Deals and sales

Prevent mould & condensation when drying wet washing indoors this autumn with Lidl’s essential £5 gadget

THERE is a way you can possibly prevent mould & condensation this autumn.

Lidl has released a gadget for under £5 which is absolutely essential when when drying your wet clothes indoors.

Digital thermometer and hygrometer displaying 25.1°C and 44% humidity.

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Lidl has released a thermometer and hygrometer gadget to combat mould and humidityCredit: Lidl

Costing just £4.99, the budget supermarket has released a pack of thermometers and hygrometers.

The set of three items is meant to be used to monitor indoor climate so you can prevent mould taking hold.

The hygrometer takes a measurement of the indoor humidity and it also comes with a display for comfort level.

Three steps are shown on the screen indicated by a smiley face, which are dry, comfortable and high humidity.

This is measured in percentages from 10% all the way to 99% with a temperature range of -10°C to 50°C.

How easy is it to use?

Lidl has advertised the product as being very easy and convenient to use, perfect for your wet washing.

The gadget can be mounted on a wall or it can be freestanding in any utility room.

There is also a magnetic attachment and a foldable stand for extra benefit and ease.

Batteries and instructions are included with the product which also has a three-year warranty period.

Cheaper than Screwfix

In comparison, Screwfix has released its own version at a much higher price point.

Lidl Launches £7.99 Extension Lead to Rival Screwfix’s £39.99 Gadget

At a price of £16.99, a gadget from brand Forge Steel measures temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.

It is advertised as providing an accurate and rapid response and is pocket sized.

The easy-to-read digital display screen will display the temperature and humidity levels.

It does have the same temperature range of -10 to 50°C but it has a smaller humidity range of 20-99%

Forge Steel thermometer and hygrometer displaying temperature and humidity.

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Screwfix have released a more expensive optionCredit: ScrewFix
Forge Steel thermometer and hygrometer.

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It has a smaller range of humidity percentage levelsCredit: ScrewFix

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Car owners race to buy ‘seamless’ Alexa gadget slashed from £60 to £20 – adds voice control to your vehicle

Motorists are flocking to Amazon to get their hands on a smart bit of car kit that’s seen a dramatic tumble in price.

The gadget is the second-generation Echo Auto, and it’s been picking up some proper rave reviews from blokes and lasses who have snapped it up.

Amazon Echo Auto in car.

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The Echo Auto will introduce hands-free Alexa control to your car

Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen), £19.99 (was £59.99)

Originally fetching a hefty £59.99, the nifty Echo Auto is currently on sale for just £19.99 on Amazon.

That’s a cracking deal and a perfect time for anyone looking to introduce some smart tech into their motor – and crucially, without splashing out a fortune.

This price drop is part of a wider Amazon promotion, with savings as high as 45% across the retailer’s smart devices.

It’s the best deal we’ve seen on a piece of car tech since we covered a slashed cheap CarPlay alternative on Amazon back in April (which is on sale again).

What does the Echo Auto do?

This little gizmo is designed to be your co-pilot, letting you command Alexa while you’re busy at the wheel.

  • Hands-free control: You can talk to Alexa to play music, make calls, or set reminders without ever touching your phone.
  • Navigation: Get directions from apps like Google Maps just by asking Alexa where you want to go.
  • Play music: Listen to your favourite songs and podcasts from services like Spotify or Amazon Music.
  • Smart home control: You can ask Alexa to turn on your house lights or adjust the heat while you are driving home.
  • Hear your voice: It has special microphones that can hear you clearly over car noise, like the radio or air conditioner.

The 2nd-gen Echo Auto is a small and discreet piece of kit that slots right into your car.

It hooks up to your phone and your car’s speakers to bring a whole new level of voice control to your ride.

Getting it all set up is a doddle too. You just plug it into a spare USB slot, link it to your phone’s Alexa app, and you’re sorted.

This brilliant bit of kit has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with thousands of happy drivers raving about how it’s transformed their motors.

One buzzing punter, who slapped a 5-star rating on it, wrote: “Highly recommend this. Works in my 23-year-old Nissan Micra.

“Voice activated, can listen to a music playlist or podcasts, can make hands-free calls, listen to LBC, etc. Works brilliantly.”

Another shopper commented: “Works seamlessly… very useful as just a Bluetooth pass through to car speakers.”

Another chuffed buyer said: “Great piece of tech, [I] love Alexa at home.

“Now she comes on the road with us and, unlike my phone, she hears very well and plays whatever I want. Terrific.”

A proper ringing endorsement came from a verified customer who simply put: “This is an amazing piece of kit, highly recommend.”

Whether you want to listen to tunes, get directions, or just stay connected on the go, the Auto is a simple and cheap way to do it.

At that sale price, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.

Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen), £19.99 (was £59.99)

For more savings on other smart gadgets, head to our Amazon device deals round-up.

Earlier this week, we also spotted a great deal on some bargain earbuds on Amazon, which have been slashed from £130 to £22.

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Home Bargains reveals new sweets scanning at tills for just 99p – but shoppers are divided

HOME Bargains has revealed its new Halloween-themed sweets that are scanning at the tills for just 99p.

But the bargain deal has left shoppers divided after the treats landed in stores this week .

Halloween Peelerz Gummies and other Halloween candy on store shelves.

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Shoppers flooded Facebook with mixed reactions after spotting the spooky new sweetsCredit: Facebook
Halloween Peelerz gummy candies in a bag.

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One shopper joked it’s too soon, saying: ‘Let’s get summer over first’Credit: Facebook
Bag of Peelerz gummy pumpkins.

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Some fans were thrilled, saying it’s never too early to prepare for HalloweenCredit: Facebook

Many pointed out it’s nowhere near Halloween yet.

The bargain chain, posted on Facebook: “Our Halloween Peelerz Gummies have dropped – spooky, chewy, and scarily delicious!”

The post sparked reactions as shoppers rushed to share their opinions.

One wrote: “Let’s get summer over first.”

Another commented: “Bit early for Halloween stuff not even September yet.”

A third added: “I like seasonal items coming out early. Good to plan ahead.”

And one joked: “We’ve got Xmas stuff next week too.”

Some fans were thrilled, saying it’s never too early to prepare for Halloween.

It’s not the first time Home Bargains has caused a stir with its cut-price treats.

Earlier this month, shoppers went wild when Haribo share bags were spotted scanning at tills for only 29p.

The retailer teased fans with the post: “This is not a drill – Haribo share bag only 29p.”

Shoppers were quick to react.

One said: “That’s cheap.”

We’ve outdone ourselves with this one’ say Cadbury Ireland as they reveal new limited edition bar ‘coming soon

Another wrote: “Time to stock up for work.”

Pictures of trolleys stacked high with Haribo have since appeared online.

Fans bragged about filling cupboards for the kids, the office, and late-night snacks.

And the sweet deals don’t stop there.

Rowntree’s has also launched a brand new version of its famous fruit pastilles, called Squidgers, on shelves at Home Bargains.

The 99p sharing bags come with five fruity flavours: strawberry, lime, blackcurrant, orange and lemon.

They’ve been described as “irresistibly squidgy” and “bursting with flavour.”

One review read: “They taste exactly the same as fruit pastilles but in a sugary and spongy sweet texture.”

Another fan said: “They sound so nice, I need to try these.”

How to bag a bargain

SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…

Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.

Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.

Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.

Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.

Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.

When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.

Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.

Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.

And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.

Home Bargains store entrance with customers.

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Earlier this month, shoppers went wild when Haribo share bags were spotted scanning at tills for only 29pCredit: Getty

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Best apps to save you £100s by revealing the cheapest prices on food, petrol, flights and parking

THERE are loads of ways for Brits to use apps to slash bills this summer.

You can easily find the cheapest prices for food, petrol, flights and parking. If you use them regularly, you could easily save hundreds a year.

Smartphone screen showing a fuel price comparison app.

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PetrolPrices is one easy way to bring down your fuel billsCredit: PetrolPrices

CHEAPER PETROL

One great option for drivers is the PetrolPrices.

The name is the giveaway here. This app is designed to help you find the cheapest petrol prices in the area.

You can see the locations on a map, or find them as a list sorted by lowest price, distance, and even brands.

Site owners can upload their own prices, and users can report the fuel costs too.

It means you don’t have to drive around looking for the cheap prices – or face a price shock at the pump.

Another handy tip is using the Google Maps fuel efficiency feature.

