? Is there one road that's more effective than the other in promoting AI adoption?

Given that work is generally done by teams — and now teams that are hybrid agents and humans — we tend to look at team metrics. Mostly, it's the velocity at which they develop a feature.

We look at flow — how long it takes to go from idea to production. You know it because you see that a team has a certain backlog, and all of a sudden it starts burning down the backlog.

Tell me the rationale behind why you say it's more effective to look at things on a team level rather than a personal basis. 

If you look at the individual, you are really missing the forest for the trees. It would be like looking at only one player on the field.

Fine, this player is doing more movements, but why am I not scoring more goals? Well, because they need to pass the ball.

What's the right way to go about analyzing how productive AI is making your engineers?

Measuring developer productivity, as you know, has been something that companies have been chasing forever. And there is no single magic metric, because some companies say, "How many lines of code?" but that's not really a great way to do it. At the end of the day, what constitutes useful output is not necessarily the number of lines of code.

Say you get into a fitness training program. It's probably more effective to see the change in some of your vitals rather than look at numbers in isolation. If you're starting to see your cholesterol going down or your sugars go to a better level relative to where you were, then maybe that's an indicator that you're on the right path.

Another big topic on everyone's mind is the soaring costs of tokens. How do you measure whether your spending is creating demonstrable results?

If you have a lot of token usage and output doesn't move, then at that point, it probably means that you're still in the experimentation phase. We identified a threshold — below it there was no change in the output metrics, but once we surpassed that threshold, productivity started moving.

Upon investigation, that showed us people were going back and forth with the AI on the planning itself — using tokens to create implementation plans and business requirement documents before getting into coding. That preparatory work does not immediately yield coding output, because it happens before developers start writing code.

So you see acceleration in token usage, but no immediate change in output. Once the plan is created, the agent starts to build code, and then you see both further increases in token consumption and results in the form of coding output.

How do your engineers feel about AI's utility in speeding up how quickly they complete tasks?

We've passed a critical mass where excitement has overtaken fear.

I actually just came out of a bit of a showcase — an innovation type of meeting that we do. The dominant sentiment is really a sense of empowerment. People feel almost liberated. A few weeks or months ago, of course, there was a real bit of skepticism and fear, but I correlate that to people that were not really using it.

How does that speed change the way they present work to you? Are you seeing a shift away from "PowerPoint culture" toward something more hands-on?

They come in with a very concrete problem they solved. They go into prototypes of new products almost immediately — sometimes before fully formalizing the idea. Today, you have almost real-time prototyping. Even during a meeting, you talk to them and they can change it in front of your eyes.

In the old days, they would have come in with a PowerPoint or a six-pager and I'd have to imagine it. Today, I saw an actual product. I can literally say, "How about this?" and in the meeting, they can make changes. There's zero time between idea and prototype. You kind of "3D print" software.

• Jennifer and Paul Tessmer-Tuck started buying real estate in 2020 to supplement their income.
• They found success with midterm rentals, appealing to traveling healthcare workers.
• Midterm rentals can yield higher income than long-term leases, yet are easier than short-term options.

Jennifer Tessmer-Tuck got into real estate in 2020 after a pandemic-era pay cut prompted her to seek another income source. The Minnesota-based OB-GYN started with what she already knew: buying a single-family home, the same kind of property she and her husband, Paul, had bought as homeowners.

Over the last five years, the Minnesota-based couple has grown that first investment into a 16-property portfolio, which Business Insider verified by reviewing closing documents. Along the way, they stumbled on a profitable niche: furnished mid-term rentals.

The idea came about when one of the first multifamily properties they acquired — a duplex — wasn't performing as expected. Their plan was to clean it up, raise the rent, and lease it quickly. Instead, "it kind of sat there for a while," Tessmer-Tuck told Business Insider.

Eventually, they rented out one side. For the other, she decided to try something different: furnishing it, renting it by the room, and targeting traveling professionals.

At the time, in the wake of the pandemic, there was strong demand from healthcare workers looking for furnished housing.

The property had previously brought in about $1,800 per side in traditional rentals. After the switch, the furnished side generated roughly $3,900 to $4,000 a month, with the three rooms renting for $1,200 to $1,400 each.

Why midterm rentals are "the best of both worlds"

During the height of the pandemic, many travel nurses received housing stipends, making premium rents easier to afford. While many of those contracts started at about 13 weeks, the stays often lasted much longer.

"We ended up having people who stayed with us for like 9 to 15 months," she said.

Tessmer-Tuck likes midterm rentals for several reasons. For one, they generate more income than long-term rentals. She said her furnished rentals now cash-flow about 1.5 to 2 times as much as her unfurnished properties. While they may not be as profitable as short-term stays, they're less hands-on and don't come with the constant churn or guest expectations of a vacation rental.

"We found that the midterm tenants were way easier than the short-term tenants," she said. Those guests often expected something closer to a hotel experience, while midterm tenants tended to be more flexible and appreciative.

"It's kind of the best of both worlds, long term and short term," she said, "because you get a bump in rent compared to long term, but you still get a nice relationship and ease of caring for the tenant that you don't get with the short term."

She also found that the tenants drawn to midterm rentals were often the kind of renters she wanted: professionals temporarily relocating for work, retirees, and people who already owned homes elsewhere and needed furnished housing for a few months.

How she finds tenants and furnishes rentals on a budget

To fill units, Tessmer-Tuck initially relied on Furnished Finder, a platform that initially catered largely to travel nurses and other medical professionals. That audience has since broadened, she said, to include remote workers, retirees, and seasonal travelers. She also gets some leads through Airbnb and Vrbo, as well as word of mouth.

Her strategy for furnishing rentals has evolved, too. At first, she thought she'd have to buy everything new, which quickly added up. Then she started looking on Facebook Marketplace and found gems at a fraction of the price.

Today, she estimates that about 90% of her furniture comes from Facebook Marketplace. She still buys some basics new, mostly at Costco, including towels and sheets. If she can't find what she needs there, she checks stores like TJ Maxx or Target, and occasionally Amazon.

Profitable, but not effortless

Today, six of Tessmer-Tuck's properties are midterm rentals. Even though the strategy has worked well for her, she doesn't want to convert all of her units. For example, she and Paul recently acquired five duplexes, some of which they may convert to mid-term rentals, but certainly not all.

"I think they'd outcompete each other," she said. "I don't think we'd be able to keep them all occupied."

Midterm rentals also require more work than traditional long-term leases. Tessmer-Tuck's minimum stay is 30 days, which means more turnover, more setup, and more effort upfront to furnish each space.

For her portfolio, though, the tradeoff has been worth it so far: "We've done really well with the midterm."

• Retailers such as Dollar General and Aldi plan major store expansions in the US in 2026.
• Store closures are outpacing openings so far, with over 2,000 closures announced for 2026.
• From Uniqlo to Walmart, see what retailers have said about plans to open new stores.

While some retailers are scaling back in 2026, others are expanding their footprints across the US.

The success of discount retailers like Dollar General and Nordstrom Rack suggests that American consumers are rewarding retailers that can offer them deals over those that charge full price for groceries and apparel. Big box stores like Target and Walmart are also upping their investments in store remodels and openings for 2026 and beyond.

For now, 2026 store closures appear on track to outpace openings, with over 2,000 planned closures announced so far by Business Insider's count. In 2025, store closures reached over 4,100.

While retailers like Macy's cut back on stores to focus on their digital footprint, these chains are spending money to expand their physical retail presence.

See the list of major store openings below.

Dollar General: 450 stores

On a December 4 earnings call, Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos told analysts that the company plans to open 450 new stores in 2026. It's a step down from the planned 575 in 2025, but Vasos said there's no need to race to fill the vacant retail space left by competitors.

"Our competition today is really not opening a lot of stores," Vasos said on the call. "We don't feel compelled to have to rush to open a lot of stores.

Aldi: 180 stores

Aldi kicked off its 50th anniversary year with an announcement of more than 180 new stores set to open across 31 states in the US by the end of 2026.

With its expanded footprint, the grocer expects to operate nearly 2,800 stores by the year's end, bringing it closer to its goal of 3,200 locations by the end of 2028.

Ollie's: 75 stores

Discount retailer Ollie's Bargain Outlet showed a strong performance in foot traffic and store openings 2025, and its growth appears to be continuing in 2026.

The company said on a December earnings call that it's targeting 75 new stores for fiscal year 2026.

Barnes & Noble: 60 stores

Barnes & Noble is set to open 60 new stores in 2026, and has attributed its success to its new decentralized strategy, Fox Business reported on December 23.

"Barnes & Noble is enjoying a period of tremendous growth as the strategy to hand control of each bookstore to its local booksellers has proven so successful," the company told Fox Business in a statement.

The book chain was acquired by activist firm Elliott Management in 2019, which jumped at the opportunity to turn the business around as it faced competition from online channels like Amazon. Today, Elliott is reportedly eyeing an IPO along with the new stores openings in 2026, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Aerie and Offline: 35 stores

Loungewear and athleisure companies Aerie and Offline are set to open 35 new stores and remodel 60 locations in 2026.

In March, American Eagle Outfitters CFO Mike Mathias told analysts to expect a capital expenditure in the range of $250 million and $260 million for 2026, which will help finance the store changes.

Target: 30 stores

Target said in March that it plans to open 30 new stores this year on its way to 300 new locations by 2035.

The 2026 expansion plans include a $5 billion investment in new stores, ongoing remodels, technology, and supply chain.

"This new chapter of growth at Target is defined by clear choices and rooted in a deeper understanding of our unique lane in retail, the guests we serve, and the areas where we're distinctly positioned to win," CEO Michael Fiddelke said in a statement.

Walmart: 20 stores

Walmart's big plans for 2026 include remodeling about 650 stores and launching new ones. The company plans to open 20 stores in 2026 through early 2027.

The retailer said the new stores and remodels would create jobs, from construction work during development to long-term roles in retail, pharmacy, and store leadership.

Walmart's US CEO, David Guggina, said on a February earnings call that the company had opened 12 new stores and remodeled 674 stores over the previous 12 months.

BJ's Wholesale Club: 16 stores

BJ's Wholesale Club, a membership-based retailer where shoppers buy in bulk, opened 14 stores in 2025, and isn't slowing down in 2026. CEO Bob Eddy boasted about the openings and told analysts on March 5 that it plans to close out 2026 with 25 to 30 new stores, including the ones it opened last year.

"These clubs, as a whole, are delivering sales, membership, and profit that are well above expectations, and we're very excited for our continued accelerated club growth," Eddy said.

Kroger: 14 stores

Grocery chain Kroger has been clear about its intention to open new stores over the past several months. It told investors in 2025 that it expects store openings to increase by 30% this year.

So far, Kroger has confirmed plans to break ground on 14 new stores in 2026.

Nordstrom Rack: 13 stores

In a series of press releases published in 2024 and 2025, discount apparel retailer Nordstrom Rack announced plans to open at least 13 new stores across the US throughout the spring and fall of 2026.

The new locations include states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, and California.

Uniqlo: 11 stores

Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo is expected to expand by 11 new stores in the US in 2026, according to an announcement obtained by Retail Dive in October.

The openings reportedly include two new flagship stores in Chicago and San Francisco.

"These new stores are not only a milestone of our growth, but a way of honoring the customers who welcomed us two decades ago and continue to inspire everything we do," Fuminori Adachi, Uniqulo's US CEO, said in a statement to Retail Dive.

L.L. Bean: 8 stores

Outdoor lifestyle brand L.L. Bean announced on December 9 that it has plans for a "major retail expansion in 2026," which includes the opening of eight new stores across the US. The new locations will bring the brand's total stores to 76 nationwide.

"We continue to see physical retail as an essential part of our growth strategy," said Greg Elder, L.L.Bean chief retail officer. "Our 2026 expansion reflects our commitment to reaching more people who share our love for the outdoors."

Benihana: 2 locations

The One Group Hospitality, which acquired the Japanese restaurant chain Benihana in 2024, announced an agreement on December 29 that secured it the development rights to 10 Benihana or Benihana Express locations.

The deal is expected to see two Benihana locations open in 2026 with the remaining locations to open over the next seven years.

• Nouriel Roubini said he believes investors may still be underpricing the economic risks of the Iran war.
• The top economist laid out four scenarios he sees for the conflict.
• In the worst-case, he said stocks could fall in a bear market while the world economy enters a recession.

Investors betting that the Iran war is about to end could be in for a wake-up call, according to Wall Street's "Dr. Doom."

Nouriel Roubini—the top economist who called the Great Financial Crisis and is best known for his doomsday predictions for markets and the economy—said he believes investors may still be pricing in a higher probability of a peace deal than is likely. In an op-ed for Project Syndicate, he pointed to several risks investors likely aren't thinking about, including a bear market for stocks, a global recession, and stagflation, a situation where inflation spirals while growth slows.

Roubini pointed to how the major stock indexes had already climbed back to fresh records, despite no peace deal being inked. That's likely because investors are anticipating a soon-to-come resolution and are betting that the growth benefits of AI will end up offsetting the economic impact of the war, he said.

"If you believe that, you could be in for a rude awakening," Roubini wrote. "If we do end up with escalation, that would lead to even more economic and market volatility and downside risks even in the best-case scenario."

Roubini laid out four scenarios he believed could happen next in the Iran war.

1. A peace deal reopens the Strait of Hormuz

In this scenario, the US and Iran successfully negotiate a peace deal and end the conflict. Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, likely through a compromise on its nuclear program.

"But this scenario is not very likely, because the regime can withstand economic pain far longer than Trump can (given the looming midterms)," Roubini said, pointing to how the US and Iran also looked like they were still "far apart" on key issues.

"Settling even one of these would require long, complicated talks by serious, seasoned negotiators," he added.

Oil prices would also likely remain "permanently" elevated in this scenario by around 15%-20% from pre-war levels, Roubini added, due to markets fearing the possibility of Iran closing the Strait again later in the future.

2. Negotiations last for several more months while the Strait remains closed

In this scenario, the ceasefire drags on for several more months as the US and Iran struggle to come to an agreement. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, which could send oil prices rising past their peaks earlier in the war.

Global growth would also slow, while inflation would rise, giving the economy a stagflationary dynamic, he added.

"This is basically where things stand today, and it is far from ideal," Roubini said, adding that the scenario would only last for three months due to the situation being too unstable.

"The status quo is inflicting significant economic and financial damage on the world economy, with oil and energy prices trending higher," he added.

3. The war escalates, Iran's regime risks collapse

The US and Iran could escalate the conflict, "unleashing all the military, economic, and other means at their disposal," Roubini said.

The goal would be either to force Iran to surrender, such as by Iran accepting to stop its nuclear enrichment efforts and to reopen the Strait "unconditionally," or to topple Iran's regime entirely, he added.

"This would be the best outcome for the US, Europe, Asia (including China), and the rest of the world," Roubini said. "The risk, of course, is that the Iranian regime survives such escalation."

4. Soaring oil sparks a recession and bear market

If conflict escalates, Iran could fight back hard by using its last military equipment to destroy more energy facilities in the region while keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed.

"Were that to happen, oil prices would spike closer to, or even above, $200 per barrel, and we would be looking at 1970s-style stagflation, a global recession, and a bear market for equities," Roubini said, adding that this scenario was the worst-case outcome.

Markets remain hopeful about a peace deal with Iran, a development President Donald Trump has teased for weeks. Investors reacted positively to an Axios report this week that said the US and Iran were close to striking an official deal.

Later, Trump threatened to take military action against Iran if it rejected the US's proposal in a post on Truth Social. A top Iranian official also described Axios' report as an "American wish list" on X, further muddying the market's confusion.

• TTEC, a customer experience technology and services firm, is pausing 401(k) matches for US staff.
• The move echoes recent rollbacks of core benefits, including PTO and pensions, at Deloitte and Zoom.
• A top TTEC executive cited the example of professional services firms in a meeting.

The corporate benefits rollback is spreading.

TTEC, a global customer experience outsourcing and technology services provider, has paused its 401(k) matches for US staff through the end of 2026, according to an internal memo seen by Business Insider.

"We have made the difficult decision to suspend the discretionary company match to the TTEC 401(k) program, effective Q2 2026," said Laura Butler, TTEC's chief people officer, in the April 30 memo.

Butler said the nine-month suspension would "protect the long-term strength" of the business and give TTEC greater financial flexibility to keep investing in "the tools, training, and capabilities that will define our future."

The areas it intends to invest in include AI certifications, AI-enabled tools and training, performance coaching, automation, and workforce education programs, a TTEC spokesperson told Business Insider.

The pause will be reassessed early next year, and "if our business performance supports it, we intend to resume contributions," Butler said.

Austin-headquartered TTEC has annual global revenues of over $2 billion and around 16,000 US employees. It provides digital and AI-enabled customer-experience services through two business lines — TTEC Digital and TTEC Engage. Its offering includes managed services, consulting, data analytics, and end-to-end technology solutions.

TTEC previously matched up to 3% of an employee's salary toward their 401(k) if the employee contributed at least 6%, a TTEC employee told Business Insider.

The company did not comment further on the specifics of its previous 401(k) contributions.

The TTEC spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider that the company had temporarily suspended the discretionary 401(k) company match, saying the move was "part of a broader set of actions to create the financial flexibility needed to accelerate our business transformation."

The spokesperson said TTEC did not take decisions affecting employee benefits lightly, but said: "This was done to invest aggressively in the capabilities that will define our competitiveness and create long-term opportunities for our employees and clients." A tax-deferred retirement plan remains in place, they added.

Follow the leader

Inside TTEC, the message to some staff was that the company was not alone in curtailing benefits.

Chris Brown, the CEO of TTEC Digital, pointed to other professional services firms as he explained the decision to suspend 401(k) contributions in an April 28 meeting for a group of TTEC Digital staff, a recording of which was obtained by Business Insider.

"This is something that others are doing in this market," Brown said. "You will see it among some of the professional services firms and otherwise. I don't want you to think that we're necessarily unusual in this regard."

TTEC's change shows that the benefits rollback seen at some marquee employers is spreading downmarket. In today's unstable economy, core workplace benefits are on the chopping block.

As Business Insider reported in April, Deloitte is planning to reduce or cut parental leave, annual PTO, a pension plan, and IVF funding for a select group of employees. Zoom also confirmed to Business Insider that it has reduced the number of weeks of parental leave it offers this year.

Deloitte told Business Insider that it made changes to "better align with the marketplace," and the cuts were part of a wider modernization of its talent architecture. Zoom declined to comment.

Benefit cuts are typically associated with a tougher economic environment, and are a means for employers to trim costs before resorting to layoffs, said Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research for the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

"If the economy does start to worsen, I would expect to see more cuts. Right now, it appears to be only a beginning, and we will need to watch what happens," he said.

Companies in the same industry often pursue similar benefits policies because they are competing for the same workers, he said: "If workers don't have options elsewhere, competing employers don't need to offer as generous benefits."

Investment in an AI future

Alongside economic uncertainty, companies are trying to reposition themselves for an AI-driven future, a shift that requires budget for major training and technology investments.

TTEC's global annual revenue dropped 3.2% to $2.1 billion in its latest financial year. The company's share price, which boomed during the pandemic, has dropped from more than $110 in late 2021 to less than $3 as of May 6.

In its 2025 annual report, TTEC's CEO and chairman, Kenneth Tuchman, said the customer experience sector was facing a "seesaw of market sentiment," and added that TTEC was recalibrating the business to be "more agile and more profitable" by 2027.

During the meeting with a group of TTEC Digital employees, Brown linked the suspension of retirement contributions to TTEC's broader strategy, saying it would help lay the foundation for future growth and investment in "tools, training, capabilities, and frankly, people."

"I think the message is actually positive. It's so we have more flexibility to invest in the growth of the business and make sure that we're on the right path," said Brown.

One TTEC employee said that connecting their 401(k) to investment in training felt like "a head scratcher."

The news has been met with "confusion, then anger," the person said, adding that they were concerned about how the loss of retirement savings would compound over time.

• Oppenheimer says investors should trade the "sell in May and go away" play, for a new strategy.
• The technical analysts' new seasonal trading motto is "Sell in July for a Big October Buy."
• They say 2026 is different because it's a midterm election year with a second term president.

Move over "sell in May and go away," there's a new seasonal trading framework on Wall Street.

Oppenheimer said investors should rethink the old adage in 2026 because of one factor: It's a midterm election year with a second term president in the White House.

The "sell in May and go away" strategy has historically paid off for investors. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has averaged only 2.1% from May to October, compared to a 7% average gain from November to April.

But, the analysts say its time to ditch it for their new moniker: "Sell in July for a Big October Buy."

The firm used the US presidential cycle as its gauge since historically it's overlapped with four-year equity cycles.

Generally, midterm election years are known to be volatile for markets, but Oppenheimer analysts told clients that this year is set up to be different, which is why they're encouraging investors to branch out from typical seasonal strategies.

"While mid-term years, like 2026, are often associated with volatility, sustained weakness has been less common under second-term presidents," they wrote.

The analysts outlined that in midterm years with a second term president, the S&P 500 tends to rally through April, cooled into July, and then see a correction in the third quarter. This sets the equity market up for a strong advance ahead the upcoming pre-election year.

"Given the lack of market-top warnings, we would view mid-year weakness as temporary, and favor being fully invested by Q4," they said.

The firm also suggested investors brush off midterm year volatility, saying, "Volatility is the cost of admission for long-term returns—even in strong years."

Oppenheimer isn't the only one on Wall Street using the presidential cycle as a guideline for what to expect from markets.

Bank of America had a similar reworking of the sell in May seasonal motto, recommending a more specific trading pattern to take advantage of this year's swings in the market.

Jeffery Hirsch, a longtime market strategist and the editor of the Stock Trader's Almanac, called out an emerging Trump-era trading pattern and so far it's held up.

The strategist said that stocks would hit a low in late March or early April.

The S&P 500 hit a low on March 30, which Hirsch said signals there are more gains incoming for investors.

• NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed free buses, a rent freeze, and universal childcare to lower costs.
• Mamdani's affordability plans face funding hurdles, since any new taxes must come from the state.
• Aspects of his affordability plans have played out elsewhere, showing the nuances of bringing down costs.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's central promise has been to bring down his city's cost of living.

But New York's affordability problems are a result of its own success: Despite slowing population growth, the city's housing stock and services are still in high demand, pushing prices up. Cities typically get cheaper when people don't want to live in them anymore — think of Detroit, after its downfall — and not when they're in high demand and growing.

So the question becomes not whether Mamdani can make New York broadly affordable for everyone. It's whether he can deliver on reducing costs for the poorest New Yorkers by taxing the richest.

Mamdani promised three key affordability fixes: Free and fast buses, universal childcare, and a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments.

Versions of all three have been tried elsewhere, with mixed results. Minneapolis tempered housing costs by making it easier to build; Boston's free buses have slowed down routes but saved riders money; New Mexico's universal childcare program is saving families an estimated $12,000 a year — if they can find a spot.

The throughline from these experiments is that they can work as targeted relief, but don't solve the underlying math of New York affordability on their own. Mamdani wants to pair narrower solutions like a rent freeze with broader ones, like more development and affordable housing.

"Last year, New Yorkers in every borough made their voices heard, and made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that a more affordable City cannot wait," said Jenna Lyle, Mamdani's deputy press secretary for education and childcare, in a statement. Lyle highlighted the mayor's moves toward speeding up affordable housing development, childcare investment, and a new advisor for buses.

But even the targeted pieces of the plan face a basic constraint: funding. Raising taxes is, for the most part, in the hands of the state government and outside the mayor's control. The governor and legislature have already pushed back on increasing income and corporate taxes.

And unless New York City suddenly becomes undesirable, bringing costs down in a high-demand city is incredibly difficult.

"The record does not favor his success, and the underlying economics are what they are," said John Ketcham, the director of cities at right-leaning policy think tank the Manhattan Institute.

Here's how other cities have fared trying out Mamdani's signature policies.

Free buses might not be as effective as building more lanes

In Boston, riders saved $35 a month on average on three free routes funded by pandemic-era federal aid. But two of those routes became among the city's slowest. Making buses free increased ridership — but without infrastructure improvements like dedicated bus lanes, commuting on them got worse.

In New York City, a yearlong pilot of five free routes increased ridership, especially among New Yorkers who already used them to get to school or work. Riders with incomes below $28,000 made up the greatest share of both new and existing ridership, suggesting that the gains from free fares concentrate among lower earners.

But bus speeds on the pilot routes worsened during the summer, and the MTA estimated the pilot cost nearly $11 million in lost fares.

Eliminating fares entirely would cost about $652 million a year, according to a 2023 analysis from the Independent Budget Office. By comparison, the City Council projected that building 150 miles of protected bus lanes, a long-delayed city goal to speed up transit times, would cost about $123 million.

"Free buses would not have as transformative or positive an impact as improving the quality of service and the reliability and frequency of service," said Ketcham.

Making buses free puts more money in low-income commuters' pockets. But slower buses cost them in other ways. Infrastructure improvements are likely the most viable route to making buses more affordable in the long term; delays won't eat into potential earnings or disrupt commutes to work, especially for minimum-wage workers. Meanwhile, more targeted reduced fare programs for low-income New Yorkers could provide relief to those who need it most.

Minneapolis' building reforms were more effective than its neighbor's rent control

Minnesota's twin cities are a tale of two housing policies.

In St. Paul, a rent control ordinance that capped increases at 3% didn't bring down rents — in fact, a Wall Street Journal analysis found that rents there rose faster than in nearby Minneapolis. One study found the policy regressive, with higher-income renters seeing greater absolute benefits. Rent control was eventually walked back for newer builds.

In New York, a rent freeze on the nearly 44% of rental units that are stabilized would keep costs steady, but would put upward pressure on prices for the remaining market-rate tenants.

"We can freeze the rent, but I don't feel it's a long-term solution," said Zhan Guo, a professor of urban planning and transportation planning at New York University. "You can solve the problem, mitigate the problem for the short term — maybe for the next several years — but that's not the way to solve the problem for the long run. You need to increase the housing supply."

Meanwhile, St. Paul's rent cap discouraged new housing supply, dampening both new construction and property values, according to the Journal's analysis.

"You are not going to have as much supply coming onto the market if investors suspect that they are going to be caught up in rent regulation," Ketcham said.

Across the river, Minneapolis grew its housing supply with the "2040 plan," which encouraged denser housing and affordable units; a paper by Middlebury researchers Helena Gu and David Munro estimated that rents and home prices there were 17% to 34% lower than they would have been without the reforms.

"We see [landowners] responded quite strongly to those incentives," said Munro. "That's a natural mechanism as to why rental prices grew, but didn't grow as rapidly as other cities, because there's more affordable units coming online and keeping a lid on rental prices."

Mamdani has also pushed to create affordable housing and fast-track development on city property.

Universal childcare is great — if there are spaces available

Mamdani wants universal childcare in New York City; he's already rolled out a 2-K pilot and expanded 3-K slots. But so far, the state has only committed to funding the first two years of the 2-K program.

In November, New Mexico expanded childcare subsidies from families making at or below 400% of the federal poverty level to everyone. This has saved parents an estimated $12,000 annually — if they can find space in the program.

While subsidies have increased demand, there aren't enough licensed seats available, said Kate Noble, president and CEO of advocacy organization Growing Up New Mexico. "We have a supply problem," she said.

From July through mid-December, a period largely before the expansion, the state added only 10 childcare slots, according to Searchlight New Mexico. By year end, about 10% of the 326,000 eligible children were enrolled.

In New York, a 2025 comptroller report found that universal childcare would save families about $420 per child each week, and that around 14,200 mothers could enter the labor force and earn $670 million in total annually.

The appeal is obvious: for families that get access, the savings are substantial. But New Mexico suggests that "universal" doesn't necessarily mean widely available right away.

The rocky road ahead

The biggest obstacle to all of these ideas is funding. Boston's free buses have relied on temporary federal aid. New Mexico's childcare expansion is backed by oil and gas taxes.

Mamdani wants to pay for his programs by taxing the rich — but can't do that without the governor and state legislature. Hochul has pushed back on increasing corporate taxes and income taxes on high earners, though the two have teamed up to propose a pied-à-terre tax on empty second homes worth over $5 million.

And if Mamdani does raise the money, none of these policies work in isolation. Quick fixes like eliminating bus fares or freezing the rent might boost affordability for lower earners, but likely won't have the widespread results of more comprehensive policies.

"Even if the mayor accomplishes his childcare and bus program, the vast majority of New Yorkers are going to feel that they're worse off if housing costs continue to accelerate at the pace they have been since the pandemic," said Ketcham. City government has the power to freeze the rent overnight, but building new housing is a yearslong endeavor. "You might be able to save New Yorkers $3 on a bus fare, but if their rents are going up 3%, 4% or more every year, they're going to be materially worse off."

• Ukraine is intercepting 90% of Russian drones, the head of the RAF told Business Insider.
• Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smyth said Britain, which has been instructing Ukraine, is now also learning from it.
• NATO militaries are looking to Ukraine for answers as they confront new drone threats.

Ukrainian forces are intercepting roughly 90% of the Russian drones launched in frequent attacks, the head of the UK Royal Air Force told Business Insider, adding that Britain is learning from Kyiv's battlefield successes.

Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smyth said during a recent interview at an RAF base in the UK that "at the moment, with the capabilities the Ukrainians have, they're achieving over a 90% rate in terms of intercepting Russian drones."

Smyth, Britain's Chief of the Air Staff, said Ukraine is achieving these kinds of results even when Russia launches hundreds of drones from different directions in its nightly attacks. He described the air defense efforts as "exceptional."

Ukraine is facing a "record-high intensity" of Russian attacks, Kyiv's defense ministry said on Thursday.

Last month, Ukrainian forces intercepted nearly 6,000 missiles and drones launched by Russia. More than 89% of one-way attack drones — typically fixed-wing aircraft armed with small but still deadly warheads — were downed, though this figure reached as high as 95% during some of the largest bombardments, Kyiv said.

Britain, for several years following the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022, has helped Ukraine develop its combat and counter-drone capabilities as Moscow has steadily ramped up the pace of its attacks and invested in increased production of these weapons.

Smyth said that Ukraine has deployed counter-drone defenses that have performed well in combat and is further developing these critical capabilities. "They're spiraling their capabilities so quickly — it's breathtaking," the RAF chief said of Kyiv.

"I'm now at a point where I'm going there to learn from them," Smyth said. "The learning that we're getting from Ukraine — and the fact that they're actually fighting against an adversary that we may need to defend against in the future" — will be used to inform UK military planning.

Britain and its NATO allies, including the US, are using lessons from Ukraine and the latest Middle East conflict to further refine their approaches to drone warfare, which has exposed gaps in Western air defenses and overall preparedness.

Ukraine has pioneered the development of interceptor drones, which have emerged as a cost-efficient way to defeat incoming one-way attack drones without relying on expensive missiles.

Global interest in Ukraine's interceptor drones has soared in recent weeks after Iran launched waves of drones across the Middle East in response to American and Israeli airstrikes.

Ukraine uses a range of other tools to fight Russian drones, including short-range missile systems, truck-mounted machine guns, electronic warfare, helicopters, and even other aircraft.

"Russia is trying to exhaust Ukrainian air defense day and night," the Ukrainian defense ministry said, adding that its forces "continue to prove their resilience, professionalism, and effectiveness."

However, Kyiv also said Thursday that it still faces a shortage in Patriot interceptors used to defend against Russian ballistic missiles, which it described as a "serious challenge." Ukrainian officials have long pressed their NATO counterparts for more of these high-value munitions.

• Retiree Maureen McMahon moved from the US to Canada after about 30 years.
• She liked taking road trips in the US but prefers the Canadian weather.
• She said she will miss her friends in the States, but knows they are a phone call away.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maureen McMahon, in her 70s and living in Edmonton, Alberta. It has been edited for length and clarity.

For years, people would ask me, "Which do you like better, Canada or the US?" I would tell them, "It's not that simple."

I moved from Canada to the US for a relationship when I was 40. In 2024, about 30 years and several states later, I moved back to Canada for retirement. What I have discovered, to my amazement, is the absolute contentment I experience on a daily basis being back here.

