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How to Train Yourself to Become a Back Sleeper (and its Benefits)
How to Train Yourself to Become a Back Sleeper (and its Benefits)
Unless you're some kind of Incredibles Elastigirl, there are three primary sleeping positions: side, stomach and back -- although, some can be a combination of these. In 2019, a study that involved over 3,700 volunteers concluded that only 7% of people sleep predominantly on their back, a stark contrast to the 54% of people who favor sleeping on their side.
However, what if back-sleeping had real, tangible evidence that it's better for you? Would you give it a try? It turns out there are many benefits to back-sleeping as it has a long list of benefits, ranging from reducing physical pain to preventing wrinkles and pimples.
Don't worry, it's never too late to train yourself to become a back sleeper, but it will take effort to accomplish. Becoming a back sleeper may not happen overnight, but it's worth a shot if you want to reap its benefits. Find out below how sleeping on your back can improve your health and the steps you can do to make the switch.
See more: Best mattress 2022
The benefits of back sleeping
Back sleeping has been praised as the ultimate sleeper position, and for good reason. It can do wonders for your body, face and overall health.
There are a few exceptions to this. The first is pregnant women (usually after 20 weeks) because back sleeping can cause more pressure to their bellies. The second is people who snore or suffer from sleep apnea, as back sleeping can cause the tongue to obstruct your airway and cause breathing difficulties. Otherwise, training yourself to sleep on your back is worth considering.
Prevent back and neck pain: The key to preventing back pain while you sleep is ensuring your spine, neck and head are all in proper alignment -- one straight line, if you will. Back sleeping on a firm mattress can promote a neutral alignment, relieving pressure on your back and spine. A 2017 study revealed that sleeping on your back with your arms resting on the side or your chest is the best position to relieve pain.
Prevent acid reflux and clear up your sinuses: Sleeping with your head elevated above your heart helps prevent the build up of mucus in your sinuses, and relieves symptoms for those who experience acid reflux by preventing the exposure of acid to the esophagus.
Reduce tension headaches: Headaches that originate from the neck or cervical spine can be confused with migraine headaches, and often happen because of compressed nerves in the neck. Back sleeping helps relieve pressure on your neck, similar to how back sleeping prevents back pain.
Prevent wrinkles and blemishes: Sleeping on your stomach with your face down can have an undesired effect on your appearance. The compression and pinching of your face against your pillow can lead to wrinkles and fine lines, and the same thing goes for your neck. Additionally, your pillowcase is a hub for bacteria and sebum which can lead to breakouts.
Prevent puffiness in your face: When you sleep face-down on your pillow, fluid can collect in the tissues of your face resulting in swelling, puffiness and under-eye bags. Sleeping face-up on your back with your head elevated ensures the fluid is properly drained out.
How to train yourself to sleep on your back
Pillow placement is key
Use pillows to your advantage to help train yourself. You should have a pillow with medium loft (height) to keep your head propped up, a pillow under your knees and a pillow under your lower back. This helps support the natural curvature of your body and relieve pressure.
You can also create a pillow fortress to surround your whole body. It can prevent you from changing into a new position, and make you feel so cozy that you don't even feel the need to roll around.
Properly elevate your head
To elaborate on step one, your pillow should keep your neck in a slight "C" curve to help reduce pressure on your neck and head. If you're staring straight up at the ceiling, your pillow isn't tall enough. If you're fully facing the wall in front of you, your pillow is too tall. The perfect back-sleeping pillow will be somewhere in between.
Make sure your bed is firm enough
Back sleeping on a soft mattress is a recipe for back pain. A soft mattress lacks the support to keep your spine and neck in a neutral alignment, allowing your back to sag into the bed. Instead, try a firm mattress or firm mattress topper to make your bed feel more accommodating.
Try an adjustable bed frame
My Slumber Yard
An adjustable bed frame that allows you to move the head and foot positions up and down can keep you in a comfortable sleeping position, while also discouraging you to switch to your side or stomach.
By raising your head above your heart and slightly raising your feet, you go into a "zero gravity" mode, and it relieves pressure from all parts of your body -- like you're floating in space (hence the name). The positioning also prevents you from moving into an uncomfortable position on your side or stomach.
Consider the starfish position
If you're a single sleeper, your bed is your oyster and you can do as you wish without bothering a co-sleeper. In that case, lay with your legs and arms spread out and stretched each way like a starfish. You're able to evenly disperse your weight to prevent the build-up of pressure, and people who have tried it swear by it.
Mind your late-night meals
As tasty as pizza and hamburgers are, try to refrain from eating heavily fatty foods too close to bedtime. If you eat dinner less than 2 hours before you plan to go to bed, you may feel an uncomfortable pressure on your belly when you try to sleep face-up.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Keep Your Floors Clean With $200 Off the Roborock Q5 Plus Robot Vacuum
Keep Your Floors Clean With $200 Off the Roborock Q5 Plus Robot Vacuum
Robot vacuums are a great way to keep your floors clean without lifting a finger. Just set them up and let them do their job while you focus on the important things.
Right now at Amazon you can save $200 off the cost of the Roborock Q5 Plus robot vacuum with self-empty base when you clip the on-page coupon, which will bring the price to $500.
The Roborock Q5 keeps your home clean and saves you time and effort for the long haul. This vacuum has a 2,700Pa suction, gets up to 180 minutes of cleaning time per charge and features a multi-plane floating brush to deliver deep cleaning and lift pet hair from floors. It also comes with a self-empty dock that automatically empties your vacuum's dust bin after every cleaning cycle, and the 2.5-liter dust bag holds up to seven weeks of dirt before you have to empty it.
This vacuum also comes equipped with lidar navigation which can create 3D maps of your home and offer settings recommendations to optimize the way your Roborock cleans. It also offers up to four floors of multi-level mapping and lets you set no-go zones and invisible walls to avoid the places you don't want your vacuum to go.
You can also pre-schedule cleanings, letting your device take care of getting up everyday dirt and debris while you're working, running errands or relaxing with family and friends. Plus, in addition to the app, you can also control your vacuum hands-free with voice control through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Apple Siri.
You can actually unlock your windows laptop with optical drive you can actually unlock your windows laptop with lte you can actually unlock your potential you can actually unlock ipad you can actually unlock at t you can actually speak money into your life electric vehicles you can actually buy catch me if you can you can call me al
You can actually unlock your Windows laptop with your face
You can actually unlock your Windows laptop with your face
Apple's FaceID on the iPhone is pretty cool, but Microsoft actually did facial recognition first with Windows Hello. That means there's a hands-free trick to unlocking your laptop. Using your Windows 10 or Windows 11 laptop or tablet's built-in webcam, Hello uses facial recognition to get you in and working in under two seconds. It even works with apps and websites such as Dropbox, Chrome and OneDrive, so you can skip typing in a password.