Turn it on by going into Google Maps > Profile > Settings > Navigation > Route Options > Prefer Fuel-Efficient Routes.

“Google Maps can estimate fuel or energy efficiency for different vehicle types, including electric and combustion engine cars, as well as petrol motorcycles,” Google explained.

“The more fuel or energy efficient the route, the lower your vehicle’s fuel or energy usage.”

You should also tell Google your engine type in Google Maps > Profile > Settings > Your Vehicle.

Google unleashes surprise upgrade to Gemini AI in war on ChatGPT – and promises two super-intelligent changes

That can give you even better fuel-efficiency.

“The most fuel or energy-efficient route can be different based on the engine type,” Google said.

“For example, diesel vehicles’ relative fuel economy advantage is generally greatest in motorway driving.

“Hybrid and electric vehicles tend to provide greater efficiency in stop-start town and hill driving where they can benefit from regenerative braking.”

Smartphone screen showing fuel-saving route options based on engine type (petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid).

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Tell Google your vehicle type to save money on fuelCredit: Google

FOOD PRICES

For food savings, you’ll want to first take a look at Trolley.

It lets you compare prices for groceries across supermarkets, with a long list of stores including:

  • Asda
  • Sainsburys
  • Aldi
  • Home Bargains
  • Morrisons
  • Tesco
  • Boots
  • Wilko
  • Coop
  • Waitrose
  • Superdrug
  • B&M
  • Ocado
  • Iceland
  • Savers
  • Poundland
Screenshot of a phone screen showing a price comparison app for Persil laundry detergent.

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Trolley lets you compare prices between loads of supermarketsCredit: Trolley

The app says it’ll save you up to 30% on a weekly shop, but your own success will vary depending on what you buy and how much you spend.

Another option – recently tested by The Sun’s tech desk – is to use the Google Gemini chatbot.

You can use it to plan your food shop by asking the bot to find the cheapest prices.

It’s also worth noting that you can bag cheap or free food by picking up leftovers or stuff that would be otherwise thrown away.

Two apps – Olio and Too Good To Go – are packed with food bargains.

And if you want free food, Sky customers can bag a weekly treat from the Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range through the MySky app.

Just go to the Sky VIP panel (which is free to join) to claim your freebie.

We’ve seen ice lollies and pizzas so far, but there’s a new option every week.

Coupon for free Sainsbury's Taste the Difference ice cream.

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Sky hands out freebies to customers every week, courtesy of Sainsbury’sCredit: Sky / The Sun

FLIGHT COMPARISONS

There’s no denying that Skyscanner is a brilliant option for finding cheap flights.

But you should also take a look at Google Flights, which has some clever tricks.

For a start, when you’re searching for flights, it can show you the cheapest window to book.

“For example, these insights could tell you that the cheapest time to book similar trips is usually two months before departure, and you’re currently in that sweet spot,” Google said.

Screenshot

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Google Flights will show you the cheapest time to bookCredit: Google

“Or you might learn that prices have usually dropped closer to takeoff, so you decide to wait before booking. Either way, you can make that decision with a greater sense of confidence.”

You can also turn on price tracking for specific dates (like if you’re off to a wedding) or for any dates (if you just want a holiday at some point soon).

This feature will only appear if you’re signed in to your Google account.

And right now, Google Flights is getting an upgrade with the Flights Deal feature.

Screenshot

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You can track prices on Google Flights to get notificationsCredit: Google

It’s currently only in the US, Canada, and India – but it looks likely to land in the UK eventually too.

The feature works using AI with Google saying it’s “for flexible travellers whose number one goal is saving money“.

“Instead of playing with different dates, destinations and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where and how you’d like to travel — as though you’re talking to a friend — and Flight Deals will take care of the rest,” Google said.

For example, you could search for a “week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only”, Google revealed.

Screenshot

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Google’s upcoming Flight Deals feature lets you chat with an AI holiday helperCredit: Google

Then it’ll use Google Fights data to show you the latest options from loads of airlines.

CHEAP PARKING

Lastly, make sure you’re not overpaying on parking.

There’s a great app called JustPark, which you might be familiar with as a way to pay at some car parks.

But it also lets people rent out their driveways, which means you can bag some great bargains.

Smartphone screen showing parking payment app.

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JustPark is a great way to find cheap parking across the UKCredit: JustPark

We tried it out earlier this year and found £6 for all-day parking in London on a weekday.

You can book them far in advance, and even add on insurance that covers the excess if your car ends up getting damaged.

You can easily check and amend (or cancel) your driveway parking through the app from anywhere. So you could add extra time if you’re running late.

And it’s potentially a great way to bag a bargain for sports fixtures by getting near-stadium parking.

You could also turn it into a side-hustle by renting out your own parking space.

So you wouldn’t just be saving money, but making some quick cash too.

HOW TO RENT YOUR DRIVEWAY FOR CASH

Here’s how the process works on JustPark…

First, you go to JustPark and go through the Get A Quote process.

That involves handing over your name, postcode, and an email address.

Then you add the details for your actual space, choose the days and hours that you prefer, and set a price.

You’ll need to be the legal owner of the space, or have permission from the landlord.

JustPark will let you know when you get a booking from one of the 13 million drivers on the app.

As long as you’ve given clear parking instructions, you shouldn’t need to do much else.

You don’t need to make your space available constantly.

For instance, you could set it so that it’s only available while you’re out at work – or while you’re away on holiday.

You can take down your space from JustPark if you get tired of it – or if you decide it’s just too much hassle.

For short-term bookings, money is added to your JustPark account 48 hours after the it begins. And longer-term bookings will see payments added after the first month.

You can do manual withdrawals, or set up automatic withdrawals every month or quarter.

And it’ll take up to 10 working days for the money to come into your bank account.

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Amazon shoppers love this ‘incredibly fast-charging’ £140 power bank – now just £26

AMAZON has cut the price of a heavyweight charging essential, and it’s proving popular.

The Ohoviv Fast Charging Power Bank usually retails for £139.99, but is now just £25.99.

This top-rated portable charger has been cut by 81%

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This top-rated portable charger has been cut by 81%Credit: Amazon

Ohoviv Fast Charging Power Bank, £139.99 £25.99

That’s a huge 81% off, and this isn’t just any old backup charger. 

With a mammoth 26,800mAh capacity, the Ohoviv Power Bank is built to keep your devices alive for days on end.

It supports 22.5W fast charging via USB-A and 20W via Type-C, so the latest iPhone 16 can climb to 50% in just half an hour. 

That’s serious power in your pocket, with enough ports to charge three devices at once, so you can top up your phone, the kids’ tablet, or your earbuds simultaneously.

Despite all that muscle, the Ohoviv remains surprisingly practical, with a bright LED display that shows you exactly how much juice is left in the tank.

Built-in safety features keep voltage, current, and temperature under control, so your phone stays protected.

Amazon reviewers have been quick to sing its praises, with one shopper raving: “It charges my iPhone 15 and my partner’s Galaxy phone incredibly fast. 

They continued, “I love that I can charge two devices at once. Despite its powerful capacity, it’s lightweight and compact.”

Another added, “Easy to carry as it’s not heavy, and doesn’t overheat when in use it. I love the screen that shows its battery life and the overall design.”

While a third wrote, “Good capacity, lasted well and charged my phone for 3 nights without needing recharging.”

It’s little wonder the Ohoviv has racked up a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5-star average rating, with more than 500 units sold in the past month alone.

But it’s not the first time we’ve seen a steal like this.

Just this week, I spotted Amazon slashing the Xinwld wireless headphones from £140 to a bargain £22.

But for more top-rated chargers, check out my tried and tested guide to the best power banks UK.

Ohoviv Fast Charging Power Bank, £139.99 £25.99

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Fortnum & Mason’s beauty advent calendar is here – it’s filled with £1,149 worth of luxury products

ADVENT calendar season is approaching faster than you think.

The best options sell out at lightning speed every year, and Fortnum & Mason has released its luxurious Advent calendar worth a staggering £1,149.

Fortnum & Mason beauty advent calendar with 24 drawers.
Fortnum & Mason’s Advent calendar is worth £1,149

Fortnum’s Beauty Advent Calendar, £265 (worth £1,149)

The beauty Advent calendar costs £265, and is filled with premium brands including Jo Malone, Clive Christian and Sol de Janeiro.

No one does luxury quite like Fortnum & Mason, and the iconic Advent calendar comes with 26 beauty treats – 23 of which are full-size.