The time I spent in the US was a good experience; I enjoyed road trips and my career. I don't regret the time I spent down there, but I wish I'd come home sooner.

I always knew I'd move back to Canada

I spent most of my roughly 30 years living in the US in Las Vegas. I also lived in Georgia and Los Angeles, all while working in the IT industry. When my marriage dissolved, about five years in, I really thought about going back to Canada, but I had such a good job and really enjoyed the work I did.

I decided to stay, knowing all along that I'd eventually move home to Canada for retirement. I didn't expect to retire until I was 70, but at 63, I was laid off. If I'd known I was going to get laid off when I did, I probably would've moved home sooner.

Instead of leaving the US right away, I stayed put because the house I owned was not worth much. I wanted to wait out a couple of years until I could get some decent money for it. I was excited about coming back to Canada. I knew I'd miss my friends in the States, but that's what phones are for.

I loved traveling around the States and how easy it was to buy things

The US has some amazing qualities. One of the best things about the US was how I could buy pretty much anything. If I could imagine something I wanted for my home or wardrobe, I could get it. There was much less availability in Canada when I left 30 years ago. There's just so much consumerism in the US.

I also loved doing road trips in the US. I used to hike at Bryce Canyon in Utah a lot, and I drove to Wyoming just to see Yellowstone. I was thinking the other day how it'd be nice to just get in a car and go an hour and a half out of town. There are things to see here in Canada, but I've already seen them. That's what's cool about the US: all the quick road trips you can take.

I don't miss the gun violence in the US

I was supposed to attend a concert where a shooting took place, but I couldn't go since I was visiting Canada. Otherwise, I would've been there, and who knows? I didn't really go anywhere in the US where there was a crowd after that.

It's not that Canada doesn't have violence, but we have stronger gun controls, and it feels a lot safer.

Based on the political climate today, I wouldn't want to be in the US at all. I miss my friends, and they could come up, but nobody seems to be eager to travel right now. My friends in the States are waiting to see what happens with the political climate.

I'm glad to be retired in Canada

Canada is a great place to retire because of the weather. I have so many friends who say, "Oh, I couldn't stand it if I couldn't go south for the winter," but I love winter.

I enjoy the snow, fresh air, activities, cross-country skiing, and skating. I like experiencing the four seasons, and I don't miss the heat of Las Vegas. I also think people are friendlier here, even if it's more out of necessity than anything else. You help each other out in minus-30-degree weather.

Edmonton has grown while I was out of Canada. There are more restaurants available, and we have festivals throughout the year. It's exciting because there's always something going on.

Regardless of whether you're retired, think of moving like buying a car

Before you buy a car, I think you should rent it and see if it's really what you want. Same with moving. I think you should spend some time in the city, talk to people, and do some research before moving.

Consider what it is you want. Do you want outdoor life and activities? Do you want everything indoors? In the US, I lived in Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, and I wouldn't have picked any one of those places. Once I spent a week hiking and attending concerts in Vermont, I realized I should've picked a place like that.

I think anybody who does their research and really knows what they want will do very well moving from the United States to Canada.

• The AI industry needs to build data centers to power its products, but is facing resistance.
• Stanford University's Anjney Midha said Americans want more transparency about data centers.
• Midha said tech leaders should be more empathetic and listen more to community concerns.

A prominent professor of AI has some advice for Elon Musk and other AI leaders struggling to sell Americans on data centers: Try empathy.

Anjney Midha, a Stanford University professor teaching a viral AI infrastructure course, said that part of the reason local communities are organizing to prevent new data centers is the lack of transparency around their impacts and intended use.

He said these communities will cause major problems if tech leaders don't come across as "empathetic" and listen to them.

"These are human beings," Midha said on Alex Heath's "Access" podcast on Thursday. "I can tell you communities around America are not happy."

Data centers have become a major issue for many Americans. While tech companies — like OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google — need data centers to power their AI products, many everyday Americans say the benefits don't outweigh the drawbacks.

Rising utility costs are one major concern. A new report this week from the Pew Research Center said 43% of survey respondents believed data center energy use had driven up their bills. Environmental damage, increased noise, and an overall drop in quality of life are also points of contention.

Some legislators have also taken aim at data centers, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who proposed a federal moratorium on new data center development. Some states, including Maine, are also considering moratoriums.

"My view is that if it's not legible to the public that these data centers and the infrastructure required to unblock this kind of frontier technology progress are serving their benefit, then it's not going to work out," Midha said.

He said the discourse around data centers has split into two camps: those who want to accelerate construction and those who want to halt AI development altogether. Neither, he said, is the optimal viewpoint.

"Let's scale infrastructure optimally while making sure we listen to the concerns that are substantive of local communities," Midha said.

Midha said that companies being transparent with communities about the intentions and impacts of data centers could help bridge the gap. He referenced the nutrition labels on juice bottles and said data centers could try a similar approach.

"That is the level at which communities will want clarity before they provide strong enough vocal enough support for data centers," he said.

• Citi's new winning identity was on full display at Thursday's investor day.
• Executives were asked how they plan to change Citi's culture for everyday employees.
• Some talked about keeping an eye on dashboards, and others about shifting mindsets.

When Jane Fraser took over as CEO of Citi in 2021, she vowed to modernize and overhaul the bank, heralding in an era of leadership changes, layoffs, and a much-needed winner's mindset.

Now, with the firm's sweeping transformation project more than 90% complete, top executives had to answer for how they're turning the promised culture shift into a reality for Citi's more than 200,000 employees. Citi's new pitbull identity was on display throughout Thursday's investor day, where the opening video was set to Easy McCoy's song "Beat the Best" and leaders repeatedly invoked words like "relentless" and "win" to describe the bank's culture, which was also mentioned at least 9 times.

Fraser's work is far from done, even as its transformation nears its official end. The bank outlined targets for return on tangible common equity, a profitability measure, of around 14% or 15% by 2029. By comparison, JPMorgan reported a 20% return on tangible common equity last year. Citi's stock was up 1.18% by market close on Thursday.

Mike Mayo, an outspoken analyst at Wells Fargo who described the old Citi as "reckless, arrogant, and complacent," pressed Fraser and the business line leaders on how long the culture change will take and what each is doing to realize it. While Thursday's responses were light on specifics and timelines, some throughlines emerged in how the bank's leaders are thinking about the cultural shift.

Discipline and oversight

Fraser said that the bank enforces enterprise-wide standards and approaches, and works to deliver consistent messaging. In January, she sent a firm-wide memo instructing everyone to "adopt a more commercial mindset," and clarifying that she expects to see "the last vestiges of old, bad habits fall away."

On Thursday, Fraser indicated that she and her team are quantifying some of that mindset shift.

"We measure the organizational health, so there's no slippage from the org structure changes we put through," she said. "We review, as a team, the operating dashboards every single month in excruciating detail."

Earlier in the day's presentation, Viswas Raghavan, the head of banking and executive vice chair, said he's investing in top talent and will "measure and reward those who deliver."

Mindset shifts

Raghavan also said that having a "serial winning mindset" is key to transforming the culture, a theme he repeated in his presentation. And Andy Morton, who oversees the firm's markets division, said that wins beget wins.

"The success that the firm has had in the last few years in addressing its issues head on, fixing them, and at the same time building something that can win — every single employee feels that," he said. "You walk on the trading floor, every single employee feels it."

Morton added that Fraser makes a point of crediting employees who drive success, which changes the atmosphere and, ultimately, the culture.

Leaders mentioned accountability — key for a bank that has been saddled with regulatory issues — throughout their remarks, and Andy Sieg, the head of wealth, said it's key for culture, too. He mentioned "ambition and accountability" as fundamental components of the new culture.

Focus on the client

Five of the six executives who answered the question mentioned clients or customers, with Raghavan saying employees need an "obsession with delivering for clients."

"The minute you get into that psyche, the wallet share and everything else we talked about, those metrics will follow," he added.

Sieg echoed a similar sentiment, saying that workers need to focus on what's best for the clients, not "managing up" within the firm. Pam Habner, head of consumer cards, used another of the day's repeat words in her answer: "maniancally." Her team, she said, is also obsessed with customers and racing to keep pace with the world.

Their mantra this year? "Go mode."

• Disney employees are embracing AI tools, with some invoking them tens of thousands of times a month.
• One AI power-user broke down how they're using AI agents to boost their productivity.
• Another software engineer said AI agents are allowing them to multitask at home.

What does it take to get to the top of Disney's "AI Adoption Dashboard"?

The answer from one of Disney's most active AI users: building a team of AI "agents," or bots handling certain tasks, to significantly boost their productivity.

"I'm pushing the bleeding edge of agentic workflows," the Disney engineer told Business Insider. "I'm not out here just having a joyride." They said they have eight to nine AI agents that complete tasks on their behalf.

This staffer said their heavy AI usage had turned heads inside Disney — in a good way.

The super-user said a "solid handful" of software engineers had seen their name near the top of the AI dashboard and reached out, asking what they were working on and how to replicate their methods. Feedback has been positive from both their peers and bosses, they said.

"I was sort of expecting, 'Hey man, you better chill out,'" the power-user said. "But it's more 'OK, we really like what you're doing. Let's try to produce tangible results as soon as possible.'"

AI isn't just a token gesture at Josh D'Amaro's Disney.

The Mouse House is encouraging employees to use AI more often, seven tech staffers told Business Insider, and the AI dashboard shows that some tech employees are invoking coding tools like Claude and Cursor tens of thousands of times a month.

Other large companies have been pushing the use of AI, including Wall Street giant JPMorgan, Meta, and Visa.

Disney's token usage is "in the sweet spot" for a non-tech company, said Val Bercovici, the chief AI officer at AI memory storage company WEKA, after reviewing internal documents on the company's AI usage obtained by Business Insider. Tokens are basic units of data processed by AI models, and companies are billed based on how many they use.

Assembling an agent army

The AI power-user said AI agents can pull in data from across Disney, finishing tasks that could take days or weeks in as little as hours.

"It takes AI power in order to harvest the information from that. If you don't have that kind of number-crunching going on, it just takes a lot longer," they said.

These agents can check each other's work to ensure they're not making errors, the super-user said, though it takes skill to direct the agents and manage their work.

This employee said that since they started using AI more, they're working longer hours — from about 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., instead of their typical 9-to-5. They said they don't mind, as long as they're getting fairly compensated for their productivity.

That experience aligns with a Harvard Business Review study that found AI didn't save time or reduce the amount of work employees were doing, but rather intensified their workload.

Disney goes all in on AI

A second Disney tech employee, who described themselves as a middle-of-the-pack AI user, said they've been using AI more often — in part because their boss has pushed them to do so.

When they told their boss that they were having trouble with a project, they said their manager responded: "Did you use AI for it yet?"

Disney leadership has evolved from AI skeptical to AI curious to AI advocates in the last year, three staffers said. The company inked a partnership with OpenAI that would have led to AI-generated video on Disney+, before Sam Altman's company spiked the deal in March.

D'Amaro, Disney's CEO, told employees in a memo that "technology innovation" is a top priority and said to shareholders that AI could drive stronger stock returns over time.

"It'll include making the production process more efficient and increasing the volume of content that we actually put out," D'Amaro said on an earnings call on Wednesday.

The second staffer said they felt some employees were using AI when it wasn't necessary, though. An example they gave was someone "vibe coding" software tools when similar non-AI versions already existed.

"A lot of people are reinventing the same wheels," this tech staffer said.

AI allows one employee to knock out 'human, adulting things'

The second software engineer said leaning on AI agents lets them do "all the other human, adulting things I need to do," like wiping down counters and vacuuming to picking up a prescription at Walgreens, "while the agent does the actual work."

When asked whether their manager approves of their AI-enabled multitasking, this employee said they're still getting work done and going to meetings.

"I don't think anybody is watching my keystrokes or anything like that," they said. "It's been affording me a lot of peace of mind."

• NERC oversees grid reliability in the US, Canada, and parts of Mexico.
• The agency issued a Level 3 alert this week regarding risks posed by data centers.
• AI training can cause wild power swings, threatening grid stability.

Data centers are increasing the risk of power outages and blackouts — and electric grid operators aren't prepared to handle it.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation — the top grid oversight agency for the US, Canada, and parts of Mexico — issued a rare alert on Monday, urging operators to address new risks posed by the deluge of data centers connecting to the grid.

NERC issued the Level 3 alert for "essential action" — the agency's highest level — after issuing two previous warnings about data centers in the last nine months.

The agency sends alerts to the entities that make the electric grid run smoothly, from regional transmission organizations to power plant owners.

This time, the agency stressed that grid operators lack "sufficient processes, procedures, or methods to address risks associated with computational loads."

NERC says that data centers — particularly ones running AI workloads — are prone to wild power swings.

The constant, rapid fluctuations between extremely high and extremely low power use levels can put entire electric grids at risk of going offline.

Power swings "can occur in seconds, leaving 'little or no room for real-time responses,'" the report said.

It's not only AI training causing the instability. In its report, NERC said crypto mining and traditional data centers threaten the grid.

NERC asked grid operators to take immediate action and file risk mitigation plans with the agency by August 3.

"As the grid faces unprecedented challenges from a surge in large power consumers, NERC is taking significant steps to ensure the reliability of the bulk power system," the agency said in a press release on Monday.

The first of the three Grand Tour races has arrived, and it brings cyclists on a three-week journey through Italy (plus a bit of Bulgaria and Switzerland). We've rounded up all the details on how to watch Giro d'Italia, including free and global streaming options.

If you don't want to scroll any further, you can live stream the race on HBO Max in the US, TNT Sports on HBO Max in the UK, RAI Play in Italy, and SBS On Demand in Australia. Below, we'll break down additional worldwide broadcast options and show you how to tune in to the event from anywhere.

How to watch Giro d'Italia for free

The Giro d'Italia is available for free in select regions. In Australia, coverage is available for free via SBS On Demand. In Italy, the host country, the race will be shown for free on RAI Play.

How to watch Giro d'Italia from anywhere

If you happen to be away from the location where your streaming service works, you can still access your favorite watch options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that let people temporarily alter the location on their devices. They're especially popular among those hoping to boost their cybersecurity or access their usual services while traveling abroad.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. It has a fantastic reputation thanks to its fast speeds, massive global server selection, and 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more in our NordVPN review.

How to watch Giro d'Italia in the US

The Giro d'Italia will live stream on HBO Max in the US. Sports streaming is available through B/R Sports, which is included in the ad-free tiers of HBO Max. These plan start at $18.49 a month.

How to watch Giro d'Italia in the UK

TNT Sports on HBO Max will carry coverage of the Giro d'Italia in the UK. TNT Sports-only plans on HBO Max start at £31 a month for flexible options, but you can save a bit each month by opting for a contract.

How to watch Giro d'Italia in Canada

Giro d'Italia coverage will be available through FloBikes in Canada. Subscriptions cost $50 a month, but you can find some major savings in an annual plan.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• Airbnb's CEO Brian Chesky sees his company changing significantly with AI.
• He said nearly 60% of the company's code is now written by AI.
• He added that managers are also getting their hands dirty with coding or using Claude Code.

Airbnb wants its engineers, and increasingly its managers, to code and use AI.

During a Thursday earnings call, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said AI is changing operations at the company. Nearly 60% of the code the company's engineers produce is written by AI, he said.

"That means our teams are shipping more features and iterating more quickly," Chesky said.

Chesky is the latest CEO to flex about how much of his company's code is written with AI. Shopify's president, Harley Finkelstein, said in a Tuesday earnings call that 50% of the e-commerce company's code was AI-generated, while Google recently pegged its number at 75%.

Chesky added that managers will have to get their hands dirty with coding, and there is no room at Airbnb for "pure people managers" or "30,000 hands-off managers."

"I'm seeing, like many of our design managers and engineering managers, going back to coding or using Claude Code," he said.

However, he did not provide any details on whether Airbnb would be culling managerial roles, saying, "What the implications are about how we structure our teams in the future, it is way too early to say."

His comments on the diminishing relevance of pure people managers fall in line with those of other executives in recent years, who have worked to remove layers of management in favor of a flatter structure.

Consulting firms like McKinsey & Company recommend that companies use AI agents to streamline operations and reduce the need for managers.

Coinbase announced on Tuesday that the company would be reducing its head count by 14%, with CEO Brian Armstrong saying in an X post, "We are flattening our org structure to 5 layers max below CEO/COO."

• Goldman Sachs calls South Korea its top market in Asia and raised its Kospi target to 9,000.
• AI-driven demand for memory chips has supercharged South Korea's hot market.
• Goldman says South Korean stocks still look attractive despite one of the world's hottest rallies.

South Korea's stock market has already staged one of the world's most stunning rallies this year, but it's not done yet, according to Goldman Sachs.

In a note published Wednesday, the bank called South Korea its "highest conviction view" in Asia, with an overweight call. Analysts raised their 12-month target for the country's benchmark Kospi index from 8,000 to 9,000.

The Kospi is trading around 7,400 after powering past the key 7,000 level earlier this week, capping a bull run that has pushed the index up around 77% this year so far.

The rally that made the Kospi one of the world's best-performing markets has been driven largely by AI-fueled demand for memory semiconductors, a sector dominated globally by Samsung Electronics — a newly trillion-dollar company — and SK Hynix.

"The prospect of sustained high profits for the semiconductor memory sector suggests the market is mispricing the durability of earnings," wrote Goldman's analysts in a note on Thursday.

That setup remains attractive because South Korean stocks still trade at relatively modest valuations even after the recent surge, they added.

Goldman now expects hardware and semiconductor stocks to drive South Korean corporate earnings growth of 300% in 2026.

"Record supply shortfall in both DRAM and NAND relative to strong demand growth driven by hyperscaler investment is resulting in sharply increasing memory prices," Goldman wrote, referring to the two dominant types of chips used in AI servers and data centers.

The firm said the rise of compute-intensive AI agents and long-term supply agreements could support "higher-for-longer profitability" for memory producers.

Goldman's bullish call comes as investors increasingly debate whether the AI trade is becoming overcrowded after a massive run in US tech stocks.

Kospi's explosive gains — the index has more than tripled since the start of 2025 — mark a dramatic reversal for a market long weighed down by the so-called "Korea discount," which Seoul has spent years trying to unwind through corporate governance reforms and shareholder-friendly policies.

Those efforts have coincided with the global AI spending frenzy that has drawn billions of dollars into South Korean equities from both domestic retail traders and foreign investors.

• Kris Jenner says her divorce from Robert Kardashian Sr. forced her to learn how to manage money.
• She said she paid little attention to household bills during their marriage because her ex-husband handled them.
• Becoming single again pushed Jenner to be more financially literate while supporting herself and her kids.

Kris Jenner says her divorce from Robert Kardashian Sr. made her realize how little she knew about money.

Speaking on Tuesday's episode of the "SHE MD" podcast, the "momager" of the Kardashian-Jenner clan spoke about how the end of her first marriage marked a turning point in how she approached money.

"I was married to an attorney who was really smart and very capable, and he wasn't a control freak by any means, but loved that job of being the caretaker, and paying the bills, and being the man of the house, and making sure we were all taken care of. So, he did," Jenner said.

Jenner said one conversation after her divorce made her realize how little she understood about managing household expenses.

"And I remember my girlfriend once asked me after I had gotten divorced and I was out on my own, she said, 'Well, how much is your gardener?' And I said, 'I don't know. What do you mean? Should I know that?'" Jenner said, recalling the exchange.

Looking back, Jenner said she wished she had been more involved in her family's finances instead of relying solely on her ex-husband.

"You know, I was like so completely disappointed in myself that I did not know what some of these things were," Jenner said, though she understood "there were budgets" and "it wasn't just a free-for-all."

"But I think what it taught me was I really need to be really more aware of what's going on in my life, and how money is being spent, and how money is being invested, and how money is being allocated," Jenner said.

Beyond budgeting and bills, Jenner said she had to learn how to navigate single motherhood and independence in an era before Google or online resources existed.

Still, she said the experience ultimately gave her a new sense of confidence and purpose. Jenner said she was excited to return to work and felt like she was beginning a new chapter in her life.

"I didn't know really what that was going to be, but it was sure fun trying and getting it together," Jenner said.

The former couple was married from 1978 to 1991, and shared four kids: Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, and Rob Kardashian.

In a 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Jenner said her first divorce left her navigating responsibilities she "hadn't had the day before."

"And I felt such an enormous sense of accomplishment to be able to figure it all out and pay my own bills and make my own money and do my own taxes. And there were times when I didn't have a lot of money, but I was very organized," Jenner said.

She helped turn her family into global stars after launching "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" in 2007. The reality series ran for 20 seasons before ending in 2021. The family made their reality TV comeback a year later with the Hulu series "The Kardashians."

Jenner also manages the careers of her famous daughters. In 2022, she told Forbes she takes a 10% cut from everything her kids earn.

• McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski hinted that the K-shaped economy might be getting worse.
• He said higher-income consumers are spending normally, while lower-income shoppers are cutting back more.
• Kempczinski added that consumer sentiment is marked by "heightened anxiety."

America is not getting relief from its K-shaped economy problem anytime soon, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said.

In a Thursday earnings call, Kempczinski said that the macro environment and consumer sentiment are "certainly not improving, and it may be getting a little bit worse."

The K-shaped economy, which refers to a divide in spending patterns between higher and lower-income consumers, has been a hot topic in retail earnings in recent months.

Kempczinski said the affluent continue to have "very resilient spending."

"And that is true for our business as well, where we're seeing solid growth, good growth with higher income, and also gaining share with higher income for us," he said.

But the picture is different on the other side of the aisle. He said that while the reduction in spending from lower-income consumers is not as pronounced as it was six months to a year ago, spending is "absolutely still declining."

He said inflationary pressures and rising gas prices are disproportionately affecting low-income consumers, and that consumer sentiment is marked by "heightened anxiety."

McDonald's is trying to cater to both prongs of the K-shaped economy. It has doubled down on its lower-priced McValue menu, expanding to $3 menu items and $4 breakfast meal deals, alongside the $5 meal deal it introduced last year.

But has also introduced some premium products, such as new drinks like "Dirty Dr Pepper" and "Mango Pineapple Refresher," which cost around $5 in New York City. Its new Big Arch burger — the one that went viral after Kempczinski's taste test in February — costs more than $12 in NYC.

The fast food chain announced a 3.8% increase in global same-store sales in its latest quarter. Its total revenue was $6.52 billion. Its stock price is down about 7% since the start of the year.

• My friends and I have trouble syncing our schedules for meetups.
• I wanted to see how far I could get using AI to code a cute, helpful scheduling solution.
• I used Lovable to build a web app and got a scheduler up and running within minutes.

My friends and I have a serious scheduling problem — and you might relate.

If you've ever tried to plan a dinner over WhatsApp or Telegram, you know the pattern. Someone suggests a date. A few people respond. Then messages go unanswered, and the plans don't happen.

I decided to rid my group chats of this scourge by building a scheduling app that would be fun to use — and using AI instead of writing my own code.

I've been experimenting with vibe coding, so I set myself a challenge. I would take a couple of minutes a day, over lunch, to see how far I'd get with building an app on the AI-coding platform Lovable. I wanted to see if I could make something that could replace some functions of my existing calendar, and what the end result would signal about fears that AI coding could threaten traditional software companies.

Herding cats

Before I started vibe coding, I sat down and planned out the basic idea and structure for my web app.

"Getting my friends together feels like herding cats," I thought.

It was from there that the name "Herdly" was born — I decided I would build myself something sheep and cat-themed.

Each user should have the ability to, per the plan I sketched up for my app:

• Start their own party, affectionately named a "herd."

• Hosts must be able to:

  • Select their preferred time slot and venue
  • Change the cover photo of the event, a function inspired by Notion and other planning apps
  • See how people are voting
  • Lock in the finalized time
  • Share invites with one click.

Let's vibe code!

I don't have an engineering or computer science background, and I only possess a rudimentary knowledge of coding languages. My first stop was to get ChatGPT to generate me a vibe coding-ready prompt I could use on Lovable.

My prompt to ChatGPT went like this:

My friends and I have trouble getting on the same page about when and where to meet. I want to build an app on Lovable called "Herdly" to solve this problem. Create a full, deployable prompt for me, with these stipulations:

• Build a cute, minimalist app, where a group of people can put in "dates that work for them" (and time slots) for potential meetings.

• Give each user the ability to start and share multiple "events."
• Make it cute, emojis welcome. Pastel color themes preferred.

Over to Lovable

I gave myself the additional stipulation that I would finish coding only within Lovable's free bandwidth. Platforms like this offer users a small number of credits that reset daily.

In four minutes, Lovable gave me a prototype for Herdly that met all my basic specifications.

However, there were things that needed ironing out. The share links weren't working, there were permissions issues with accounts, and the host couldn't select more than one time slot per day. I also wasn't a huge fan of the bouncing sheep emojis that the AI builder had peppered all over the page.

It wasn't hard to fix it, but I'd run out of credits for day one. I came back with a list of items to fix on day two, and within three minutes, Lovable had corrected the errors.

The rollout

I've rolled out the calendar in my group chats. It got pushback at first because people wanted to stick with Telegram's poll feature without having to click out and register their vote in a web app.

Some of my friends have been more amenable to the new scheduling app. It was the sheep and cat emojis that got one of them on board, and another was intrigued by the idea that I'd built it all in under 10 minutes.

My cute web app isn't a threat to big software companies

The "SaaSpocalypse" saw software stocks nosedive earlier this year amid the rapid rise of vibe coding platforms.

But my web app isn't going to replace Google Calendar or become the next Notion. Small web apps that users like me create and ship within the free bandwidth of these platforms will likely not have mass buy-in. They also won't come with the plugged-in ecosystems that companies like Notion and Asana have, an obvious advantage and selling point for users.

The experiment showed me it is possible to solve some pain points in your life with AI-based coding. I'm satisfied with the product, too — it took minutes to build and ship, and is usable.

• Resurfaced texts between Sam Altman and Mira Murati have become raw material for meme makers.
• Judging from posts on X, "directionally very bad" has entered the meme lexicon.
• The texts are part of the evidence in the trial over Elon Musk's lawsuit against Altman and OpenAI.

There's something for everyone in the texts between former OpenAI colleagues Sam Altman and Mira Murati that resurfaced this week in the trial over Elon Musk's lawsuit.

As soon as the exchanges were posted to social media Wednesday night, users began repurposing them — turning Altman's pleas about his future at OpenAI and Murati's very frank responses into relatable memes.

Among the most creative was a post on X that set the conversation to music, transforming it into a "2011 style emo" love song.

The snippet in which Altman asks Murati for intel about his standing during his short-lived 2023 ouster from OpenAI seems to be a favorite.

One X user quipped that they were trying to figure out how to make "directionally very bad" — Murati's blunt message to Altman about the situation — into a Halloween costume.

Altman being told that he was unwelcome at discussions about OpenAI's future resonated deeply.

The texts are part of the exhibits in the blockbuster trial underway in federal court in San Francisco over the $150 billion lawsuit Musk filed against Altman and OpenAI, alleging he was deceived into bankrolling a nonprofit that was turned into a for-profit entity after he left.

Murati, who took the stand at the trial, was the chief technology officer at OpenAI when Altman was ousted, and in the texts, he beseeched her for information and help returning. Murati later left OpenAI to start her own company, Thinking Machines Lab.

At one point, she tells Altman that the board appointed a new CEO — former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear — and refers to him as "rando Twitch guy." The phrase is so brutally dismissive that one can only cheer for Shear's pitch-perfect response.

The trial is expected to continue at least into next week. Hopefully, the memes will, too.

When you think of Spanx, the brand's iconic shapewear might be the first thing to come to mind, but the retailer has developed a noteworthy selection of other apparel. Spanx's line-up includes comfortable and stylish athleisure, underwear, activewear, and even workwear. The clothing is high-quality, but that often comes with a matching high price tag, especially when you're ordering multiple items. One of the top ways to save more at checkout is by using one of the best Spanx coupon and promo codes, which we've rounded up and tested out below.

Our team's style editors have tested a variety of Spanx items over the years, and the brand has consistently impressed us. The Spanx Air Essentials Half-Zip and Wide Leg Pant are recommended in our roundup of the best sweatsuits for women, while the SuperSmooth Stretch Twill Slim Straight Pants top the charts in our guide to the best women's work pants. Our guide to the best women's workwear brands even ranks Spanx as the top choice for comfort.

Spanx occasionally offers deals (including an ongoing Full Bloom Sale, which can help you save up to 40% on select styles), but one of the best ways to regularly lower the price of your cart is by applying a coupon code. The best Spanx promo codes can help you save up to 20% on your next order, offering significant savings at checkout. We've tested and rounded up the top Spanx coupon codes below to help you save some time and money as you shop.

Today's best Spanx coupons

Previous Spanx promo codes

Are there any other Spanx sales running at the moment?

You can find a full list of sales and markdowns at any time on the "Sale" page of the Spanx website. As of right now, Spanx is running the following promotions.

Use Spanx voucher codes on these items

Using the promo codes WELCOME15, ECOOKXSPANX, NASREENXSPANX, CARALYN15, XK15VMZH, SWCXSPANX, or NENAXSPANX can help you save 15% on some of our favorite Spanx apparel. The Air Essentials Half Zip costs $128, and the Air Essentials Wide Leg Pant currently costs $118. If you add one of the aforementioned coupon codes, you can bring the final cost of our favorite matching set down to around $209.

Or, if you're in the market for new workwear, you can test out the same codes on the Ponte Flare Pant, which currently costs $158, and get one of our favorite women's work pants for $134.

Are the deals from Spanx promo codes worth it?

The discounts available from Spanx promo codes are definitely worth it, with savings reaching up to 20% off your order. In the time we've spent tracking Spanx discounts, the retailer has consistently had at least one active coupon available, making these promo codes a reliable way to save. Sitewide sales are pretty rare, especially outside the holidays, which means that coupons are often the only way to save, especially on certain popular items that are rarely discounted.

If you do find a marked-down item, such as something from the sale section of the Spanx site, you can often save even more by combining the deal with one of the above coupon codes. Most coupon codes can't be applied to items marked Final Sale.

• Follow our Instagram page and WhatsApp channel for more deals and buying guides.

How to use Spanx voucher codes

Start by adding coupon-eligible items to your cart. Once viewing your cart, you can apply a coupon by pasting the voucher code into the text box that says "Promo code" and clicking "Apply." From there, continue to checkout to enter your shipping and billing information.

Can you stack Spanx coupons?

Spanx promo codes can't be stacked together. Only one coupon code can be applied per order.

Spanx promo code frequently asked questions

Does Spanx offer discounts for students, teachers, and the military?

At the time of writing, Spanx does not offer special discounts for students, teachers, or the military, so your best bet is to take advantage of their other coupons and deals.

If you're a student or educator, check out our roundups of the best student discounts and teacher discounts for more offers from your favorite brands.

What is Spanx's return policy?

Spanx allows items to be returned for a full refund within 30 days of their original delivery date. All returned items must still have their original tags attached. To learn more about the return policy, visit the Spanx website.

Does Spanx offer free shipping?

Spanx offers free standard shipping on orders of $75 or more in the US. If you spend less than $75, standard shipping is $7. Shoppers who opt for faster shipping times (including basic, expedited, or overnight) will need to pay a fee ranging from $15 to $30. Learn more about shipping rates on the Spanx website.

Can I use Spanx voucher codes in-store?

Typically, Spanx coupons are only valid for online purchases. That said, there may be some exceptions, so be sure to check the specific terms and conditions for the code you want to use.

Can I reuse a Spanx coupon?

The majority of Spanx coupons are only valid for one use per customer. That said, there may be exceptions, so it's worth reading through the terms and conditions of the specific code you're hoping to use. Several of the codes we've highlighted are for 15% off, so you can always try using one code on your first order and another code on your next purchase.

Looking for more style deals? Our guides to the best Abercrombie promo codes, Athleta coupon codes, and Madewell coupon codes can help lower prices at checkout.

• Sam Altman had a bad day in his trial against Elon Musk.
• Musk's witnesses landed blows in testimony about his honesty and leadership.
• Here's what they said.

As the trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI ended its second week, the Tesla CEO started scoring points against Sam Altman.

