Rick Broida

These JBL wireless headphones double as a heart

It’s pretty widely accepted that keeping tabs on your heart is a smart move, whether it’s to keep you “in the zone” for maximum exercise benefits or make sure your resting heart rate isn’t too high or low. Lots of smartwatches and fitness bands can do this, of course, but did you know there are …

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Get a refurbished Apple HomePod for $194

As a general rule, Apple products and “Cheapskate” don’t belong in the same sentence. But obviously zillions of people love Apple gear, price be damned. Read more: Will HomeKit and HomePod get any attention at WWDC? I like Apple gear, too, but damned if I’m going to pay full retail for it. That’s why I always advise people to choose refurbished …

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The best Google Pixel 3a deal: $299.99 and a free Google Home Mini

Google’s new Pixel 3a has earned rave reviews for offering an amazing camera at the comparatively low price of $399. (Read CNET’s Pixel 3a review to learn more.) Want it for even less? For a limited time, Best Buy is offering the Google Pixel 3a (64GB) for $299.99 when you activate the phone on Sprint. That price includes a free …

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The Nebula Mars II portable projector hits its lowest price yet: $330

Got wall? Cool. Let’s turn it into a home theater. Today only, and while supplies last, the Anker-made Nebula Mars II portable projector is on sale for $330 . That’s $30 less than the last time I wrote about it and the lowest price to date. (It normally runs $500.) See it at Amazon The Mars II (sequel to the popular, but …

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I bought a used Samsung Galaxy S9 for $315

Cheeps, I’m bad at keeping secrets, so I’m going to jump the gun a bit and announce that the 2019 Cheapskate Mystery Box is coming soon! Last year we sold all 250 boxes (in about six minutes) and raised over $12,000 for charity. This year we’re planning to offer 1,000 boxes, hopefully via some kind of lottery system so everyone …

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The Coolpad Legacy phablet phone offers incredible value for $130

Now here’s a phone for cheapskates. The Coolpad Legacy is a 6.36-inch behemoth, squarely in phablet territory, but it has a list price of just $130. Unlike other big phones in this price range (such as the Blu R2 Plus), it doesn’t stick you with limited RAM, a low-resolution screen or a pokey processor. It looks and feels like a …

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Cut the cord with HDHomeRun over

If you’ve been itching to cut the cord but don’t want to sacrifice local channels, you have a smattering of options. You can sign up for one of the live-TV streaming services that include locals, like Sling TV or YouTube TV. Or you can connect an antenna to your TV, but that limits you to one station at a time …

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One of our favorite AirPod alternatives is on sale for $68 (Update: Expired)

If you like the idea of Apple’s AirPods — true-wireless earbuds that auto-connect when you take them out of their case — but not the $159 price tag, listen up. Today only, or until the deal is fully claimed, Amazon has the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air true-wireless earphones for $67.98. That’s tied with the lowest price yet since these debuted …

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Get this $35 mobile charger with Lightning cable for $14 (Update: Sold out)

Most mobile chargers (also known as power banks) require you to BYO cable(s). First-world problem, I know, but it’s a hassle all the same. That’s why I’m partial to power banks that have a cable built right in, so there’s one less thing to: A) remember to pack; B) clutter up your carry-on; and C) accidentally leave behind in the …

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Enter for your chance to win* an unlocked LG G8 ThinQ phone

News flash: There are premium phones made by brands other than Apple and Samsung! I know, hard to believe. But you might be forgiven for missing the recent launch of the LG G8 ThinQ, which happened right around the time a certain other company unveiled five new Galaxy phones. That’s too bad, because as Lynn La reported in her G8 …

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