Shoppers will find a variety of high-end products behind the doors, including fragrances, candles and make-up.

There’s plenty inside for skincare fans too, like the Wildsmith Active Super Eye Serum that’s worth £100 alone.

Beauty fans will also be treated to four fragrances, including a 30ml Gallivant London perfume worth £70.

Fortnum & Mason beauty advent calendar products.

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It comes with 26 premium beauty products

Three 10ml perfumes are inside, Fortnum’s 1707 Lilas Eau de Parfum, which costs £235 for a 50ml, a Topaze Eau de Parfum with a Gold Atomiser, and a Clive Christian Town & Country Perfume that would be £400 for a 50ml bottle.

Sol de Janeiro’s viral Bum Bum Body Cream is included for those looking to add a touch of luxury to their body care routine, along with a 100ml version of Aromatherapy Associates’ Revive Body Oil (worth £60).

There’s also a selection of stunning keepsakes including two Ortigia soaps in tins – which could even be passed on as Christmas gifts.

The 26 products are all stored inside the luxe-looking packaging, which opens up to reveal the pull-out draws with gold numbers.

Fortnum & Mason’s Advent calendar is one of the more expensive on the market, but its sky-high value of £1,149 means shoppers are saving £849 compared to purchasing the items individually.

Beauty Advent calendars have started to launch in recent weeks, and we’re expecting plenty more drops within the next month.

Shoppers have already been taking to TikTok to give a first-look at the 2025 Advents.

The Sun Shopping team will also be putting some of the bestsellers to the test, and you can read our thoughts on last year’s versions, including our Charlotte Tilbury Advent calendar review.

Illustration of an open Fortnum & Mason advent calendar.

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The Fortnum Advent calendar has sold out in previous years

Fortnum’s Beauty Advent Calendar, £265 (worth £1,149)

Beauty Advent calendars fly off the virtual shelves every year, so if you have your eye on one, it’s worth snapping it up as soon as possible before it sells out.

Fortnum & Mason’s 2025 Beauty Advent Calendar has sold out in previous years.

While it’s available to shop now, the website states that deliveries won’t be made until after 22 September.

The collection of premium products will make the ultimate gift for any beauty fan, or as a treat for yourself.

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Lidl to sell Thermomix dupe on the middle aisle that is £1,050 cheaper than the original

LIDL will be selling a Thermomix dupe that is significantly cheaper than the original.

Savings of more than £1,000 can be made with this middle aisle purchase from the discount retailer.

Lidl's Monsieur Cuisine Smart, a Thermomix dupe, with recipe display.

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The new Thermomix UK TM7 has been priced at £1,349Credit: Thermomix
Monsieur Cuisine Smart multi-cooker with touchscreen display.

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Lidl has a version of the gadget for as low as £299Credit: Lidl

Lidl is about to sell a dupe of the Thermomix worth £1,349 for just £299 for Lidl Plus customers.

Called the Monsieur Cuisine Smart, this exciting kitchen appliance will be in stores from Thursday, September 4.

It is a multi-functional device that can be used for everything you need, from food processing, cooking, searing, steaming, kneading, blending, and stirring.

There are even programming options available for it to chop, shred, grind, pure or emulsify ingredients.

You can therefore make anything from soups, sauces, or vegetable, meat or noodle dishes.

The smart device has WiFi functions that provides free monthly recipe updates with a registered user account, along with over 600 pre-installed recipes with step-by-step instructions through its cooking pilot.

There is also guided video cooking for selected recipes, that can be played on its fast-reacting 8-inch display screen.

On top of that, there is voice control capabilities that can be activated via Google Assistant.

Kitchen scales have been integrated into the device to enable weighing of ingredients that have been placed directly into the pot.

With 1000W power, up to 1kg of dough can be processes, through 10 speed settings including turbo function for pulse blending.

I’m a thrifty cook – I avoid oven costs by making a whole roast chicken dinner in my slow cooker

Kneading dough or stirring soups and stews can be carried out in the anti-clockwise motion the Monsieur Cuisine provides.

Furthermore, its facilitates precise cooking with temperatures from 37-130C that can be set in five degree increments.

There is also a 99 minute timer.

All the accessories are dishwasher safe, including the 4.5L stainless steel blender jug and various attachments that include a steamer, blade, and mixer.

The product is exclusively available for Lidl Plus customers to reserve from August 21 to 25 on the Lidl Plus App.

Regular customers can then purchase the Monsieur Cuisine once they are available in store next month.

Lidl’s version of the Thermomix seems to come with many functionalities of the original, at a much more affordable price.

This deal comes after Lidl was also found selling another kitchen appliance that can be used for baking at a price £400 cheaper than others.

It was their Silvercrest Kitchen Tools Stand Mixer, that was sold for only £49.99.

The budget-friendly retailer also had XL dual view air fryer available for just £79.99 this summer.

Lidl’s 15L Salter air fryer was half the price of Curry’s version, with six cooking functions and a sleek LED display.

How to compare prices to get the best deal

JUST because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn’t mean it’s always a good deal.

There are plenty of comparison websites out there that’ll check prices for you – so don’t be left paying more than you have to.

Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers.

Here are some that we recommend:

  • Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.
  • Price Spy logs the history of how much something costs from over 3,000 different retailers, including Argos, Amazon, eBay and the supermarkets. Once you select an individual product you can quickly compare which stores have the best price and which have it in stock.
  • Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one.
  • CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of.
Monsieur Cuisine Smart multi-cooker on kitchen counter.

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Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Smart comes equipped with a screen displaying a range of recipesCredit: Lidl

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Is Amazon Prime worth it? We reveal how to get a discount and whether you should pay for it

MILLIONS of us subscribe to Amazon Prime – but is it worth it?
We take a look at what you get and how many deliveries you need to justify the fee – and how to get a discount.

You can sign up to Amazon Prime for free for 30-days or an annual membership costs £95 a year or £8.99 a month.

Photo illustration of the Amazon Prime logo on a smartphone screen.

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We weigh up the pros and cons of the popular subscriptionCredit: Getty

Its most famous perk is free and fast deliveries and access to Prime Video – but there are lots of extra such as discounts on cinema trips.

You can pay for Prime Video-only for £5.99 a month – but this doesn’t include any of the other extras. 

Exact amount of orders you need to make Prime worth it

To justify the £95 annual fee for Prime, you need to save at least that amount on delivery costs and other benefits.

How easy that will be depends on what services you use.

For instance, Prime Video only costs £71.88 a year, so you only need to save £23.12 in delivery fees all year, to make the upgrade to Prime worth it.

But if you’re just signing up for the free delivery, then it’s harder.

For non-members, Amazon charges different rates depending on your basket value and delivery speed. 

Here’s what it really costs without Prime, and how often you’d need to order to break even.

Standard Delivery (3–5 days):

Amazon ‘hiking’ prices ahead of Prime Day after shoppers claim company ‘great savings’ aren’t real
  • Free if you spend £35 or more (or £10+ on books). If you spend less, charges are £4.99 for most items, but just £3.99 for book-only orders under £10.

To break even:

  • 19 smaller orders per year at £4.99
  • 24 book-only orders at £3.99

One-Day or Premium Delivery

  • Costs £4.99 per order for non-members

To break even: 

Same-Day or Overnight Delivery

  • Costs £5.99 per order for non-members. Prime members get it free on orders over £20, or pay £1.99 for smaller baskets.

To break even:

  • 16 orders per year at £5.99

Pickup Location (Locker or Amazon Hub)

  • Costs £2.99 per order for non-members, but free for Prime members.

To break even:

  • 32 pickup deliveries per year

How to get a discount

Almost anyone can start with a 30-day free trial, which gives access to every Prime benefit.

If your last trial was over a year ago, you can usually sign up again. 

To get the freebie, click “Try Prime” and follow the steps outlined. You’ll need to add a payment method, but you won’t be charged unless you stay on past the trial period.

Each adult in your household can do this separately, meaning couples can effectively get two months free between them as long as they use separate email accounts.

If you’re a student or aged 18 to 22, you can get a six-month free trial, followed by half-price Prime for up to four years or until you turn 23.

To claim, visit amazon.co.uk/joinstudent or amazon.co.uk/18-22 and upload proof of eligibility, such as a university email or government-issued ID.

However, students that cancel during the trial and come back later, don’t get another freebie, only the discounted rate.

What benefits are included on Prime?