His witnesses landed three solid punches in testimony about how Altman runs OpenAI as CEO, raising concerns about his dedication to AI safety, the nonprofit's mission, and his honesty as a leader of the organization.

It remains to be seen what the jury will make of the testimony, and how much it'll play a role in their decision about whether to find Altman and the ChatGPT maker liable in the case. Musk alleges Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman "looted" the charity they started together back in 2015 by forming a partnership with Microsoft.

This week, Musk's legal team called a parade of witnesses who questioned whether Altman was acting in the interest of the nonprofit.

On Thursday, that included a former OpenAI safety researcher, who described a slow erosion of the company's safety teams, which prompted her to leave the company. Witnesses also shared stories about the company launching products without the proper safety reviews — or the knowledge of the board.

Here's what they said:

An OpenAI safety researcher says she quit over safety

Rosie Campbell, a former artificial intelligence safety researcher at OpenAI, testified she believed the organization was abandoning its commitment to safety when she worked there between 2021 and 2024.

Campbell testified that, when she began working at OpenAI, it had two teams dedicated to long-term artificial intelligence safety. One ensured that AI was aligned with human values. The other, which she worked on, was about preparing the world for superhuman artificial intelligence.

But over time, OpenAI became a more product-focused, she said.

Both long-term AI safety teams were eliminated. Campbell said about half her team left OpenAI rather than get another job at the company.

When the OpenAI board ousted Altman as CEO, Campbell signed a letter calling for his reinstatement. She told the jury she only did that because she feared that without him, OpenAI employees would end up working at Microsoft, which she believed would be even less likely to be devoted to AI safety.

"It was my understanding at the time that the best way for OpenAI to not disintegrate and fall about would be for Sam to return," she said.

At one point, Campbell credited OpenAI. She said that xAI, Musk's artificial intelligence company, likely had an inferior approach to safety than OpenAI.

An ex-board member called Altman a liar

A deposition from Tasha McCauley piled onto previous testimony from fellow ex-OpenAI board member Helen Toner about how little they trusted Altman and the "toxic culture" he presided over.

According to McCauley, Altman had caused "chaos" and "crisis" by fostering a "culture of lying and culture of deceit" that had trickled down to other members of OpenAI's leadership.

McCauley testified that Altman had been dishonest about the launch of an artificial intelligence model, GPT4-Turbo. Altman wrongly said that OpenAI's legal department told him that it didn't need to be reviewed by an internal safety board before its launch in India, McCauley said.

The former board member said Altman's dishonesty had caused "crisis events" every few months. She said she received an email from now-former OpenAI board member Ilya Sutskever that described "dozens of pages of examples of different chaotic events that had occurred from Sam's behavior or lies that he had told."

Musk's nonprofit expert also took Altman to task

Musk's lawyers then called David Schizer to the stand to talk about nonprofit law. This may sound boring, but it's key to the case — and the professor of law at Columbia Law School did a good job, with the help of Musk's lawyer, of making it about Altman.

Musk's lawyer, Steven Molo, reviewed a list of Altman's actions, as previously described by witnesses, to determine whether they were consistent with OpenAI's safety-first mission and "nonprofit custom and practice."

The answer, almost inevitably, was no.

For example, Molo asked Schizer about complaints that OpenAI, under Altman, launched products without the board's knowledge. One question involved complaints that Microsoft tested a version of GPT-4 without first going through the company's safety review process.

"The board and CEO need to be partnering, working together, to make sure the mission is being followed," Schizer said.

"If the CEO is withholding that information, it's a big problem," he said.

Update: We've scoured the internet for Paramount Plus coupon and promo codes, but we haven't found any active offers at this time. We'll continue hunting for new deals and discounts and add them to this page as we find them, so keep checking back for updates. If you're still planning to subscribe to Paramount Plus, you can keep reading to learn about savings on annual plans, or head back to checkout.

Paramount Plus might have simply started as a means to stream buzzy CBS shows on demand, but the app has evolved into one of the best streaming services on the market, thanks to its impressive selection of originals, sports programming, and (in the Premium tier) Showtime series. The streaming service is already one of the more budget-friendly apps on the market, but using one of the best Paramount Plus coupon and promo codes can help you save even more on a subscription.

Paramount Plus carries the full slate of popular CBS shows, from franchise favorites like "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds" to newer series such as "Ghosts" and the "Matlock" reboot. Most notably, the service gets the new episodes of "Survivor 50" and "Marshals" the day after they air on linear TV (or live, depending on which tier you're subscribed to). But the service carries much more than CBS faves, including popular original series like "Landman" and award-winning films such as "There Will Be Blood." The streamer also offers an ever-growing line-up of live sports, including UFC events and NFL on CBS games.

By upgrading to Paramount Plus Premium, you gain access to Showtime titles like "Dexter: Resurrection" and "Yellowjackets," along with the ability to live stream your local CBS station. For a deeper dive into the different plans, prices, and features, be sure to check out our full Paramount Plus review and Paramount Plus guide. Even with the most recent price hike, Paramount Plus remains one of the most affordable streaming services available. The ad-supported plan is one of the most competitively priced, given the sheer volume of quality content for $9 a month when compared to competitors.

A promo code can help make a Paramount Plus subscription even cheaper. These codes are pretty rare, but we're always on the lookout for new ones. To help make saving easy, we've rounded up the best current offers in one place. Before you head to checkout, make sure to explore the top Paramount Plus coupon codes we've tested below to secure the best possible price on your new plan.

Today's best Paramount Plus coupon codes

Previous Paramount Plus promo codes

Are there any other Paramount Plus sales running at the moment?

There are no active sales running at Paramount Plus right now. The most recent limited-time deal discounted the first two months of service on both Essential and Premium plans down to $2.99 a month. This deal concluded on March 31, 2026, and prices have since returned to their standard rates. We occasionally see other deals on monthly or annual plans throughout the year, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Opting for an annual plan remains a great, evergreen way to save on the streaming service. You can save money each year compared to what you'd pay after 12 months of a month-to-month subscription. An annual subscription is also a great way to temporarily avoid any upcoming price hikes. Check out the savings breakdown below:

• For the latest buying advice updates, follow us on Instagram and WhatsApp

How to use Paramount Plus coupons and promo codes

As with all streaming services, Paramount Plus requires you to create an account to enroll in a plan. If you're on the sign-up page, choose a plan and create an account using your name, email, ZIP code, and a new password. From there, you'll be taken to a checkout page where you can apply a coupon code by clicking "Have a coupon code?" to paste in a promo code.

Can you stack Paramount Plus coupon codes?

Paramount Plus coupon codes cannot be stacked to work together. The system only allows for one promo to be applied at a time. However, we don't often see more than one active coupon code available at a time, so this shouldn't be a frequent problem

Paramount Plus coupons: frequently asked questions

Does Paramount Plus offer discounts for teachers, students, or the military?

Paramount Plus offers verified service members 50% off any plan for life. Students currently enrolled in an accredited institution can get 50% off any plan. Verified teachers, faculty, and staff members can get 50% off any plan.

If you fall into the education category, be sure to check our roundups for the best student discounts and the best teacher discounts you can score year-round.

Which Paramount Plus plans can I choose from?

Paramount Plus has two main tiers of service, which are available as either monthly or annual plans. The base tier, Paramount Plus Essential, costs $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. Essential includes ad-supported access to most of the streamer's catalog (except for Showtime) and select live events.

Paramount Plus Premium, previously known as Paramount Plus with Showtime, offers a little extra. Premium costs $13.99 a month or $139.99 a year and includes ad-free access to the streamer's entire catalog (including Showtime programming). Users can also live stream their local CBS station, so you can watch CBS shows and sports live as they air.

Both plans are solid options, and deciding which one is right for you ultimately comes down to personal taste and budget. If you're only interested in UFC or catching a CBS show on demand with ads, Essential will do the trick. However, if you're tired of ads, want to watch CBS live, or are interested in a broader catalog of prestige programming, you'll probably want to upgrade to Premium.

Does Paramount Plus offer a free trial?

Paramount Plus no longer offers a free trial to new customers. The streaming service previously had a seven-day trial period, but the offer was removed in early 2026.

Is Paramount Plus available outside the United States?

Yes, Paramount Plus is available in select countries outside the United States, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Austria, and more. You can explore a full list of countries with access to Paramount Plus on the streamer's global landing page. Libraries sometimes vary by location. For example, "Yellowstone" is available on several international versions of Paramount Plus, but it's not included in US subscriptions.

Where can I watch Paramount Plus?

The Paramount Plus app is available across a massive selection of devices, including iOS and Android mobile devices, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TVs and tablets, Samsung TV, Google TV, LG TV, and Chromecast, among others. Notably, it's also available on Apple Vision Pro, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox. You can find a full list of supported devices (along with supported models and operating systems) on the Paramount Plus website.

What's coming soon to Paramount Plus?

Like most streaming services, Paramount Plus constantly updates its library to bring you more content. This month, Paramount Plus users will get access to hit originals and specials, shows, popular movies, new live sporting events, and more. See their website for a full list of what's coming to Paramount Plus this month.

"RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Season 11, "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked" Season 8, Tyler Perry's "Zatima" Season 4, "Dutton Ranch," "SkyMed" Season 4, and "Criminal Minds: Evolution" Season 19 are among the new programming hitting Paramount Plus in May 2026.

Which live sports events are available on Paramount Plus?

While the best way to watch the most live sports on Paramount Plus is through a Premium subscription, the Essential tier also includes select sports live streaming. Essential plans come with NFL on CBS games and UEFA Champions League matches. Paramount Plus also acquired UFC broadcast rights beginning in 2026, and fans can watch all events with either tier of service.

If you opt for a Premium plan, you'll unlock CBS live streaming. This will allow you to catch major sporting events broadcast on the network, including the Masters Tournament and certain March Madness games. CBS also carries select NWSL, WNBA, and college football games, among other events.

Check out more great streaming sales in our guide to the best streaming deals and our roundup of the best Peacock promo codes.

• Companies such as Meta, Amazon, and Coinbase have said they're trimming staff this year.
• Many firms have cited the rise of AI as a reason they need fewer staff.
• See the list of companies letting workers go in 2026.

More than two dozen companies have laid off employees so far in 2026, continuing the trend of significant workforce reductions across a broad range of industries, including tech, media, finance, and retail.

Some, including Block and Coinbase, have cited the impact of artificial intelligence as a key reason for the layoffs.

Target, meanwhile, is shifting resources from its supply chain into stores as part of the new CEO's turnaround strategy to improve the shopping experience and return to growth.

More than 100 other companies, from Amazon to Nike to Verizon, have filed legally mandated WARN notices about job cuts to come in 2026, according to WARN Tracker. Some of the cuts are part of previously announced reductions.

The moves come as artificial intelligence, public policy, and broader economic conditions are driving sweeping changes in the business landscape.

A World Economic Forum survey last year found that some 41% of companies worldwide expected to reduce their workforces in the next five years because of the rise of artificial intelligence. The survey also found that jobs in big data, fintech, and AI are expected to double by 2030.

Last year, Business Insider tracked layoffs at around 65 major companies, such as Amazon, Meta, Paramount, and Starbucks. In 2026, we'll continue to track additional job cuts based on company announcements, WARN notices, and our own reporting.

Here are the companies with job cuts underway in 2026, listed in alphabetical order.

Amazon is laying off thousands of employees

Amazon said in January that it is eliminating around 16,000 corporate roles globally.

This marks its second round of mass layoffs since October, when the tech and retail giant shed 14,000 roles.

Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology, described the move in a company memo as part of broader efforts to cut back on bureaucracy inside the company.

Angi is cutting 350 jobs

Angi, the popular contractor listing site once known as Angie's List, said in January that it was cutting around 350 jobs "to reduce operating expenses and optimize the organizational structure in support of long-term growth." The company also said it's making the cuts "in light of AI-driven efficiency improvements."

In a January 7 SEC filing, Angi said that the cuts would save between $70 million and $80 million in annual spending. The layoffs will cost the company between $22 million and $30 million, according to the filing.

Atlassian is cutting 1,600 employees

Atlassian, the enterprise software company and maker of Confluence, said on March 11 that it will be cutting about 10% of its workforce as it invests in AI to reshape its organization.

CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes said in a statement that about 1,600 employees will be affected by the cuts.

"We fundamentally believe people and AI create the best outcomes. Our approach is not 'AI replaces people,'" Cannon-Brookes said. "But it would be disingenuous to pretend AI doesn't change the mix of skills we need or the number of roles required in certain areas. It does."

The company expects to incur $225 million and $236 million in restructuring charges, according to an SEC filing.

Citi's job cuts continue this year

Citi will cut more jobs this year as part of its plan to reduce its workforce by 10%, or 20,000 employees.

In a statement on January 13, the bank said that it will continue to reduce head count in 2026.

"These changes reflect adjustments we're making to ensure our staffing levels, locations and expertise align with current business needs," a spokesperson for Citi said.

The plan was detailed in the company's January 2024 earnings report and could save the bank as much as $2.5 billion.

Cloudflare lays off 20% of its global workforce

Cybersecurity company Cloudflare on May 7 said it plans to cut roughly 20% of its global workforce, affecting more than 1,100 employees.

In an internal memo, Cloudflare executives said the company's use of AI has climbed more than 600% over the past three months, and that the rapid shift has forced the company to reconsider its structure.

"We want to be clear that this decision is not a reflection of the individual work or talent of those leaving us," Cloudflare executives wrote in the May 7 memo. "Instead, we are reimagining every internal process, team, and role across the company."

The company's shares fell more than 14% in extended trading following the announcement.

Coinbase is cutting 14% of staff

The CEO of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, said in a letter to staff on May 5 that 14% of its staff would be cut, largely because of AI.

"AI is changing how we work. Over the past year, I've watched engineers use AI to ship in days what used to take a team weeks," wrote. "The pace of what's possible with a small, focused team has changed dramatically, and it's accelerating every day."

Armstrong said this would mean fewer layers and faster decisions in the company. No pure managers, he said — all leaders will now be required to get stuck in and "get their hands dirty."

"AI is bringing a profound shift in how companies operate, and we're reshaping Coinbase to lead in this new era," he added.

Crypto.com laid off 12% of its workforce

Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek said in March that the company laid off 12% of its workforce, including "roles that do not adapt in our new world."

"Companies that move immediately and pair the best AI tools with top-performers will achieve a level of scale and precision that was previously impossible," Marszalek wrote in a post on X. "This is where we must go."

Dell cut 10% of its workforce

Dell cut its workforce by 10% for the third year in a row, the company said in its annual filing with the SEC.

As of January 31, 2026, the company had 97,000 employees, down 11,000 from the same time last year. The decline includes both layoffs and attrition, Business Insider reported.

eBay is expected to lay off 6% of its employees

eBay is set to eliminate about 800 jobs globally, making up 6% of its workforce. The company told Business Insider that it's taking steps to better align with its strategic priorities.

"We are grateful for the contributions of the employees impacted and are committed to supporting them with care and respect," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

Epic Games is cutting 20% of its workforce

Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, said in March that it would lay off more than 1,000 people — about 20% of its workforce — as engagement with the game declined.

CEO Tim Sweeney said in a memo that the layoffs "aren't related to AI."

"To the extent it improves productivity, we want to have as many awesome developers developing great content and tech as we can," Sweeney said.

Estée Lauder is deepening its cuts, now to as many as 10,000 roles

Estée Lauder said in its May earnings report that it will deepen its previously announced cuts, which are now expected to affect up to 10,000 jobs.

More than two-thirds of the reductions are in cashier and demonstration roles at lower-performing retail and department stores.

Expedia laid off some employees

Expedia confirmed to Business Insider that it had laid off some employees on January 26 and had also posted new job openings. It's unclear how many of its workers were affected by the cuts.

"We are eliminating roles as well as opening some new roles as we remain disciplined about assessing the skills we need for the future," an Expedia Group spokesperson said in a statement. "We are also simplifying our structure and reducing organizational layers to move faster and with more accountability. These are not easy decisions, and we are grateful for the contributions of our colleagues who are impacted."

Freshworks is cutting 11% of staff

The San Mateo, California-based software company said in its early May earnings report that it would cut 11% of its staff in the second quarter. The company had about 4,500 employees at the end of 2025.

The cuts aim "to streamline the Company's organizational efforts and product development process" and increase AI across the company, according to the filing.

On an earnings call, CEO Dennis Woodside said about half the company's code comes from AI.

"Like many other software companies, that is definitely changing how we build products, how fast we can build products, and the amount of people that we need to build products," he said.

The company's stock slumped 35% from May 2025 to May 2026.

GoPro is laying off 145 employees

On April 7, GoPro said it would lay off about 145 employees as it tries to cut operating costs and restructure operations.

The layoffs make up 23% of its global headcount of 631 employees, the camera maker said in a regulatory filing.

The cuts will start in the second quarter of the year and will largely be completed by the end of 2026. The restructuring is expected to result in a charge of $11.5 million to $15 million.

The company cut about 15% of its staff in August 2024 to cut costs.

Heineken has a multi-year plan to reduce its workforce

Heineken is cutting 5,000 to 6,000 roles over the next two years to boost productivity and bring down costs, according to its latest full-year earnings report.

The company told Business Insider that the divisions and regions where the layoffs are due to take place are yet to be confirmed.

Heineken said in its 2025 report that it faced "subdued consumer sentiment" in the Americas, alongside a "challenging year" for brewers in Europe.

Kenvue cuts 3.5% of workforce

Consumer healthcare brand Kenvue, which produces Tylenol, plans to cut 3.5% of its staff. Kenvue had about 22,000 employees globally, per its latest annual report.

The company wrote in a mid-February SEC filing that its board aimed to reduce complexity and drive operational efficiencies.

The company's layoffs and restructuring efforts are expected to cost $250 million in 2026, per the filing.

Lululemon laid off 100 part-time employees at its customer service center

The athleisure giant said it laid off 100 part-time employees to "strengthen the business." The affected roles are in the company's North American contact center.

"After careful consideration, we have made the decision to transition our North America GEC to a full-time employee staffing model. As a result, approximately 100 part-time positions in our GEC have been impacted," a Lululemon spokesperson said.

Meta lays off workers at Reality Labs and other divisions

Meta began laying off employees across multiple teams on March 25, including Reality Labs, Facebook, recruiting, sales, and global operations.

The cuts come as the company ramps up spending on AI infrastructure and talent, alongside broader cost-cutting efforts. Meta said the changes are part of ongoing restructuring to better align teams with company goals, while exploring other roles for affected employees where possible.

Meta first began preparing to slash jobs within its Reality Labs division, the unit responsible for Mark Zuckerberg's metaverse ambitions, in January, three people familiar with the matter told Business Insider at the time.

Two employees said that teams working on virtual reality headsets and Horizon Worlds, the company's VR social network, would be disproportionately affected.

Meta has shifted away from virtual reality in recent years in favor of spending hundreds of billions of dollars on beefing up its AI capabilities.

Nike laid off workers in two rounds

Nike is cutting roughly 1,400 jobs, mostly from tech, as part of a broader push to streamline operations and revive growth.

In a memo to staff on April 23 obtained by Business Insider, Chief Operating Officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the layoffs are tied to the company's "win now" turnaround plan, which focuses on improving culture, product, marketing, marketplace strategy, and in-person retail. He described the effort as entering its "final stretch."

This is Nike's second layoff in 2026. Nike said on January 26 that it planned to lay off 775 employees across Tennessee and Mississippi, citing efforts to "streamline" its distribution center operations.

"We are sharpening our supply chain footprint, accelerating the use of advanced technology and automation, and investing in the skills our teams need for the future," Nike said in a statement to Business Insider.

Oracle is making cuts across regions

Oracle started laying off employees on March 31. The cuts appear to affect employees worldwide.

The company employed around 162,000 full-time employees as of May 2025, according to its most recent 10-K filing.

"After careful consideration of Oracle's current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role as part of a broader organizational change. As a result, today is your last working day," the company said in an email to affected employees.

Papa Johns is restructuring

Papa Johns said it is laying off 7% of its corporate staff amid a broader restructuring.

The pizza chain said it will also close 300 locations in North America through 2027, starting with 200 this year.

"Optimizing our restaurant portfolio and strategically closing underperforming restaurants are among the most impactful actions we can take to improve restaurant profitability and fleet health," Papa Johns CFO Ravi Thanawala said during the company's fourth quarter earnings call on February 26.

Pinterest is expected to lay off 15% of its workforce

Pinterest announced a global restructuring plan that includes layoffs affecting less than 15% of its workforce, according to a January securities filing. The cuts come with reductions in office space.

"We are making organizational changes to further deliver on our AI-forward strategy, which includes hiring AI-proficient talent," a Pinterest spokesperson said.

"As a result, we've made the difficult decision to say goodbye to some of our team members. We are grateful for their service and supporting them with separation packages and benefits," they added.

Saks laid off 16% of its corporate staff, among other job cuts

Saks Global, the beleaguered parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, conducted several rounds of layoffs as it closed stores and trimmed its corporate staff

In April, the company cut about 16% of its corporate staff, representing less than 4% of its total workforce.

"Following the strategic actions we've taken to secure long-term financial stability, sharpen our focus on luxury and full-price selling, optimize our operational footprint, and exit non-core businesses, we are right-sizing our corporate organization to align with our go-forward strategy," a Saks spokesperson told Business Insider.

The cuts followed Saks's closure of dozens of stores and fulfillment centers in the first quarter, resulting in layoffs.

Saks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January.

T-Mobile cut some jobs

T-Mobile cut some staff in early 2026, though the scope of the layoffs is unclear. Some workers posted on LinkedIn saying they'd been affected by the changes in January.

"As the next step in our evolution, we're making some changes while continuing to hire to ensure we have the right focus, structure, and momentum to keep changing the industry through innovation and our long-standing focus on customers," T-Mobile told Business Insider in a statement.

Tailwind cut 3 of its 4 engineers

Tailwind, a popular web tool, said it cut three of its four engineers in January, citing an AI-driven decline in revenue.

"75% of the people on our engineering team lost their jobs here yesterday because of the brutal impact AI has had on our business," CEO Adam Wathan wrote in a GitHub comment on January 6 that made waves in the tech community.

Target is cutting 500 roles from its distribution and regional offices

Target confirmed to Business Insider in February that it would cut 100 district office roles and 400 supply chain positions. It plans to invest instead in additional labor hours at stores to improve the shopping experience and return to growth.

The store improvement effort is a signature priority of the retailer's new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, who started on February 1.

In November, Fiddelke said the company intends to invest an additional $1 billion in capital expenditures for 2026, an increase of 25% from 2025.

UPS said it will eliminate 30,000 jobs

UPS CEO Brian Dykes told analysts during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call that the company plans to reduce its operational workforce by 30,000 in 2026.

"This will be accomplished through attrition, and we expect to offer a second voluntary separation program for full-time drivers," Dykes said.

He told analysts that the company has identified 24 buildings for closure in the first half of 2026 and will continue to evaluate additional buildings for closure.

WiseTech is cutting 30% of its workforce

Logistics software maker Wisetech is cutting 2,000 jobs, or 30% of its staff, citing AI-driven efficiency gains.

In a conference call on February 25, CEO Zubin Appoo embraced AI and said that it means more productivity, in less time, and from fewer employees. The Sydney-based company employed about 7,000 people, according to its annual report released in October.

"I am prepared to say this clearly: the era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over," Appoo said. AI is "unlocking levels of efficiency gains across WiseTech that were previously out of reach."

Workday is cutting jobs

Workday is cutting about 400 jobs, and said on February 4 that the move will help the enterprise software company redirect resources toward priority areas.

The layoffs will primarily affect customer-facing roles that are "non-revenue generating," Workday said in a regulatory filing.

The cuts represent roughly 2% of its workforce and are expected to result in about $135 million in charges in the fiscal fourth quarter, which ended in January.

Workday announced a larger round of layoffs about a year ago, citing the need to invest more heavily in strategic areas such as AI. The company reported about 20,600 employees as of late October.

Is your company conducting layoffs? Got a tip?

• Cloudflare on Thursday announced layoffs of 1,100 staff as it reorganizes for "the agentic AI era."
• First-quarter earnings exceeded expectations, but Cloudflare shares dropped over 14% after hours.
• Read the full memo sent to staff below.

Cloudflare is laying off more than 1,100 employees as the cybersecurity company says it is reorganizing for the "agentic AI era," according to a memo sent to staff on Thursday.

The cuts came hours after the company reported first-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations, though shares fell sharply in after-hours trading — more than 14% at the time of publication.

In the memo, Cloudflare executives said the company's use of AI has surged "more than 600% in the last three months alone," and argued the company needs to rethink how it is structured in order to move faster and deliver more value to customers.

The layoffs make Cloudflare the latest tech company to cite AI-driven efficiency gains and organizational changes as reasons for reducing head count.

Read the full memo below:

Team:

We are writing to let you know directly that we've made the decision to reduce Cloudflare's workforce by more than 1,100 employees globally.

The way we work at Cloudflare has fundamentally changed. We don't just build and sell AI tools and platforms. We are our own most demanding customer. Cloudflare's usage of AI has increased by more than 600% in the last three months alone. Employees across the company from engineering to HR to finance to marketing run thousands of AI agent sessions each day to get their work done. That means we have to be intentional in how we architect our company for the agentic AI era in order to supercharge the value we deliver to our customers and to honor our mission to help build a better Internet for everyone, everywhere.

Today is a hard day. This decision unfortunately means saying goodbye to teammates who have contributed meaningfully to our mission and to building Cloudflare into one of the world's most successful companies. We want to be clear that this decision is not a reflection of the individual work or talent of those leaving us. Instead, we are reimagining every internal process, team, and role across the company. Today's actions are not a cost-cutting exercise or an assessment of individuals' performance; they are about Cloudflare defining how a world-class, high-growth company operates and creates value in the agentic AI era.

This is a moment we need to own as founders and leaders of the company. Matthew has personally sent out every offer letter we've extended. It is a practice he has always looked forward to because it represented our growth and the incredible talent joining our mission. It didn't feel right for this message to come from anyone other than the two of us. Rather than trickling out notices through managers, we will be sending emails to every employee.

Within the next hour, every member of our global team will receive an email from both of us clarifying how this change affects them. For those departing today, we will send this update to both their personal and Cloudflare addresses to ensure they receive the information immediately.

It's important to us that we treat departing team members right and in a way that exceeds what we've seen from other companies. We believe acting with empathy isn't about avoiding hard decisions but rather about how you treat people when those decisions are made. If we are asking our team to be world-class, we have a reciprocal obligation to be world-class in how we treat them. We are pairing the directness of these measures with severance packages that lead the industry. The packages for departing employees will include the equivalent of their full base pay through the end of 2026. Healthcare coverage is different across the globe, and if you're in the United States, we'll continue to provide support through the end of the year. We are also vesting equity for departing team members through August 15th, so they receive stock beyond their departure date. And, if departing team members haven't hit their one-year cliffs, we are going to waive those and vest their pro-rated equity through August as well.

We've asked the team to do this only once, as hard as that may be today. We don't want to do it again for the foreseeable future. By taking decisive action now, we provide immediate clarity to those departing and protect the stability of the team that remains. We are making these changes now because making smaller, repeated cuts or dragging a reorganization out over multiple quarters creates prolonged emotional uncertainty for employees and stalls our ability to build. It's the right thing to do; it's the honest thing to do; and it reflects the values of the company we are continuing to build.

Cloudflare started as a digitally native company built in the cloud. That allowed us to catch up to and pass companies that had a head start of years or decades but were slowed down by outdated systems and processes. As we've now become the leader, we cannot rest on the workflows and organizational structures that worked yesterday. We're confident that our reshaped organization will be even faster and more innovative as we continue building the future.

To those departing us: you've helped build the strong foundation Cloudflare stands on today. We have the utmost respect for your work and gratitude for the impact you have made. We're confident you will land at other great places and build many future great companies, bringing with you a unique set of skills learned while building Cloudflare.

Transparency is a core principle at Cloudflare, and it was important that you hear this from us first. We will be heading to our earnings conference call at 2 PM PT, when we'll share more. We also plan to address today's announcements live with the team at our all-hands meeting.

It's not an easy day, but it's the right decision. Our mission to help build a better Internet is more important now than ever, and there's a lot of work left to be done.

The best standing desks make it easy to transition between sitting and standing without disrupting your workflow and can ultimately help you build healthier habits at work. Standing throughout the day can reduce sedentary time and ease common aches, though experts note that the real goal is balance — too much standing can strain your circulation just as too much sitting can.

Our team has tested nearly two dozen height-adjustable standing desks and converters in our home offices. In addition to working from them for months at a time, we evaluated stability, adjustment range, noise and speed, desktop size, cable management, and customization options.

An adjustable desk is just one part of an ergonomic setup. Pairing it with monitor arms or a laptop stand and a supportive desk chair will help you maintain a comfortable posture while a desk mat will help manage fatigue and back pain.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests home products. 

Our picks of the best standing desks

Best overall: Uplift V3 Standing Desk - See at Uplift

Best budget: Flexispot E2 Standing Desk - See at Amazon

Another budget pick: Vivo Electric Standing Desk - See at Amazon

Best heavy-duty: Flexispot E7 Pro Standing Desk - See at Flexispot

Best for cable management: Secretlab Magnus Pro - See at Secretlab

Best for small spaces: Branch Duo Standing Desk - See at Branch

Best with drawer: Burrow Copilot Standing Desk - See at Burrow

Best for tall people: Branch Standing Desk - See at Branch

Best converter: Vivo K Series - See at Amazon

How to choose the best standing desk for your needs

Aesthetics and function come into play here. Consider your personal needs and space to find your ideal standing desk. Then consider add ons like

Best overall

Uplift has been one of our go-to standing desks for years. This in part thanks to its durability, stability, and endless customization options. The brand has long held the top spot for making the best standing desk you can buy, but we've updated our pick to focus on the new V3 model. Released in September 2025, it's easier to assemble, features better cable management, and has a sturdier frame for better stability.

The new V3 offers a more inclusive height range of 22.6 to 48.7 inches. This meets current 2021 BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association) ergonomic standards and fits about 95% of users (anyone from 5 feet to 6-foot-4). The previous V2 model ranged from 25.3 to 50 inches and was available in both standard and commercial versions. If you're on the taller side, adding the caster wheels can give you a bit of extra height.

Customization is where Uplift really shines. You can choose from tons of desktop materials — laminate, bamboo, solid wood butcher block — and mix and match frame styles, keypads, and accessories like drawers, monitor arms, power strips, and privacy panels. Flexispot offers small-space friendly 40-inch desktops to 80-inch executive desks that can fit multiple monitors. There are also L-shaped and corner desk options too. If that sounds overwhelming, Uplift offers a few pre-configured setups to make the process easier. It's also available on Amazon for a more streamlined experience, though you lose out on seeing the full range of options available to you. Every desk now comes with the FlexMount Cable Manager, a pouch-style system along the back that can hold up to 10 pounds of cords and power bricks.

The V3 functions beautifully. It has the same 355-pound lifting capacity as the V2 and stays impressively quiet, moving from the lowest to the tallest setting in about 13 seconds. The desk feels rock-solid at any height, thanks to its reinforced steel foot, stability plates that reduce side-to-side movement, and a crossbar that evenly distributes weight.

The new V3 offers a more inclusive height range of 22.6 to 48.7 inches. This meets current 2021 BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association) ergonomic standards and fits about 95% of users (anyone from 5 feet to 6-foot-4). The previous V2 model ranged from 25.3 to 50 inches and was available in both standard and commercial versions. If you're on the taller side, adding the caster wheels can give you a bit of extra height.

Program it to your desired heights. The digital keypad allows you to view the desk's exact height and program preset positions for sitting and standing. You can even add a Bluetooth adapter to control it from your phone, track how often you sit or stand, and set reminders to move more throughout the day.

Assembly took about an hour. It was noticeably faster than putting together the V2. Uplift reduced the number of screws and added pre-assembled crossbars, fasteners, and a control box. The instructions were straightforward, though installing the optional drawer was tricky since it didn't come with pre-drilled holes.

Read our full Uplift V3 Standing Desk review.