Brett Pearce/CNET
Read more:Microsoft now lets you scrap your password for Outlook, Xbox and other online services
Unfortunately, not every webcam works with Windows Hello. Your laptop webcam needs an infrared (IR) camera to use the feature, which are more common in new laptops and two-in-ones from the past couple of years, including those from Dell, Lenovo and Asus. If you're not ready for a new laptop, you can opt to buy a supported external webcam like Logitech's Brio 4K Pro, Dell's 4K UltraSharp or Lenovo's 500 FHD.
Check for Windows Hello compatibility
Windows will let you know what your Hello sign-in options are.
Sarah Tew/CNET
If you're not entirely sure what, if any, Windows Hello support your computer has, it's very easy to check. Using the Windows search bar -- typically located at the lower left of your screen or press the Windows key plus S -- type "sign-in options." You can also ask Cortana for sign-in options if you have it activated.
Once you're on the sign-in options screen, you'll see the Windows Hello options available to you. If your system's webcam supports face recognition, you'll see the option to set it up (likewise if you have a supported fingerprint sensor). Click "Set up" and you're on your way.
Note that if the "Set up" button is grayed out, it's because you must set up a system password before you can use other sign-in options. On the same screen, you click the Add button under the Password heading and create a password (or a PIN for Windows 11). Once that's done, your Windows Hello options should no longer be grayed out.
Look at the camera
Sarah Tew/CNET
Once you click through to set it up, you'll hit a "Welcome to Windows Hello" screen, which simply gives you the last chance to back out of setting it up. Don't worry, though: If you decide you don't want to use face recognition, you can delete the profile later.
Click the "Get started" button and the IR camera will turn on and scan your face. Just keep looking directly at the camera until the blue status bar below your picture finishes. It takes just a couple of seconds to finish as long as you keep your head still and looking at the camera.
Create a PIN
Once it completes, you're given the option to improve recognition by running the IR camera scan again. You should do this if you regularly wear glasses or a hat so you can run the scan with those things on and off. Or run it with your head at slightly different angles while still looking at the camera as well as in dark and bright lighting.
After that, you'll be asked to set up a PIN if you haven't already logged into Windows, if for some reason Hello is not available or is having trouble recognizing your face -- a pretty rare experience in my testing if you did a couple of face scans. First, you'll be asked to enter your system password, and then you'll be asked to create a PIN, which cannot be the same as your password.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Look to unlock
In the Windows Hello settings under sign-in options, you have the option to automatically dismiss the lock screen if Windows recognizes your face. This means that as soon as you boot up or wake your PC from sleep, it will scan your face, unlock and take you to your Desktop or whatever you were working on last in less than two seconds. If you have this option off, you'll be asked to dismiss the lock screen manually after Windows recognizes your face, which means clicking a mouse button, keyboard key or swiping your touchscreen. Otherwise, you should be all set up for facial recognition with Windows Hello.
If you've skipped using a system password in the past because you hate having one more password to remember, face recognition is a good, better-than-nothing compromise. And it works so well, you might find yourself locking your computer down just to use it.
Let your fingers do the unlocking
Windows Hello can also be used with integrated or add-on fingerprint readers. They accomplish the same task, but require you to lift your finger to a sensor to quickly sign you into your computer and apps, make in-app purchases or sign into websites with Edge, Chrome and Firefox browsers. The setup process is essentially the same as with facial recognition, you'll just use your finger on a sensor instead of looking at your camera.
For more, take a look at CNET's list of the best must-have accessories for your new laptop and laptop backpacks.
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Best Baby Clothes of 2022
Best Baby Clothes of 2022
When it comes to having and raising a baby, there's an awful lot to worry about. From where they're going to sleep to what car seat to buy, you have to do some research to find the best option for you. One of the biggest tasks is refreshing their wardrobe every couple of months as they grow out of their clothes unbelievably fast. Dressing up your baby can be a lot of fun, but constantly shopping for clothes can be a nightmare. It can be very difficult to tell the quality of a piece of clothing, and you never want to buy more than you need.
Your preference in baby clothes is subjective, as your own personal style will largely dictate what your infant wears (you're welcome for that Astro Boy onesie, son!). But just because you vibe with an outfit doesn't mean it will fit right or the materials will agree with your baby. After some trial and error, you'll start to get an idea which brands of baby clothes are best for your little one.
This guide to baby clothes during the first year can point you in the right direction. We've broken down which items and styles to look for, from onesies to dress clothes, along with top product picks for each category.
Onesies
The all-purpose bodysuit, or onesie, will make up the majority of your baby's wardrobe for the first six months or longer. Onesies are easy to throw on and allow for quick diaper changes, with a flap at the crotch that unsnaps when you need access. Another less celebrated but incredibly handy feature of the humble onesie are the envelope folds at the neckline, which allow the garment to be slipped off the shoulders and pulled down. When your baby inevitably has an epic diaper blowout, you'll be thankful you can remove their soiled onesie over their legs instead of their head.
Carter's
Even if your baby doesn't blow out every day, you're going to need a few onesies on hand for frequent changes. Whether from milk spills, food stains or dozens of other reasons, baby clothes get dirty fast in the beginning. Suggestions on how many pieces of clothing you should own vary depending on who you ask, but I'd recommend having seven to 10 onesies in rotation so you're not doing laundry all the time. To make shopping easy, look for onesies that come in sets. This set from Carter's comes with seven cotton onesies in various colors and patterns.
Pajamas
Footie pajamas or sleepers will keep your baby comfy and warm at night, but they're also great for wearing during the day. Chilly morning? Keep them in their pj's. You'll find many styles of pajamas, but if you take one thing away from this article let it be this: Avoid footies with snaps -- or worse, buttons -- as much as you avoid the changing table in a dollar store bathroom. They might be the cutest jammies in the universe, but they won't be at 3 a.m. as you curse yourself for missing a snap and realize you have to start all over again. Get zippers and save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
Old Navy
Normal zippers are great, but 2-way zippers or zippers that zip from top to bottom are even better. This setup allows you to undress only half of your baby's body for diaper changes, keeping the top half warm and toasty. This particular set of pj's also has fold-over mittens, which you can use to cover baby's hands to prevent them from scratching themselves at night.
Hanna Andersson
If your baby has sensitive skin, you may want to consider sleeping them in pj's made from 100% organic cotton, like this set from Hanna Andersson, or other natural materials like linen or bamboo fiber. These garments are typically free of chemicals so there's less chance of irritating your little one's skin. Prices range from $11 to $4 depending on the style you choose.