Amazon Prime now includes over a dozen benefits. Here’s what you get, how to access each one, and what it’s worth.

1. Free one-day and same-day delivery

Prime gives unlimited One-Day Delivery on millions of items, and Same-Day or Overnight Delivery in eligible postcodes.

Orders under £20 for same-day cost £1.99, but are free if you meet the threshold.

To use it, just make sure you’re signed in as a Prime member when placing your order.

Qualifying items will be marked with the Prime logo.

  • Value: around £4.99 to £5.99 per order saved, based on the equivalent delivery charges for non-members

2. Prime Video

Watch thousands of shows and films, including Amazon Originals like Clarkson’s Farm, The Boys, and new dramas like The Girlfriend.

Ads were introduced in 2024, so if you want to watch ad-free, you’ll need to pay an extra £2.99 per month. You can also get Prime Video alone for £5.99 a month.

3. Amazon Music

This allows you to access 100 million songs and top podcasts, but it’s worth noting that most albums only play on shuffle unless they’re part of Amazon’s All-Access Playlists.

For full on-demand access, upgrade to Music Unlimited for £10.99/month, or £9.99 if you’re a Prime member.

To use it, download the Amazon Music app and sign in.

  • Value: If you got rid of a separate music service and replaced it with Amazon Prime, you could save hundreds each year.

4. Prime Reading

Download and borrow thousands of rotating e-books, comics and magazines.

You can read them on Kindle devices or on the free Kindle app for iOS and Android.

To access, go to amazon.co.uk/primereading and browse the titles.

  • Value: up to £100/year saved based on two to four books or magazines per month at typical Kindle or newsstand prices

5. Amazon First Reads

Choose one free pre-release Kindle book each month from a selection of new titles. Go to amazon.co.uk/firstreads to claim.

  • Value: £3–£5/month saved, based on average Kindle ebook pricing

6. Prime Gaming

Get a selection of free PC games each month, plus one free Twitch channel subscription (normally £4.99), but only if you link your Amazon and Twitch accounts.

To activate, go to gaming.amazon.com and click “Link Account”.

  • Value: £60+ per year based on 12 months of free Twitch subscriptions or typical game costs

7. Deliveroo Plus Silver

Get a full year of Deliveroo Plus Silver, usually £3.49/month. It gives you free delivery on restaurant orders over £15 and groceries over £25.

To activate, visit amazon.co.uk/deliveroo and log in to both accounts.

  • Value: £41.88/year saved if you would otherwise subscribe directly to Deliveroo Plus Silver

8. Odeon tickets for £10

Each month, get two cinema tickets for £10 Monday to Thursday (or £15 at Odeon Luxe). Go to amazon.co.uk/odeon to redeem.

  • Value: up to £10/month saved compared with standard Odeon ticket prices of around £10 each

9. Amazon Photos

Store unlimited photos securely in the cloud, plus 5GB for videos and other files.

You can share albums with up to five family members via Family Vault, and display images on Echo devices or Fire TV.

To use, download the Amazon Photos app and sign in.

  • Value: £7–£10/month saved compared with similar plans from other providers

10. Amazon Fresh and grocery delivery

Order groceries from Amazon Fresh, Morrisons, Iceland and Co-op. Same-day delivery is free over £60, £2 for £40–£59.99, and £4 for smaller baskets.

Availability depends on postcode. To shop, go to amazon.co.uk/fresh and enter your postcode.

11. Amazon Day Delivery

You can choose a weekly delivery day to group your orders into fewer packages, which is a great way to reduce packaging and plan ahead.

Enable at checkout by selecting “Amazon Day” or set it as your default under “Your Account > Amazon Day”.

12. Prime-exclusive deals and early access

Get 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals, and exclusive savings during Prime Day, Black Friday and other events.

No setup needed, just make sure you’re signed in to your Prime account.

COMMON PRIME DAY MISTAKES

Katy Phillips, senior brand and communication manager at idealo shares with Sun readers three common Prime Day mistakes


1. Buying something just because its discounted

An obvious rule that is often forgotten about is only buying something you actually need. Over half (59%) of those polled by idealo admitted that they ended up with a product they didn’t want after Prime Day last year.

Just because things are on sale, doesn’t mean you need to buy it! Keep a strict list if there are things you need. Nearly everything on the website will be marked as a ‘prime day deal’ regardless of whether the price has changed.

2. Not doing your research

A whopping 80% of Brits say they never price compare when shopping sale events but experts are urging everyone to spend more researching products before making a purchase.

Before you buy anything on Prime Day, make sure you compare prices elsewhere. Look on price comparison websites to see if it’s cheaper elsewhere and utilise price alerts where possible. These will send you notifications each time a product reaches its lowest price.

3. Not recognising scams

Each year a new scam will arrive just in time for Prime Day, ready to catch shoppers out. A common one includes hoax emails from the Amazon ‘Support Team’ were a new tactic used by criminals to steal people’s personal information.

If you see any emails or offers boasting £50 free to spend on Prime Day – they won’t be real. Make sure you’re on the real Amazon website also, as there may be links that take you to a site that looks similar to Amazon but isn’t the real thing.

13. Amazon Family sharing

Share Prime with one other adult and up to four children. You’ll each have your own account, but share perks like Prime Video, Reading, and Photos.

To set it up, go to “Accounts & Lists > Your Amazon Family” and add adult or child members.

  • Value: £95/year saved if splitting the cost of one full membership between two adults

14. Parental controls

Set up profiles for each child, limit screen time, and manage what they can access through the Amazon Kids Parent Dashboard. Works across Fire tablets and Kindle devices.

To access, go to parents.amazon.co.uk.

15. Buy Now with Prime

Use Prime benefits with the “Buy Now” button by setting your default delivery address, payment method, and delivery speed in your purchase preferences.

Useful for quick checkouts, though not available to PO Boxes or some business addresses.

HOW TO CANCEL YOUR PRIME SUBSCRIPTION

To cancel, go to “Your Prime Membership”, select “Manage”, then “Update, Cancel and More”.

If you haven’t used any benefits, you’ll get a full refund. If you’ve only used delivery, you may be eligible for a partial refund.

If you signed up via the Android Amazon app, you’ll need to cancel through Google Subscriptions.

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Secret shop where you can get unique flavours of favourite products not available anywhere else – including lemon Twix

A SECRET website crammed with discontinued snacks and unusual flavours from across the globe has been revealed.

From Lemon Pie Twix bars to Italian-inspired Nestle treats, the online store promises to spice up your kitchen cupboards.

Box of Twix Lemon Pie candy bars.

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Brazilian Twix Lemon Pie chocolate bars are up for grabsCredit: discountdragon

Discount Dragon is an online-only retailer that sells products that are no longer on shelves from well-known brands.

The online shop is currently selling 18 lemon-flavored Twix bars from Brazil for just £11.99.

The zingy chocolate bars were inspired by the beloved Brazilian lemon pie.

Each bar features a crisp biscuit base topped with a tangy lemon-flavoured creme and wrapped in smooth milk chocolate.

If citrus isn’t your bag, there are also strawberry pie-flavoured Twix bars.

Nestle’s Extrafino Maxibon Chocolate bar is also up for grabs for just £1.99.

With three indulgent layers of chocolate and a satisfying crunchy base – this Italian favourite comes in a 235g bar.

Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Limon flavour from America are also available on the site.

Packed with fiery chilli and a lime zing, the crunchy snacks are perfect straight from the bag or to be enjoyed with cheese for the ultimate nachos dish.

For more tasty deals, keep your eyes glued to Discount Dragon’s “Snacks & Treats” category.

They rotate mysterious stock regularly—from multipacks of limited-edition bars to exotic overseas flavours.

Discount Dragon also flogs brand-name grub for fractions of the usual cost.

Don’t worry, the website is perfectly legal and squeaky clean – it just snags surplus stock, clearance lines, or bulk buys at knock‑down prices, and simply passes the savings onto savvy punters.

With no minimum spend, you can bag yourself goodies anytime—though £40 or more gets you free tracked delivery.

Orders promptly dispatched—24 trackers in 1–2 working days, 48 in 2–3.

The website also offers 1p sales on snacks and household items from time to time.

Recently, the mad promotional sale included Nestlé Milkybar eggs, scented candles, flavoured honeys, and premium snacks.

These 1p wonders are snapped up in seconds by eagle-eyed bargain hunters with lightning-fast fingers.

This comes as B&M shoppers spotted a rare flavour of Snickers selling for just £1.