Best budget

There's no way around the fact that standing desks are more expensive than traditional desks. FlexiSpot's budget-friendly offering costs around $200, which is about as low as you'll find for a motorized standing desk that is sturdy. Flexispot makes a dizzying array of models, but the E2 is its least expensive option. On Flexispot's website, you can customize the desk with a range of desktop materials and accessories, but if you suffer from decision fatigue, you can just buy the whole thing pre-configured on Amazon, where it is sold as the EN1. It comes with hooks to

We tested the Pro version of the E2, which is now discontinued, but the only real difference between the Pro and the current version is that the cable management was included (for an extra $40, you can just add it to the current configuration).

The overall desk quality was comparable to some of the more expensive models we've tested. The desktop has enough space for two monitors and other desktop accessories. With a simple two-button push system, it lifts to your desired height at a smooth and quiet rate of one inch per second. Importantly, it doesn't look cheap, which is an issue we've seen with other budget standing desks. 

The biggest drawback of the desk was putting it together. Fortunately that's a one-time task. The the assembly instructions weren't clear, and some parts don't fit together as well as they should. Since putting all the pieces together, the desk has run smoothly, quietly, and without issue.

Read our full Flexispot standing desk review.

Another excellent option under $200 with an impressive weight capacity

The Vivo standing desk is a great alternative to Flexispot. It also is available in a wide range of surface sizes and colors to choose from. The roomy 60 × 30 inch size costs under $200, with smaller sizes costing less. The version we tested supported up to 176 pounds, which is more than enough for a few monitors, a desktop PC, or even a gaming setup, but the brand has since upped the desk's weight capacity to 220 pounds. I'm around 150 pounds, and it had no problem lifting me to its 48.5-inch limit. This very affordable standing desk has four programmable height settings, making it ideal for shared workspaces, but it lacks basic cable management unless you choose add-ons.

Assembly was a bit frustrating. It had vague instructions for leg width adjustments and a lack of some pre-drilled holes. It required a little extra effort with a Philips head screwdriver. Once set up, the desk feels sturdy.

We stress-tested this desk to the limit. A child lock adds safety, but the collision detection, which is supposed to stop the desk mid-movement if someone bangs into it or it detects resistance, is unreliable. In testing, the desk failed to stop when met with resistance, raising concerns for households with children or for protecting furniture beneath. Also, the motor overheats easily, as I discovered during initial setup, when a 'Hot' warning displayed well under the 15 minutes mentioned in the manual, but it was fine after leaving it for a few minutes. I haven't seen the error message since. Even so, that's a minor red flag for durability.

Compared to Flexispot's entry-level desks, the differences are minimal. Vivo offers a height range of 29.3 to 48.5 inches, while Flexispot ranges from 28.1 to 45.7 inches. Vivo has a higher weight capacity than Flexispot. In practice, both far exceed the needs of most home offices. Also, Vivo's 3-year warranty is far shorter than Flexispot's five-year. In all, the two are very similar, and it could ultimately come down to whichever is on sale at the moment. — Brendan Griffiths, senior commerce director

Best heavy duty

The Flexispot E7 Pro can lift upwards of 440 pounds of gear. This makes it ideal for people with heavy gear to load up the desk and provides added peace of mind if leaning on the table with body weight. "I couldn't believe how well it did during the weight testing process — lifting and lowering my entire body with ease," said tester Alex Temblador.

It's one of the best standing desks under $500. Flexispot emphasizes great value for the features. It was edged out from taking best overall as Uplift had a slight edge in terms of total customization and ease of installation. You can read more in our comparison of the Uplift and Flexispot's E7 Pro.

It's available in numerous sizes and desktop materials, but fewer accessory add-ons. The Flexispot customizations include chipboard, rubberwood, solid wood, or bamboo desktops across numerous sizes, or as a frame-only option. Some options like solid wood made in the US have longer lead times. Flexispot also offers an L-shaped desk with triple motors for added stability if you need an extra-large workspace. Unlike Uplift, there is just one control panel to choose from, but it has all the features you could need, Temblador liked that it was easy to program the standing and sitting heights with four presets and a digital height display. "I liked that the control panel had a USB port, as it made charging my phone while I worked much easier."

It's well-suited to people of varying heights. The desk can could rise and lower an inch in less than two seconds with a maximum standing height of 50.6 inches and a minimum sitting height of 25 inches,. The C-Frame has a solid carbon steel base that provides stability and a three-stage lift system. It also comes with an extended cord management tray. However, it's not as quiet as some of the other models we tested, hitting about 61 decibels, but not disruptive either.

Assembly can be a little difficult with the instruction manual and tools provided. However, it's hard to beat the price of this standing desk, especially when you compare it to others on the market.

Read our full Flexispot E7 Pro Standing Desk review.

Best for cable management

A desk designed for gamers, but you don't need to be one to love it.  It's smooth motor, stable desktop, and vast customization options are huge selling points as to why we love the Secretlab Magnus Pro Desk. The metal desktop comes in two spacious sizes, with over a dozen different leatherette Magpad Desk Mats to choose from. These magnetic surfaces sturdily roll out over the metal surface to provide a matte, non-skid workspace that didn't budge during hours of testing. From there, you can add accessories like cable management sheaths, monitor arms, RGB lighting, and PC mounts. 

Where this desk truly shines is in its cable management. Pesky cables are the standing desk user's worst enemy, and this desk tames them with a hidden channel at the back of the tabletop for extension cords, chargers, and power cables. The desk itself acts as a power hub of sorts by plugging into your power socket from the leg's base, then rerouting power to an outlet at the top of the desk for you to plug in all of your electronics. It means that all of your cords are connected to the top of the desk, so when you raise or lower it, nothing gets tugged or tangled with the movement. You can further customize with magnetic cable anchors, sheaths to hide cables up the leg, and cord ties.

During testing, I found this to be a flawless solution in motion. After days of use, I was blown away by how freely I could move my desk without fretting about yanked cables. Really, the Magnus Pro is everything it promises to be: a stable base with unrivaled cable management and premium add-ons that just make it better.  Its smooth motor, stable desktop, and vast customization options are huge selling points for the Magnus Pro.

The main setback is just how difficult it is to assemble. Like Ikea furniture on hard mode, this desk arrives in pieces, all of them flat-packed in separate boxes. Though the instructions are detailed, putting it together is a real project that involves a fair amount of crawling around and heavy lifting. It's an incredible desk that I highly recommend to everyone, but you need to be ready for some difficult assembly. — Sarah Saril, deals editor

Read our full Secretlab Magnus Pro Standing Desk review.

Best for small spaces

Our search for a compact desk led us to the Branch Duo Standing Desk. It is an easy-to-use option that moves seamlessly and quietly to reach your desired height. It's available in three different sizes: 36 x 24 inches, 48 x 24 inches, or 58 x 27 inches, but the smallest option is sized well to fit into a tiny office or apartment.

It's customizable. Choose from four different leg options and nine tabletop finishes in laminate or wood veneer. You can choose to make the desk monochromatic or add a wood tone to the top. This desk also comes with multiple add-ons, including a front drawer for extra storage and cable management.

The desk has a sleek design and simple control panel. It fit nicely in tester Rebecca Shinners' studio. She thought programming the sitting and standing heights took a bit of time to get right, but in general, the desk moves quickly and smoothly and feels stable at all heights, supporting up to 275 pounds of weight. There's also an option to set a reminder to stand up to add more movement to your day.

Unlock smart features when you add on a Bluetooth adaptor. Since we tested this desk, Branch introduced a Bluetooth adaptor that connects to the Branch app (iOS only), which lets you control your desk, schedule standing time, and monitor time spent standing.

It has a 19.3-inch range of movement (from 27.8 to 47 inches). This suited Shinners, who is petite at five-feet tall, all the way up to users up to 6-foot-1. It ships in two boxes and was mostly straightforward to set up, but some of the wiring was tricky to secure into place and required two people.

Read our full Branch Duo Standing Desk review.

Best with drawer

Burrow sought out customer feedback to build the perfect standing desk. While Burrow is most notable for its modular and easy-to-assemble sofas, the Copilot Standing Desk was designed following feedback from a customer survey about the ideal aesthetics, interior storage, and cord management needs for a standing desk. As a result, the Burrow Copilot Standing Desk features a stylish hardwood tabletop (available in oak or walnut), adjustable and stable steel legs, and, most notably, a built-in drawer with a luxe soft-close mechanism and enough space to hide away a 17-inch laptop, extra papers, or small office supplies.

Beyond being incredibly functional, the Copilot caters to our need for something beautiful, too. Very few standing desk brands offer any sort of built-in storage, let alone one that blends into a home office setting. Other design considerations include a hidden monitor mount and a cord organization compartment.

The desk incrementally adjusts from 28.5 to 48 inches. The control panel displays the exact height and has buttons to program three pre-set options. It is situated on the right side, which is convenient for right-handed users, but perhaps less so for left-handed folks. When I'm ready to shift between sitting and standing, the desk smoothly lifts with a low hum to my desired height. I'm comfortable leaning into the desk with my weight at taller heights, but it may wobble if you try to force it.

The Burrow Copilot desk shipped in two packages and included all the necessary tools and instructions for assembly. With the help of another person, I attached the legs, added the motor components, and flipped it right side up, which took me about 40 minutes. Burrow will also connect you with TaskRabbit if you want to avoid assembly.

The desk has a cord storage compartment sized to manage cables. Burrow also sent me a power block that tucks into the cord storage compartment, but my laptop charger prevented the lid from sitting flush. I had better luck turning a traditional surge protector on its side. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor

Best for tall people

Tall users over 6-foot-2 may need to consider a desk that is ergonomic to their height needs. The Branch Standing Desk adjusts to 52 inches for people up to 6-foot-8. It's just behind the Uplift desk in terms of adjustment range, but it moves slightly slower, at about 1.5 inches a second, and lowers down to a minimum of 26 inches.

The frame was sturdy and didn't sway. It has a maximum weight capacity of 275 pounds. However, it's not as customizable as the Uplift. The Branch Standing Desk is available in two top lengths of 48 or 60 inches by 30 inches deep and four top colors with a black or white frame. The desk is also only available with laminate MDF.

The control panel is great if you share the desk. You can store four preset heights and it displays the exact height. We find the keypad easier to use than the paddle design of the Duo, our pick for small spaces.

The Branch Standing Desk has a large grommet in the center of the desk to funnel cables through. This is something the smaller-sized Duo lacks. It's compatible with adds-on like a monitor arm, privacy panels, and in-desk power, which includes various plugs and USB outlets. Unlike the Duo however, it does not have compatibility to add on a Bluetooth adaptor to unlock smart features.

Best converter

A standing desk converter gives you the option to adjust the height of your workspace without buying a whole new desk. The Vivo K Series is the best overall pick from our guide to the best standing desk converter and offers a full range of customization, both in height and width. This model is available in six different widths, from 26 to 42 inches. Our tester used the 32-inch version, which offered ample space for a laptop and an additional monitor.

It's ideal for small desks and workspaces. Unlike other converters, the Vivo K Series has an X-shaped frame (similar to an ironing board), so the height adjustment goes straight up and down. Our tester noted that the converter fit on her own desk with a width of only 16 inches and that it was easy to tuck away when she wanted a more traditional workspace.

This converter was comfortable to use and visually pleasing. It has rounded edges and a curved keyboard level. You can choose from six color options to match your workspace.

Assembly took about 15 minutes. Though the process was intuitive, the instructions were not entirely clear.

Our top picks compared

What else we tested

Fully Jarvis Desk: Once upon a time, the Fully Jarvis bamboo desk was the best standing we had tested: it was easy to adjust, stable, had a strong warranty, and nice design configurations. However, once Herman Miller acquired Fully, the range of customizations and compatible accessories significantly dropped off. It's still available with specific options for short and tall users that fall outside the standard height ranges, and is an overall sturdy and well-made design.

Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: Branch's Four Leg Standing Desk follows a more traditional desk design than the clunky C- or T-frame style bases that dominate the standing desk landscape. Like Branch's other standing desks, it's a solid product: sleek, sturdy, and has held up fairly well over time (except for a superficial crack in the wood near the control pad). It offers minimalist appeal and a decent weight-bearing capacity (up to 225 pounds), with four slim but durable legs that don't wobble at elevated heights. The touch-sensitive control pad is also helpful and very customizable, and even lets you lock it if you're spreading out at the desk and worried about bumping the controls. Beyond the confusing and time-consuming setup, its greatest drawback may be its limited 17-inch adjustment range, which tops out at 44.6 inches, meaning it won't be the best ergonomic fit for those over 5-foot-8-inches.

Ergotron Mobile Desk: The Ergotron Mobile Desk is great for laptop users seeking portability and a desk that takes up a small footprint. However, its $550 price tag is pretty expensive considering the desk is adjusted manually.

VertDesk V3: Offering solid construction, excellent stability, and lots of customization options, the VertDesk V3 came very close to making our list. It's a well-built, reliable standing desk that comes with a good warranty, but it can get expensive as you begin to add extras or jump up in size. It also has a limited range of height adjustment, and it's tricky to assemble.

Ikea Idasen: With a distinctive look and great stability, this is a solid standing desk from Ikea, and it comes with a reassuring 10-year warranty. Unfortunately, the weight capacity is very low, the tabletop is particle and fiberboard, and it's slow to adjust with no preset height option on the keypad. It also has varying availability depending on your local Ikea.

NewHeights Elegante XT: Extremely stable, with top-quality internal electronics and plenty of customization options, there's no denying this is one of the best standing desks around. It offers reliable adjustment with a wide, 24-to-51-inch range and has no obvious weaknesses. It's too expensive for most people, but a great choice if you have the budget.

Xdesk Terra 2s: This is a very good-looking standing desk with lots of customization options, including dual-level desktops and beautiful build quality that combines bamboo, oak, or glass desktops with an aluminum frame. Sadly, it's far beyond most people's budget and doesn't quite justify the premium.

What to look for in a standing desk

Height range: Finding the best standing desk height for you will take some trial and error, so we prefer models with a large range between minimum and maximum heights. This is especially important if you're sharing the desk with multiple users of different heights. Desks that adhere to BIFMA standards, which ergonomically accommodate 95% of office workers, should work for people between 5 feet and 6-foot-3 and have an adjustment range of 26.1 inches. Taller users, such as those over 6-foot-5 may find that many of today's models don't extend tall enough. To remedy that, we recommend adding caster wheels, extenders, or adding a converter on top of a height-adjustable desk.

Maximum weight supported: If your desk is laden with heavy monitors and other equipment, it's important to get a sturdier desk. You'll also want to make sure the desk doesn't feel wobbly or sway when you lean on it with your body weight. The Flexispot E7 Pro has a 440-pound weight limit, but Uplift, Burrow, and Autonomous offer substantial limits of at least 300 pounds, too.

Length and depth: While your desk should comfortably support your laptop and monitor, it also has to fit within your office space. Several of our picks offer customizations for tabletop dimensions, ranging from 36 inches to as long as 80 inches. The most common desk lengths are 42, 48, and 60 inches.  Popular desk depths are 24 or 30 inches, which are suggested for narrower or desktop configurations, respectively. If you need a desk that fits a dual-monitor set up, looks for desks that are at least 60 inches long.

Electric vs manual: Electric standing desks are faster and sleeker, but are much more expensive. Some manual options are laborious to adjust, so it's unlikely you'll want to do so every day.  We only recommend electric standing desks.

Noise and speed: If you're working around other people, you want a desk that quickly and quietly adjusts to minimize disturbances. All the desks we recommend fall at or below 50 decibels when adjusting, comparable to the sound of an AC unit running. 

Collision detection: This safety feature is essential for avoiding accidents like hitting pets or kids who are hiding underneath the table.

Control pad: The control pad can vary among models. Basic features include up and down buttons, and more advanced ones include custom pre-sets (two to four is normal), USB charging, and digital displays that show the particular height. Child locks are also useful to keep kids and pets from accidentally changing settings.

How we test standing desks

Over the past three years, we've tested over two dozen standing desks and converters. Every one of our picks was tested in real-life conditions for several months at a time. Here are the main criteria we use to determine the best standing desks: 

Setup: We built each desk ourselves using only the included instructions and timed how long it took us. We considered the clarity of the instructions, whether we needed help to unbox and assemble the desk, and any other hiccups that might come with setup.

Height adjustment: We adjust the desks several times from their minimum to their maximum height, both empty and with at least 100 pounds of weights or books on top, noting how smoothly the desk adjusts and whether the desktop feels sturdy or wobbles. We dial in our own ideal desk height for both sitting and standing and then time how long it takes for the desk to make the adjustment and how loud it is in decibels. During the testing period, we adjust the desk daily in everyday use, changing from standing to sitting positions several times throughout the day. 

Stability: The higher a desk, the more prone it is to swaying or wobbling. At standing height, we'll lean up against the desk and apply weight to see if it is comfortable and stable to lean on the desk or if it feels like our belongings are at risk of collapsing.

Customization: If a desk offers the ability to program presets or a schedule, we evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of those features. We also note the available customizations for the desk design, including materials, finishes, sizes, and accessories like cable management, drawers, and monitor arms.

Standing desk FAQs

Why buy a standing desk?

During the workday, you should be doing a mixture of standing, sitting, and moving, if possible, said Alan Hedge, a certified ergonomist and professor emeritus in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University. "Mixing things up reduces any negative effects [of sitting or standing] in terms of musculoskeletal discomfort, your level of alertness, or productivity," Hedge said. Standing desks make it much easier to transition from sitting to standing while keeping proper posture and ergonomics in mind.

What are the benefits of using a standing desk? 

According to experts, using a standing desk can reduce neck and upper back pain, help you burn more calories than sitting, and potentially lower blood sugar levels.

Of course, for a truly healthy work setup, you'll want to invest in one of the best ergonomic chairs to keep your posture in check when seated. You may also want to consider a monitor mount or laptop stand for your ideal screen height to keep your body in a truly ergonomic position.

Is standing at your desk healthier than sitting?

A standing desk alone isn't going to improve your occupational health. According to Hedge, people tend to hunch over their standing desks after just 10 minutes. Mix sitting, standing, and moving throughout the day for the biggest impact.

How long should you stand at a standing desk?

Hedge suggests a 20-8-2 pattern based on his research and real-world testing: Sit for 20 minutes, stand for 8, stretch or walk around for 2, and repeat. These numbers aren't absolute, but what's most important is not to stay in one position for too long, Hedge said. We also recommend looking at our guide to the best standing desk mat if you find you regularly fatigue while standing.

What is a good standing desk height?

To achieve ergonomic positioning at a standing desk, your elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle, and your shoulders feel relaxed when working at the desk. These charts from Uplift, BTOD, and Autonomous provide specific settings to try for your height if you need a starting place. For example, Uplift says its recommended standing desk height for someone who is 5-foot-5 would be 39.5 inches, and 44 inches for an individual who is 6 feet tall.

What size standing desk should I get?

The standing desks in our guide are available in desktop sizes ranging from 36 inches to 80 inches. You'll need to consider your space constraints as well as how many screens you'll be using. Those using laptops or single monitors will get on fine with a 42- or 48-inch desk. If you plan on using two or more monitors, first you'll need to account for how large each monitor is. The desk should accommodate both screens without them feeling cramped or extending beyond the desk's edges. The standard desk size to comfortably accommodate two monitors is at least 60 inches.

• Sam Altman's management style came under scrutiny at Elon Musk's OpenAI trial.
• Former OpenAI execs Mira Murati and Shivon Zilis weighed in, as did former board members.
• Here is what they said, from complaints of "chaos" to poor communication.

The trial between Elon Musk and Sam Altman features a lot of people complaining about their boss.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Musk's lawyers elicited a common theme from the witnesses: Sam Altman's management style was not very good.

The seventh and eighth days of the OpenAI trial, where Musk is seeking more than $100 billion in compensation from OpenAI after accusing its founders of "stealing" a nonprofit, featured testimony from Shivon Zilis, a former OpenAI board member and the mother of four of Musk's children, and other former board members and executives.

Many of the criticisms raised by witnesses emerged during Altman's brief ouster as CEO in 2023, but the trial is resurfacing them.

In a recent blog post following a New Yorker article questioning Altman's honesty, the OpenAI CEO wrote that he is "not proud of being conflict-averse," which caused "great pain" for OpenAI and led to a "huge mess for the company."

Here is what three witnesses said about working with Altman while at OpenAI.

One board member described "a culture of lying"

Former OpenAI board member Tasha McCauley said she voted to fire Altman as the organization's CEO after fielding months of complaints about him.

According to McCauley, Altman wanted to "control the board" and resisted oversight. She said in her deposition, a video of which was played for jurors, that senior OpenAI employees had told her that Altman's "pattern of lying" had caused a series of "crisis events."

"People at the company were copying that behavior, and there was kind of a culture of lying and a culture of deceit," McCauley said. "And I think for us, as a board, this was just extremely concerning."

The "toxic culture" and "chaos" it caused would be a problem at any organization, McCauley testified. It was particularly concerning for a nonprofit with the high-stakes mission of developing safe artificial intelligence meant to benefit all of humanity, she said.

"When we thought about being able to oversee the kinds of complex decisions that would be presented to us years down the line, it became very, very concerning to us," McCauley said.

Sam Altman 'told people what they wanted to hear,' ex-OpenAI exec tells jury

On Wednesday, jurors watched a recorded video deposition of Mira Murati, OpenAI's former chief technology officer and now founder of her own AI shop, Thinking Machines Lab.

She was also OpenAI's interim CEO after the board briefly ousted Sam Altman.

Murati's testimony focused on her concerns about Altman's "difficult and chaotic" management style. She said Altman had trouble "making decisions on big controversial things." He also had a habit of telling people what they wanted to hear.

"My concern was about Sam saying one thing to one person and a completely different thing to another person, and that makes it a very difficult and chaotic environment to work with," said Murati.

Murati said that her issue with Altman was not about safety, "it is about Sam creating chaos."

She said she supported Altman's return to OpenAI because the company "was at catastrophic risk of falling apart" at the time of his ousting. "I was concerned about the company completely blowing up."

Zilis also took issue with Altman's communication

Zilis said she was upset that Altman rolled out ChatGPT without involving the board.

"It wasn't just me but the entire board raised concern about that whole thing happening without any board communication," she said.

Zilis said she was also concerned about a potential OpenAI deal with a nuclear energy startup called Helion Energy because both Altman and Greg Brockman were investors.

Although the executives had disclosed the investment to the board, Zilis said the deal talk made her uneasy.

It "felt super out of left field," she said. "How is it the case that we want to place a major bet on a speculative technology?"

Another board member said she learned more about ChatGPT from Twitter

In a video deposition, Helen Toner, a former member of OpenAI's board who resigned in 2023, said she first became aware of ChatGPT's release when an OpenAI employee asked another board member whether the board was aware of the development.

The researcher described that she then started seeing screenshots of ChatGPT on Twitter, and the board knew little about it. When asked if she was surprised, Toner said: "No, because I was used to the board not being very informed about things."

Toner also elaborated on why the board, including herself, voted to remove Altman as CEO in 2023.

"There were a number of things — the pattern of behavior related to his honesty and candor, his resistance of board oversight, as well as the concerns that two os his inner management team raised to the board about his management practices, his manipulation of board processes," said Toner.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10, which is the perfect time to honor the maternal figure in your life. One of the best gifts for mom is a bouquet of flowers, and if you're in need of a last-minute gift, flowers are a great and beautiful option. Up the ante and consider making it a a recurring delivery with a flower subscription too. We've vetted the best flower delivery services throughout the year by trying over 50 bouquets.

Each brand specializes in different things, such as super speedy delivery, eco-friendly practices, preserved flowers, fun collaborations or giftable add-ons so that you can find the best one for your blooms-obsessed mom. 

Many of our favorite brands will offer specially curated collections for Mom. Our general advice is to order early for the best selection, savings, and delivery options but most offer last-minute, same-day, and next-day delivery if you're in a pinch.

The Bouqs Co. is our team's favorite place to buy flowers for its inspired and exciting selection, especially for Mother's Day. However, if you need flowers fast, you will likely find success with 1-800-Flowers.com or FTD; both companies connect with local florists to get flowers out fast and have a wide selection to suit a range of budgets and preferences. 

The Bouqs Co.

Best for: Farm-to-table flowers straight from eco-friendly farms 

The Bouqs Co. stands out for its eco-friendly practices and focus on sourcing fresh flowers directly from farmers. You'll know exactly where your flowers came from and who grew them, thanks to the company's commitment to transparency. We love their fresh, modern arrangements, with lots of dedicated options just for Mother's Day , including special gift sets in collaborations with LEGO, Lands' End, and Apotheke.

In addition to one-time purchases, the Bouqs Co. offers subscription options where you can save 30% and get free shipping.

Delivery dates for each bouquet vary, but Bouqs makes it easy to see the earliest available ship date for its bouquets, so you can plan accordingly, with many next-day and even same availability. As with all delivery services, it's best to place your order as early as possible to ensure timely delivery.

Those who live near a Bouqs Co. retail location in L.A., Orange County, San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas, Miami, New York City, or Chicago can choose same-day or actual Mother's Day delivery, otherwise they recommend to deliver by May 8.

UrbanStems

Best for: A well-curated selection and gourmet gift pairings 

UrbanStems offers a gorgeous selection of modern floral arrangements and nice add-on gifts that pair perfectly with their flowers. 

For Mother's Day, in addition to dedicated arrangements, they make it easy to pair a bouquet with her favorite gourmet gift with collaborations with Levain, Boarderie, Roe Caviar, Brightland, or Aveline wine.

If your mom adores flowers, you can also treat her to an UrbanStems subscription and have fresh blooms delivered to her on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.

UrbanStems provides next-day delivery Tuesday through Saturday to most areas within the continental US, and same-day delivery is available in NYC, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Miami. They're also offering Sunday delivery on Mother's Day.

1-800-Flowers.com

Best for: A wide selection and affordable arrangements 

1-800-Flowers.com is a well-known and reputable option that offers beautiful floral arrangements to loved ones nationwide and internationally. The company has a modern online platform and provides a broad selection of hundreds of different flower arrangements, as well as teddy bears, chocolates, and other small gifts. Additionally, you can find houseplants and succulents available for delivery.

We're particularly impressed with 1-800-Flower's value, with a robust section of flowers under $50, but we've spotted a few as affordable as $35. Recent deal of the day offerings highlighted two dozen roses for 40% off.

Depending on your desired arrangement, 1-800-Flowers partners with local florists or ships through FedEx to deliver its vast assortment. Simply plug in your recipient's zipcode and desired delivery date to see what's available. Same-day delivery is widely available, but generally, next-day delivery is the more reliable option.

FTD

Best for: Affordable arrangements that come with vases

If you're looking for a reliable flower delivery service with a wide selection of gifts and plants, FTD is definitely worth considering. With over a century of experience in the flower industry, you can trust that FTD knows how to put together a beautiful bouquet. The site also offers a variety of other gifts, including succulents, chocolates, and gift baskets, making it a convenient one-stop shop for Mother's Day.

FTD ships anywhere in the US, with same-day delivery available for some arrangements (others are shipped through FedEx or UPS); prices start at $19.99. However, due to the high volume of orders on Mother's Day, it's best to order in advance. If things are down to the wire, you can order until 2 p.m. in the recipient's time zone on Mother's Day for same day delivery, but flower availability could be limited and more subject to substitutions. FTD also has a wide selection of plants, including in-season blooms and unique options like bonsai and bamboo trees.

Farmgirl Flowers

Best for: Farm-fresh, playful arrangements

Farmgirl Flowers offers a unique approach to bouquets. Instead of selecting a specific arrangement, their most popular offering is to choose from a size, and the company creates a one-of-a-kind bouquet based on what's currently in season wrapped in burlap. They also offer a number of curated and single-variety stems like seasonal peonies, and a special charitable section, the With Heart Campaign, where $10 from each arrangements goes to Every Mother Counts.

When we tested this service, the wildness and natural charm of the bouquets made us feel like we had personally ventured out and picked the flowers ourselves. The Just Right (20 stems) and Fancy Pants (40 stems) arrangements we received were similarly sized but the larger had closed buds that opened after a few days, creating a fuller and more beautiful appearance. A recent peony arrangement arrived beautifully in bud form, and quickly bloomed once they rehydrated with water. Note that due to the delicate nature of peonies, these arrangements typically last for three to five days, as opposed to the other farm-fresh assortments we've tried, which have lasted as long as 12 days.

For Mother's Day, it is recommended to order in advance to ensure the best selection of arrangements. Farmgirl Flowers some next-day shipping, and notes the earliest delivery dates of each of its arrangements. The last delivery date before Mother's Day is Saturday May 9th, with an ordering cutoff of May 8th. Shipping costs $25 per bouquet Tuesday through Friday, with a $10 up-charge for Saturday deliveries. You can browse the Free Ship Shop for a rotating arrangement of items that ship free, including a selection of roses, hydrangeas, tulips, and ranunculus.

Amazon

Best for: Easy ordering and Prime two-day delivery

Amazon Prime's fast and free two-day shipping applies even to fresh bouquets for Mom, and there is a lot to choose from. Amazon offers a variety of floral vendors, so you'll have a wide selection of styles and price points to choose from. We had a great experience with Benchmark Bouquets and Floral Compass by Nature's Flowers. Other reputable vendors include KaBloom, Aquarossa Farms, or even in collaboration with Whole Foods.

Some arrangements come in their own glass vases and even have free next-day shipping. Others will be shipped in bud form for optimal vase life. However, it's important to read the fine print when selecting a bouquet as every vendor has different shipping and delivery information. 

If you want to add a personal touch, check the "This is a gift" box at checkout to include your own note to Mom. While Amazon may not be exclusively a flower delivery service, its Prime membership and wide range of options make it a great option for those looking to avoid shipping fees. However, it's harder to schedule out deliveries.

BloomsyBox

Best for: Subscriptions that deliver fresh flowers on a recurring basis

Looking for a flower delivery service with a robust subscription offering? Look no further than BloomsyBox. With flowers sourced from Fair Trade farms around the world, each bouquet is shipped in bud form so that they bloom before your eyes and last longer.

BloomsyBox offers monthly or weekly subscriptions, with options to prepay for up to a year. Prices vary based on factors like the bouquet size, but the most affordable subscription starts at $59.99 a month. They also offer plant subscriptions and a quarterly orchid subscription. Subscriptions include free shipping and all plans auto-renew, but you can cancel or skip a month online anytime, or pre-pay for a certain length of time.

They also offer a wide selection of one-time arrangements, some are even available for next-day delivery. Bloomsybox's Amazon storefront is also a useful way to bypass expensive shipping, too.

Doordash

Best for: Connecting with local florists and flowers delivered within hours

That's right, the app you order your takeout and last-minute groceries is also a hub for flowers and Mother's Day gifting. Availability and timing will differ based on location, Doordash's flower landing shows options from local florists, grocery stores and more, with a special callout to bouquets under $40. Last fall, Doordash inked a partnership with 1-800-Flowers that made it a destination for last minute flowers. Input your recipient's address for the most up to date options.

Fresh Sends

Best for: Fun packaging and simplifed options

Fresh Sends offers a simple and streamlined option for Mother's Day flower delivery. They offer only one bouquet in three sizes: the mini send with 10 stems, the regular send with 15-18 stems, and the full send with 24-27 stems. You can also purchase individual types, like roses or lilies. What sets Fresh Sends apart is that they send only the freshest seasonal flowers, meaning you won't know exactly what the bouquet will look like until it arrives. The Fresh Sends Instagram page is a great way to understand better what you can expect.

Fresh Sends is also known for its cute and casual newsprint packaging and modern, colorful wrapping that gives the flowers a boutique feel rather than a generic online shop vibe. The flowers arrived trimmed and easily transition into a vase.

Fresh Sends only offering its special Mother's Day bouquets for delivery between May 5 and May 9, and several options have already started to sell out. There are also themed sends around coffee with Partners Coffee, pasta with Graza, and candy. Fresh Sends ships through FedEx Overnight delivery. 

Ode à la Rose

Best for: Chic, Parisian-inspired bouquets

Founded by two Parisian bankers who moved to New York and wanted to bring the elegant flower arrangements they were accustomed to in France to the US, Ode à la Rose offers seasonal flower choices and hand-tied bouquets with no more than three floral varieties to keep things simple. This results in a balanced, minimalist, and chic bouquet that will look great anywhere.