Burt's Bees
Gowns are another category of baby sleepwear you might consider, especially in the early months of your child's life. Being open at the bottom, gowns make diaper changing even easier because you don't have to wrestle baby's legs out of any footies. You simply pull the gown up whenever you need to change them. This set from Burt's Bees is affordable and highly rated.
HALO
Another item you might want to consider is a sleep sack or bag. Part clothing and part bedding, a sleep sack is worn over pj's and is intended to replace loose blankets, which the American Association of Pediatrics advises against to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. A sleep sack serves the same purpose as a swaddle, but unlike swaddling, you don't have to stop using a sleep sack once your baby can roll over. If your child likes the security a sleep sack provides, they can keep using it through their first birthday and beyond.
Pants
Because onesies leave your baby's legs exposed, you should also have a few pairs of pants or leggings in their wardrobe. Baby leggings should be stretchy so they're easy to get on and off. Sweatpants are another practical choice, and they can even be stylish when paired with an appropriate top. If you're considering dressing your little one in stiff, tight-fitting jeans or khakis on the regular, my advice is to save those for special occasions. Actual pants are a real pain to put on a baby, and you don't want to be doing it multiple times a day.
H&M
Because you'll be taking pants off and putting them on again so often, you should make it easy on yourself. As long as your baby doesn't have serious skin allergies, cotton with a little bit of spandex is a safe material choice that will make diaper changes go much smoother. This set from H&M, for example, is 95% cotton and 5% spandex.
Lamaze
When your baby starts crawling, you might consider adding some pants with built-in knee pads to their wardrobe. This will give them a little cushioning when crawling on wood floors or other hard surfaces.
Socks and booties
Our extremities, including hands and feet, get colder faster than the rest of our body. This goes double for babies as they lose heat more quickly than adults, so it's important to keep their little piggies dressed in the cooler months.
Gerber
The problem with most baby socks is they don't stay on. No matter how high you pull them up, one sock will inevitably be missing the next time you turn around. Gerber's Wiggle-Proof socks are designed to deal with this with elastic bands that hold onto your baby's calves without leaving marks.
Hudson Baby
Booties tend to stay on better than socks because they typically have some method of fastening around the ankle to prevent slippage. They can still be kicked off if your kiddo is determined enough, but at least their feet will be warmer for a bit longer.
Jackets
No matter where you live, at some point in your baby's first year it will be cold enough for you to want to throw on a jacket. If it gets really cold, you may even be tempted to dress them up in a heavy winter coat. Though that would undeniably be cuteness overload, the American Association of Pediatrics advises against bulky coats. This is mostly due to the fact that you can't safely buckle a child into a car seat while wearing one, as the jacket leaves space between the straps and your child's chest.
Carter
In addition to interfering with safety harnesses, thick jackets are largely unnecessary because you can dress a child in many thin layers and achieve the same result. A light fleece jacket like this pick from Carter's is warm and versatile, and can be all a baby needs for a stroll around the block or can serve as the final layer for a snow day.
Buckle Me Baby
If you just love the puffy jacket look, consider getting one from Buckle Me Baby. These coats are specially designed to maintain contact between the seat harness and your child. How it works is the front panel of the jacket unzips and opens, allowing you to buckle your little one in and zip the jacket back up over it. If you're going somewhere cold, this is a great choice to wear in the car while it warms up.
Dress clothes, special occasion
Babies aren't expected to dress up. If you showed up to a wedding with your six-month-old wearing their toastiest footie pajamas, people would understand. But we like dressing our babies up for special occasions, so having one set of fancy duds in the closet doesn't hurt. Sure, they might only wear it once, but think of all the adorable photos.
Cat & Jack
Though dress clothes by nature are less comfortable and convenient to get on and off, the same general rules for baby clothes apply: Make it as easy on yourself as possible. Imagine your baby having a two-way blowout in the middle of whatever special occasion you're dressing them for. Would it be a nightmare to change them out of the outfit you're looking at? Better keep shopping.
This little number is made up of two pieces. The top is really just a fancy onesie with the typical snaps on the crotch, but you wouldn't know it once it's tucked into those tiny chinos. Topping off the ensemble is a bow tie and suspenders, which are just precious.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Elden Ring Boss Guide: How To beat Margit, Godrick, Radahn, and more
Elden Ring Boss Guide: How To beat Margit, Godrick, Radahn, and more
Elden Ring is out and like every other Souls-like game there are times when you confront a major foe who will put your survival skills to the test.
Elden Ring has the largest roster of bosses and secret encounters of any Souls-style game to date, and people are quickly figuring out how unforgiving these bad guys can be. So with that, we're offering a quick rundown of general tips to know when facing these bosses. Along with that, a guide on defeating some of the first major bosses of the game.
Check back with us in the coming days as we'll be adding more guides and tips on overcoming the big bads of The Lands Between.
General Boss tips
Learn Their Patterns
While every boss can be daunting, they each have a pattern that they follow rigorously. The most important thing you can learn when fighting enemies is how they move and what behaviors they follow. This knowledge can be a bit tough to learn, especially when you have swords and magic spells being hurled at your face. But once you do, you'll get a sense of how a boss' attacks work and what you can do to overcome them.
Don't Rely on Rolling Too Much
Rolling in Elden Ring is vital to every battle, but it's easy to abuse it. The move gives players a small window of invincibility on any attack, so it appears that spamming it would be the right answer to whatever scenario. Do not do this. FromSoftware purposely makes enemies' attacks reach a certain distance for when you roll. Bosses also have multiple quick and delayed attacks to throw off the timing of your rolls. Keep that in mind even in the heat of the battle.
If you need to roll, especially for boss battles, try rolling toward the boss. It sounds counterintuitive but the way FromSoftware designs boss attacks, going toward the boss helps you evade, as the expectation is for you to roll away. If there's one attack constantly hitting you when you roll away, that's when you need to roll forward.
Being Greedy is Dangerous
We know the feeling you can get when a particular foe gets caught in a vulnerable spot, and you want to keep attacking them. However, it's important not to be greedy in those moments. Before you know it, a boss can quickly recover and send you flying with a powerful counterattack. Always be mindful of the time it takes to attack. It's often better to go in for a couple of quick hits and back away to safety, even if there's time for another set of blows.
Make Sure to Use Your Summons
As players progress through the game, they'll receive more summons. These spirits can be somewhat weak and do minimal damage, but they distract the boss. These assists provide a small respite from the battle, allowing you to heal or set up a powerful charge or jumping attack. Calling on a summon should be the first thing players should do in a boss battle.