Customers were surprised to see coffee flavoured versions of the classic chocolate stocked on the shelves of the bargain store.

Posting on the Facebook group Food Finds UK Official, a user wrote: “Not sure if these are new, but in B&M and I’ve never seen this flavour!”

One user wrote: “I’ve been meaning to check out B&M for ages now and this might just be the push I need to go.”

Another added: “Imported from Australia, I had them over there and so so good I’ll need to head to B&M.”

“I will be trying these,” a third wrote.

How does Discount Dragon work?

Discount Dragon launched in 2022 and flogs products nearing their best before date or items with faulty packaging.

Because traditional retailers want to shift this produce, Discount Dragon can buy it for massively discounted prices then pass these discounts on to shoppers.

Bargain hunters will find a host of branded goods, from Cadbury and Fairy to Brewdog and Heinz, on the website on the cheap.

There’s even a dedicated page where you can browse products selling for £2 or less.

Shoppers can currently get Cadbury Dairy Milk Freddos for 25p, Heinz Broccoli and Stilton soup for 35p a tin and 2litre bottles of pineapple and grapefruit Lilt for 99p.

All-in-all, there are hundreds of products to choose from, with prices starting from just 1p.

Discount Dragon also comes with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on the Trustpilot review website, earning an “excellent” score.

Reviewers note the bargain prices and “fantastic” standard of customer service.

If Discount Dragon doesn’t take your fancy, Motatos is another online supermarket that sells surplus or short-dated stock on the cheap.

Shoppers can pick up branded products such as Walkers, Coca-Cola, Heinz and Kellogg’s.

Approved Food is another, offering consumers products nearing best before dates at discounted prices.

Bag of Cheetos Flamin' Hot Limon Crunchy cheese flavored snacks.

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Turn up the heat with Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Limon crisps from the USCredit: discountdragon

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Amazon slashes £450 ‘powerhouse’ laptop to just £230 – and it’s ideal for students

SHOPPERS are raving about this uni-friendly tech deal, and it’s well worth a look.

The top-rated Jumper S7 15.6-inch laptop is now just £230 on Amazon, down from the usual £450.

Empty white and grey studio backdrop background.

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This top-rated laptop has been slashed by half

Jumper S7 15.6-inch Laptop, £449.99 £229.99
(Includes 1-year Office-365 Subscription)

That’s a hefty 49% discount on a laptop that packs some serious everyday power.

Granted, Jumper might not be a household name, which explains the handful of reviews.

But, with a perfect 5-star rating, it’s clear it’s something of a hidden gem.

You get 4GB of high-speed RAM, 128GB storage and a 512GB TF card expansion.

That’s plenty of room to run multiple programmes without your laptop sounding like it’s about to take off.

For students, that means jumping between research tabs, lecture slides and last-minute essays without the dreaded lag.

Better still, it comes with a one-year pre-installed Office 365 subscription (worth £89.99).

That’s Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook all included, so you can get stuck into coursework from day one, with no faffing over extra downloads or hidden costs.

The 15.6-inch screen is a decent size at this price point; big enough for comfortable working and perfect for streaming your favourite shows after class.

One reviewer raves: “I was a bit sceptical about buying a laptop from a brand I wasn’t familiar with, but I’m so glad I took the chance

The same shopper continued, “This is a powerhouse for everyday use and an incredible value.”

Another parent wrote: “Gave it to my son for university activities. Speedy and reliable.”

At just 3.6 lbs, it’s light enough to slip into your tote or backpack without putting your back out.

And you won’t be tethered to a wall socket either. The 5,000mAh battery typically lasts six to eight hours, so you can work through lectures and still have juice left for Netflix.

One shopper summed it up perfectly: “It is light enough to carry around all day and the battery easily lasts for hours.”

It’s also kitted out with multi-functional ports, including Type-C, USB 3.0, Mini HDMI, and a headphone jack.

If you’re heading off to uni, pair it with one of the best extension leads I’ve tested to give your dorm a few extra ports.

You might also want to check out the best Bluetooth speakers we’ve tested for your next flat party.

And once you’re settled in, why not explore my pick of the top smart home devices to kit out your digs? You’ll find everything from smart lighting to robot vacs.

Jumper S7 15.6-inch Laptop, £449.99 £229.99
(Includes 1-year Office-365 Subscription)

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Amazon shoppers rush to buy Flash Speedmop kit with 48% off – ‘leaves floors sparkling’

Cleaning products can be a hidden cost when running a household, so if you find a good deal it can really help save money.

Right now, you can get the Flash Speedmop Floor Cleaner Starter Kit for almost half price, as it’s reduced from £25 to £13.

Flash Speed Mop starter kit with 8 and 16 cleaning pads.

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The Flash Speedmop comes with 24 cloths.

Flash Speedmop Floor Cleaner
Starter Kit £13 (was £22)

Hard floors like wood and laminate may be slightly easier to clean than carpet, but it can still take effort to tackle stuck-on food and dirt.

If you favour specific brands for your cleaning products,  and you’re not heading to Amazon for deals on them, you could be paying more than you need to.

A mop is a basic cleaning necessity but the Flash Speedmop is an easy to use, mess-free alternative.

The starter pack comes with the mop itself, plus 8 wet cloths for spills and stubborn stains and 15 dry cloths for dust and dirt.

All you have to do to set us is connect the poles, and attach a sheet to the mop head.

The head swivels, so you can clean difficult areas, like beneath sofas and under furniture.

A Flash Speedmop is more convenient than the traditional mop, needing no water or cleaning fluid, and offering easy disposal.

The main difference is that you need to keep stocked up on the cloths, which is why the current deal is so handy.

Buying from Amazon also means home delivery, so when you run out you won’t have to rush to a supermarket.

Over 7,000 shoppers have left reviews on the Speedmop, which has now become an Amazon bestseller.

One shopper said: ‘’The Flash SpeedMop is incredibly easy to use and convenient, which makes it great for busy mums or anyone looking to speed up their cleaning.’’

‘’The spray mechanism is handy, and the pre-moistened pads really help cut down on the effort needed to get floors sparkling clean.’’

‘’Many users find it effective on both sticky messes and light dusting, especially in high-traffic areas.’’

Another shopper added: ‘’Wow this is so good – easy to fit and to store, takes up virtually no room.’’

‘’It cleans up brilliantly and wow the dirt it picks up, also the lemon smell is really nice, and the floor dries really fast.’’

Flash Speedmop Floor Cleaner
Starter Kit £13 (was £22)

If you want to deep clean your carpet and need recommendations on which vacuum cleaners to buy, check out our pick of the best vacuum cleaners.

Or, if you consider ironing one of your least favourite household chores, I swear by this Amazon clothes steamer for a much easier solution to crease-free clothes.

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Aldi’s ‘magic’ window cleaning gadget and ‘game-changing’ vacuum to return to shelves in days

ALDI is unveiling a window cleaning gadget that has been deemed “magic” along with a “game-changing” vacuum on its shelves in days.

The discount supermarket chain hopes to make revolutionise household cleaning with these products on sale for a good price.

Person using a stick vacuum cleaner on hardwood floor.

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Aldi is revealing its new Cyclonic Stick Vacuum in just daysCredit: Aldi
A window cleaning tool and a person using it to clean a window.

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The Electric Window Vacuum will also be on sale as part of Aldi’s SpecialbuysCredit: Aldi

Aldi’s upcoming Easy Cleaning game changers are the Cyclonic Stick Vacuum and Electric Window Vacuum.

The two items will be landing in stores from Sunday, August 17.

The Cyclonic Stick Vacuum is a returning product that was popular from Aldi stores, going for £39.99.

It is designed with a powerful suction that operates on either an eco or maximum level to leave floors and carpets spotless.

This cyclonic vacuum comes with a 550ml dust container that is washable, as well as a crevice and brush attachments.

There is also a 180-degree swivel head on the end of the vacuum, that features easy attachment technology to make changing it easy.

A longer cylinder tube is included for cleaning areas that are harder to reach.

Additionally, Aldi is introducing the Electric Window Vacuum as a “game-changing buy” for speeding up household chores, priced at £19.99.

This window vacuum features a powerful 12w supply, with a 40-minute minimum run time.

The Electric Window Vacuum also includes a spray function, two cleaning pads, and an easily removable water tank.

All upcoming ‘Aldi Finds’ in the middle aisle next week – including portable chargers, power toothbrushes & dryer balls

It is therefore able to offer an effective and affordable option for homeowners to clean their windows with full coverage.