Ode à la Rose offers same-day flower delivery to NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin, Miami, and Washington, DC and next-day flower delivery to the rest of the continental US. Shipping costs between $8 for smaller arrangements to $25 for larger bouquets. You can also add on treats like macaroons, chocolate, or candles to your bouquet. We particularly liked their selection of unique vases that you can pair your bouquet with, including hand-painted pottery to funky striped pitchers. They also offer preserved roses, for an enduring gift.

Costco

Best for: Costco enthusiasts

Costco members shouldn't sleep on this valuable membership perk of high quality flowers at some of the most affordable prices around.

The selection is highly curated (re: limited), but many are available for next-day delivery. Even better, shipping is free. Depending on your proximity to a Costco, same-day delivery may be available via Instacart if shopping arrangements fulfilled by the warehouse. Otherwise, online only bouquets are provided by ProFlowers.Net. The biggest stand out is a 50-stem arrangement of red, pink, white and purple roses for $65. Costco delivers flowers Tuesday through Friday, and this particular bouquet needs to be ordered by May 6.

Roses Only

Best for: Long-stem roses

When it comes to delivering premium long-stemmed roses, Roses Only stands out as a destination for roses. The velvety-soft roses come in red, pink, and yellow varieties and are carefully packed in an elegant box, with each stem getting its own water reservoir to ensure total freshness upon arrival. While the service is expensive, we think the quality justifies the cost.

On the site, you can choose to order the roses by themselves, or pair them with extras like chocolates and stuffed animals. Although the service sells other types of flowers like lilies and wildflowers, we haven't tried them and can't vouch for their quality. However, given the quality of their roses, we have high hopes for their other offerings.

One of the major advantages of Roses Only is its international shipping options. If your mom is abroad, Roses Only delivers to the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore. If you're in the US, you can schedule delivery for a specific date or get your order delivered as soon as the next day.

Venus Et Fleur

Best for: Luxurious forever florals

Specializing in roses and expanding into mixed floral arrangements, Venus Et Fleur's eternal florals will look good for months (and even years) to come. Their preserved roses are lightly fragranced and come in various colors, from classic red, pink, and white to more unique baby blue or lavender. You can choose from a singular rose to a extravagant extra-large Le Plein design with 150 roses. Additionally, Venus Et Fleur offers a customizable product selection and sophisticated package design options. They require minimal upkeep.

For Mother's Day, the brand launched a limited edition Delft collection, featuring its signature hatboxes and vases reimagined in a classic blue and white motif and restocked eternal mixed floral arrangements featuring gardenia, hydrangeas, or ranunculus.

Although preserved roses can be expensive, they make for a long-lasting and eye-catching centerpiece that will stay beautiful for years to come, making it a great gift option for Mother's Day or any special occasion.

Venus Et Fleur recommends ordering by May 1 for standard shipping, May 7 for express shipping, and May 8 for overnight shipping.

April & Ashley

Best for: Farm-fresh roses

April & Ashley is a new farm to door flower company that specializes in roses. The company works with Milagro Farms in Columbia to offer over two dozen exquisite roses. The roses are sold by the dozen for $69 or with 24 stems for $20 more. Rose bushes and potted roses are also available too for an enduring gift.

I was immediately drawn to the Red Panther, a classic red rose accentuated with streaks of hot pink, and the Westminster Abbey, a moody and unexpected rose with a lavender-grey tint. I only wish the brand provided suggestions on which to mix and match if you want to create your own arrangement.

Express shipping is a flat $25 for every two-dozen roses, with a $10 upcharge for Saturday delivery. The flowers arrived healthy, with the stems arrived carefully wrapped in a biodegradable sponge to keep them hydrated and a canvas pouch. The next morning, they truly began to thrive and open up. They were so fragrant, lush, and full.

Bloomscape

Best for: Moms with a green thumb

If your mom loves tending to her indoor plant collection, Bloomscape offers a unique twist on traditional flower delivery services, with a focus on potted plants that your mom can care for and enjoy long-term.

Options like Calla Lillies, snake plants, and an entire XXL bamboo palm last far longer than traditional bouquets. They all come pre-potted, with your choice of pot color, and include tips and tricks to keep the plant alive and healthy. You can also pair your flower gift with appropriate plant care accessories to keep her motivated on her gardening journey. Bloomscape backs their plants with a 30-day guarantee.

Bloomscape recommends ordering for Mother's Day delivery by April 30; they also do not have the ability to schedule delivery. Regular shipping can take up to a week for delivery (with free delivery on orders over $125) or opt for express 2-to-3-day shipping for an additional fee.

Idlewild Floral

Best for: Dried and preserved flowers

California-based Idlewild Floral creates creative and beautiful preserved dried floral arrangements. The curated selection includes gorgeous bouquets offered in petite, deluxe, and statement sizes, many of which feature bunches of Thistle, Larkspur, Star Fern, Eucalyptus, Amaranth, and more. The company also offers dried flowers by the bunch.

These specialty dried flowers go through a natural preservation process that keeps buds looking vibrant for months to come. They require minimal maintenance but should be kept out of direct sunlight. 

Idlewild Floral lets you choose a desired delivery date with a $15 flat rate through UPS, but factor in about five days for delivery. If you need your flowers in a rush, you can also select the expedited shipping option, but there is no next-day delivery option.

What to look for in Mother's Day Flowers

Style and Beauty: When searching for Mother's Day flowers, style and beauty are important factors to consider. Look for arrangements that complement your mother's personal taste and style, whether it's traditional, modern, romantic, or eclectic.

Pay attention to the color scheme, as different colors convey different meanings and emotions. For example, pink and purple flowers are often associated with gratitude, admiration, and affection, while yellow and orange flowers are associated with joy and happiness. Additionally, consider the overall aesthetic of the bouquet or arrangement, such as its shape, size, and texture. A well-designed bouquet should be visually appealing and create a sense of harmony and balance.

Floral Collections: Floral collections refer to pre-designed arrangements or bouquets offered by a florist or flower delivery service. These collections usually have a specific theme or aesthetic and can be ordered online or in person.

Choosing a floral collection can be a great option if you're not sure what specific flowers or arrangements to choose, as the florist has already curated a selection of designs that are sure to be beautiful and well-received.

Shipping and Delivery: Look for a florist or flower delivery service that offers reliable and timely shipping options, and check the estimated delivery date to ensure that the flowers will arrive on or before Mother's Day. Some florists may offer same-day or next-day delivery for an additional fee, which can be a great option if you're running short on time.

Customer Feedback: Look for reviews and ratings from past customers on the service provider's website, social media pages, and third-party review sites like Yelp and Google Reviews. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback to better understand the overall customer experience, including delivery times, quality of flowers, customer service, and pricing.

Sustainability: Look for a company that prioritizes eco-friendly and sustainable practices, such as using locally sourced and seasonal flowers, avoiding harmful pesticides and chemicals, and using recyclable or compostable packaging materials. Some companies also have initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint or donate a portion of their profits to environmental causes. You can also consider supporting local florists or small businesses that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices.

FAQs

What is the official Mother's Day flower?

The official flower of Mother's Day is the carnation. It has been used as a symbol of motherly love and gratitude since the early 20th century, when Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day, distributed carnations at the first Mother's Day service in West Virginia. White carnations were meant to represent deceased mothers, while pink or red carnations were for honoring living mothers. Nowadays, other flowers are also commonly given on Mother's Day, such as roses, lilies, and tulips.

What are the most popular Mother's Day flowers?

The most bought Mother's Day flowers vary depending on location, but some popular choices are roses, lilies, tulips, daisies, and carnations. Peonies and ranunculus flowers are also popular. Additionally, some people may opt for mixed bouquets or custom arrangements. Ultimately, the best flowers for Mother's Day are those that hold special meaning for the recipient and convey a heartfelt message of love and appreciation.

• Mike Massimino overcame multiple rejections to become a NASA astronaut.
• Vision training helped Mike Massimino meet NASA's standards, leading to his acceptance in 1996.
• Persistence and focus on controllable factors were key to Mike Massimino's eventual success at NASA.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut who spent more than 18 years with the agency, flew on two space shuttle missions, and logged more than 30 hours on spacewalks. It has been edited for length and clarity.

The first time I applied to NASA's astronaut program, I was rejected outright. It happened again when I applied two years later. The third time, NASA invited me to interview.

An initial interview is a big step in the process that starts with thousands of applicants and narrows to about 120 finalists. But it wasn't meant to be that time, either.

My vision didn't meet NASA's standards, and I was medically disqualified. From what I saw, vision issues were the most common reason candidates were disqualified at that stage.

I was disappointed, but I wasn't ready to stop trying.

I treated the rejection like a problem to solve

After I was disqualified, I started looking for a solution to fix my vision.

One colleague told me to dehydrate before the vision test because it would "flatten the eye" and change how it focuses.

Another told me the opposite — to drink a lot of water because it would make the eye "more viscous" and bend light differently.

Neither seemed like sound advice, but it made me think there might be a way around the problem.

I eventually found a vision training program designed to improve focus. NASA doctors told me they thought it wouldn't work, but they didn't see any harm in trying it. So I did.

The exercises involved relaxing my eyes and learning to "focus beyond" an object so it would come into view, rather than forcing my eyes to strain.

I also used undercorrected lenses, so my eyes had to work harder. It was enough to improve my vision by a couple of lines to pass the eye exam and requalify.

When I got the call, I thought it might be a prank

I applied again for the 1996 astronaut class. My fourth attempt. This time, I passed the eye exam, completed the interview process, and then on a Monday that April, I got the call.

I had stayed home that day because I knew the calls were coming. When I picked up, they told me they wanted to make me an astronaut.

The only thing that came out of my mouth was, "Yes, yes, yes."

After the call, I was so excited, but I wondered if it might have been a prank. So, I called NASA's astronaut selection office and spoke to the person in charge.

"Yeah, you got the right call. You're in," he told me. NASA selected 35 astronauts that year.

What I learned from being turned down

The hardest part of becoming an astronaut wasn't the training — it was getting the opportunity. There are thousands of qualified applicants, and a lot of the process is out of your control.

For me, the rejections didn't change my goal; they simply showed me what I needed to work on. Even after I finally got accepted, it still took years before I actually flew in space.

After becoming an astronaut, I spent about two years in training just to qualify. Then I worked technical jobs and kept training before I was assigned to a mission.

It was about four years before I got that first assignment, and then another year and a half before I actually launched.

The whole process taught me patience. You don't get everything right away, even when you finally get your foot in the door.

It also taught me to focus on what I could control. I couldn't control how many people applied or who NASA selected. But I could control how prepared I was and how I responded when something didn't go my way.

Looking back, those rejections were part of the process. Without them, I wouldn't have pushed myself the way I did to get there.

The best Sonos soundbars are known for excellent audio quality, but different models have different strengths. The right fit for you really comes down to your space and budget. To help narrow it down, I tested every Sonos soundbar currently available and ranked them for different needs and room types.

If you're after the best Sonos soundbar overall, the Sonos Arc Ultra stands out from the pack. It's pricey, but it backs that up with immersive Dolby Atmos performance and Sonos' new Sound Motion technology, which produces surprisingly powerful bass without needing a dedicated subwoofer. On the other hand, if you're shopping for a smaller room or trying to keep costs down, the Sonos Ray is a great alternative. It can't match the Arc Ultra's expansive soundstage, but its compact size and lower price make it a great choice for apartments, bedrooms, or secondary TVs.

All Sonos soundbars connect through the company's mobile app, where you can tweak audio settings, stream music, and link speakers together for a multi-room setup. In addition to soundbars, I've included recommendations for Sonos subwoofers and rear speakers for those who want to build a larger surround-sound system.

Our top picks for the best Sonos soundbars

Best overall: Sonos Arc Ultra - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Sonos Ray - See at Amazon

Best midrange model: Sonos Beam (Gen 2) - See at Amazon

Best subwoofer add-on: Sonos Sub 4 - See at Amazon

Best rear speaker add-on: Sonos Era 300 - See at Amazon

The best Sonos soundbars, compared

Best overall

The Arc Ultra is the best Sonos soundbar available. It replaces the brand's first-generation Arc, introduced in 2020, and delivers several improvements. The Ultra is an absolute beast of an audio system, perfect for anyone seeking a powerful, all-in-one soundbar with deep bass.

This single soundbar unit can produce up to 9.1.4 channels of Dolby Atmos surround sound. It also has dedicated up-firing audio drivers to bounce sound off your ceiling, resulting in audio coming from all around the room, including above your head. In my tests, the Arc Ultra delivered an incredibly immersive experience, whether watching movies or listening to music. The sound is so expansive that I had a hard time believing it all came from just one device under my TV.

One of the Arc Ultra's secret ingredients is its Sound Motion driver. This component packs a four-motor woofer into a compact space, offering deeper bass than the original Arc without increasing the soundbar's size. The Sound Motion driver can't quite match the performance of a dedicated subwoofer, but it adds more low-end presence and depth to movies and shows, delivering a full, rich quality that few stand-alone soundbars can match.

The Arc Ultra also has exceptional dialogue clarity. The device offers an optional AI speech enhancement mode, but I rarely had to use it because the bar's internal drivers are already so well-tuned to deliver clear speech. If you do find yourself needing an extra boost, the speech enhancement emphasizes dialogue even more without muddying explosions or altering other sound effects. It offers four levels of adjustments to choose from, including one designed for listeners with hearing loss

On the downside, the Arc Ultra is Sonos' most expensive soundbar, and it's disappointing that it doesn't support DTS:X, another 3D audio format that rivals Dolby Atmos. It also lacks HDMI video passthrough, so you can't use the bar to route extra devices to your TV, like a gaming console or streaming player. But these shortcomings are small compared to all the Arc Ultra gets right. If you want a single, powerful speaker for your living room that handles all your home theater needs, the Arc Ultra is the best Sonos soundbar.

Read our Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar review.

Check out our guide to all of the best soundbars and best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

Best on a budget

Thanks to its affordable price and compact size, the Sonos Ray is the best Sonos soundbar for bedrooms, apartments, and other small spaces. It's less than half the width of the Arc Ultra and a few inches shorter and narrower than the Beam (Gen 2). But despite its small footprint, it easily outperforms the built-in speakers on most TVs — especially budget models.

Audio quality is smooth and surprisingly robust for its size. You won't get the deep bass or advanced effects found on Sonos' higher-end soundbars, but the Ray still delivers an impressively detailed sound profile that brings movies and shows to life.

Music streaming over WiFi sounds great as well and offers better fidelity than Bluetooth. Still, it's disappointing that the Ray doesn't include Bluetooth at all, which would be handy when WiFi isn't available.

Wired connectivity is another limitation. There's no HDMI port — just an optical input. This does mean it has wide compatibility among older televisions, but the Ray can't support lossless audio, Dolby Atmos, or automatic remote syncing.

Still, even with those trade-offs, the Ray remains a strong value. Its compact stature hides a level of audio performance that exceeds expectations at this price.

Check out our guide to all of the best budget soundbars.

Best midrange model

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) serves as a middle ground between the brand's flagship Arc Ultra and entry-level Ray. It's powerful enough to fill a medium-sized space with sound, but it's not significantly larger than the Ray, so it still works well in a bedroom or smaller living room. (That's where I predominantly use it.)

Beyond size, the midrange Beam really differentiates itself from the cheaper Sonos Ray by adding an HDMI eARC port and Dolby Atmos support. This means it automatically works with many modern TV remotes and offers a wider soundstage. For under $500, the Beam punches well above its weight class. It's a proper home theater-in-a-box, perfect for most living rooms or other areas that could use an audio upgrade.

While the Beam supports decoding multi-channel audio formats with boisterous, vibrant performance, it doesn't feature any up-firing drivers. Instead, it relies on virtual processing to simulate overhead audio, which isn't as effective. As a result, you won't get the same kind of atmospheric overhead sound effects as you would on the more expensive Arc Ultra.

Still, movies sound impactful, and the Beam fills my space well, even at a volume below 50%. "Dune" is a great showcase for the Beam, with booming effects and a drum-heavy soundtrack that pounds along.

Music also sounds rich and full. It's impressive enough to serve as the DJ for home gatherings. Streaming music via WiFi through the Sonos app works well and supports a vast array of services. The soundbar also supports AirPlay for an even more immediate listening experience. That said, like the Ray, the Beam is missing Bluetooth support.

Best subwoofer add-on

If you crave more bass, the best add-on for your Sonos soundbar is a subwoofer, specifically the Sonos Sub 4. It can wirelessly connect to the Ray, Beam, or Arc Ultra, so you can hide it in the back of a room or even on its side under a couch.

The subwoofer's force-canceling drivers deliver deep, commanding bass for intense, dramatic effects in movies. But the woofer never becomes unwieldy in reverberations or rattling.

If you're an especially big bass head, you can even pair the Sonos Sub 4 with a second Sub 4 or Sub 3 unit. You can learn more about dual subwoofer compatibility on the Sonos website.

Given its premium performance, the Sub 4 works best with an Arc Ultra, though you can still use it with the smaller Beam or Ray. But for those more compact bars, the less expensive Sonos Sub Mini is a great alternative. It's not ported, so it doesn't have the same audio characteristics as the Sub 4 — it's a little tighter and more punchy — but it can still add extra dimension to your home theater setup.

Best rear speaker add-on

The Sonos Era 300 is built to work as a stand-alone wireless speaker or as an add-on speaker for select Sonos soundbars. Two Era 300 units can be paired to serve as rear speakers with an Arc Ultra or Beam, creating a true surround sound experience. (The Ray is not compatible with the Era 300.)

The Era 300 features built-in drivers that fire in all directions, including upward. This allows it to provide Dolby Atmos support with audio effects that bounce off your ceiling. If you have a Beam (Gen 2) or an Arc Ultra, the Era 300 will work with them to deliver an even more convincing sense of overhead audio and a wider Dolby Atmos soundstage.

However, adding a pair of Era 300 speakers to your Sonos soundbar setup does require a fair amount of physical space, and they're a bit pricey.

If that's a problem for your room and budget, a pair of smaller, cheaper Era 100 speakers can also do a solid job as wireless rear speakers. The Era 100 also has the added bonus of working with the Sonos Ray. That said, the Era 100 lacks up-firing Dolby Atmos drivers, so its audio quality isn't as robust as the Era 300's.

How we test Sonos soundbars

I've been testing Sonos soundbars since the company's first model, the Playbar, launched back in 2013, so I've spent a lot of time with pretty much everything Sonos has released. For this guide, I went hands-on with every Sonos soundbar currently available to figure out which ones make the most sense for different use cases.

To keep things fair, I paired each soundbar with the same TV. That made it easier to hear how they performed on their own and directly compare them in the exact same setup. I paid close attention to audio quality, size, connectivity options, software features, and overall ease of use.

I didn't just test them in one spot, either. I used the best Sonos soundbars in various rooms around my house to see how they performed in different spaces. Most of my evaluations focused on movie watching, especially films with high-quality surround-sound mixes, but I also spent time with sitcoms and older movies to hear how they handled simpler audio tracks and lower-quality sources. For music testing, I streamed from my phone and used the Apple Music app on my Apple TV.

For connections, I used HDMI eARC whenever possible to get the best audio quality. The only exception was the Sonos Ray, which relies on a digital optical connection instead.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Tyler Hayes, contributing reporter: I've been covering tech for more than a decade and reviewing audio gear for Business Insider since 2019, so I've spent a lot of time figuring out what actually makes a soundbar worth your money. When I test them, I focus on the basics first: does it genuinely sound better than your TV's built-in speakers? From there, I dig into the details like clarity, bass performance, surround sound features, and how easy everything is to use day to day. For this guide, I took a close look at Sonos' entire soundbar lineup and compared each model not only to other Sonos options, but to similarly priced competitors. My aim is to help you pick the right Sonos soundbar for your space, your budget, and how you actually like to watch and listen.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

Sonos soundbars FAQs

Will Sonos release new soundbars in 2026?

Unlike other tech product categories, such as phones and TVs, new soundbar models aren't always released annually. With that in mind, it's not yet clear if Sonos will launch any new soundbar models for 2026. However, we can gain some insights by looking at the brand's previous release history.

The Sonos Arc Ultra was released in 2024, while its predecessor, the standard Sonos Arc, was introduced in 2020. Given the four-year gap between models, it's unlikely we'll see a new Arc model in 2026.

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) was released in 2021, while its predecessor, the Beam (Gen 1), was released in 2018. The Sonos Ray was released in 2022. Given their age, both the Beam and Ray could be due for upgrades, so it's possible new models are in the works. However, nothing has been confirmed.

Can you use a Sonos soundbar for music?

Yes, Sonos soundbars work great for music, and you can access services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music through the Sonos app. The best Sonos soundbars also integrate with other Sonos speakers, so you can build a whole-home music system over time.

Can you wall-mount a Sonos soundbar?

Yes, all of the best Sonos soundbars featured in this guide support wall mounting. Sonos offers mounts designed for each model, but you can also find third-party options that are less expensive. Mounting your soundbar can help declutter your setup, especially if you have limited space on your TV console.

Can you pair a subwoofer to a Sonos soundbar?

All of Sonos's current soundbars work with the brand's Sub 4 or Sub Mini subwoofers. The flagship Sonos Arc Ultra even supports dual subwoofers using the Sub 4 or Sub 3 for deeper bass. Just note that Sonos soundbars don't support subwoofers from other brands.

If you prefer a soundbar that comes with a subwoofer out of the box, check out our guide to the best soundbars with subwoofers.

Can you pair rear speaker units to a Sonos soundbar?

Sonos soundbars can connect to certain Sonos speakers to create a larger surround sound system. You can pair two Sonos Era 100 speakers with the Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 2), or Ray for wireless rear channels. The Beam and Arc Ultra also support pairing with Sonos Era 300 speakers for an even more immersive Dolby Atmos audio experience.

If you're looking for a soundbar or speaker system that already includes dedicated rear satellites, see our guide to the best surround sound systems.

Can you pair Sonos soundbars with the Sonos Ace headphones?

Yes, the Sonos Arc Ultra, Beam, and Ray all support the brand's TV Swap feature. This lets you wirelessly connect your Sonos Ace headphones to your soundbar and switch between them seamlessly while watching TV. It's a handy way to enjoy late-night movies without disturbing anyone else.

Can Sonos soundbars play Dolby Atmos surround sound?

Both the Sonos Arc Ultra and Sonos Beam (Gen 2) support Dolby Atmos. However, only the Ultra has up-firing audio drivers to produce overhead Atmos sound effects. In contrast, the Beam uses processing to simulate overhead sounds, which isn't as convincing.

To learn more about the format, check out our Dolby Atmos guide.

Is the Sonos app reliable?

Sonos released a new mobile app in May 2024, and many customers reported issues, including glitches and missing features. However, the company has since fixed many of those problems.

When reviewing the Arc Ultra, we encountered minor issues with delayed speaker switching, but didn't encounter any major bugs. Though the Sonos app still isn't perfect, its lingering flaws aren't big enough to be a dealbreaker.

Is Sonos better than Bose?

Sonos and Bose make excellent soundbars, but which one is better depends on your specific needs.

Based on our testing, the high-end Sonos Arc Ultra outperforms the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar in terms of bass performance. Meanwhile, the midrange Bose Smart Soundbar beats the Sonos Beam in Dolby Atmos capabilities due to its up-firing drivers.

At the entry level, the Sonos Ray and the Bose TV Speaker are more evenly matched, offering very similar audio quality. However, we like that the Sonos Ray has WiFi streaming support, which the Bose lacks. That said, some buyers may prefer the Bose model because it has an HDMI port, which the Ray lacks.

Both brands support multi-room audio, but their ecosystems don't mix, so it's best to stick with one. You can learn more about Bose's speakers in our guide to the best Bose soundbars.

What other audio products does Sonos sell?

In addition to soundbars, Sonos sells wireless speakers, including the Sonos Era 100, Era 300, Move 2, Roam 2, and Five. The brand also sells over-ear headphones called the Sonos Ace. The newest speaker from the company is the Sonos Play, which you can learn about in our Sonos Play review.

Check out our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers and best smart speakers for more Sonos speaker recommendations.

The Eagles are in the middle of a massive farewell run that has quickly become one of the most in-demand tours in classic rock right now. Between their ongoing "Long Goodbye" tour and a record-breaking Las Vegas Sphere residency, tickets are moving fast — and in many cases, selling out just as quickly as new dates are announced. The band has continued to add shows due to overwhelming demand, giving fans a few more chances to catch them live, but availability can still be limited by city and date.

The Eagles' lasting appeal comes from a catalog that has defined classic rock for more than five decades. Formed in the early 1970s, the band built its reputation on polished harmonies and radio staples like "Hotel California," "Take It Easy," and "Desperado." Over the years, they've sold more than 150 million albums worldwide and earned multiple Grammy Awards, cementing their status as one of the best-selling and most influential bands of all time.

That legacy is a big part of what makes this tour feel like an event rather than just another concert run. The current lineup — anchored by longtime members Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit — still delivers career-spanning setlists packed with hits, often alongside newer touring members like Vince Gill and Deacon Frey. With the band hinting that 2026 could mark the end of their touring era, this schedule may be one of the last opportunities to see them perform live, which only adds to the urgency around tickets. Check them out now on StubHub and Vivid Seats.

Eagles 2026 residency and tour schedule

Right now, most fans are finding tickets through resale platforms, especially for high-demand shows like the Sphere residency. Because this tour is positioned as a farewell, demand has stayed consistently high, making it one of those tours where planning ahead (or being flexible on dates) can make a big difference in price.

• May 9, 2026 - Nashville, TN at FirstBank Stadium
• May 13, 2026 - Hollywood, FL at Hard Rock Live
• May 16, 2026 - Arlington, TX at Globe Life Field
• September 18, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV at Sphere
• September 19, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV at Sphere
• November 13, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV at Sphere
• November 14, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV at Sphere
• November 27, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV at Sphere
• November 28, 2026 - Las Vegas, NV at Sphere

How much are Eagles tickets?

Eagles ticket prices on resale sites vary quite a bit depending on the venue, date, and seat location, especially for the band's high-demand Sphere residency in Las Vegas. On Vivid Seats, standard resale tickets for upcoming shows currently start around $133 for select stadium dates, while Sphere performances are generally much more expensive, with entry-level seats often listed at $400-$$500.

Prices climb quickly for premium seating. Front-row sections, floor seats, and VIP-style listings for popular Sphere dates can exceed $1,600 on Vivid Seats, particularly for weekend performances and lower-level sections with unobstructed views. StubHub shows a similar pricing trend: many Las Vegas residency dates start in the low-to-mid $ 400s before fees, while premium seats near the stage can rise significantly higher based on demand and availability.

Fans looking for the cheapest Eagles tickets will usually find the best prices at stadium tour stops outside Las Vegas, while Sphere residency dates continue to command some of the tour's highest resale prices. Since listings fluctuate constantly as tickets sell and new inventory appears, prices can shift noticeably closer to each show date.

See more: Is StubHub legit? | What's showing in Las Vegas | Backstreet Boys tickets | Phish tickets | No Doubt tickets | Metallica tickets | Bruno Mars tickets

Follow our WhatsApp channel and Instagram for more deals and buying guides.

• Ebay reinstated GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen's account after it was automatically suspended after a suspicious activity flag.
• Cohen listed some of his personal items on eBay in a publicity stunt after submitting an unsolicited bid to acquire the company.
• The GameStop CEO posted a screenshot of his suspension email on X.

Ryan Cohen's eBay auction briefly hit a snag: eBay itself.

The GameStop CEO announced on Wednesday that he was "selling stuff on eBay to pay for eBay," a reference to the company's unsolicited bid, though any of his earnings here would be a drop in the bucket relative to the $56 billion deal offer.

The lot includes a GameStop hat (current bid $4,650), Donald Trump baseball card (current bid $5,770), and socks (current bid $14,188).

Less than ten hours after his announcement, Cohen posted that his account had been suspended by eBay.

A person familiar with the matter told Business Insider that eBay's system automatically flagged Ryan Cohen's account as suspicious activity due to the volume and price points of the listings that came from a new account.

The account was manually reviewed and reinstated, the person said, adding that the initial suspension had nothing to do with Cohen and his GameStop proposal.

GameStop did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

A timeline of Cohen's suspension

Less than two hours after announcing the listings, Cohen said that he was on the phone with eBay customer support, sharing a phone screenshot with a notification purportedly from eBay that said he had reached a monthly $50,000 limit for items listed.

Eight hours later, Cohen said that eBay suspended his account. He posted a screenshot of an eBay email on X that said Cohen's activities were "putting the eBay community at risk."

"We understand that this must be frustrating, but this decision was not made lightly and it's important that we keep our marketplace safe for everyone," the image reads.

Cohen's posts are helping generate awareness for GameStop's unsolicited proposal to buy eBay, a company that is several times larger than the games and collectibles retailer.

The proposal has excited GameStop's legions of retail traders on r/wallstreetbets as critics have questioned how a smaller company like GameStop would fund the deal. In an awkward, combative CNBC interview, Cohen repeated that it would be "half cash, half stock" and referred the anchors to GameStop's website for more financing details.

With his latest eBay stunt, Cohen continues to turn heads and churn out intrigue on X, reminding people why he's known as the "meme king."

Update, May 7, 2026: This story has been updated to include information about why Cohen's account was suspended.

When shopping for a new TV, one of the first things you'll need to decide on is screen size. Bigger TVs are definitely more affordable than they used to be, but that doesn't automatically make them the best choice for every room. In smaller living spaces — especially bedrooms — a big-screen TV can feel overbearing. That's where 55-inch models hit a sweet spot. They're large enough to show off crisp 4K resolution and vibrant HDR, but still easy to set up without taking over your whole space. If you want a smart balance of size, performance, and price, the best 55-inch TVs deliver exactly that.

My team and I reviewed top models across brands to recommend our favorite 55-inch TVs for different needs. Right now, my top pick is the Samsung S90F. Since it's an OLED, you get deep, inky black levels, excellent contrast, and wide viewing angles. If you're trying to spend less, the TCL QM6K is a standout value. It can't match OLED performance, but it still delivers vivid colors and a smooth smart TV experience at a much lower price.

Below, you'll find all my picks for the best 55-inch TVs, whether you're upgrading your streaming setup, watching sports every weekend, or building a dedicated home theater. These recommendations are informed by more than a decade of hands-on experience testing home entertainment gear.

Our top picks for the best 55-inch TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90F OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best premium option: LG G5 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best for sports: Samsung S95F OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best overall

Competition for the best 55-inch TV is fierce, but the Samsung S90F stands out as the winner. It delivers the best balance of performance and value of any TV in its class.

The S90F's QD-OLED panel combines OLED's infinite contrast ratio with quantum dots' advanced color capabilities. The result is a vibrant picture with deep black levels that disappear in a dark room. Black levels do lift slightly when hit with ambient light, but never to the point of distraction. And unlike LG's OLED models, Samsung's use of quantum dots gives this TV a slightly wider range of colors.

Brightness is another standout for this class. Our reviewer measured a peak of roughly 1,460 nits, which is excellent for a midrange OLED. HDR movies and shows pop with intense highlights and crisp detail, coming remarkably close to what you'd get from premium TVs that cost more. Even lower-resolution cable channels and HD YouTube streams appear impressively clean.

The S90F also features wide viewing angles, ensuring consistent color and contrast no matter where you sit. It's among the best gaming TVs, too, thanks to its low input lag and smooth 120Hz refresh rate (up to 144Hz with a PC). Plus, Samsung's smart platform includes the Xbox app, letting Game Pass members stream games directly to the TV without a console.

Although our reviewer had issues with Samsung's smart TV interface on older models, they found the S90F to be more responsive and consistent, with reduced lag and fewer hiccups. However, the system's organization is somewhat clumsy compared to more user-friendly offerings, such as Google TV or the Roku OS.

Samsung also sells a 2026 edition of this set, called the S90H. The new model performs similarly but costs more. That said, the S90H does add an anti-glare screen that's much better at fighting reflections, albeit at the cost of contrast in bright rooms. For now, I still give an edge to the cheaper S90F. You can learn more in my 2026 Samsung OLED TV roundup.