For the boss fights of legacy dungeons, there is usually a summon right next to the golden fog gate. Keep an eye out for an orange symbol on the ground as these fighters are powerful and can help you tremendously in these hard battles. You might need to find these NPCs within the dungeon before they will help.
Finish The Fight, Later
FromSoftware always finds ways to catch you off guard. An example is the Tree Sentinel, a big brute of a boss, in the game's first area. It's a powerful foe that can kill you in two hits. This encounter may give you the impression that you have to beat him at this moment, but trust us when we say that is not the case. You'll inevitably come across some foes that will knock you out in a quick fashion. While you can certainly try and figure a way to beat them, you're often better off just taking the hint and doing something better with your time. You can always come back later once you're stronger and get some revenge -- and those moments are always satisfying.
Now let's take a look at some specific bosses...
Margit, The Fell Omen
Margit, the Fell Omen can be a daunting foe to face in your first hours with the game.
From Software / Namco Bandai Games
This encounter is likely the first major boss you'll face in Elden Ring and they will certainly put you through your paces. The battle against Margit is, above all, a test of your dodging, attack skills and patience during a fight. Despite its size, Margit is highly mobile and can easily close the distance to land some hits on you if you aren't careful. The boss primarily uses their staff as a close-range weapon, striking with three-hit combo attacks and a harder two-handed blow that can drop your stamina fast if you try to block it. Margit will throw magic daggers at a distance at a range, and it's best to avoid them by dodging.
The best way to strike Margit is to hit them once they've finished performing their attacks. By looking at their attack patterns, you can have a window of opportunity to hit them with quick strikes. It's always better to stick and move rather than lay into them with a series of long combos. Go for brief 2-3 hits and then move away to avoid their follow-up attacks. And unless you have decent strength and endurance for your character, it's always better to roll out of the way of its attacks. Though if you have a shield with parry sub-ability -- and you're willing to take a risk -- you can stun Margit with a well-timed parry. However, if you miss the timing, you leave yourself open to a devastating attack.
Once you clear half its health, Margit enters a second phase where they'll pull out a massive hammer. While their patterns are still similar, Margit's extra aggression makes for a more tense fight. The best thing to do is stay composed and look at their patterns to find an opening. And always stick with dodging as opposed to blocking. If you try to block their hammer, you will lose your stamina and open yourself up for attack. Remember to stick and move, and keep your attacks brief when fighting Margit, and you will eventually defeat them.
If you're still struggling, another option to make the fight slightly easier: Visit the Murkerwater Cave dungeon, north of the Dragon Burnt Ruins. Inside the case, you'll encounter a boss named Patches, a recurring character from previous FromSoftware games. If you spare his life after he yields in combat, he will open up his inventory for purchase. One item he sells is Margit's Shackle, which will stun the boss during its first phase only, allowing you to go in for a series of strikes. This is a great way to overcome Margit if you need extra help with the fight
Godrick The Grafted
The battle against Godrick will be a real test of patience and resolve. It'd be best to bring in some back up for him.
FromSoftware / Namco Bandai Games
If you make it through Stormveil Castle, then you've already picked up skills and tactics when it comes to overcoming foes. However, the battle with Godrick is, by far, the biggest hurdle you'll need to overcome. As the first demi-god you'll fight, this fallen ruler of Stormveil Castle will pull out all the stops to take you out. Much like Margit, Godrick is speedy despite his size. But unlike Margit, Godrick has a larger arsenal of weapons and skills to use.
Before this fight, one thing you can do to make it easier is to summon an AI character. Nepheli, a traveling warrior, is someone you'll first meet in the Roundtable Hold, and you can find her again in Stormveil Castle near Godrick's location. If you speak with her, she will help you during the battle. Just outside the door to Godrick, you can see her summon sign. It's recommended you call in an assist in this fight, as having a backup will be a big help.
Like the previous fight, you'll need to watch Godrick's patterns to avoid their strikes. One attack to watch out for is a 360-degree wind attack that will encompass the immediate area of Godrick, damaging you and other allies if you stay close. It's important to watch for his tells and avoid his attacks once he gets them ready. It would be best to try to be more aggressive in this battle. Godrick has a lot of health, so playing it safe too long can exhaust you and resources, leading to a sudden defeat. Still, don't be greedy with your attacks.
During his 2nd phase, he'll take a more desperate tactic and graft the head of a dragon onto his arm and use it to attack you. This upgrade for him not only adds a new melee attack to his arsenal, but he can also use his new arm for breathing fire on you, which does considerable damage if you get hit. During this phase, the best thing to do is to keep a medium distance away from him, avoid his area of effect attacks, and then run to his blind spots when he pulls out the dragon head to breathe fire. The flames will only go in front of him, so running up to his side or behind him will protect you while also leaving him vulnerable for extended periods.
One of the important lessons this fight will impact is the importance of placement and position in a fight. Along with being a narrow bridge, the area also has a set of stairs on both sides. The elevation change can prove to be an advantage, as some of Godrick's attacks can miss you entirely if you get the high ground above him or below him. If you can be mindful of his attacks while also keeping your positional advantage, then you will be able to overcome Godrick with patience and a steady rhythm of attacks.
Red Wolf of Radagon
The battle with Red Wolf of Radagon will test if you can handle a foe adept at magic and close ranged combat.
FromSoftware / Namco Bandai Games
The battle with Red Wolf can be tough, due to how aggressive it is with close-range attacks and its set of long-range magic attacks. Like other major bosses, the Red Wolf is highly mobile, and uses that to its advantage with its attacks. Its deadliest attacks, by far, are the magic missiles, which are homing attacks that will tear right through your defenses and health. The Red Wolf also has a regular habit of priming up its magic spells and then using melee attacks to close the distance, adding further pressure on you. It can be tough to manage, and you'll likely face a quick death during your first attempts.
Thankfully, the Red Wolf doesn't have a second phase, so you'll see most of its patterns and tricks during the first couple minutes of the fight. The important thing to figure out is that the Red Wolf is very aggressive. Yet, that aggression can be used against it. Once it finishes attacking, it will leave itself vulnerable to counterattacks. Given the frequency of its attacks, you'll have plenty of opportunities to go in for quick hits -- provided you dodge its attacks without fail. Don't bother chasing after it; keep your distance and let it come to you. Once it has finished its attacks, strike it and back away. Keep this up for the remainder of the battle, and you will eventually come out on top.
Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
Rennala is an incredibly powerful magic user, and can easily vaporize your character with her spells.
FromSoftware / Namco Bandai Games
The two-phased fight against magic-wielding Rennala is a bizarre one, but it's still a challenging fight. Unlike other bosses, Rennala likes to keep her distance, use spells, and summon monsters to tear through you. She'll start off with having her academy students fight for her, but once the battle continues, she'll take matters into her own hands -- and that's where things can quickly go south.