These two products are part of Aldi’s Specialbuys, which are likely to get sucked up fast.

So shoppers should get into stores quick, as once these gadgets are gone, they’re gone.

More Aldi middle aisle buys

IF it’s middle aisle buys that you’re looking here, some of the new items you won’t want to miss.

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Mobile network offering TRIPLE data SIM-only deal – 24GB for £7/month

SMARTY’s latest offer hands you a massive data boost for no extra cash.

Right now, you can bag 24GB of data for only £7 a month, the same price you’d normally pay for just 8GB.

Illustration of a mobile plan offer: 24GB for £7.

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This bargain data deal triples your dataCredit: Smarty

Smarty SIM-only deal, 8GB 24GB data for £7/month

That’s triple the data without spending a penny extra.

It’s Smarty’s latest push to give shoppers more for their money, and frankly, it’s a pretty solid offer.

If you’re after enough data to stream Spotify, scroll socials, and cover your everyday browsing on the go, this plan has you well covered.

You’re on a low, flat monthly fee with no sneaky mid-contract price hikes lurking in the small print.

And because Smarty runs on rolling 1-month contracts, you can walk away whenever you like, no strings attached.

That kind of freedom is a big part of why Smarty has built such a loyal following among budget-conscious shoppers..

The service rides on Three’s network, which already offers solid coverage across most of the UK.

To be sure, you can double-check your signal with Smarty’s handy coverage checker before you sign up.

There are a few tempting offers on the table right now, but the standout is the 8GB SIM-only plan, currently boosted to a chunky 24GB for just £7 a month.

That’s not bad at all when you consider some providers will happily charge you twice as much for a fraction of the allowance.

Best SIM-only Smarty deals:

If 24GB isn’t enough, you’ll find other plans going up to unlimited data, still at budget rates.

Here are some of the best:

But for light-to-moderate users, the triple-data offer is hard to beat.

And with no contract tie-in, you can switch, upgrade, or leave whenever you fancy.

If you’re also hunting for other tech savings, there are a couple of standouts doing the rounds this week.

You can boost your online security and save 72% on NordVPN, and they’re throwing in a free Amazon gift card worth £50 just for signing up.

And for those who want a new handset without the big spend, there’s an ‘excellent condition’ refurbished iPhone 13 going for just £20 a month.

If these deals don’t quite fit the bill, have a look at our roundup of the best SIM-only deals from all the big networks.

Smarty SIM-only deal, 8GB 24GB data for £7/month

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Lidl is selling a range of camping gadgets that are perfect for the hot weather including cool box and chairs

LIDL is selling a range of budget-friendly camping gadgets as Brits soak up the sunny weather.

The discount supermarket chain is stocking kids’ sleeping bags and chairs, cool boxes and even an air mattress.

Lion-shaped children's folding chair with cup holder.

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Lidl is selling a CRIVIT Kids’ Lion Camping Chair for £6.99Credit: LIDL
Grey Crivit cooler with lid ajar.

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The supermarket is selling a CRIVIT Grey Cool Box for £14.99
Brown otter-shaped sleeping bag.

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The supermarket is selling a CRIVIT Kids’ Bear Sleeping Bag for £12.99

The new range will be perfect for camping during the end of summer and autumn and getting outdoors to make the last of the year’s light.

There are 30 items Crivit Camping range that range from air mattresses to cool boxes.

And some even have a discount attached to them.

For example, the camping cutlery set selling for £9.99 now has 20 per cent with Lidl Plus and is selling for £7.99.

The Crivit Aluminium Camping Table normally sells for £24.99, but with the Lidl Plus card is currently selling for £19.99.

The air mattress in a double size is selling for £14.99, while sleeping bags are selling for £12.99.

A range of four cool bags are selling for £3.99 while backpacks are selling for £14.99.

It comes after Crivit released a number of tents and festival gear for summer at Lidl several months ago.

The incredible Crivit camping range has everything festival-goers need to set themselves up in the Wilderness, including the 4-Person Blackout Tent – popping up in stores for just £99.00 with Lidl Plus.

Crivit was even selling stand up paddleboards at supermarkets.

Lidl’s $50 Hammock: Summer Comfort That Won’t Break the Bank

The Crivit All-Round Inflatable SUP is priced at just £99.99, and was available at Lidl stores from Thursday May 29.

This bargain bed comes after Lidl have begun selling ice cool gel pillows that are easy to use and would be perfect for keeping cool on those hot car trips.

For just £7.99 on the Lidl plus app, shoppers can get their hands on the Silentnight Cooling Gel Pillow Pad.

That’s more than £12 cheaper than a similar product on Argos, with the low price available until June 7.

Described as perfect for restless sleepers and over heaters, the pillow give you instant cooling comfort, so you don’t need to flip your pillow during the night.

At 60x40cm it covers your entire pillow and simply needs to be slid inside your pillowcase on top of your normal pillow.

How to save money on summer essentials

SUNNIER days and warmer weather will leave many of us wanting to kit out gardens and outdoor areas.

Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a great deal on summer essentials…

It pays to know how to bag big savings on the likes of hot tubs paddling pools, egg chairs and outside bars.

Many retailers have flash sales across entire ranges – often this ties into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends.

Sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands and you’ll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.

Keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items such as beach gear and paddling pools.

If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart and leaving it for a couple of days.

Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount.

Always check if you can get cashback before paying. It’s especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you’ll get a nice kickback.

Lidl supermarket in London.

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Lidl has 810 stores in the UKCredit: Alamy

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‘Space-saving’ sun loungers with ‘very handy’ feature are a hit with Amazon shoppers

Catching a tan whilst being comfortable is a winning combo, and heatwave weather is ideal for making the most of your garden.

Amazon’s KEPLIN pair of XXL Premium Padded Zero Gravity Chairs are reduced from £99.99 to £74.99, saving 26% off.

Two zero-gravity chairs with side tables.

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The sleek design has two-tone colours.

KEPLIN Set of 2 XXL Premium Padded
Zero Gravity Chairs £74.99 (was £99.99)

One of the best parts of owning a garden is that you don’t have to go to the beach or park to do some sunbathing.

As it’s so hot this week, it’s a great time to invest in a new sunlounger (or two).

Amazon has slashed the price of the KEPLIN pair of XXL Premium Padded Zero Gravity Chairs.

Sun loungers can be thin and flimsy, but these are built to be heavy duty, with thick padding on the seat.

Comfort is key if you’re going to be spending hours lying out, and the supportive design also includes a head cushion.

There’s a variety of positions the chair can be adjusted to, and once you’ve found your favourite, you can lock it in on the side.

The feature shoppers can’t stop talking about is one you don’t often get with sun loungers – its the handy side tray for storing your essentials.

It clips onto the side, and not only does each chair have two cup holders, but also a phone holder, and a slot that would fit a book or an iPad, so it’s ideal if you don’t have a table.

Avoiding the cheap, plasticy look of some foldable chairs, these are completely different, as the two-tone colourways look a lot more classy.

Opt for a natural cream, grey or black shade, or brighten up the garden with one of the fun colours.

Shoppers are impressed with the Amazon garden chairs, with one saying: ‘’They are so comfortable and also feel incredibly robust.

‘’These are an absolute bargain.’’ 

Another shopper commented: ‘’These arrived quickly, and look great.’’

‘’They are easy to fold/unfold and feel sturdy when being used.’’

”They are very comfy, slightly wider than a normal chair and the holders are very handy too.’’

A third shopper added: ‘’The chairs are great and easy to adjust, when you get the hang of it.’’

‘’Love the extra storage for phone, drink, iPad etc.’’

‘’The only thing that I would really like is having the ability to have the foot section up without the back being horizontal.’’

KEPLIN Set of 2 XXL Premium Padded
Zero Gravity Chairs £74.99 (was £99.99)

Sun loungers aren’t the only upgrade you can make to your garden without spending a fortune.

If you’re trying to make the most of your summer evenings, the best solar lights for the garden are all in The Sun Shopping’s round-up.

Otherwise, if you need to keep the foliage in shape, it’s worth having a read of the best chainsaws.

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First look at the best Christmas beauty advent calendars – including Selfridges’ luxe buy that’ll save you £750

CHRISTMAS might still feel months away, but in the world of beauty lovers, the countdown starts now.