Read our full Samsung S90F TV review.

Check out our guide to all of the best TVs and best Samsung TVs.

Best on a budget

The TCL QM6K is the best 55-inch TV for budget-conscious shoppers. Despite its affordable price, the QM6K boasts advanced picture quality features that many similarly priced models lack.

Notably, the QM6K features a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight. Most TVs in this price range cut those features to keep costs down, resulting in low contrast, dim images, and a washed-out picture. The QM6K, however, has solid performance across the board.

The QLED panel produces a wide range of vivid colors, and the Mini LED backlight has local dimming to control contrast across multiple zones. This results in good black levels with minimal blooming (halos around bright objects). In fact, the QM6K handles blooming better than many pricier QLED TVs I've reviewed.

Of course, there are areas where the QM6K falls short. Its brightness is decent for a TV in this class, but not as high as midrange models. I measured a max of around 550-730 nits across different test patterns, which is better than most competing TVs in this price range. That said, high-brightness HDR content doesn't have the luster and pop that I've seen on more expensive TVs.

The QM6K's viewing angles are also a bit limited. Colors and contrast fade and distort if you sit off to the side of the screen. That said, the effect isn't as severe as it is on most budget TVs of this kind.

TCL also earns points for including a backlit remote, which other brands, such as LG and Samsung, don't offer. The remote supports Google Assistant, and you can use hands-free voice control. The QM6K's Google TV interface is smooth, and I encountered only minor hiccups while navigating menus.

The QM6K is also one of the most affordable TVs with a high 144Hz refresh rate. This enables smooth gaming when paired with a high-end PC that can handle high frame rates, and it supports full 120Hz with a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

The 55-inch QM6K is regularly priced at $550 and occasionally goes on sale for as low as $448. Those are excellent prices for a TV in this class, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option for the money.

Read our TCL QM6K 4K TV review.

Check out our guides to the best TCL TVs, best budget TVs, and best TVs under $500.

Best premium option

LG's G5 OLED is one of the most impressive high-end TVs I've tested. Its image quality edges out most competitors, and it gets incredibly bright for a display of this type.

I measured a peak luminance of 2,410 nits using a 10% test pattern with the TV set in Filmmaker Mode. That's a big leap over the older LG G4, which maxed out at around 1,500 nits. Such high luminance allows the G5 to deliver more impactful HDR images. When paired with high-brightness HDR movies, like "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman," the TV simply stuns, delivering a nearly unrivaled combination of bold highlights, rich colors, and deep black levels. This is the kind of image quality that TV nerds like myself geek out over.

Like all OLED TVs, the G5's viewing angles are wide, so the picture doesn't degrade much when you sit off-center. This is great for rooms with seating on the side of the TV. The G5 is also equipped with advanced gaming features, including a high 165Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC, which enables smooth motion.

However, as impressive as the G5's image capabilities are, the TV isn't quite perfect. While watching a small selection of HDR videos, I noticed some false contouring (also called posterization). This flaw caused some colors and shadows to appear blocky rather than smooth. But LG has since released firmware updates to address this, so I don't consider it a notable drawback.

The G5 uses LG's webOS interface for smart TV features, and it works just fine. It offers access to many streaming apps and has cool features like Voice ID, which automatically switches user profiles based on who speaks to the TV. On the downside, webOS tends to emphasize sponsored content and shopping recommendations more than I'd like, but most of these ads can be deactivated by navigating through some hidden menu options.

The TV's design complements its premium picture quality, featuring a sturdy build, a thin profile, and a flush wall mount included in the box. But people who'd prefer to attach the G5 to a traditional TV stand have to buy one separately, since the set doesn't include one.

Shoppers with deep pockets should also consider the 2026 version of this TV, called the G6. Based on an early demonstration I saw, the G6 offers improved reflection handling and upgraded processing to minimize banding. But while the G6 is a better TV, it also costs a lot more. For that reason, I still give the G5 the edge for most people. You can learn more in my 2026 LG OLED TV roundup.

Check out our guides to the best LG TVs and best TVs for picture quality.

Best for sports

Samsung's high-end S95F OLED stands out from most 55-inch TVs with a unique feature: a matte screen. While most competing displays use glossy or semi-glossy panels, the S95F's matte finish significantly reduces glare and reflections, which is particularly useful when watching sports in a bright room.

If your space gets a lot of natural light, this TV can be a game changer. Its wide viewing angles also maintain consistent colors and contrast, even when you're sitting off to the side — perfect for group watch parties or big game nights.

There is one tradeoff, though. The same matte coating that helps fight reflections also lifts black levels in bright rooms. That means dark scenes look hazier and flatter when the lights are on. Sports content won't suffer much, but if you often watch movies in daylight, you might notice the difference. It really comes down to whether you value glare reduction over high contrast.

In dark environments, however, the S95F's black levels appear as deep and inky as those of any OLED, and overall picture quality is stellar, right up there with top rivals from Sony and LG. The TV also delivers excellent brightness for an OLED. I measured a peak of around 2,170 nits, which is fantastic for an OLED.

The S95F's premium design matches its performance. It's thin with a minimalist profile and uses Samsung's One Connect Box to neatly manage inputs, eliminating clutter on the back of the screen. Gamers will also appreciate the TV's high 165Hz refresh rate for PC play and built-in Xbox Game Pass support for streaming games.

Those with the cash to spare should also consider Samsung's newer S95H, which carries over everything I liked about the S95F while offering an even brighter image, a cool frame-like bezel, and access to Samsung's Art Store. The S95H is a more impressive TV overall, but the cheaper S95F remains a better value for those seeking an anti-glare OLED.

Read our Samsung S95F 4K TV review and Samsung S95H 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to the best TV for sports.

Best 55-inch TVs, compared

How we test 55-inch TVs

To find the best 55-inch TVs, our reviewers conducted hands-on tests informed by more than a decade of experience covering home entertainment gear.

We typically focus our testing on 65-inch TVs, since that size is considered the industry flagship. That said, overall performance is usually the same for a specific TV model across larger sizes. For instance, the 55-inch and 65-inch versions of LG's G5 OLED share identical specs and features, with screen size being the only real difference.

There are some exceptions. TVs that use local dimming, such as the TCL QM6K, may have fewer dimming zones in smaller sizes, which can lead to minor differences in contrast. These changes rarely affect our overall assessment, but when they do, we call them out.

To test TVs, we evaluate picture clarity, contrast, brightness, color accuracy, viewing angles, gaming performance, smart TV software, and overall value. We measure HDR brightness with a colorimeter and use Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark test patterns or pattern generators to assess objective performance.

Of course, numbers only tell part of the story. We also spend plenty of time watching real movies and shows in both dark and bright rooms. Our test content spans 4K, 1080p HD, and standard-definition sources from Blu-ray discs, streaming apps, and cable TV, with specific scenes chosen to stress black levels, shadow detail, HDR highlights, and upscaling. Gaming tests are done using a PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2.

You can learn more about our review process in our breakdown of how we test tech products.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I've been covering home entertainment gear for over a decade, and I test the latest TVs year-round. I also studied film production, which means I'm a little obsessive about picture accuracy — I want movies and shows to look the way the director intended, not overly bright or oversaturated. When I review a TV, I use professional calibration tools and test patterns to measure performance, but that's only part of the story. I also live with every TV I test like it's my own — streaming movies, watching sports, and flipping through everyday shows to see how it actually performs in real life. I then take all that hands-on testing and translate it into clear, practical advice so you can find a great 55-inch TV for your budget.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

55-inch TV FAQs

Is 55 inches a good size for a TV?

A 55-inch screen is a solid choice for various needs, and many of the best smart TVs are sold in this size. A 55-inch set is still large enough to feel immersive in smaller living rooms, while offering a more compact alternative to 65-inch models that might be too large for some spaces.

If you're shopping for a media console or mount to pair with a 55-inch TV, consider our guides to the best TV stands and best TV wall mounts for top recommendations.

A 55-inch TV is also a good fit for a bedroom where you might want something smaller than what you've got in your living room, but not so compact that you have to sacrifice picture quality. Most brands' best 4K TVs are available in 55-inch sizes, but many top displays are not sold in smaller sizes. For instance, if you want one of Sony's best OLED TVs, the 55-inch size is the smallest available.

Should you buy a 2026 or 2025 55-inch TV?

New 2026 55-inch TV models were announced at the CES tech show in January, and several options are now available to buy from LG, Samsung, and Hisense. Sony also announced that it will release its first True RGB TVs later this spring, but sizes haven't been confirmed. Our experts will review 2026 TVs for consideration in this guide over the coming months.

However, shoppers should remember that 2025 TV models will remain in stock for much of the year, and they cost much less than their 2026 counterparts. With that in mind, 2025 TV models remain the better value for most people.

How much should a 55-inch TV cost?

The best 55-inch TVs range in price, with entry-level models starting under $300 and high-end models costing $2,000 or more.

If you want a midrange 55-inch TV, you should plan to spend about $400 to $700. Several great 55-inch QLED models in that price range feature quantum dots, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights, delivering good contrast and peak brightness levels of up to 1,000 nits.

Shoppers who prefer a 55-inch OLED TV to a QLED TV will have to pay more, with prices starting around $1,000. Although notably more expensive than their QLED counterparts, OLED TVs offer pixel-level brightness control, providing superior contrast and perfect black levels.

Many 55-inch TVs receive discounts throughout the year, but we typically see the biggest price drops during sales like Prime Day and Black Friday, as well as around major sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

How far should you sit from a 55-inch 4K TV?

The smaller a 4K screen is, the closer you'll need to sit to the display to see the full benefits of its resolution. To see the extra detail that 4K offers over 1080p Full HD, you'll want to sit about one to 1.5 times the size of your display. For a 55-inch 4K TV, the recommended viewing distance is between 4.6 and 6.9 feet.

Of course, you can still sit farther away from your TV and still enjoy its image quality, but the recommended distance will let you see the best level of detail.

If you need to sit even closer to your TV or just have a small room to work with, check out our guides to the best 50-inch TVs and best 43-inch TVs.

For rooms where you need to sit farther from your display, we recommend choosing a larger screen to fully benefit from 4K resolution. Check out our guides for larger display models:

• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 100-inch TVs

Do 55-inch TVs have good sound quality?

Even the best 55-inch TVs tend to have mediocre built-in speakers. Audio drivers integrated into most TVs are small and often placed in areas that can result in a muddy sound, lacking range and deep bass. For this reason, we recommend pairing your TV with a soundbar or full surround sound system to get the best audio quality for movies, TV shows, and video games.

For the most immersive experience, we suggest finding a system that supports Dolby Atmos, which can enable sound effects from all directions, even above your head. Performance varies depending on the model you get, but entry-level Atmos systems can still provide a nice upgrade over your TV's built-in speakers.

Check out our various soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations for different needs:

• Best soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best budget soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best Sonos soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

Do you need a 55-inch TV with HDMI 2.1?

All of our picks for the best 55-inch TVs include HDMI 2.1 ports. This feature is most beneficial for gamers, but it's become standard on my midrange and high-end models.

An HDMI 2.1 connection enables a TV to receive 4K video signals at refresh rates higher than the previous 60Hz standard. High refresh rates enable smoother motion in video games that support them.

Most HDMI 2.1 TVs support a 4K/120Hz signal, and some models can even support higher refresh rates, such as 144Hz or 165Hz. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X support 4K/120Hz modes, while high-end gaming PCs can support 144Hz and 165Hz output.

You'll need a compatible HDMI cable to send and receive an HDMI 2.1 signal from a source device to a TV. For top recommendations, check out our guide to the best HDMI cables.

Teachers deserve love all 365 days of the year, but Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual reminder to thank the educator in your life. Luckily, tons of brands feel the same way and offer special coupons and discounts for qualified teachers.

Online teacher discounts require verification, usually through platforms like ID.me or SheerID. These ask for details such as your email address and your school of employment to confirm your status. They've been the trusted standard for years, and I've used them myself as a student when scoring exclusive discounts.

Keep scrolling to find some of the best Teacher Appreciation Week discounts, from big apparel brands to school supply must-haves.

Teacher Appreciation Week FAQs

When is Teacher Appreciation Week 2026?

This year, Teacher Appreciation Week runs from May 4 to 8. Some of the above promotions will end after that, but many continue through the year.

How is teacher status verified for educator discounts?

Verification varies by retailer. In-person, stores often ask for proof of employment, so a school ID will work. Online, several stores use SheerID and ID.me, verification platforms that usually just take your school-specific email to grant you access to the discounts.

What is SheerID?

SheerID is a way for retailers to verify your status as a teacher or student. Typically, this requires your school-issued email. After years of seeing it used by the largest companies and using it ourselves, it's safe. Just be sure to provide your information only when strictly requested, and only follow links issued by the store you're shopping with.

For the latest buying advice updates, follow us on Instagram and WhatsApp

Not a teacher? Check out our guides to the best Madewell coupons, Peacock promo codes, and Skillshare coupons.

Alo Yoga has become one of the biggest names in athleisure thanks to its mix of workout staples, elevated basics, and wellness-focused branding. The brand built its reputation on stylish activewear that works just as well outside the gym as it does during a workout. Over the years, Alo has expanded beyond yoga apparel into a full lifestyle label, all of which is on sale for a limited time to celebrate the brand's anniversary.

Part of the appeal is that Alo manages to balance comfort, performance, and trend-driven style in a way that feels wearable day to day. The brand's leggings, matching sets, oversize sweatshirts, and lounge pieces have become especially popular with shoppers looking for polished athleisure they can wear from workouts to errands to travel days. It's a highlight in our guides to the best sweatpants, the best matching workout sets, and the best travel jackets.

While Alo is known for premium pricing, its limited-time sales are among the best opportunities to save on pieces that rarely see major markdowns. Below, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the current Alo Yoga sale, including the best deals worth shopping right now.

The best Alo Yoga anniversary sale deals

Alo Yoga sale FAQs

When does the Alo Yoga anniversary sale end?

The Alo sale doesn't officially announce an end date; it only says it's ending soon. With that in mind, I expect it will likely conclude this week, so interested shoppers should act fast.

What should I buy from Alo Yoga?

This viral athleisure brand is so much more than just hype, and we've tested it to prove it. What you should buy depends on your needs, but if you're looking for some of our favorites, here are some recommendations:

• The Muse Sweatpants are the top ribbed option in our guide to the best sweatpants. Their mid-rise designs are durable and flexible for the gym and travel, making them a go-to staple in any wardrobe.
• The Airlift Legging and Bra make it into our matching workout set guide because they are so comfortable, they feel like a second skin. Our editor loves their perfect shaping that offers support without feeling restrictive.
• The Latitude ½ Zip Pullover earned a place in our guides to the best windbreakers and the best travel jackets thanks to its oversized fit and cozy feel. Its puffiness gives a gender-neutral appeal, with layers of warmth for chilly mornings.
• The Sunset Sneakers are a popular alternative to Adidas Sambas. They come in several different colors and offer better cushioning thanks to a raised foam insole.
• The unforgettable viral High-Waist Airlift Leggings are a classic, standing out against cheaper dupes for their support through high-impact activities.

Missed the sale or looking for more deals? Check out our roundups of the best Athleta coupons, Abercrombie coupons, and REI coupons.

Follow our Instagram page and WhatsApp channel on mobile for more deals and shopping news.

Finding the best one-piece swimsuits is not as simple as picking the cutest suit on the rack. Fit, support, compression, coverage, and torso length can make the difference between a swimsuit you reach for all summer and one that never leaves the drawer. To help narrow it down, we tested top-rated styles from popular swim brands to find the best one-piece swimsuits for a range of needs, including long torsos, larger busts, tummy control, and everyday comfort.

Our testing focused on the details that matter most in real life: how each suit felt on, how supportive it was in and out of the water, whether the fabric felt compressive or restrictive, and how well the cut worked across different body types. We also considered design features like adjustable straps, bra-style sizing, built-in support, and seat coverage, along with how flattering and wearable each suit felt for swimming, lounging, and travel. That hands-on process helped us separate the truly standout options from the many one-pieces that look good online but disappoint in person.

Whether you want a sleek one-piece for vacations, a supportive swimsuit for a fuller bust, or a classic style that will hold up for years, our guide includes the best one-piece swimsuits we have personally tested and recommend. These picks combine comfort, performance, and style, with options for different budgets and body types. Ahead, shop the one-piece swimsuits that impressed us most.

And for more of our swim coverage, see our articles on the best swimsuits for large busts, the best long torso swimsuits , the best swimsuits for women, and more

Top 3 one-piece swimsuits for women

How we tested the best one-piece swimsuits

We tested brands that can fit differently sized busts . Our editors have cumulatively tested well over two dozen one-piece swimsuits, and we all have different concerns about how they ought to fit. Some of us have narrow rib cages with large busts, which can cause a uniboob situation without the right underwire and separation. Other members of our team have wide rib cages with small busts, which requires underbust seams and padding instead. Wide straps were a common preference for large-busted testers.

We paid attention to the material quality of the fabric. A good one-piece swimsuit should be made with stretchy, quick-drying material that's soft enough to lounge in, yet has enough elastane to retain its shape. We recommend swimsuits that were durable enough to withstand salt water, UV rays, sunscreen, and chlorine, and ran through the washing machine without issue.

We tested brands that accommodate different torso lengths. The length of a one-piece swimsuit can spell the difference between a flattering fit and a camel toe. Long torso swimsuits have more fabric in the midriff so a suits shoulder straps don't dig into your skin. Comfortable seams around the legs and the density of the material around the crotch made it easier to wear these suits for hours at a time.

What we learned while testing one-piece swimsuits

1. Don't buy swimsuits from brands that don't specialize in swimsuits. The swim section of your favorite dress brand might look cute, but the suits often lack the technical details that make a one-piece comfortable and long-lasting — like supportive lining, fabric that keeps its shape when wet, and seams that don't dig in. We had the best luck with swim-specific brands that clearly put time and resources into developing their suits.
2. If you have a larger bust, look for brands with bra sizing. Alpha sizing (small, medium, large, etc.) won't give you the fit you need. For people with D-cups and up, we recommend looking at our more specialized list of the best swimsuits for people with large busts.
3. Adjustability is worth prioritizing. Fixed straps and non-adjustable cuts can work beautifully if the proportions happen to match your body, but adjustable straps, tie backs, removable cups, and flexible necklines make a swimsuit much easier to customize. This is especially helpful for one-pieces, where torso length, bust fit, and bottom coverage must work together.
4. A low-back swimsuit is only as good as its front support. Open-back styles look gorgeous, but they often sacrifice structure and turn ill-fitting when wet. The best versions still had enough tension through the front, straps, or waist to keep everything feeling secure.

Best overall: Summersalt Sidestroke

The Summersalt Sidestroke is one of those rare one-pieces that looks good on just about everyone. The angled seaming and asymmetrical neckline create a trendy, sculpted effect, while the clean design keeps it feeling polished and easy to wear. It is an especially good pick if you want a swimsuit that feels a little more elevated than a basic one-piece.

In our guide to the best plus-size swimwear, freelance style reporter and plus-size fashion expert Sarah Chiwaya listed the Summersalt Sidestroke as her favorite one-piece. "Instead of just sticking with one cross strap in the back, this style has two, which distribute bust weight more evenly and don't dig," she writes. "I was happily surprised that this style worked as well as it did on me, as most one-shoulder styles leave me lopsided and uncomfortable."

Insider Reviews executive editor Sally Kaplan also recommends the single-strapped one-piece: "My main consideration when buying a swimsuit is whether or not it has enough support to handle my chest," she writes. "I have a DD cup size, so it can be a pretty significant challenge.In a bold move, I tried the one-shoulder Sidestroke suit in 'White Sand' — which was risky for two obvious reasons. I have to say, I'm incredibly happy with how supportive the suit turned out to be. There was no issue with lopsidedness or sagging, and the diagonal seaming on the front was super flattering. The white color isn't see-through when wet, either," according to Sally.

Best for small busts: Left On Friday Sunday Suit

"I feel as smooth as a seal swimming in the Sunday Suit. It holds me in using a single piece of this silky, almost-seamless Lycra-nylon blend, and while material is thin enough to show some nip, I like how airy and quick-drying it is.

The main drawback our team found is that Left On Friday's swimsuits don't fit true to size (they run small), and the cupless designs don't support large busts very well. However, as someone with a narrow ribcage and 34B cups, I found it hugged me in all the right places.

I'm 5-foot-9 and mostly legs, so I went for the Tall size. I'm relieved I did, because the shoulder straps are short and non-adjustable. If you're anywhere above 5-foot-6, go for the Tall size so it'll stretch to fit your torso. Unfortunately, the XXL size is limited to three colorways, so it's not as inclusive as we'd like.

In the rear, its seat coverage is minimal — not a thong, but it definitely shows cheek — and it stays put so I don't feel like I need to readjust constantly. Down in front, the high-cut legs are comfortable and smooth. No risk of camel toe in the crotch area, either.

The color you choose will have a lot of influence on how the Sunday suit will serve you. I went for a shimmery bronze shade called 'Tan Lines.' It's also my go-to suit for the spa, whether I'm braving the cold plunge or sweating in the sauna." — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Insider Reviews

Best for large busts: Bravissimo Cancun One-Piece Swimsuit

For anyone who needs real underboob support, one-piece swimsuits with flimsy padded cups usually do not cut it. Bravissimo's ingenious design gives you the lift of a bra, but it is practically invisible beneath the ribbed texture of the Cancun One-Piece Swimsuit.

You can choose your exact bra size, from 30D to 40J, so the built-in support feels far more precise than what you get with a standard one-piece. Because it is integrated into the suit, you also do not have to worry about it shifting around or slipping out. Best of all, it still looks like a normal swimsuit on the outside, without bulky molded cups that draw extra attention to your chest.

I love this big-boob-friendly swimsuit so much that I would happily buy it in multiple colors, and I have already recommended it to plenty of my friends with larger chests.

Best for a snatched waist: TA3 The Lifty

I love all of my TA3 swimsuits, but the Lifty is my favorite because the underwire is so supportive and prevents the dreaded uniboob that some one-piece bathing suits can cause. The way the sizing works is nothing short of a miracle. You get to choose your bodice length (short or regular/long), your usual swimsuit size (from XS-4X), and your cup size (from A-J/K) to get the absolute perfect fit, plus there are a bunch of color options.

"The thick shoulder straps are comfy and adjustable, and the cups cradle me perfectly with no digging. It even looks super cute as a bodysuit, so you could theoretically wear it with jeans or flowy linen pants and no one would be the wiser. But I know you're all here to find out whether it actually delivers what it promises: a snatched waist. The short answer is: yes! The longer answer is absolutely yes; the lacing in the back actually works like a dream to cinch your waist in. But the good news is that if you're ever feeling bloated or you just want something a little less compressive, you can always just loosen it up. It's like having two sizes in one! 

Anyway, if you have a large chest, you won't regret buying this suit — as someone with an F cup, it's definitely the most comfortable and supportive one-piece I've ever tried." — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews

Read more in our full TA3 swimsuit review.

Best basic: Andie Tulum One-Piece

Simple, comfortable, and reliable – what's not to love? For us, the Andie Tulum One-Piece takes the top spot as the best overall one-piece swimsuit. Up top, it has removable cups a modest scoop neckline. In the seat, there's perfectly balanced medium coverage, so you won't have you keep adjusting as you walk on the shoreline.

Andie gives you options so you can find the perfect fit: find this suit in regular or long torso lengths up to a size 3X. Across the open back are criss-cross straps, which provide a bit of lift and support your bust. The fabric is comfortable enough to nap in, yet it achieves a gentle compressing effect that flatters athletic builds.

Read our full Andie swimwear review to see how its swimsuits fit different body shapes and sizes.

Best trendy: Bydee Amalfi One-Piece

Bydee is an Australian brand with tons of on-trend tropical prints inspired by vacation hotspots. Though I love the patterns, I've avoided their bikinis since the skimpy triangles are far too small for my larger bust. But the Amalfi One-Piece fit perfectly — even if it lacked support.

The stylish swimsuit has a low back, high-cut bottoms, and a flattering V-neck. I appreciate that the straps are adjustable, which helps provide extra room for my chest. And though the high-cut leg is a little more daring than I'm used to, I love how it elongates my legs.

I wore this suit on vacation in Greece, and I can't imagine a better, more on-theme garment for sailing the Aegean.

Best for long torso: Andie Mykonos

We tested different long-torso swimsuits made with extra fabric around the middle. These monokinis are designed for anyone who struggles with perpetual wedgies and too-short shoulder straps. The best of the best turned out to be yet another suit from Andie.

"With a deeply plunging neckline, thick straps, and good bum coverage, this suit has a silhouette that's highly becoming on a variety of body types," writes freelance style reporter Talia Ergas. "The Mykonos suit is my go-to because it's super cute, but it also offers decent coverage to keep me secure during the day's activities."

Best patterned: Boden Rhodes Cup-Size Swimsuit

I was skeptical that a swimsuit sized only by bra measurements could deliver the right fit, but this one proved me wrong. The Boden Rhodes Cup-Size Swimsuit fits perfectly, and the bra-style construction gives it a level of support that feels much more tailored than a standard one-piece.

It comes in three bold, swirling prints that make it feel playful, while the balconette neckline and underwire add lift and structure similar to a bra. The straps are removable, which is especially nice for sunbathing when you want to avoid extra tan lines, and the fully lined torso helps the suit feel secure and substantial.

There is also tummy paneling through the midsection, which gives it a more sculpted, structured look without making it feel overly stiff.

Most stylish: Cin Cin Scorpio

Cin Cin has quickly become a go-to brand for influencers, the fashion crowd, and everyone in the know. They all feature Pucci-esque patterns that give the suits a glamorous '60s resortwear feel. The gold buckle at the waist adds just enough polish, and I love that it could easily double as a bodysuit with linen pants or a breezy skirt after the beach.

I've gotten tons of compliments on this suit — especially when paired with the matching robe. The full outfit gives Côte d'Azur in the summertime — bougie, stylish, and glamourously vintage.

At $250, it's a splurge, but a standout pick for anyone who wants a one-piece that can double as a bodysuit under linen pants or a skirt.

Best wrap: Summersalt The Perfect Wrap One-Piece

We've spotted this iconic one-piece on many a beachgoer over the years, and it's easy to see why. The wrap style is universally flattering, comfortable, and the compressive fabric keeps everything in place. Though the deep-V neckline doesn't provide much lift for large busts, the cups are padded so you can enjoy the beach without having a fashion emergency.

"I loved wearing the Perfect Wrap One-Piece to the beach because I didn't need an extra top for exploring the boardwalk or going into a restaurant. I wore it with a skirt and it looked like a regular top," writes former culture & employee experience manager MoMo Lamping. "It wins in the tummy support department, too. The wrap detail adds fun while accentuating my waist to create an hourglass shape."

Read our full Summersalt swimwear review to see our favorite pieces. 

Best stretch: Youswim Eva One-Piece

"The thing I love so much about the crinkle style is that the material is silky and weighty, but it's not compressive at all (unlike the TA3 shaping swimsuit, which I also love but for very different reasons)" writes Sally Kaplan, executive editor of Insider Reviews.

"Even once it's wet, the way the material clings to the body doesn't make me feel too exposed, plus it has a normal-cut leg for a solid amount of coverage," she continues. "And I know that because it's super stretchy, it's going to fit me through the very real weight and size fluctuations I experience at the whims of my cycle."

Best scoop neck: Dos Gardenias Sophia One-Piece

If you're looking for a basic one-piece that is still distinctive, the Sophia from Dos Gardenias is a great option. The scoop neck gives the swimsuit a vintage flair, which pairs perfectly with fun accessories like cat-eye sunglasses or a silk head scarf.

The suit itself is meant to be tight and supportive, and it fits great. But just be warned that it won't work for people with long torsos. I am petite with a larger bust, and I felt like I was pushing the vertical stretch.

But by far my favorite part about this swimsuit is that it looks like a cute top. I love wearing it with a long linen skirt (like above), and on days when I know I'll be going from the beach to lunch or shopping.

Most supportive: Helen Jon Olivia One-Piece

"Helen Jon actually measures the fit of its suits on its own employees. The company clearly understands how using fit models exclusively may not always be the best approach. So, they came up with a different one, and it's one that seems to really work," writes executive editor Sally Kaplan. Each piece is fit on at least seven different bodies of different ages, weights, and heights to ensure it fits a myriad of body types, and fits them well.

The Olivia suit is fully lined and reinforced with an underbust seam. It also features a v-neck and shirring detail around the torso for a super flattering fit. While there are a few suits with underbust seams on this list, Helen Jon offers the most supportive fit for most body types and different sized busts.

Read our full review of Helen Jon to see what we loved when we tested the suits.  

• Karoline Leavitt, 28, is the youngest-ever White House press secretary.
• She worked for Kayleigh McEnany and Rep. Elise Stefanik before joining Donald Trump's 2024 campaign.
• She is married to 60-year-old real-estate developer Nicholas Riccio, and they have two children.

Karoline Leavitt landed a White House internship as a college student during President Donald Trump's first term. In his second term, she serves as the youngest-ever White House press secretary.

A former college athlete who spent her summers scooping ice cream in New Hampshire, Leavitt, 28, quickly rose through the ranks of Republican politics through communications jobs with former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

During her tenure as the 2024 Trump campaign's national press secretary, she traveled the country while pregnant and returned to work four days after giving birth to her son.

Leavitt has also acknowledged her "atypical love story" with husband Nicholas Riccio, a 60-year-old real-estate developer. The couple welcomed their second child, a daughter, in May.

Here's what to know about Trump's White House press secretary.

The White House Press Office did not respond to a request for comment.

Karoline Leavitt grew up in Atkinson, New Hampshire, and went to a Catholic high school.

Leavitt's parents owned an ice cream stand where she worked during the summers.

She attended Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

"Having a Catholic education really formed who I am," she said on an episode of The Catholic Current podcast in 2021.

She continued, "It taught me discipline, it brought me closer in my own relationship with God, and it also taught me the importance of public service and giving back to your community."

She graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2019 with a degree in politics and communication.

Leavitt was admitted to Saint Anselm College on a softball scholarship and played as an outfielder on the women's softball team, the Saint Anselm Hawks.

Leavitt's extra-curricular activities included founding the Saint Anselm Broadcasting Club, volunteering at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, and writing articles for the college newspaper, The Saint Anselm Crier, defending Trump's travel ban and criticizing the "liberal media." She also spent a semester studying abroad at John Cabot University in Rome.

In 2018, she interned at the White House during Trump's first presidency as a presidential writer in the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence.

She was the first member of her family to earn an undergraduate degree.

After graduating, she worked with then-press secretary Kayleigh McEnany in the White House Press Office.

From 2019 to 2021, Leavitt worked as an assistant press secretary, helping McEnany prepare for briefings.

When Trump left office in 2021, Leavitt took a job as Rep. Elise Stefanik's director of communications.

Stefanik served as the House Republican Conference Chair from 2021 to 2025.

Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district in 2022.

"I could no longer sit back and watch as our conservative principles — that make America the greatest country in the world and New Hampshire the best state in the union — fall under attack," Leavitt wrote on her campaign website of her decision to run for office.

Leavitt won the Republican primary, but lost the general election to the Democratic incumbent, Rep. Chris Pappas, who is the first openly gay man to represent New Hampshire in Congress.

In 2024, she joined Trump's presidential campaign as his national press secretary.

Leavitt held press conferences outside Manhattan Criminal Court during Trump's hush-money trial. Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts, but was not sentenced with any punishment due to the US Supreme Court ruling granting presidents criminal immunity protections.

Trump maintained his innocence throughout the trial and often referred to it as a "witch hunt."

Four days after giving birth, Leavitt returned to work when Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.

Leavitt had a TV studio built in her home so that she could appear on television shortly after giving birth.

"I felt compelled to be present in this historic moment," she told The Conservateur. "The president literally put his life on the line to win this election. The least I could do is get back to work quickly."

After Trump won the 2024 election, he appointed Leavitt as the youngest-ever White House press secretary.

As press secretary, Leavitt established a "new media seat" in the White House briefing room reserved for podcasters, social media influencers, and other independent content creators who, "despite being some of the most viewed news websites in the country, have not been given seats in this room," she said at a briefing.