The first phase taking place in the library is a strange one. As you can see in the center of the room, Rennala is suspended in the air and it's impossible to reach her. The only way to bring her down is to find three different glowing gold students. They're hidden in the library, so you'll have to run through the area to search for them. Once you destroy three students, Rennala will fall to the ground in the center of the room, opening her up for attack. She won't stay down for long, though. Once enough damage has been done, she'll come back up, forcing you to repeat the previous steps. The biggest dangers in this phase of the fight is the magic that sends furniture hurling towards you, along with some devastating spells that will turn Renalla's students into missiles. The best thing to do is dodge through these attacks while searching for glowing students. After you deal enough damage, Renalla will then get serious.
This second phase is where the fight gets more dangerous. Rennala is an adept mage, and she'll keep her distance away from you while she sends out devastating magic attacks. Many of her spells are homing, which means you'll need to be extra careful when dodging and running towards to close the distance. Also, she'll call in help from her plethora of summoned monsters, many of which are common foes you've fought through the game thus far. These additional enemies are ultimately a distraction. If you focus too much on them, Renalla will snipe at you with her spells, spelling a quick defeat. If you die during this phase, you'll have to repeat the first one again.
The best way to defeat Renalla is to take note from previous bosses and be aggressive. While Renalla has some spells that push you away, she is very weak at close range and easily staggered with attacks. If you are a spellcaster, the best thing to do is to dodge her spells and then cast your own in quick succession. The key to winning this fight is to not hesitate and land your attacks when you see a window of opportunity. If you can keep it up, then you'll defeat Renalla in no time.
Godfrey, First Elden Lord
Roll forwards, not backwards!
From Software
Godfrey is the first required boss in Leyndell. He's a big golden brute with a giant axe. Luckily, his attacks, while powerful, are somewhat typical for a boss.
A good way to start off the fight is with a summon. If you haven't yet, visit the Fringefolk Hero's Grave, which is at the very start of the game behind a fog wall. Complete the dungeon and you'll receive Banished Knight Oleg who is a more powerful summon that can take quite a few hits from bosses.
As for strategy, the key to his Godfrey fight is to roll forwards, not backwards. Godfrey makes use of his giant axe to reach you as you roll back. If you see him winding up, it's like he's getting ready for a long-reaching attack which is when you want to roll forward. He'll also use this attack when you're backpedaling while trying to heal.
If there's an attack you want to be aware of it's his stomp. It comes out quickly and will stun just enough to combo into an axe swing if you don't move. If you see a stomp coming, try to use a shield to block the attack instead of rolling away since it can still catch you.
You'll want to attack when you roll forward into those long axe attacks and when you roll away from his jumping pound attack. In both cases, he takes an extra couple of seconds to reset himself leaving him open to attacks.
Morgott, The Omen King
If Margit gave you nightmares, Morgott is going to haunt you while you're awake. The Omen King is going to be the toughest challenge you've faced so far unless you have gained a substantial number of levels. Even then, this is far from an easy fight.
The good news is that you have an orange summon available right outside the golden fog: Melina. If you don't see her symbol, use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal it. She's going to be vital for the fight as she can heal you while also dealing and taking damage. You'll also be able to use one of your own ash summons, but it's best to save that for the second phase.
What's important in this battle is speed. Do not attempt long combos against Morgott. Their attacks are so quick, can do multiple hits and will be delayed in order to throw your timing off. What you want is to get in, do a quick jumping attack and run away. This is where having Melina helps because as soon as she becomes targeted, you can get a few more hits in as well as a jumping attack.
In this fight, rolling back is more ideal as Morgott doesn't have long reaching attacks. If you're far away, they can throw some daggers or a lance that can be easily blocked or dodge. If you see swords floating above, that's a big area-of-effect attack and you want to roll back and avoid any areas where they land.
Phase 2 starts when Morgott's health gets about halfway. They'll lean over and start coughing. This is your sign to run away because a big blast is about to happen. If you're clear, it's time to for an ash summon in order to get another target for Morgott.
In the second phase, Morgott does the same attacks, but whenever an attack is missed, a puddle of liquid will be left that will erupt a few seconds after so make sure to avoid them. Aside from that, keep the same strategy of jumping in for quick attacks and then getting out of range. Keep this up and Morgott will go down.
Starscourge Radahn
The battle with Radahn is one of Elden Ring's most bizarre and epic boss fights. Come in prepared.
FromSoftware / Bandai Namco Games
While not required to complete the main story, this battle against Starscoruge Radahn is one of Elden Ring's most epic boss encounters, and it's one you'll likely find yourself walking into unintentionally. Located just off from Redmane Castle in the Caelid region, the battle with Radahn will see you face off against a towering foe who wields a ludicrous amount of power. Along with that, you'll call in many support characters to help you in battle. It's truly a one-of-a-kind fight, but it's also quite unforgiving. One wrong move against Radahn can result in a quick and brutal defeat.
What makes this battle so difficult is that is Radahn's attack power and range are so high that he can easily kill you within seconds of the fight beginning. He wields a magic-infused bow and twin great swords that can tear through your defenses. Right at the beginning, you'll need to close the distance on Radahn while also taking the time to summon allies to the fight. During this part of the fight, he'll try to pick you off with his arrows, and they deal considerable damage. You'll need to stick with cover, using the piles of old weapons as a shield, and close the distance to Radahn. You'll need to jump on Torrent and begin your attack from here.
This battle has two phases, and you'll need to pick your moments to attack Radahn and make a quick exit to avoid his strikes. For more of a detailed breakdown of the battle against Radahn, check out deeper guide that details the fight and the best strategies you'll need to beat him.
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25 Great Tech Gifts for $100 or Less
25 Great Tech Gifts for $100 or Less
This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or a promotions, you could need a gift for a variety of occasions. If you're looking for a perfect present that'll cost less than $100, and branches out from the typical scarf, coffee mug or gift card, you'll find tons of ideas below. There are gifts under $100 for every type of personality, including picks for music lovers, tech-heads and even some items that can help soothe aching muscles.
Each product has been either comprehensively reviewed or personally tested to bring you the best tech gifts for $100 or less. And if you need more gift ideas before you check out the contents of your online cart, here are some more gifts for under $100 that we love, as well as great gift ideas for $50 or less if you're looking to spread some joy on a budget.
Chris Monroe/CNET
Amazon's Smart Thermostat sets a new standard for the category. It has a clean, modern touchscreen design, and it's easy to use, whether you're adjusting the temperature at the thermostat, through the Alexa app or with Alexa voice commands with a compatible Alexa-enabled speaker or display. It is an affordable gift that earned a CNET Editors' Choice Award for best value smart thermostat.