The first wave of 2025’s beauty advent calendars has landed, and they’re stuffed with luxe treats, jaw-dropping savings and golden ticket surprise savings.

First look at the best Xmas beauty advent calendars including Selfridges' luxe buy saving you £750 & waitlists are open, , NO PERMISSION - https://www.tiktok.com/@hiyaimalex/video/7536222501504814358, ,

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A TikToker has revealed a first look at the best Xmas beauty advent calendarsCredit: TikTok/ @hiyaimalex
First look at the best Xmas beauty advent calendars including Selfridges' luxe buy saving you £750 & waitlists are open, , NO PERMISSION - https://www.tiktok.com/@hiyaimalex/video/7536222501504814358, ,

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The list includes a Selfridges’ luxe buy that will save you £750Credit: TikTok/ @hiyaimalex

TikTok beauty lover Alex, @hiyaimalex, has given fans a first peek at some of the biggest launches for 2025, and we’ve broken down the highlights so you can decide which one to stick on your wish list.

Selfridges

Selfridges advent calendar 2025

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Selfridges advent calendar 2025 retails for £250Credit: Selfridges

Whether you like it or not, Selfridges has officially kicked off Christmas in August.

The department store has revealed 23 of the 37 products inside its 2025 beauty advent calendar, with a huge 24 of them full-sized.

Priced at £250 but worth £1,136, it’s packed with high-end favourites.

The following have been confirmed so far.

  • Charlotte Tilbury’s setting spray (30ml)
  • Laneige’s full-sized berry lip mask
  • Lisa Eldridge lip liner
  • Augustinus Bader eye cream
  • Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia scent (30ml)
  • A Refy bronze brush
  • Moon Glaze Stick
  • UK Lash Serum
  • Mini Tatcha Silk Cream
  • The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum
  • Rodial’s Vitamin C tonic
  • Elemis resurfacing pads
  • Gisou hair oil (20ml)
  • Full-sized Color Wow Dream Coat
  • Lashify lash set
  • Charlotte Mensah salt scrub
  • Scalp brush
  • Murad hydration mask
  • Maria Nila soothing serum
  • Mini Ormonde Jayne and Fleur de Teck fragrances

Plus a Selfridges Beauty Concierge card has been added for an as-yet-unknown treat.

The mix of full sizes and fragrance has already got beauty fans buzzing.

You can join the waitlist here.

SPACE NK

Space NK advent calendar

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The Space NK advent calendar retails for £260Credit: Space NK

Always one of the most lusted-after calendars, Space NK is back with a sleek new look for 2025.

At £260, it’s a serious investment but with a value of £1,150 and 25 products (many full-sized), it’s one of the most generous on the market.

The waitlist’s already open, so if you want in, you’ll need to move fast.

Inside Superdrug’s beauty playground in Glasgow store – even Gen Alpha will love it

CULT BEAUTY

Cult Beauty Advent Aalendar 2025

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Cult Beauty is offering two calendars this yearCredit: Cult beauty

This year Cult Beauty is spoiling shoppers with not one but two advent calendars.

The classic curation has 35 items, while the limited edition has 40, with the latter sneaking in a few fragrance treats.

Priced at £240 with a value of around £1,100, they’re also hiding golden tickets worth £1,000 inside some lucky boxes.

Revealed so far is the Hourglass mascara, Gucci lip oil, Patrick Ta blush duo and Huda Beauty lip gloss.

The waitlist is now open.

SEPHORA

Sephora Favorites gift set.

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The Sephora Advent Calendar 2025 holds 41 productsCredit: Sephora

It seems Sephora is playing hard to get with their 2025 calendar, having not shared a price yet, but we do know it holds 41 products.

Alex reckons she’s spotted the Gisou lip oil, Laneige cream, Merit blush balm, Kayali fragrance, Rare Beauty, Glow Recipe skincare and an Amika dry shampoo.

Fans can expect more reveals soon, but even these early guesses are enough to get beauty fans buzzing.

The waitlist is now open.

ELLE BEAUTY

Elle Beauty Advent calendar 2025

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The Elle Beauty Advent calendar 2025 is going for £130Credit: Elle beauty

Affordable but still packed with high-end names, Elle Beauty’s calendar is going for £130 but worth around £700.

It’s got a jaw-dropping 10 full-sized products.

The full list of products included are as follows.

  • Zelens Power B
  • Murad Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream
  • Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect SPF30
  • Wild Nutrition Food Grown Complete Beauty Support
  • Champo Pitta Brow Serum.
  • AKT Body Conditioning Balm
  • Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Happy
  • Sync Beauty Lip Oil
  • Goldwell Rich Repair Mask
  • OPI Infinite Shine
  • PERS Vitamin C Serum
  • Votary Blemish Rescue Oil
  • By Terry Brightening CC Serum
  • Narciso Rodriguez All Of Me eau de parfum
  • Rodial Snake Serum
  • Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment
  • Neal’s Yard Remedies Vegan Wild Rose Beauty Balm
  • Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil
  • Tweezerman Micro Mini Tweezer
  • Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
  • L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
  • Gallinee Youthful Serum
  • Rituals Ayurveda Shower Foam
  • Espa Bergamot Body Lotion
  • Fenty Cherry Dub BHA Toner
  • Nuxe Hair Prodigieux High Shine Shampoo
  • Nuxe Hair Prodigieux High Shine Conditioner

With the waitlist now open.

HARRODS

Harrods Advent Calendar 2025

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The Harrods Advent Calendar 2025 offers 32 productsCredit: Harrods

The Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar is pure Christmas luxury, costing a hefty £250 for 32 products, 14 of them full-sized.

Fans can expect the crème de la crème of beauty brands, from La Mer and Tatcha to Sisley and Medik8.

The full list of products is below.

  • Laura Mercier Black Caviar Extravagant Mascara 8.5g (Full Size)
  • La Prairie Foam Cleanser 50ml (Travel Size)
  • Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 30ml (Full Size)
  • Rodial Frosted Pink Blush Drops & Bronze Glowlighter 15ml (Full Size) and 2g (Deluxe Mini)
  • Evidens De Beaute The Special Mask 30ml (Travel Size)
  • Davines OI All In One Milk 50ml (Travel Size)
  • Shiseido FSLX Total Regenerating Cream 15ml (Travel Size)
  • Sisley Floral Toning Lotion 100ml (Travel Size)
  • Beautifect Beauty Blender 1pc (Full Size)
  • Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder 2g (Travel Size)
  • U beauty Resurfacing Compound 15ml (Travel Size)
  • La Mer Crème de la Mer 15ml (Full Size)
  • Bobbi Brown Taupe Long Wear Cream Eye Shadow Stick 1.6g (Full Size)
  • 111SKIN Cyro Sheet Mask 1pc (Full Size)
  • Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub & Regenerating Mask 40ml & 75ml (Travel Size)
  • Cle De Peau UV Protective Cream 8ml (Travel Size)
  • Etat Libre D’Orange Uruk 10ml (Travel Size)
  • Skin Cycles Lip Balm 0.5ml (Full Size)
  • Lancaster Ligne Princière Cream & Ligne Princière Serum 15ml & 7.5ml (Travel Size & Deluxe Mini)
  • Valmont Votre Visage L’Elixir Face Cream 15ml (Travel Size)
  • Augustinus Bader The Face Oil 10ml (Travel Size)
  • Moncho Moreno Bond J’ aime Bond 100ml (Travel Size)
  • MZ SKIN Hydra-Bright Gold Eye Mask 1pc (Full Size)
  • MZ SKIN Vitamin Infused Meso Eye Mask 1pc (Full Size)
  • MZ SKIN Soothe & Smooth Hyaluronic Brightening Eye Complex 14ml (Full Size)
  • Champo Pitta Lash Serum 4ml & Pitta Brow Serum 4ml (Full Size x 2)
  • Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair 15ml (Travel Size)
  • Mac Ruby Woo Macximal Sleek Satin Lipstick 3.8g (Full Size)

Pre-order is open but customers are limited to buying a maximum of five boxes.

HARVEY NICHOLS

Harvey Nichols Advent Calendar 2025

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The Harvey Nichols Advent Calendar 2025 costs £250Credit: Harvey Nichols

Another £250 option, Harvey Nichols’ calendar is worth over £1,000 and already available to rewards members.

Big names include NARS, La Mer, Charlotte Tilbury and Color Wow — and as a festive bonus, one in every 50 calendars contains a £50 Harvey Nicks gift voucher.

You can now join the waitlist.