Leavitt is married to 60-year-old Nicholas Riccio, who is more than twice her age. They share a son, Niko, and welcomed a daughter, Viviana, in May.

Leavitt was introduced to Riccio, a real-estate developer, at a campaign event by a mutual friend during her 2022 run for Congress.

They announced their engagement on Christmas in 2023 and welcomed a son, Niko, on July 10, 2024.

Leavitt and Riccio wed on January 4, 2025, days before Trump's second inauguration.

In December 2025, Leavitt announced that she and Riccio were expecting a baby girl in May, making her the first-ever pregnant White House press secretary.

"My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can't wait to watch our son become a big brother," she wrote in an Instagram post.

Leavitt gave birth to a daughter, Viviana, on May 1.

"She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister," Leavitt wrote on Instagram. "We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble."

She has described their age-gap marriage as "a very atypical love story."

Leavitt spoke about their 32-year age gap in a February 2025 interview on The Megyn Kelly Show.

"I mean, it's a very atypical love story, but he's incredible," she said of Riccio, adding, "He's the father of my child, and he's the best dad I could ever ask for. And he is so supportive, especially during a very chaotic period of life."

In a November 2025 interview with Miranda Devine on the podcast "Pod Force One," Leavitt spoke about her parents' reaction to her "unusual" relationship with Riccio, who is older than her mother.

"It's definitely a challenging conversation to have at first," she said. "But then, of course, once they got to know him and saw who he is as a man and his character and how much he adores me, I think it became quite easy for them."

• Microsoft is offering buyouts to US employees who want to retire.
• The buyout includes cash, insurance, and stock vesting based on employee level and service years.
• The program helps Microsoft cut costs as it plans significant spending.

Microsoft released details of its buyout offer for long-serving employees in an internal document viewed by Business Insider.

Microsoft last month announced it would offer buyouts to employees at level 67 and below in the US who have 70 or more years of age and service. Microsoft said it would share the details with employees on May 7.

The buyout offer helps Microsoft cut costs as it plans significant spending, including $190 billion in capital expenditures this year, primarily related to its AI infrastructure buildout. The company recently said it expects head count to decrease in the coming quarters.

Business Insider obtained a full copy of the document, an internal explanation of the so-called Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP). According to the document, eligible employees who take the buyout will receive:

• A lump-sum cash payment equal to a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 39 weeks of base pay, based on seniority and tenure. Employees levels 64 and below will receive one week of base pay per six months of service, and employees levels 65 to 67 will receive two weeks of base pay per six months of service.
• Up to five years of insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision for the employee and their dependents. Microsoft pays for the first year.
• Continued regular stock vesting for six or 12 months, based on years of service.
• Continued retirement stock vesting for employees who meet certain requirements.
• Last day of employment July 1.

Employees with less than 24 years of service will receive six months of unvested stock awards after their employment ends. That vesting period will expand to 12 months for employees with more than 24 years of service.

The document states Microsoft has no plan to offer another voluntary retirement program in the future.

Read the full details of Microsoft's buyout package (edited for length and clarity):

"What is included in the VRP Benefits Package?

…

VRP extended healthcare

VRP participants may be eligible for up to 5 years of continued post-employment access to Microsoft medical, dental, vision, and Wellbeing at Microsoft coverage for themself and their eligible dependents.

Year 1: Microsoft subsidized

Years 2-5: VRP participants will pay a monthly premium

Coverage may end sooner than 5 years from termination date, depending on personal circumstances and timing, including eligibility for Medicare or other coverage options.

Cash Lump Sum payment

A lump sum cash severance payment payable following termination of employment equal to the following:

For employees at Levels 64 and below: One (1) week of base pay for every 6 months of regular service to Microsoft, with a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 39 weeks.

For employees at Levels 65-67: Two (2) weeks of base pay for every 6 months of regular service to Microsoft, with a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 39 weeks.

Continued Stock Award vesting

6 months of continued scheduled vests of unvested stock awards following the termination date.

This 6-month continued vesting period will be extended to 12-months if the VRP participant has 24 years or more of continuous service.

Stock plan retirement

If the VRP participant's most recent date of hire was before August 1, 2023, and if their unvested stock award provides for continued vesting following an eligible "Retirement," and if on their termination date they are either (1) age 64, or (2) within one year of attaining age 55 with 15 years of continuous service, then they will be treated as meeting the age and service requirements for Retirement under the award agreement(s) for any and all unvested stock awards.

This will result in continued scheduled vesting of any unvested stock awards that were granted more than one year before their termination date and are eligible for Retirement vesting under the terms of the award agreements (generally non-SSA awards). All other requirements for Retirement set forth in the award agreement(s) must still be met.

What are the actions & timeline for VRP?

This one-time program has specific and fixed timeline as shown here.

… [Business Insider removed some administrative deadlines here for length and clarity]

July 1: Last day of Microsoft employment for VRP participants.

July 2: Microsoft employment termination date for VRP participants.

Will VRP be offered again in the future?

We understand why people ask this question—it's natural to want clarity when you're thinking about your future.

At this time, there is no plan or commitment to offer another voluntary retirement program. This is a unique one-time action.

How does the VRP impact employees who are not eligible?

The VRP is a one-time, voluntary program for eligible employees. If you are not eligible, you may experience changes on your team if colleagues elect to retire from Microsoft with VRP. Eligibility for VRP does not influence how decisions are made regarding other workforce changes. Organizational and workforce decisions continue to be based on business priorities and needs and are not determined by VRP eligibility.

Who is eligible for the VRP and how was eligibility determined?

Eligibility is based on objective, predefined criteria applied consistently across the US employee population and finalized prior to the program launch. Managers and leaders do not determine eligibility.

To be eligible for the VRP, employees must have met these requirements:

• Microsoft employees on US Payroll at Level 67 or below who are not on a sales and services incentive plan (namely a S, T, D, V, M, or P (other than P2) Plan); and
• Employees whose age + years of service (as of June 30, 2026), each rounded to the nearest whole number, equals 70 or more (Rule of 70).

For this purpose, years of service will include non-continuous service with Microsoft as well as continuous service as an employee of an acquired company immediately prior to and continuing through the date of the acquisition by Microsoft or a subsidiary.

Any service before a break in employment with an acquired company, prior to the acquisition by Microsoft or a subsidiary, will not be included.

Employees must also be active or on approved leave and in good standing (have not resigned or been notified of an involuntary separation) and remain in good standing through their separation date of July 2, 2026.

Why are there eligibility exclusions?

This program was designed very intentionally around a narrow population where both tenure and role structure aligned with a one-time retirement offering funded within this fiscal year. Roles on sales incentive plans have fundamentally different compensation structures and fiscal commitments, which made inclusion in this program not viable. In addition, individuals who have previously been notified of a job elimination and have not yet separated employment as a result (for example, their termination date has not passed yet or they are on a leave of absence) are not eligible for VRP.

This very small population is already eligible for severance benefits and therefore will not be eligible for VRP.

Why is this program only available to US employees?

The VRP is limited to US employees for a few reasons:

First, the largest number of employees who meet the program criteria are based in the US, so this is where the program would have the greatest impact. Second, the design of the package reflects US-specific realities — particularly around healthcare. Across the US, more than a few employees delay retirement primarily because of uncertainty around their healthcare coverage until eligibility for Medicare, which is the US government program assuring coverage for Americans at a certain age.

A key feature of the VRP is extended healthcare coverage access geared towards helping employees mitigate or even close this gap.

Finally, the complexity of designing and delivering this first-of-a-kind program led us to concentrate on a single-country rollout."

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at astewart@businessinsider.com or Signal at +1-425-344-8242. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• A 2023 text exchange between Mira Murati and Sam Altman was exposed during the OpenAI trial.
• It's a reminder to employees about the risks of putting sensitive information in writing.
• An employment attorney says even if you're using a personal device, it can become fair game in litigation.

You might think twice before sending that text in your work group chat.

The Musk v. Altman trial has exposed a 2023 text exchange between Mira Murati and Sam Altman — and it's a reminder for workers of the risks of putting sensitive information in writing.

The two-day viral conversation took place amid Altman's high-profile ouster from OpenAI. The messages show him asking for a meeting with the board and Murati, who was acting as interim CEO, repeatedly telling him they didn't want him back.

Murati was having conversations with OpenAI's board in real time, so it may not have made sense to switch to a call. Generally, though, it's a lesson that just about anything and everything in writing can come up in legal proceedings — or at least be monitored by your employer.

Good digital hygiene

Most workers won't find themselves facing a similar situation to Altman — but in the era of AI and hybrid work, workplace communication is being increasingly documented.

As teams exchange larger volumes of information across digital platforms, there's a greater risk of sensitive information being shared.

Peter Rahbar, an employment attorney in New York and co-host of the "Across the Bar" podcast, says he often sees clients who have work content on their personal phones. He recommends that people carry two phones and keep work content confined to one.

That's because even if you're using a personal device, it can become fair game in litigation if you do work on it, Rahbar said.

"Anything that's potentially relevant to the case is subject to discovery. It doesn't matter what device it's on," he said.

Rahbar said that subject matter determines whether something can be roped into a legal dispute. Litigation requests capture any relevant information, regardless of location or platform. That could include Instagram DMs, WhatsApp messages, or ChatGPT prompts, he said.

Those AI notetakers that are popping into more and more work calls are often also creating written and audio records.

The legal risk isn't limited to digital communications, Rahbar said. Journal entries, for example, could be used as evidence, as shown with OpenAI President Greg Brockman.

Rahbar recommends that people delete personal communications, such as text messages, at least once or twice a year. Even then, he said, deleting your message doesn't mean the other person will do the same. That's why Rahbar recommends in-person conversations or — sorry, Gen Z — phone calls for sensitive subjects.

The risks of putting it in writing

Texting a coworker instead of messaging them on Slack or Teams may reduce the risk of workplace oversight, but it doesn't protect those conversations from legal scrutiny.

In many cases, people don't learn these lessons until it's too late, Rahbar said. While most workers may not think they're saying anything risky, they aren't likely to enjoy having their devices seized in an expansive search.

As ever, people should be careful about what they put in writing — unless they're comfortable having it repeated or used against them later, said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond.

"We make assumptions about how we communicate," Tobias said. "And then maybe they come back to bite us."

Getting a close shave without irritation or pain isn't easy. It's common to find yourself with nicks or leftover stubble from a quick shave. However, the best electric razors for men cater to individuals with diverse hair textures and shaping preferences, consistently delivering a clean shave without discomfort. Our team has thoroughly tested and reviewed many top electric razor models to address the most common needs, and we've narrowed it down to the six best electric razors out there.

Our top pick is Braun's Series 9 Pro Plus, which offers a close, personalized shave that's worth the investment. For a more affordable option, our budget pick also comes from Braun, as the mid-tier Series 7 model remains a timeless and high-quality choice.

Whether you're shopping for a gift for someone else or for yourself, you'll find detailed recommendations based on rigorous testing, honest pros and cons of each pick, and answers to your most asked electric shaver questions from a professional barber.

The top picks for the best electric razors for men

Who should consider an electric razor

It's important to note that an electric razor will never be able to give you a shave as close as a manual razor. If you're looking for an extremely close shave, a manual razor is your best option because it has a blade that moves along the skin rather than a motor with moving blades meant to graze the skin like an electric razor.

That said, an electric razor can get very close to the results of a manual razor, with the added convenience of speed, accuracy, and ease of use. If you're looking to avoid nicks or cuts or are prone to them, this is especially useful for people with particular injuries or disabilities that make using a manual razor safely difficult.

The same goes for folks who love to travel and may not have access to the water or shaving cream needed for a manual razor shave. That's when a battery-powered electric razor can come in handy.

If you're looking for a trim instead of hair removal, we recommend checking out our guide to the best beard trimmers.

How we tested the best electric shavers

We considered people with different hair types, grooming needs, and budgets when selecting razors to test and include in this buying guide. Although my hair type and personal grooming needs may not be the same as everyone else, each product in the guide was tested hands-on over the course of several months. I tested shavers for cutting efficiency, in-hand comfort and feel, battery life, and overall maintenance and care. Each razor was used to shave or trim, and every razor that was waterproof was used in the shower. Each shaver was also charged and cleaned as recommended. For razors that didn't specifically match my personal grooming needs, I used my expertise and experience, having tested dozens of razors over the years, to determine whether they would benefit others.

Model	Type	Best For	Waterproof	Battery Life	Key Feature
Braun Series 9 Pro Plus	Foil	Overall performance	Yes	Up to 6 weeks	Auto-sensing tech, PowerCase, SmartCare Center
Braun Series 7 (7085cc)	Foil	Budget-conscious buyers	Yes	Up to 3 weeks	Beard sensing tech, Flex Head
Philips Norelco's i9000 Prestige Ultra	Rotary	Rotary shave lovers	Yes	Up to 1 hour	72 self-sharpening blades, Bluetooth connectivity
Panasonic ARC6 (ES-LS9A-K)	Foil	High-end grooming, thick beards	Yes	About 1 week	6 blades, 84,000 cross-cutting motions
Bevel Pro All-In-One	Trimmer	Coarse or curly hair	No	Up to 4 hours	Auto-leveling blade gap, great for sensitive skin
Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0	Trimmer	Body grooming	Yes	Not specified	SkinSafe technology, good for below-the-belt
Laifen P3 Pro	Foil	Travel-friendly	Yes	100 minutes	Compact and elegant design

Best overall: Braun Series 9 Pro Plus

As Braun's most advanced shaver to date, the Braun Series 9 Pro Plus (9599cc) is a considerable upgrade to older Series 9 and Series 9 Pro models. Our top pick for one of the best electric shavers comes bundled with the SmartCare Center, which includes a cleaning solution, a mobile charging PowerCase, a cleaning brush, and, for the first time ever, a ProComfort head to prep the face before shaving.

Even with all of the add-ons, the shaver itself is what makes the Braun Series 9 Pro+ such a powerful grooming tool. The cutting head consists of five separate parts — two OptiFoil shavers, a ProLift blade designed to lift hair, a Direct Blade designed to comb the hair in the same direction before cutting, and a skin guard. With 40,000 cutting motions per minute, auto-sensing technology, vibrating sonic technology, and the system provides a smooth and close shave, with minimal work prepping your face beforehand, whether your hair lays flat, stands up, or grows in different directions on different parts of your face.

The Braun Series 9 Pro Plus includes an attached trimmer for detailing mustaches and beard lines. It's positioned on the back of the shaver but extends high enough to see the blade while you're trimming. As someone who's not clean-shaven, the trimmer gets just as much use as the shaver head because the placement doesn't seem like an afterthought that's blocked by the shaver head. It's easy to use and will save you from having to use a separate grooming tool for trimming.

My favorite upgrade on the Series 9 Pro Plus is the mobile charging PowerCase. It's another safe place to store your shaver and automatically charges, extending the battery life to up to 6 weeks — or much longer if you don't shave frequently.

Best budget: Braun Series 7

The Braun Series 7 (7085cc) replaces the older Braun Series 7 (7895cc) as our budget pick for the best electric razors for men because of its dependability and a few key improvements. The Braun Series 7 can "read" the density of your beard, automatically adjusting its power to give you the closest shave ever with Braun's AutoSense technology.

The biggest improvement in the design is the new 360° Flex Head shaver that contours to the curves of your face and neck. The new Series 7 (7085cc) feels effortless, even in hard-to-shave areas like your Adam's apple or jawline.

The new model (7085cc) also has a detachable trimmer that goes in place of the shaver, unlike the previous model (7895cc), which featured a slide-out trimmer on the front of the device. With the new design, the trimmer tool is placed at the top of the device so you can see exactly what you're doing. If you're having difficulty visualizing the difference between the two designs, you can read more in our full Braun Series 7 electric shaver review.

The 7071cc is the same as the 7085cc, except it doesn't include extra-length guard attachments.

Best rotary shaver: Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra

If you prefer shavers with rotary-style blades instead of linear foil shavers, Philips Norelco's i9000 Prestige Ultra is the most advanced option available and one of the best electric shavers we've tried.

While rotary shavers typically all feature three circular shavers, the i9000 Prestige Ultra packs a lot of performance in each one. In total, there are 72 self-sharpening blades that are designed to cut hair in any direction. The exterior of the rotary blades is designed to lift the hair before the blades cut as close to the skin as possible. And with 165,000 cutting actions per minute, you can achieve a close shave in just one pass.

As the world's first root-level shaver, the i9000 can cut hairs below the surface at -.08mm, not just 0mm. I tried it as someone with coarse hair and was still genuinely surprised that I didn't develop razor bumps. The below-the-surface cut means your smooth shave will last longer, and by limiting snags, you'll experience less irritation afterward.

Like most premium shavers, the i9000 Prestige Ultra has automatic beard-sensing technology, but I like that you can also manually adjust it using the + and - buttons on the device. The i9000 Prestige Ultra also features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to track your shaving techniques in the app. It'll let you know if you're applying too much pressure or doing passes too fast.

Best high-end: Panasonic Arc6

The Panasonic ARC6 Electric Shaver is arguably the most advanced and premium shaver on the market. Replacing the previous generation ARC5, the ARC6 features massive improvements, including a new head with six blades forged from high-grade Japanese stainless steel and a more powerful motor with 84,000 cross-cutting motions per minute.

With six blades — two finishing blades designed to cut hair at the base, two titanium-coated blades for long and thick stubble, and two lift blades to lift and cut hairs that lay flat — the Panasonic ARC6 has more blades than any electric shaver I've tested. In addition to its premium blade design, the shaver head moves in 22 independent directions to ensure it stays contoured to your face and neck at all times. Its sophisticated design does a great job of limiting nicks and cuts while delivering a close shave with one pass.

My beard doesn't grow incredibly fast or thick and I keep most of my facial hair, so I couldn't truly take advantage of the benefit of having such a powerful shaver. The auto-sensing technology increases or decreases power based on the density of the hair it's cutting, so I likely didn't use the full capacity of the motor, but I can see the value for men who either have thick beards or shave daily.

At just under $500, the Panasonic ARC6 is expensive, but it has the most blades, an incredibly powerful motor, comes with all the extras you need to maintain the device, and is engineered to perform with efficiency and precision.

Best travel-friendly: Laifen P3 Pro

Whether your profession takes you on the go or you enjoy traveling in your free time, the Laifen P3 Pro is an excellent way to stay neatly shaved while away from home. It is by far the most compact shaver I've used, easily fitting in your toiletry bag, backpack, briefcase, or even your front pocket if you really wanted to carry it there.

Made from a single piece of CNC-crafted aerospace-grade aluminum, the Laifen boasts a nice weight and exceptional build quality. On the front of the shaver, you'll find a window showcasing the internals of the 12,000 cuts per minute motor. The blade consists of two foil shavers and a trimmer head, designed to cut hair to a smooth finish.

A fully charged battery provides 100 minutes of shaving time, which is impressive considering the average shave typically lasts only a few minutes. I love that it charges via USB-C, so you won't have to bring a proprietary charger with you on your travels if you have a charger for any of your other devices.

Best for coarse hair: Bevel Pro

If you have coarse or curly hair, you've probably struggled to find products that make grooming comfortable. While even the best electric razors for men focus on getting the absolute closest cut possible, that's also usually the first step to unattractive, painful, or itchy razor bumps. Luckily, the Bevel Pro All-In-One Clipper and Trimmer solves that. 

Founded in 2013, Walker and Company (Bevel's parent company) was created by Tristan Walker to cater to the grooming needs of people with coarse or curly hair. While that most directly applies to people of color, the brand's products are generally great for anyone who has sensitive skin.

Rather than using multiple blades that either cut hair below the surface of the skin or snag and pull on hair, the Bevel Trimmer Pro uses an adjustable blade to cut hair to the same level of the skin. Its blades are made of stainless steel and coated in graphite to reduce drag and maintain its sharpness. At the touch of a button, you can adjust the blade gap from 0mm to 2.5mm in 0.1mm increments.

If you've ever used a trimmer that required a lot of downward pressure to effectively cut hair, the Bevel is far from that. The Bevel Pro is extremely precise and sharp. As someone with coarse facial hair who's prone to razor bumps when shaving, I got the best results adjusting the blade to a few tenths of a millimeter away from no gap. We love it so much that we named it one of our top beard trimmers.

More great electric razors

Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0 Pro: At $90, the Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0 might seem expensive, but it's well worth it if you're searching for the best electric razor for men, specifically for trimming body hair. The trimmer features SkinSafe technology that prevents uncomfortable snags or cuts while still providing a close shave all over your body, especially below the belt.

Andis Profoil Lithium Plus: The Andis Profoil Lithium Plus is one of the best electric shavers you'll most likely find in a barbershop — and for good reason. As a tried and true professional grooming brand, Andis is known for premium quality and affordable prices.

Andis Slimline Pro: While several of our favorite electric razors on this list come with a trimming attachment, the Andis Slimline Pro's design is fully dedicated to trimming. As a professional-grade tool, it can outperform any trimmer attachment, and it's simple enough to use at home.

GilletteLabs Heated Razor: When you think of electric razors, grooming tools with a motor and an oscillating blade usually come to mind first. The GilletteLabs Heated Razor has neither of those attributes, but it is a razor and is technically electric. Coming in the form of a more traditional multi-blade razor, it features five blades for a close shave, FlexDisc technology to contour to your face and neck, and, most notably, an Intelligent Heat Control System.

FAQs

We talked with professional barber Sydney Shlakman of Hairrari Hair Salon in Brooklyn, New York, about some care and maintenance tips for your grooming tools. Electric razors are not as simple to clean as the best safety razors, but with these tips, they last a very long time.

We've also answered other frequently asked questions about grooming tools.

What is the difference between foil and rotary razors?

• Foil: The foil electric shaver contains oscillating blades that move back and forth at high speeds. These blades are covered with guards that lift hair for cutting and protect the skin. A foil razor will often have a few separate cutting blades that flex independently to match the contours of your face. However, because a foil head has a rectangular shape, it might not match your face as well as a rotary razor.
• Rotary: The rotary razor has round blades that spin. You'll receive protection from the spinning rotary blades with a slotted guard that sits atop the blades and helps to lift the hairs so they're easier to cut. The heads flex in multiple directions, giving you a close shave by hugging the contours of your face. However, rotary heads are more difficult to clean after shaving than foil shavers.

How often should I clean my razor or trimmer?

"You should clean your tools after every use," Shlakman told Insider. "It's important to maintain clean grooming tools to make sure your tools are working properly and do not build up bacteria or rust."

What is the best way to clean grooming tools?

"The best way to clean your grooming tools is by using a barber bristle brush to brush the hair off of your tools and also using a blade cleaning spray," said Shlakman. "I like using Andis Cool Care Plus to clean and lubricate my blades. You want to brush the hair off first and then spray the cleaning spray."

Some shavers, like the Braun Series 7 and Series 9, have a clean and charged base that will clean it automatically. If your device doesn't have a cleaning system, you should remove the blade, brush or rinse out excess hair, sanitize it, and re-oil your blade before the next use.

Why do I need to oil my blade?

Without oil, razors — whether foil, rotary, or a combination of both — can generate a lot of friction and heat. When a blade gets hot without proper lubrication, it will underperform and will eventually rust and warp. You won't get as close a shave, you'll be more prone to nicks and cuts, and you'll have to replace your blades more often.

What kind of oil can I use on my blades?

Most electric razors and trimmers come with oil, but should you run out, you can use various oils to keep your blades lubricated. A few drops of olive, coconut, baby, or even your favorite beard oil can get the job done. You'll want to avoid products that definitely don't belong on your face, like motor oil or WD-40.

Can I use the same electric razor for my face and my body?

While some electric trimmers can adequately be used anywhere, it's recommended that you use separate blades for your face and body. The bacteria on your face thrive in dry areas with oxygen, and bacteria on your groin area thrive in moist environments. Mixing the two using the same blade everywhere may cause irritations and breakouts.

If you already have a grooming tool you like for your face, it's a good idea to buy a separate tool dedicated to body grooming.

• Lorraine English, 72, loved living in Florida, but hurricanes made life there difficult.
• In 2025, she moved from Bradenton — a city along the Manatee River — to Asheville, North Carolina.
• English says that with fewer natural disasters and lower housing costs, her quality of life has improved.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lorraine English, a 72-year-old Floridian who moved to North Carolina in 2025. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I lived in San Francisco for many years, but in 2000, I moved to Bradenton, Florida, a town between Sarasota and St. Petersburg. I lived there for more than 20 years, right along the Manatee River, which runs into the Gulf of Mexico.

Bradenton is a medium-sized town, but like a lot of places in Florida, it's been growing by leaps and bounds. It has a similar feel to Sarasota, and it's close to beautiful white-sand beaches. It's also very much a boating community. Overall, it's a nice town and a good place to raise a family.

But there are downsides to living in Bradenton. Being so close to the Manatee River means seeing the effects of rising sea levels up close. The city's roads are prone to sunny-day flooding, which happens when rising sea levels and high tides push water up through storm drains, even on clear, sunny days.

When I first moved to Bradenton, the road near my home would flood only a couple of times a year. But over time, it happened more often. Starting about five or six years ago, it flooded nearly every day during the summer, and the water began creeping into people's yards.

Over time, I also started noticing fiddler crabs in people's yards. They're tiny — about an inch long — and they burrow in the sand, leaving little holes behind. I remember thinking, "Oh my God, the ocean is starting to take this back."

I didn't want to endure another hurricane

Bradenton has become very unaffordable — and that's happening all over Florida because of rising property taxes and homeowners' insurance costs.

Two years ago, my homeowners' insurance with hurricane coverage — not including flood insurance, which is a separate policy — went up to $7,000 a year. On top of that, my property taxes were about $3,000 a year. Altogether, I was looking at around $10,000 a year just for insurance and taxes.

Even though I'm financially stable and technically could have afforded it, I didn't want to keep paying those costs.

I started seriously thinking about leaving Bradenton — and Florida altogether — in August 2024, when Hurricane Debby hit. I was completely dumbfounded. My home wasn't directly impacted, but I saw so many communities completely flooded.

That's when I truly realized hurricanes in Florida, and the impacts of climate change, are only going to keep getting worse — and they did.

In September, Hurricane Helene brought a 7-foot storm surge into my neighborhood. Thankfully, my house didn't flood, but in some cases, homes closer to the river saw as much as 7 feet of water. Afterward, a lot of my neighbors sold their homes as teardowns. Others decided to completely rehab their houses and stay, or eventually sold them.

The last storm I went through in Florida was Hurricane Milton. The worst damage to my home was to my pool cage. Milton took down one side of it, basically knocked it right down. I spent about $6,500 fixing it, and honestly, I consider myself very lucky.

Asheville, North Carolina was exactly what I was looking for

In 2023, I started looking at other parts of the United States where I might want to live — places with lower homeowners' insurance and property tax costs. Asheville, North Carolina, was one of those places.

Before moving, I put my home in Florida on the market. It was built in 1951 and was a ranch-style house with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a garage. The property was really large, with a pool and three 150-year-old oak trees.

When I listed it, I got a contract pretty quickly and even had offers above my asking price. One offer was $25,000 over the list price, but I ended up taking the list price because it was a cash offer. At that point, I just wanted out of Florida.

In 2025, I moved to Asheville, and I absolutely love it here. It's neither too big nor too small, which I really like. It's also beautiful and surrounded by forests and mountains. I live about half a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway, so there are tons of trails nearby. There are so many songbirds and so much wildlife.

I live in a small community tucked into a wooded area. I bought a three-level condo here, which works out really well because my son lives with me and works from home.

I told him, "I'm getting older, and one day you're going to be my caregiver, so you might as well live with me." The setup is great because he has his own space on the bottom floor, and I have mine upstairs.

I miss Florida, but I'm not moving back

Asheville does get its share of natural disasters, too, but for me, the climate and the change of seasons make it worth it. The summers aren't boiling hot, and the weather actually feels livable — especially after dealing with Florida's relentless heat and humidity.

I do miss Florida from time to time, especially my little home and neighborhood.

I had some really great friends in Bradenton, and it was such a nice place to be in the evenings. I could walk west along Riverview Boulevard and see the sunset, or sit under the oak trees in my backyard.

But when I think about all the storms and the destruction I saw, I couldn't be happier to have left Florida in the rearview mirror.

• Google is piloting a new interview process where software engineering candidates use AI in interviews.
• It's part of a bigger overhaul of Google's interview process.
• The changes will "better align with the modern engineering landscape," Google said in an internal doc.

Want a software job at Google? Bring your AI wingman.

The company is piloting a new interview process for software engineering candidates that will let them use an AI assistant, according to an internal document reviewed by Business Insider.

The change is part of a broader overhaul of Google's interview process, which the document says is being made "to better align with the modern engineering landscape."

Google will test the new format, which applies to junior to mid-level roles, to select teams in the US and plans to scale it more widely across the company and regions later if it's successful.

Starting in the second half of the year, Google will permit the use of an "approved" AI assistant during its "code comprehension" round. Candidates will be expected to "read, debug, and optimize" an existing code database, the document states.

"Interviewers will evaluate Al fluency, including prompt engineering, output validation, and debugging skills," it adds.

A Google spokesperson confirmed the plans and said its own AI model, Gemini, would be the AI assistant used by candidates during the pilot phase.

"We're always evolving our interview processes to ensure we're recruiting and hiring the best talent," Brian Ong, vice president of recruiting at Google, told Business Insider. "As a part of that, we're rolling out a pilot for software engineering interviews to be more reflective of how our teams are operating in the AI era."

The new interview process reflects the significant changes that AI has brought to software developer roles. In late 2025, Anthropic and OpenAI launched new models that dramatically improved the capabilities of coding agents.

Now, three-quarters of new code created inside Google is generated by AI, the company said in April. That same shift is happening elsewhere. Greg Brockman, OpenAI's president, recently said that AI has gone from writing 20% of code to 80%.

'Human-led, AI-assisted'

The Google document outlines several other changes the company intends to make to its interview process, which will be piloted first.

The "Googleyness and Leadership" round — which has typically focused on behavioral questions — will now also involve a technical design discussion about a candidate's past project.

For more junior candidates, one of the technical rounds will be replaced with an interview that will require them to "tackle open-ended engineering challenges," the document states.

The company will pilot the new formats across several orgs, including Cloud and its platforms and devices unit, this month.

Google's move follows what some tech startups have been embracing for a while. Graphic design giant Canva and AI coding startup Cognition are among the companies allowing candidates to use AI in technical interviews.

Emily Cohen, who heads people and operations at AI coding company Cognition, told Business Insider last week that it has changed its interview process to incorporate AI use.

"I guess this is like asking a kid to take a math test without a calculator," she said about not allowing AI use in interviews. "For the bulk of building something similar to what you would do on the role, you can and should use AI tools."

The document about Google's new interview process describes it as being "human-led, AI-assisted" and says the format should better simulate a software engineer's "workflow in the GenAl era."

Additional reporting from Shubhangi Goel.

Have something to share? Contact this reporter via email at hlangley@businessinsider.com or Signal at 628-228-1836. Use a personal email address and a non-work device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Paul Tudor Jones expects up to two more years of the AI-powered bull market.
• The hedge fund investor highlighted AI "productivity miracles" as a major catalyst.
• He compared Anthropic's Claude Code to Microsoft's early PC advancements of the 1980s.

Paul Tudor Jones isn't running from the AI trade.

Talk of a painful pullback in the red-hot tech sector has swirled this year as the market logs fresh gains. The Nasdaq 100 is up 18% in the last month alone, but the billionaire hedge funder doesn't think we're near the peak yet. In fact, there could be years of AI-fueled gains ahead still.

"If you look at multiples and earnings, we're kind of where we were in October -November of '99," he told CNBC. "We've got another two years to run."

Jones referred to "productivity miracles," key inflection points for the tech sector like the early PC advancements of the 1980s that boosted stocks like Microsoft and gave rise to a new era of tech-led market growth.

In the case of the modern AI market, Jones said he sees a strong possibility that the leading startups behind it could be destined for a similar trajectory to the early PC leaders. He said the debut of Claude Code could be thought of as analogous to Microsoft's release of its Windows operating system, which eventually allowed the internet to be used for commercial purposes.