Read our Amazon Smart Thermostat review.
Earfun
The Earfun Air Pro 2 earbuds not only feature solid active noise cancellation but their sound is also impressive for their relatively modest price, with overall well-balanced sound, decent clarity and solid bass performance. Some of Earfun's buds have had a bit too much treble push -- sometimes referred to as "presence boost" -- but these mostly manage to avoid that. This affordable gift does sound better than the original Air Pro.
The earbuds have some extra features, like an ear-detection sensor (your music pauses when you take the buds out of your ears) and a case that has USB-C and wireless charging, that you don't often find at this price. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, they're splash-proof with an IPX5 rating and offer up to seven hours of battery life on a single charge at moderate volume levels, though you'll probably get closer to six hours with noise canceling on.
There's also a transparency mode that lets ambient sound in. It actually sounds pretty natural and is closer than I thought it would be to the AirPods Pro's excellent transparency mode. Alas, there's no companion app that allows you to tweak the sound or upgrade the firmware.
Earfun talks up the Air Pro 2's voice calling capabilities -- the buds have three microphones in each earbud -- and I thought call performance was good but these didn't reduce background noise as much the new Soundpeats T3, which are also good for the money ($36). However, while the Soundpeats T3 are better for calls, the Earfun Air Pro 2's noise-canceling and transparency modes are superior and the Soundpeats don't have the ear-detection sensor. Also, the Earfun Air Pro 2 buds sound better, with richer, more dynamic sound.
Lumos
If you're looking to maximize your giftee's visibility while riding a bike or scooter, the Lumos Ultra is a great gift idea. It makes sure they're noticed with both front and back LEDs that you can customize via an app -- the helmet is Bluetooth-enabled.
The helmet includes a small remote that allows you to activate a turn signal (on the back display), letting those behind you know what your next move is. It comes in a variety of colors and also is available in a step-up MIPS version that offers added protection.
This helmet is only available at full price right now, which is a little over $100, but it often goes on sale for $20 off or more.
David Carnoy/CNET
For its first three generations, JBL's Clip micro Bluetooth speaker had a circular design. But for the fourth-gen Clip 4, JBL has moved to a more oval shape, bulked up the speaker slightly and added USB-C charging. It does seem more durable, with a sturdier integrated carabiner "clip." Also, it sounds a little better, with more volume, clearer sound and more bass. With an IP67 water-resistance rating, it's not quite fully waterproof (the Clip 3 is), but it's now dust-proof.
One of the best wireless Bluetooth speakers for its tiny size, the Clip 4 used to cost a little less, but thanks to supply chain issues, this great gift is now down to $60. This JBL Clip 4 comes in five different colors and the older Clip 3 is frequently discounted.
Read our JBL Clip 4 review.
Razer
Buying for someone who's gaming on their phone? Whether they're iPhone users subscribed to Apple Arcade or Android owners using Xbox Cloud gaming or Google Stadia, the Razer Kishi is a great option. Similar to the $60 iPhone-compatible model (the iPhone version is MFi-certified and will work with the iPhone 6 Plus and any newer model), the Android version allows Android phone owners to play Xbox Cloud gaming with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. It connects via USB-C and has pass-through charging but no built-in battery to supply extra juice. There's an Xbox-optimized one for Android owners, too, for a few bucks more.
The controller allows you to game in style with mobile games that have game-controller support (and benefit from it), and anybody who plays a lot of games on their phone would appreciate it as a great gift. Just make sure you're matching the right model to their phone. We do prefer the Backbone controller for iOS users (see below). Alas, no Android version of that controller exists yet.
Read our Razer Kishi review.
Lori Grunin/CNET
It's amazing how good this Lightning-connected controller from startup Backbone is compared to the alternatives. It turns any iPhone 6S or later into a Nintendo Switch-style gaming experience, with added smarts for social and chatty gamers. Like the Razer Kishi, it connects via Lightning with pass-through charging but has no built-in battery. The big advantage this beauty has over the Kishi is that it's just a more ergonomically sound controller and feels better in your hands.
David Carnoy/CNET
I like Hyperice's Hypersphere Mini ($99) massage ball, but Theragun's new Wave Solo massage ball is arguably a tad better and almost $20 cheaper at $80. It's also about the size of a softball (3.4 inches, or 8.7 cm, in diameter), charges with a USB-C cable (a full charge offers up to 200 minutes of battery life) and has three vibration speed options.
It's a great option for pinpointing problem areas as hip flexors that you might roll out with a lacrosse ball. There's also a Wave Duo version for $99 that's good for rolling on either side of the spine or placing at the top of your shoulder behind your neck while lying down.
Amazon
Whoever you're getting this for may be a little embarrassed but he'll most likely appreciate it. Panasonic says its new ER-GK80-S has a unique V-shaped head that's "built to go everywhere" -- and with precision. It comes with two attachments, has almost two hours of battery life and can be used wet or dry. A travel case is included. It's an excellent manscaping device.
David Carnoy/CNET
I never tried the original Fiil CC earbuds, but the next-generation CC2 improves on the performance of the originals, with better battery life (they're rated at five hours on a single charge) and no audio latency issues when watching videos.
These did stay in my ears better than the standard AirPods. They pair quickly -- they're equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 -- there's a Fiil companion app for tweaking settings and they sound quite decent for open-style buds, with just enough bass to keep you from feeling they're bass shy. They're also decent for making calls and have touch controls.
One of their distinguishing features is their open case, which makes it easy to access the buds and put them back in their case. Thanks to some integrated magnets, they stay in the case securely -- you can turn it upside down and the buds won't come out. Unlike the AirPods, these have square rather than rounded stems, which seems a little weird at first, and they do fit in your ears slightly differently to AirPods as a result.
Lenovo
We liked the original Google-Assistant Lenovo Smart Clock and this Version 2 model is also pretty nifty and includes a wireless charging pad. The touch screen is only 4 inches, so it's pretty small, but it's easy to set up and the inclusion of wireless charging is convenient. The feature set is somewhat limited compared to Google's Nest Hub (2nd gen) -- there's no YouTube streaming available -- but if you're looking for a smart alarm clock with weather forecasts built-in and decent enough sound for its small size, this is an attractive option. It's available in three colors.
Read our Lenovo Smart Clock 2 review.
For a lot of people, Apple's original HomePod was too pricey at $350. That speaker has been discontinued, but the HomePod Mini is still around. It's a very compact Wi-Fi speaker that costs a lot less ($99) and plays bigger than you'd expect for its small size. Yes, it's more appealing to those invested in Apple's ecosystem and comfortable with Apple's voice-assistant Siri, which drives the speaker, but the price is right and you can pair two HomePod Minis to create stereo sound or combine several to create a multiroom audio system (you can link them to the original HomePod, of course).
While music playback is tied into Apple Music, you can use AirPlay 2 to stream audio from other music services, including Spotify, from your iPhone and other Apple devices (read this for AirPlay requirements).
Read our Apple HomePod Mini review.
Jabra
The Jabra Elite 3 headphones are Jabra's most affordable true-wireless earbuds to date and have a fairly basic feature set, though they offer strong sound and call quality for the money. They have 6mm drivers, four-microphone call technology and Jabra's HearThrough transparency mode. Qualcomm aptX HD audio is supported for aptX-enabled devices.
Battery life is rated at up to seven hours on a single charge at moderate volume levels, with the case storing an extra three full charges (28 hours total). They have an IP55 water-resistance rating, which means they can take a sustained spray of water and are also dust-resistant. As with the other new buds, you can use either bud independently in a mono mode.
While they don't have such extras as active noise canceling, the Elite 3 earbuds offer solid performance and a comfortable fit for a reasonable price.
David Carnoy/CNET
The Luxe is SanDisk's latest iXpand Flash Drive that allows you to move photo and video files from a Lightning-enabled iOS device to a USB-C-enabled computer or Android phone. It also has an automatic back-feature for iOS devices (you'll need to download the iXpand Drive companion app).
The 128GB version I tried costs $60 (though it's on sale now for $48), while the 256GB version costs $75.
David Carnoy/CNET
Ember temperature-controlled smart mugs, which keep your hot beverage of choice hot while you sip it over a longer drinking session. While it won't keep coffee or tea warm for hours, the idea is that you can select your ideal temp via the companion Ember app for iOS or Android and keep your beverage at a high temp during the 30 minutes or so it takes to casually drink it.
I personally prefer the larger version, but it does cost more. A good insulated mug with a top on it will also keep your beverage hot (and they are cheaper), but this Ember mug allows you to drink a cup of Joe like you normally would and not sip it through a small hole in the top.
It's only available at full price at the moment, but it occasionally goes on sale for $100 or less.
Read our Ember Ceramic Mug preview.
David Carnoy/CNET
There's nothing like a little blending on the go for your loved ones' protein shakes. That's where the BlendJet 2 comes in. Equipped with a rechargeable battery, it's more powerful than you think and is able to whip up smoothies without having to plug in anywhere. It charges via USB-C (you get about 15 blends per charge) and is fully waterproof. Drink right from the blender!
David Carnoy/CNET
This insulated water bottle has built-in UV technology in the lid that, with a press of a button, kills off bacteria in three minutes and purifies your water. (There's an integrated rechargeable battery that uses a proprietary USB charger.)
The UV light breaks the DNA of the bacteria," Glo says, "eliminating the bacteria that cause bad smell and taste." So not only does the bottle clean water, but it cleans itself. The bottle also keeps your water cold or hot for up to 12 hours.
Biolite
BioLite has several portable lighting options and the Alpenglow 500 is one of its more recent additions to its line. It's a portable "lantern" that has multiple modes and color options. As its name implies, it delivers 500 lumens of light, and it is indeed pretty bright.
The step-down Alpenglow 250 offers 250 lumens for $15 less. Both are rated for 5 hours of battery life on the high setting and up to 200 hours on the low setting.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
The 2021 version of Amazon's smallest smart display adds a higher resolution camera than its predecessor for a list price of $85. Right now, it's on sale for $55. If you're looking for a video-enabled Echo device for a nightstand or home office, this is the most affordable option. The new Echo Show 8 lists for $100 and sometimes goes on sale for less.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Logitech's MX Keys is one of our favorite everyday Bluetooth keyboards and now it comes in two smaller versions that leave off the number pad and some other keys: MX Keys Mini and MX Keys Mini for Mac. Both cost $100, the same price as the standard MX Keys. Colors include rose, pale gray and graphite.
While you're getting less keyboard for the same amount of money, the MX Keys Mini does have three new keys, giving you shortcuts to dictation (available in select countries for Windows and MacOS users), emojis and the all-important muting and unmuting of your microphone for video-conference calls. Also, Logitech says that its "minimalist form factor aligns your shoulders and allows you to place your mouse closer to your keyboard for less hand reaching, resulting in better posture and improved ergonomics." From my tests, I agree with that assessment.
The keyboard is similar in size to Logitech's popular and less expensive K380 keyboard ($30). But MX Keys Mini, equipped with Perfect Stroke, Logitech's "best nonmechanical typing technology," has a more premium look and feel. And, like the standard MX Keys, it has backlit keys that light up as your hands approach and automatically adjust to the lighting conditions, dimming or even turning off to conserve energy.
Note that the link below goes to the standard MX Keys Mini. The MX Keys Mini for Mac can be found here.
Read our Logitech MX Keys first take.
David Carnoy/CNET
A couple of years ago, Logitech unveiled the MX Master 3 ($100), the third generation of its premium home/office mouse. Then last year we got the $80 MX Anywhere 3, the third iteration of the company's premium "mobile" mouse, and it may just be my favorite Logitech mouse yet.
The MX Anywhere 3 comes in a couple of versions. There's the standard "universal" version that works with Windows, MacOS, iPadOS (13.4 or higher), ChromeOS and Linux computers via Bluetooth or Logitech's Unifying USB dongle, which is included. MX Anywhere 3 for Mac works only via Bluetooth and is optimized for Macs and iPads. Both mice are available in pale gray and the MX Anywhere 3 (with the dongle) is also offered in rose and graphite.
Read our Logitech MX Master 3 first take.
David Carnoy/CNET
Anker's Soundcore Wakey may be the best clock radio you can buy for the money. Not only does it sound better and play louder than your typical clock radio, but it has an integrated wireless charging dock for Qi-enabled smartphones, which includes all the iPhones and Samsung smartphones from the last few years. What's also appealing about this holiday gift idea is that there's a companion app (yes, it's also a Bluetooth speaker) that allows you to program in your preset FM radio station favorites and dim the LED clock to your liking.
The Wakey comes in white and black; sometimes the black model goes on sale.
5 Streaming Services You Can Cancel in August, FOMO-Free
5 Streaming Services You Can Cancel in August, FOMO-Free
This year marked the return of the summer blockbuster to movie theaters, luring people back to the big screen in droves. But streaming services can claim some victories this season, too. Netflix had Stranger Things 4 in July, Disney Plus had Obi-Wan Kenobi in June. And while both platforms have more to offer in the coming weeks, August is the time for HBO Max to soar. Why? Four words: House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel that's one of the most-anticipated shows of the year.