Jones also highlighted a similarity he sees between today's market and the 1999 bull market. He recalled that during that pivotal year, the Federal Reserve held off on tightening interest rates due to Y2K concerns. This helped boost tech stocks as the early dot com boom boosted markets and he thinks a similar scenario could play out in 2026.

While he's bullish on the trajectory for the coming years, Jone acknowledged that a pullback could be painful whenever one occurs. He flagged the potential for "breathtaking" corrections if the market continues to grow at the pace he predicts.

Big-screen TVs are more popular and affordable than ever. I have a 75-inch TV in my own living room, and I never want to go back to a smaller size. Movies and gaming just feel more immersive, and this size is great for watch parties during sports events like the World Cup. But a big screen alone doesn't guarantee a good picture, and the quality gap between models is greater than you might expect. That's why I put together this guide to the best 75-inch TVs (plus a few 77-inch sets) that are actually worth the money.

My team and I reviewed popular TV models from every brand to find options for different needs and budgets. For most people, the Samsung S90F is hard to beat. Its OLED panel delivers deep black levels and rich, punchy colors that really shine on a screen this large. If you want something more affordable, the TCL QM6K is a great value. It can't match the S90F's contrast, but its QLED display still delivers impressive color, and its Google TV interface is smooth and easy to use.

I've also included 75-inch TVs that prioritize top-tier picture quality, as well as models that crank up the brightness for rooms with lots of windows. My recommendations include both 75-inch QLEDs and 77-inch OLEDs, as the small size difference is simply a result of how different panel types are manufactured.

Our top picks for the best 75-inch and 77-inch TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90F 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: TCL QM6K 4K QLED TV - See at Amazon

Best premium model: LG G5 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best for high brightness: TCL QM8K 4K QLED TV - See at Amazon

Best anti-glare screen: Samsung S95F 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best overall

When it comes to balancing performance and price, Samsung's S90F OLED stands out as the best 77-inch TV on the market.

The S90F utilizes a QD-OLED panel, which combines pixel-level contrast control with the rich color range of quantum dots. The result is deep, inky black levels and vibrant hues. In dark rooms, the S90F avoids the washed-out grays that plague many QLED and LED sets. Black levels rise slightly with the lights on, but not enough to be distracting.

Samsung's quantum dot tech also helps the S90F produce a brighter image than comparable LG OLEDs. During testing, our reviewer measured a peak brightness of around 1,460 nits, which is excellent for a midrange OLED and about 200 nits higher than the older S90D. That brightness makes HDR movies and shows truly pop, with crisp highlights and nuanced color that come close to matching the performance of more expensive models.

Viewing angles are another strong point: you can sit off to the side without noticeable loss of color or contrast. That's something that QLED and LED TVs can't match. Gamers will love the 120Hz refresh rate (144Hz with a PC), which ensures smooth motion with the PS5, Xbox Series X, or Switch 2. Additionally, Samsung's built-in Xbox app enables Game Pass subscribers to stream titles directly to the TV without a console. Together, these features make the S90F one of the best gaming TVs on the market.

Samsung's Tizen smart TV platform offers every major streaming app and runs smoother than it has on older models. That said, the interface's organization is a bit clumsy compared to the more intuitive designs of rivals like Google TV and Roku.

As with all Samsung TVs, the S90F doesn't support Dolby Vision, an advanced HDR format used by many services, including Netflix and Disney Plus. While Dolby Vision can deliver slightly more accurate HDR performance, the difference is subtle, so its absence isn't a dealbreaker. For more information on HDR formats, refer to my HDR TV guide.

Buyers should note that Samsung also has a 2026 edition of this TV, the S90H. I tested the S90H, and it offers similar performance, but costs more. The biggest difference is that the S90H has a glare-free screen coating, which reduces reflections but lowers contrast in bright rooms. With that in mind, the cheaper S90F remains my recommendation for most needs. You can learn more in my 2026 Samsung OLED TV roundup.

Read our Samsung S90F 4K TV review.

Check out our guides to all the best TVs, best smart TVs, and best Samsung TVs.

Best on a budget

The TCL QM6K is easily one of the best 75-inch TVs on a budget. This QLED display features a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and wide color capabilities. Those features are often missing on competing TVs in this class.

As a result, the QM6K offers better image quality than a lot of its rivals. When reviewing the set, I loved the TV's rich colors, and it offered solid contrast with excellent backlight control. Most budget TVs feature washed-out black levels or halos around bright objects, but the QM6K does a great job of minimizing these quirks.

The TV also gets decently bright for such an affordable display. I measured a peak of around 557 nits on a 10% HDR test pattern and around 763 nits on a 50% test pattern. Those numbers are high enough to provide a good entry-level HDR picture. However, this is the dimmest TV in this guide, so it's not the best fit for rooms with a lot of ambient light. Viewing angles are also a bit limited, as image quality degrades when you sit off-center. That said, this has improved compared to older models in the series.

Another improvement comes in the TV's gaming capabilities. The QM6K is one of the most affordable 75-inch TVs that supports a 144Hz refresh rate. This is a cool perk for PC gamers who want smoother motion during gameplay. I was also impressed by the QM6K's Google TV interface. In the past, I've run into glitches and lag on some TCL Google TVs, but the QM6K was snappy and free from any notable bugs.

Read our TCL QM6K 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to all the best budget TVs.

Best premium model

The LG G5 is one of the company's top high-end TVs, delivering the deep black levels and infinite contrast ratio that all OLEDs are known for. However, what sets this model apart from other options is its exceptionally high brightness.

During my review, the G5 hit 2,410 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode. That's the second-highest measurement I've recorded on an OLED, and only behind the more expensive Samsung S95H. Now, it's essential to keep in mind that only certain HDR movies and TV shows are mastered to take advantage of such high brightness, but when paired with the right content, the G5 is stunning.

Specular highlights — explosions, reflections, lightning, sunsets — pop with incredible impact, and because it's still an OLED, you get pixel-level contrast without backlight issues like blooming. Some QLEDs can get even brighter, but they can't match the G5's ability to harness its brightness so precisely. Visit our QLED vs OLED comparison for more details.

The result is an outstanding image: in a dark room, black levels blend seamlessly into the background, while bright elements shine cleanly and accurately. Wide viewing angles and a 165Hz refresh rate for PC gaming round out the G5's performance perks.

Of course, the G5 isn't flawless. No TV is. The display exhibited signs of posterization (blocky rather than smooth colors) in certain HDR scenes, but firmware updates have largely resolved this issue. LG's webOS platform is smooth and well-stocked with apps, but I still find Roku OS and Google TV more intuitive. I also ran into some early voice-search hiccups that smoothed out over time.

Design-wise, the G5 looks sleek and comes with a mount that hangs nearly flush against your wall. However, it doesn't include a traditional stand, so you'll need to purchase one if you aren't wall-mounting.

A 2026 version of the G5, called the G6, is also available. I saw a side-by-side comparison between the G6 and G5, and the newer TV has an improved anti-reflective filter and better processing to help reduce banding. That said, the G6 is around $1,000 more than the G5. If you're a serious enthusiast without budget constraints, the pricier G6 is worth considering, but for now, the more affordable G5 remains my recommendation. You can learn more in my 2026 LG OLED TV roundup.

Read our LG G5 4K TV review.

Check out our guides to the best LG TVs and best TVs for picture quality.

Best for high brightness

The QM8K is an impressive QLED that rivals top models from Sony and Samsung but costs considerably less. Most notably, it's one of the best 75-inch TVs for a high-brightness image.

Like TCL's budget-friendly QM6K, this pricier flagship model uses a QLED panel with Mini LED local dimming. However, the QM8K has a more advanced backlight with additional dimming zones, enabling it to deliver a significantly brighter image and better black levels.

Our reviewer measured a peak brightness of 3,648 nits on a 10% window, making the QM8K the brightest TV in this guide and one of the brightest TVs on the market. Of course, raw luminance on a test pattern is meaningless if the TV can't control its light well when displaying actual content. Thankfully, the QM8K can harness its brightness to deliver fantastic HDR image quality. This also helps it overcome glare in rooms with ambient light.

The TV also impressed our reviewer with some of the best contrast control he's seen on a Mini LED TV. Halos around subtitles were absent, and blooming was minimal in various test scenes. OLED TVs still offer more precise contrast, but the QM8K QLED is helping to close that gap.

The QM8K's viewing angles are also solid for a QLED. Color and contrast still degrade a bit off-center, but not to the point that the picture looks dramatically washed out. Again, OLED TVs still have an edge here, but the difference isn't as significant as it used to be.

Gaming capabilities are also excellent, with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. However, the QM8K isn't capable of 165Hz, which is a feature supported by a few competing TVs, such as the LG G5 and Hisense U8QG.

If you're looking for a premium 75-inch QLED with excellent contrast control and brightness, the QM8K is a fantastic buy. However, shoppers should note that TCL also sells a newer version of this TV, called the QM8L. I tested the 75-inch QM8L, and it offers similar brightness while delivering a wider color range thanks to TCL's new SQD technology. The QM8L is an impressive TV, but I still give the edge to the QM8K since it costs less. You can learn more in my TCL QM8L TV review.

Read our TCL QM8K 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to the best TCL TVs.

Best anti-glare screen

The Samsung S95F is a stellar QD-OLED TV that excels at addressing an all-too common annoyance for many viewers: screen reflections. Most TVs use glossy panels that create mirror-like reflections, which can make daytime viewing (especially sports) frustrating in rooms with lots of windows.

The S95F tackles that head-on with a matte-like screen that dramatically reduces glare. It's not perfect, but for anyone who battles reflections in their living room, it can feel like a revelation. In my testing, the TV performed exactly as promised, with virtually no irritating reflections.

There is a tradeoff, though. That matte finish can lift black levels. In a dark environment, the S95F's black levels look pitch-perfect, but with the lights on, darker scenes can take on a slightly gray, hazy appearance. Glossy screens — like those used on every other TV in this guide — maintain deeper black levels in bright rooms, but they also reflect more light. Ultimately, choosing between the S95F's matte approach and a traditional glossy panel depends on which you find more bothersome: reflections or lower contrast.

Beyond the anti-glare feature, the S95F delivers impressive performance across the board. I measured peak brightness at 2,170 nits, which is top-tier for an OLED. It also supports a 165Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth PC gaming and features a premium design that routes inputs through a separate connection box, rather than cluttering the TV's rear panel.

Samsung also sells an improved 2026 model, called the S95H. The new TV gets even brighter, features a unique frame-like bezel, and adds access to Samsung's Art Store. The cheaper S95F remains the best value for most people, but the S95H's improvements could be worth it for enthusiasts who don't mind paying extra.

Read our Samsung S95F 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to the best sports TVs.

How we test 75-inch TVs

We picked the best 75-inch TVs through hands-on testing with various display models. We've been reviewing home entertainment products for over 10 years and used that expertise to inform our testing parameters and requirements.

When evaluating TVs, we typically review the 65-inch option, as it's the industry's flagship size. However, overall performance for a specific TV model usually remains the same across sizes of 50 inches and above. For example, a 77-inch LG G5 OLED and a 65-inch G5 OLED have the same specifications. The only difference is the panel's size. As such, general test results for 65-inch TVs also apply to their 75- and 77-inch counterparts. 

However, some QLED displays with local dimming, like the TCL QM6K and QM8K, have more zones in larger screen sizes than in smaller ones. This can cause slight differences in contrast performance, but these differences are not enough to alter our overall takeaway. In rare cases, some TV models have more dramatic differences across sizes. We consider these differences when recommending displays and note them when applicable.

When we test TVs, we evaluate picture clarity, color quality, contrast performance, peak HDR brightness, gaming features, navigation speed, off-axis viewing capabilities, and overall value. To measure brightness, we use a meter in combination with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc. 

Test patterns are great for objective measurements, but watching real-world content is the only way to fully evaluate how a TV looks. We sample a variety of shows and movies to assess how a display performs in both dark and bright environments. Part of our evaluation involves watching the same assortment of scenes on each TV we review to compare performance. Sequences are chosen to show off HDR highlights, shadow detail, black levels, upscaling, and motion. We also vary the quality of our material to assess how a TV handles 4K, 1080p, and standard definition (SD) programs from Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV. Gaming capabilities are also tested using a PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

For more information about our testing process, check out our page detailing how we review tech products.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I lead tech product coverage for Business Insider's Reviews team, and I've spent years testing all kinds of TVs. I studied filmmaking, too, so I'm a bit obsessive about picture quality. I want movies and shows to look the way the creators intended. My team and I use professional calibration tools, pattern generators, and benchmark discs to measure brightness and color accuracy, but numbers alone only tell part of the story. I also use every TV I review the way you would at home — streaming, watching movies, gaming, and channel surfing — to see how it really performs day to day. The picks in this guide stood out not just in lab tests but also in real-world use.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

75-inch TV FAQs

Is a 75-inch TV a good size?

A 75-inch screen is an excellent option for filling a large space or providing an immersive experience in a smaller room. Big screen sizes fill more of your field of view, so your eyes can focus on the image and not your surroundings. This creates a viewing experience that's closer to what you'd get in a movie theater.

Many of our picks for the best 4K TVs and best OLED TVs are sold in 75 or 77 inches, so you have plenty of options. Some brands are also starting to use 75 inches as the entry point for their most advanced models. For instance, the new TCL X11L SQD TV isn't available in sizes smaller than 75 inches.

That said, you need to consider certain logistics when buying a large TV. Most notably, you'll need a stand or mount that can accommodate the width and weight of a 75-inch TV. Visit our guides to the best TV stands and best TV wall mounts, where we have several picks that can fit large displays.

Meanwhile, if you don't have the space for a 75-inch TV, check out our guides to smaller TV sizes:

• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs
• Best 43-inch TVs

Or if you want something even larger, check out our guides to the best 85-inch TVs and best 100-inch TVs.

Do we recommend 75-inch RGB LED TVs?

Not yet, but they're definitely on our radar. RGB LED is a new display type, and several brands are rolling out models. This technology uses separate red, green, and blue LEDs in its backlight. As a result, these TVs have the potential to produce a wider range of color than you'd get on a typical QLED, Mini LED, or OLED display.

Different brands have their own variations of the tech, and many use different names to market it. For example, Samsung calls its version Micro RGB, Hisense uses RGB Mini LED, and Sony calls its tech True RGB. They're all chasing a similar goal, but performance can vary.

We'll be testing RGB LED TVs throughout 2026 to see whether any deserve a spot in this guide. So far, we've had an early look at the Samsung R95H, and its color performance is the best we've seen. But based on our initial testing, its contrast and brightness weren't quite good enough to earn a top spot. For now, we're not recommending any 75-inch RGB LED TVs in this guide, but that will likely change once we test more models and prices come down. For more details on RGB backlighting, check out our first look at Sony's True RGB tech.

Should you buy a 2026 or 2025 75-inch TV?

In most cases, 2025 TV models still offer a better value than 2026 options. Brands such as Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense have all launched new TVs for 2026, but they cost more than their 2025 counterparts. Though many 2026 TVs offer improved performance, the difference is rarely dramatic enough to justify their increased cost. This will change later in the year as 2025 TV stock sells out and 2026 TV prices come down, but for now, most people are better off snagging a 2025 75-inch TV while it's available at a discount.

Why are some TVs offered in 75 inches and others in 77 inches?

It mostly comes down to how the panels are made. Traditional LED and QLED TVs are commonly produced in 75-inch sizes, while OLED panels are typically manufactured at 77 inches. In real-world use, though, the two-inch difference is minimal, as you're essentially getting the same big-screen experience either way.

Do brands sell 70-inch TVs?

Though increasingly uncommon, some brands do sell 70-inch TV models. Notably, Samsung, LG, Insignia, and Walmart's Onn brand all offer 70-inch options in their current lineups. However, that size is typically limited to a few entry-level options. Top TVs usually skip the 70-inch size and are instead sold in 65-inch and 75-inch/77-inch models. With that in mind, we generally recommend that shoppers focus on TVs available in those sizes instead.

How much should you spend on a 75-inch TV?

Depending on the performance class you choose, the best 75-inch TVs can cost between $600 and $5,000.

Budget-friendly 75-inch QLED TVs, such as the TCL QM6K, are sometimes available for as low as $700. Midrange QLED options with higher brightness typically sell for $800 to $1,400, while high-end models start at around $1,800.

If you want an OLED TV (made in 77 inches rather than 75), you'll need to pay a bit more. The cheapest 77-inch OLED TVs start at around $1,600, while premium options can cost over $4,000.

The best 75-inch and 77-inch TVs often go on sale, but the biggest discounts typically appear during shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day, as well as around major sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

For cheaper TV recommendations in smaller sizes, check out our guide to the best TVs under $500.

Do I need HDMI 2.1 for a 75-inch TV?

If you're a gamer with a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, we recommend ensuring that any TV you buy has HDMI 2.1 ports. HDMI 2.1 enables 4K at 120Hz and smoother motion with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). All of our picks for the best 75-inch TVs support HDMI 2.1.

Do 75-inch TVs have good sound quality?

Even the best 75-inch TVs have mediocre built-in audio performance. Some of our pricier recommendations, such as the LG G5, offer better clarity and slightly more bass than our entry-level picks, like the TCL QM6K. However, they still lack the depth and range that you'd get with a separate audio system.

Companies typically build their displays with small speaker drivers to keep costs down and maintain slim screens, resulting in poor low-frequency performance and overall fidelity. For better sound quality, we recommend purchasing a separate soundbar or surround sound system, especially one that supports Dolby Atmos.

Check out our soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations:

• Best soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best budget soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best Sonos soundbars
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

How far should you sit from a 75-inch 4K TV?

A large 75-inch screen lets you sit farther away from your display while still enjoying an immersive experience. To start seeing the benefits of 4K resolution with an optimal field of view, the recommended distance is about one to 1.5 times the size of your TV.

So, for a 75-inch 4K TV, aim to sit between 6.25 and 9.38 feet from the screen.

However, for your eyes to fully appreciate the benefits of a 4K resolution image, you'd need to sit just 4.9 feet away from a 75-inch screen. Of course, most people don't sit that close to their displays, and you can still enjoy a 75-inch 4K TV from a greater distance.

Should you buy a 75-inch 8K TV?

Some brands, such as Samsung, offer 75-inch 8K TV models. However, in most cases, 8K TVs aren't worth the extra money they cost. Outside of some YouTube videos, there's no 8K content available to watch. Though 8K TVs benefit from upscaling and higher pixel density, which can provide a slightly sharper image if you sit very close to your screen, this benefit is subtle.

As it stands, most people are better off buying a 75-inch 4K set with high-end features than spending a similar amount or more on an 8K model.

That said, if you're determined to make the jump to 8K, we suggest considering the Samsung QN990F. This QLED TV delivered impressive contrast and brightness in our testing. But again, if you're willing to sacrifice resolution, a good 4K TV, such as the 77-inch Samsung S90F, actually offers a better overall image for less money.

• Verizon is cutting several hundred workers, or less than 1% of its head count.
• The move affects employees across the US, with the largest share of the cuts at the company's New Jersey headquarters.
• The company slashed 13,000 roles in November and said this latest round is not the result of AI.

Verizon is cutting several hundred workers six months after a move that slashed 13,000 jobs, the company confirmed to Business Insider on Thursday.

The company declined to provide an exact number, but said the figure represents less than 1% of its overall head count.

The move affects employees across the US, particularly among smaller business units, with the largest share of the cuts at the company's headquarters in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

Filings show telecom rivals AT&T and T-Mobile each planned to cut about 75 workers in New Jersey so far this year.

Verizon has more than 1,000 US job openings on its careers site, which the company said affected employees are eligible to apply for.

"We're continuing to add head count to grow parts of the business that are growing while making targeted job reductions to portions of the business where this is needed," a Verizon spokesperson said in a statement.

Chief financial officer Anthony Skiadas said on an earnings call last week that Verizon is now "running leaner" following last year's layoffs and that cost reductions would continue beyond 2026. The report did not include the workforce reduction in its outlook.

CEO Dan Schulman said at the time of the November layoffs that "every part of the company" was affected by the reduction, which he said was intended to allow for more investment in customer satisfaction.

Unlike companies this year that have cited artificial intelligence as the driving force behind job cuts, Verizon told Business Insider that the tech was not behind the latest round of cuts.

Still, Schulman said on last week's call that AI is having a significant impact on the business, including reducing vendor support costs by as much as 70% and improving software code shipped by 40%.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at dreuter@businessinsider.com or text/call/Signal at 646-768-4750. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet have been together for three years.
• Throughout their relationship, they have stepped out together in stylish outfits.
• We ranked Jenner and Chalamet's style moments as a couple from worst to best.

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner seem to be going stronger than ever.

From attending awards shows together to sharing photos from a private beach vacation, the couple has been inseparable for much of the year. On Wednesday, they sat courtside at a Knicks game, kissing in between plays and grinning at each other.

Jenner and Chalamet were first linked in 2023, and though they keep their relationship largely private, they tend to make a fashion statement whenever they do step out together.

Here are Jenner and Chalamet's style moments as a couple, ranked from worst to best.

Jenner and Chalamet's styles clashed at a tennis match in March 2025.

Jenner and Chalamet both wore casual attire when they attended the BNP Paribas Open in March 2025, but Chalamet opted for a sporty look, while Jenner chose a retro-inspired style.

Jenner wore white pants and a red Celine top. She paired the look with round Courrèges sunglasses, completing the retro ensemble.

Chalamet, on the other hand, wore a white Adidas jacket with green detailing and a Saint-Étienne logo. Both looked relaxed and stylish, but their outfits didn't work as well together.

Their style also seemed out of sync at the 2025 Academy Awards.

Though they didn't walk the red carpet together, Jenner accompanied Chalamet to the 2025 Oscars.

Chalamet turned heads in a leather, butter-yellow suit from Givenchy, which he accented with a bejeweled pin on his neck and gold accessories.

Jenner wore a custom black gown from Miu Miu. The bodice had bold cutouts on the waist, creating a bikini-style top adorned with sparkly gems that continued on the form-fitting skirt.

Again, both looked stylish, but it didn't seem like they had given much thought to how their outfits might look together, given the stark color contrast between them.

They each leaned into their personal style for the 2025 Golden Globes.

Jenner dazzled in a silver vintage Versace gown when she attended the 2025 Golden Globes as Chalamet's date. The dress scooped low on the neckline, had an open back, and was covered in silver sequins.

Chalamet paid homage to Bob Dylan with his outfit, as he was nominated for his performance as the singer in "A Complete Unknown." He paired his sequin-adorned Tom Ford suit jacket and pinstripe pants with a thin blue scarf, one of Dylan's signatures.

Their outfits looked great on their own, but it was clear the couple still hadn't fully leaned into coordinated style yet.

Chalamet's and Jenner's relaxed looks for a Lakers game in April 2025 complemented each other.

The couple sat courtside at an NBA playoff game in April 2025, when the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, and both wore black-and-white outfits.

Jenner wore a one-shoulder white crop top with black leather pants that had rips running down the front. Roberto Cavalli designed the edgy trousers.

Chalamet wore a tee featuring a black-and-white photo of Kobe Bryant, celebrating the late Lakers player. He wore a black-and-white-checked jacket from Chanel over the shirt, which he paired with black jeans and Timberland boots.

While Jenner's outfit was sleek and Chalamet's had a more playful feel, the coordinated colors made them look chic together.

Both of their outfits for the 2026 Critics Choice Awards had a retro flair.

Chalamet seemed to draw on "Marty Supreme" for inspiration with his look at the Critics Choice Awards in January 2026, wearing a navy pinstripe Givenchy suit that wouldn't have looked out of place in the 1950s, when the film was set. He paired the classic suit with a multicolored floral tie and Chelsea boots.

While Chalamet's look was vintage-inspired, Jenner wore an actual vintage Gianni Versace gown from 1996 to support Chalamet. The black sequin-covered gown hugged Jenner's figure and featured sheer lace panels on the sides.

It was fun that Chalamet's and Jenner's looks both had a vintage flair, but they would have worked even better together if Jenner had looked to the '50s for her ensemble to coordinate with Chalamet's.

The couple's ensembles for the 2026 Oscars were glamorous, but they didn't look great side by side.

Chalamet, who was nominated for best actor for his performance in "Marty Supreme" at the 2026 Oscars, wore an all-white Givenchy suit to the awards show.

Jenner, meanwhile, sparkled in a red Schiaparelli keyhole dress with a plunging neckline that hugged her figure. It almost had a Jessica Rabbit feel.

Jenner and Chalamet could have gone for a retro, old Hollywood vibe together, but Chalamet's styling didn't do them any favors. His wide-legged pants and boots modernized his look too much.

The couple looked a bit mismatched at the Golden Globe Awards in January 2026.

Chalamet wore Chrome Hearts to the January 2026 Golden Globes, where he won best actor for his performance in "Marty Supreme."

The all-black look put a casual spin on red-carpet attire, as Chalamet didn't wear a tie and paired the suit with Timberland boots. A vest with silver buttons and a silver chain accented the ensemble.

In contrast, Jenner's custom Ashi Studio Couture gown was as glamorous as they come. Made of silver sequins, the figure-hugging dress featured a sweetheart neckline, a corset bodice, and several spaghetti straps resting on her chest.

The couple both wore pretty ensembles, but they didn't quite fit together. A slightly more formal suit from Chalamet would have taken their couple style over the edge.

Their after-party looks for the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party felt more cohesive than their outfits for the ceremony.

They both changed their wardrobes after the 2026 Oscars for the Vanity Fair party.

Chalamet wore another monochromatic white look, turning to Chrome Hearts for the suit, which he wore with no tie, lace-up boots, and a chain.

Jenner arrived in another sparkly dress, this time a custom McQueen number. The gown had a halter neckline, a cutout on her waist, and a feathered skirt with a subtle train.

Both Jenner and Chalamet looked stylish and ready to party, making their looks a great fit for the Vanity Fair party.

The couple both wore all black at the 2025 BAFTAs.

Jenner's and Chalamet's coordinating black looks for the BAFTAs both had a chic feel.

Chalamet wore a Bottega Veneta suit with a T-shirt and black shoes, adding a high-end touch with Cartier jewelry.

Jenner chose another vintage look for the occasion, wearing a 1995 John Galliano semi-sheer gown with sparkly sequins. Strappy silver shoes, a messy updo, and diamond jewelry completed her look.

At their first awards show together in January 2024, they both wore sultry black looks.

Jenner first accompanied Chalamet to the January 2024 Golden Globes, though she didn't walk the red carpet with him. The couple's coordinating black looks were perfect for their first A-list event together.

Chalamet wore a sparkly black suit by Celine Homme, paired with a black shirt and a statement necklace. Jenner opted for a subtly sparkly Hanae Mori gown adorned with sheer cutouts and floral embroidery.

The textured looks paired well together for the event.

Jenner and Chalamet wore some of their most fun ensembles to date to Knicks games in 2025.

Jenner and Chalamet attended multiple Knicks playoff games in May 2025, and both rocked outfits supporting the New York team.

During game six of the Eastern Conference Finals, Chalamet repped his team in an all-orange look, pairing a Knicks-embossed jacket with coordinating pants featuring a blue stripe down the side, much like the team's uniforms. Timberland boots and white sunglasses completed his over-the-top look.

Jenner kept her Knicks support slightly more subtle, pairing dark jeans and white pointed-toe shoes with a vintage Knicks jacket featuring blue, orange, and white stripes and the team's logo. She also wore large hoop earrings, adding a bit of glam to the sporty look.

Their coordinating orange jackets for game five were perfect for the occasion.

Jenner and Chalamet's looks for game five of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals were just as festive but slightly more coordinated.

Much of Chalamet's look was designed by Chrome Hearts, including his black jeans, black boots, and the custom Knicks varsity jacket that was the star of his ensemble. He wore a striped blue-and-orange shirt beneath the statement jacket and accessorized the look with a $11,000 Cartier necklace.

Like her partner, Jenner rocked an orange jacket with black pants. Her vintage Jean Paul Gaultier jacket featured white detailing, which she wore over a white top, and she paired it with 2001 Gucci pants. She also wore a statement piece from Cartier in the form of a $54,000 watch.

Chalamet and Jenner seemed to really find their groove as a couple with the look.

They brought back their coordinating sporty looks at a Knicks game in May 2026.

The pair watched the Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers on May 6, 2026, sitting courtside.

They coordinated their ensembles, with both wearing jeans, a simple top, and orange jackets. Jenner completed her look with orange-and-white Miu Miu heels and a navy Birkin bag, fully leaning into the Knicks spirit.

Their sporty style worked well together.

Their outfits for one of their first public outings as a couple at the September 2023 US Open also felt cohesive.

Chalamet and Jenner attended the 2023 US Open, making their relationship clear by kissing at the event.

Their outfits for the match were both simple and relaxed in the same style. Jenner wore a black T-shirt with Bottega Veneta accessories, including rounded sunglasses. Chalamet also wore round sunglasses, which he paired with a gray tee and black hoodie.

Chalamet's and Jenner's outfits looked cohesive together.

The couple's casual ensembles for another Knicks game in April 2026 complemented each other.

The couple watched the Knicks beat the Hawks on April 28, 2026, and they both decided not to lean too heavily into Knicks attire for the game.

Chalamet wore wide-legged cargo pants, a gray tank, a hoodie with blue embroidery, and a black leather jacket.

Jenner went for an all-white look, pairing bedazzled Isabel Marant jeans with a white tank and Manolo Blahnik sandals. She also wore a black leather jacket during the evening.

The couple looked effortlessly cool as they roamed New York City together.

Jenner and Chalamet both wore sultry looks for the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Both Jenner and Chalamet had a wardrobe change for the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, and their post-ceremony looks suited each other much better than their looks for the awards did.

Jenner changed into a strapless Ashi Studio gown. The dropped-waist gown had a corset-style bodice that was semi-sheer with lace appliqué, and the mermaid skirt featured a layer of darker fabric.

Chalamet swapped his yellow look for a Tom Ford ensemble. His black jacket had subtle polka dots, while his black trousers were simple. He also wore his white shirt slightly unbuttoned.

Jenner's and Chalamet's looks had a sexy vibe, well-suited to the after-party.

Their monochromatic orange outfits for the "Marty Supreme" premiere created arguably their most memorable style moment to date.

Chalamet spent the months leading up to the premiere of "Marty Supreme" in an assortment of orange looks, nodding to a ping-pong ball in the film.

Those months of promotion seemed to come to a head at the premiere when Chalamet and Jenner arrived in custom all-orange ensembles from Chrome Hearts.

Jenner's dress had a plunging V-neckline, mirroring the cutouts on either side of the bodice. The dress hugged her figure on the skirt, with a slit cutting up one side.

Chalamet paired his orange leather suit with Timberland boots and an orange shirt. He also carried a black paddle holder, cementing the celebration of "Marty Supreme."

The looks were dramatic and playful, and they will certainly stand out in Jenner and Chalamet's couple style history.

Their coordinating looks for the BAFTAs in February 2026 were among their best red-carpet looks to date.

Jenner chose a vintage look for the 2026 BAFTAS, accompanying Chalamet in a 1999 Mugler gown. The black dress had sparkly beading on the bodice, a fun touch she played up with big earrings.

Chalamet's custom Givenchy suit was also black, paired with a black bow tie and dress shoes.

The couple looked moody and chic side by side in their complementary ensembles.

When Jenner and Chalamet made their red-carpet debut as a couple in May 2025, they knocked it out of the park with their complementary black looks.

Jenner and Chalamet walked their first red carpet together in May 2025 when Chalamet received an honorary award at the 70th David di Donatello Awards in Rome.

The couple wore coordinating black looks for the occasion. Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann designed Chalamet's black velvet suit, which included a double-breasted jacket and flared pants. He wore a black shirt beneath it with no tie. A white flower on his lapel offered a pop of color.

Jenner's Schiaparelli gown was textured, with a scooped neckline and crisscrossed straps in the back. She carried a black-and-gold Schiaparelli clutch and wore statement gold earrings.

The coordinating colors and similar high-end, fashion-forward feel of Jenner's and Chalamet's outfits were perfect for their red-carpet debut as a couple.