Every month I give advice on which streaming services to cancel and which ones to keep, based on their new releases and current content mix. That's because, in these difficult financial times, you may be thinking about canceling a few streaming service subscriptions. I'd like to offer my strategy: Churn like ice cream.
What does that mean? Subscribe for a period, cancel, choose a different service, then resubscribe, keeping your favorites in a rotation. Feel free to pick one or two must-haves for the year and treat additional streaming providers like seasonal add-ons. The upside is that you get to save money when Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max and others don't have the content you want to watch at a given time. Just remember to shut off auto-renewal for your monthly subscriptions. Churning may not be an option if you're sharing your accounts with people outside your household, but if you can work out an arrangement with your streaming clique, go for it.
Here are my recommendations for which streamers to keep or cancel for the month of August, based on new TV shows and movies (I didn't consider sports and live TV streaming services) arriving on each platform. Of course your tastes may be different, but if nothing else, I urge you to at least consider the concept of churning for savings. It's easier than you might think.
Read more: Stop Missing Out On New Episodes of Your Favorite Shows With These Apps
Streaming Service Rotation for August 2022
Keep
Cancel
HBO Max
X
Hulu
X
Netflix
X
Apple TV Plus
X
Disney Plus
X
Prime Video
X (for non-Prime members)
Starz
X
Peacock
X
Paramount Plus
X
Keep the streaming going on these services in August
HBO Max: HBO Max holds the crown in more ways than one this month. As Westworld Season 4 ends on Aug. 14, the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, ignites the Targaryen family saga on Aug. 21. You can spend some of your time streaming GoT (which, like House of the Dragon, will be available in 4K this month), bypassing those episodes or seasons you don't want to re-watch. In addition to a ton of movies arriving on Max in August, The Princess, a new documentary about Princess Diana, debuts on Aug. 13. And remember: Harley Quinn season 3 is airing through August and into September.
Netflix: One of the hottest releases on Netflix this month is season 1 of The Sandman, the adaptation of Neil Gaiman's popular graphic novel series (Aug. 5). There's also Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (Aug. 5), Riverdale season 6 (Aug. 7), the final season of Locke & Key (Aug. 10), Never Have I Ever season 3 (Aug. 12), Day Shift starring Jamie Foxx as a vampire hunter (Aug. 12), and the anime movie Full Metal Alchemist: The Revenge Scar (Aug. 20). And Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg team up in the comedy film, Me Time, which lands on Aug. 26.
Disney Plus: This service will be a must-have for many of you who have children, especially with Bluey season 3 arriving on Aug. 10, and Lightyear making its streaming debut on Aug. 3. She-Hulk comes out on Aug. 18 (after a date change) with nine episodes that run into mid-October. Appearances from MCU heroes Wong and Daredevil may entice you to tune in now versus waiting to binge in October, but it's up to you. On Aug. 10, I Am Groot arrives with five shorts. For Star Wars fans, Andor drops its two-episode premiere on Aug. 31, but you may as well watch in September or later. The show has 12 episodes for season 1.
Catch Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer "Jen" Walters/She-Hulk in Marvel's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law on Disney+.
Marvel Studios
Starz: P-Valley ends season 2 on Aug. 14, so if you want to cancel after that, go for it. The biggest new Starz arrival is Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 2, produced by 50 Cent, and if you're prone to FOMO about missing the premiere on Aug. 14, keep it. The show's 10 episodes will air into October, however, so the better value is to wait it out or pay for three months of Starz to watch it weekly -- if you can find a deal. Starz is $9 per month after their $3 promo ended.
Rotate these streamers out for August
Hulu: Generally a keeper if you like network shows, Hulu typically gets at least one original each month. For August, Reservation Dogs' 10-episode second season debuts on Aug. 3, and the Predator prequel Prey arrives on Aug. 5. If you've been keeping up with Only Murders in the Building, season 2's finale airs on Aug. 23. The Mike Tyson miniseries, Mike, premieres on Aug. 25. If none of these float your boat or if you prefer to catch up on everything after all episodes are available, pause Hulu this month.
The Predator prequel movie Prey may or may not be a reason for you to keep your Hulu subscription this month.
20th Century Studios
Prime Video: If you have a standalone Prime Video subscription, you can cancel it this month unless you want to see the A League of Their Own reboot series (Aug. 12) or Ron Howard's Thirteen Lives movie (Aug. 5) about the Thai soccer team cave rescue. Those of us who have the streaming service included with our Prime membership may want to stream the titles above or Sylvester Stallone's Samaritan (Aug. 26). Hip-hop fans interested in a behind-the-scenes look at Lil Baby can watch the documentary Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby when it drops on Aug. 26 or wait until September to stream.
Apple TV Plus: Not much going on with Apple TV Plus. The streamer will drop its animated feature Luck on Aug. 5 and season 3 of See arrives on Aug. 26. Last month, we suggested waiting until August to binge every episode of For All Mankind. If you're a fan, season 3 wraps on Aug. 12.
Peacock: While Tour de France and Love Island USA are currently streaming on Peacock, They/Them (Aug. 5) is the only new noteworthy release. The horror film stars Kevin Bacon as a preacher who runs a gay conversion therapy camp. If you're not interested in these titles or new reality TV episodes, cancel or switch to a free account for August.Things should pick up for Peacock by the fall, however.
Paramount Plus: If Big Brother and the new Beavis and Butt-Head TV series (Aug. 4) aren't beckoning you to the service, then you can put Paramount Plus on ice for now. For Evil fans who've been putting off your subscription until all season 3 episodes become available, you can sign up in mid-August to stream the entire season.
Save more money by waiting things out
If you're not someone who routinely gets FOMO, then a smart method is to wait until the bulk or all episodes of your favorite series land on a platform. That way, rather than pay for a service for two or three months to cover the 6- to 10-week run of a show, you can catch up on everything by subscribing for one month. And then repeat the cycle again.
As an example, there are 12 episodes of Andor coming to Disney Plus. The finale airs in November, so all episodes of the show will be available to stream at that time. Though it premieres on Aug. 31 and continues throughout the fall, why pay for four months of Disney Plus when you can wait to watch it in full anytime in November? If this is the only series you want to watch during this period, it makes sense to be patient in the interest of saving money.
Think about how much you're paying per month for each streaming service you have, and do the math. Netflix is $10 to $20, Disney Plus is anywhere from $3 to $8 depending on bundles, HBO Max costs $10 or $15, Hulu starts at $7 and Starz runs $9. The others have a base rate of $5 per month. Should you decide to churn, set yourself a calendar reminder to ping you when it's time to re-subscribe or cancel. We'll see you in September for another streaming breakdown.