LIBERTY

Liberty Advent Calendar 2025

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The Liberty advent calendar packs in £1,200 worth of productsCredit: Liberty

One of the priciest and poshest on the list, Liberty’s advent calendar costs £270 but packs in over £1,200 worth of beauty.

Inside are 30 products, 20 of them full-sized, from brands like Augustinus Bader, Sisley and Lisa Eldridge.

Plus, 15 golden tickets worth £1,000 are hidden among the calendars. The waitlist’s open now, and these will go fast.

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Anthropologie advent calendar 2024

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The Anthropologie advent calendar will retail for £98Credit: Anthropologie

At £98, this is one of the most affordable luxury beauty calendars of the year, but it’s still worth £365 and includes 11 full-sized items.

With a golden ticket promotion offering extra prizes, it’s a fun, budget-friendly option for beauty lovers who don’t want to miss out on the seasonal sparkle.

Best value for money

If you’re chasing the biggest bang for your buck, Space NK comes out on top for sheer savings at £260 for a £1,150 haul is hard to beat.

Liberty offers the highest overall value at £1,200+, but it’s also the most expensive.

For budget-conscious shoppers, ELF’s £150 calendar crams in £1,100 worth of products, making it the best mid-price steal.

And if you’re after something affordable but still luxe, Anthropologie’s £98 calendar gives you over three times your money in products.

These aren’t the only calendars to hit the market this year so if you’re still after a more affordable option don’t worry.

Boots and a few other high street favourites are still keeping their Christmas cards close to their chest, but if last year’s sell-out calendars are anything to go by, their launches will cause a frenzy.

For now, though, the early releases are already making December mornings look a whole lot more glamorous.

Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas

IF youre’ looking to save cash, you’ve come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that’ll save you £2k before Christmas.

  • Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
  • Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
  • Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
  • Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
  • Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
  • DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
  • Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.

Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!



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Lululemon Black Friday 2024: what to expect this November

THE countdown to Black Friday 2024 is officially on, and if last year is anything to go by, fans of Lululemon are in for a treat. 

From leggings to sports bras, Lululemon’s Black Friday deals have traditionally been worth waiting for, making it the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe or invest in some premium gear at discounted prices.

lululemon-black-friday-sale

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Lululemon’s Black Friday Sale is one of the more anticipated of the year.Credit: Getty

Sign up to the Lululemon newsletter to receive updates about its Black Friday sale

Known for its high-performance activewear and loungewear, Lululemon is a go-to brand for fitness enthusiasts and comfort seekers alike. 

With Black Friday around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what deals might be on offer this year.

Here’s what to expect from Lululemon’s Black Friday sale in 2024, when the sale kicks off and how to prepare for the best discounts. 

Read More about Black Friday

So whether you’re after a new pair of the brand’s iconic Align leggings or you’ve been eyeing their latest athleisure pieces, here’s everything you need to know to shop smarter this November.

When is Black Friday 2024?

Mark your calendars: Black Friday 2024 falls on Friday, 29 November. While the main event takes place on this day, many brands, including Lululemon, often begin rolling out deals in the week leading up to Black Friday itself. 

If previous years are any indication, you can expect early access offers and sneak peeks in the days prior, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on Lululemon’s website and sign up for any email alerts to stay ahead of the game.

Black Friday has grown to be one of the most significant shopping events of the year, and it’s not just confined to the Friday after Thanksgiving anymore. 

It’s now common for sales to extend throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday, giving you plenty of time to shop and score great deals.

Ever wondered why Black Friday is called Black Friday? Find out here.

Is Lululemon taking part in Black Friday this year?

Yes, Lululemon is expected to participate in Black Friday 2024, just as it has in previous years. 

Whilst the brand is pretty selective with its discounts throughout the year, Black Friday is one of the rare occasions where you can expect to find significant price cuts across a variety of items. 

Last year, Lululemon offered up to 50% off on selected items, and this year is expected to be no different.

Although Lululemon doesn’t typically promote drastic storewide markdowns, it does provide substantial savings on select items. 

The Black Friday sale usually includes popular favourites like the Lululemon Align leggings, Define jackets and a range of accessories, making it a great time to stock up on essentials.

What to expect from Lululemon’s Black Friday sale 2024

While the official details for Lululemon’s Black Friday 2024 sale have yet to be released, we can make some educated guesses based on last year’s deals.

Expect markdowns on some of Lululemon’s best-selling items, including their famed yoga leggings, workout tops and accessories such as gym bags and water bottles. 

Based on previous years, discounts typically range from 20% to 50%, depending on the item.

Lululemon often includes a selection of seasonal and limited-edition styles in their Black Friday sale, so keep an eye out for exclusive pieces. 

Stock tends to move fast, so it’s best to be ready to shop as soon as the sale goes live to secure your must-have items.

More Black Friday Fashion Deals

What was in Lululemon’s Black Friday sale last year?

In 2023, Lululemon’s Black Friday deals included a variety of savings across their activewear and loungewear collections. 

Shoppers were treated to discounts on best-sellers such as the Align leggings, which were reduced by £14, while the Define jackets also saw significant markdowns. 

Accessories, including the popular Everywhere Belt Bag and water bottles, were also part of the sale.

Many of these items sold out quickly, so if you’re eyeing a particular piece, it’s worth making a list in advance and acting fast when the sale starts. 

Lululemon’s sales can be highly competitive, and sizes tend to sell out quickly, especially on staple items.

lululemon-black-friday-sale

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Lululemon’s famous leggings are likely to appear in the brand’s Black Friday 2024 sale.Credit: Lululemon

When is Cyber Monday 2024 and is Lululemon taking part?

Cyber Monday falls on Monday, 2 December 2024, and Lululemon typically extends its Black Friday discounts through to Cyber Monday. 

If you miss out on a deal during the Black Friday weekend, Cyber Monday offers another chance to snag some bargains. 

While the best deals often go live on Black Friday itself, Cyber Monday can feature additional markdowns or further reductions on remaining stock.

How much does Lululemon’s shipping cost?

Lululemon offers free standard shipping on all online orders, which is a great perk for Black Friday shoppers who prefer to avoid the crowds. 

During busy shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Lululemon may offer expedited shipping at a reduced rate or for free on higher-value orders, so keep an eye on their shipping policies as the event approaches.

Does Lululemon offer any other discounts?

In addition to Black Friday sales, Lululemon has a few year-round discounts worth noting. 

The brand offers a ‘We Made Too Much’ section on their website, where shoppers can find discounted items throughout the year. 

Additionally, if you sign up to the Lululemon newsletter you can receive 10% off your first purchase.

While these discounts may not be combinable with Black Friday deals, they’re worth exploring if you qualify.

By keeping an eye on Lululemon’s website and being prepared ahead of time, you’ll be in the best position to score some great deals this Black Friday. 

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Do you have flaky, weak nails? Get them strong and long in one application with 5-star Boots buy

RESTORE your nail health with Boots’ five star buy that will leave them feeling stronger and longer in just one application.

Beauty fans have been racing to Boots to get their hands on this nourishing nail and cuticle care pen.

No7 Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Care cream, hypoallergenic.

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The No 7 product that restores nails, leaving them longer and strongerCredit: Boots

The Boots product that will heal your nails

If you are looking to restore your nail health this summer, Boots may have the perfect solution.

The No 7 star product has become the latest craze amongst beauty enthusiasts.

The Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Care Pen has been billed as the ultimate solution to flaky, weak nails, and it won’t break the bank either.

Retailing for just £6.95 the treatment provides continuous moisture which nourishes the skin and promotes nail growth.

The product description recommends users massage the product into nails and cuticles once a day to see the best results.

This nail saviour has gone a storm with Boots shoppers, with the product receiving 100 five star reviews.

Glowing reveals for star nail product

One glowing review reads: “Absolutely the best cuticle cream I have used – very easy to use and super results.

“Having used more expensive brands I now realise that No 7 is the one I will always use in the future.”

Another delighted shopper added: “One one application and I have noticed a difference.

“My nails were flaky and split all the time. They are now actually growing without breaking.”

Beauty fans can get their nails done professionally for just £5 in Superdrug – here’s how

One happy customer also praised its affordable price point, writing: “Very cheap bur very good product!!!”

The hypo-allergenic product comes in a 10ml container.

How to keep your nails in pristine condition

Nail techs often recommend that avid acrylic and gel users take breaks in between every few sets, to give them a bit of a break.

If you’re looking to start the natural journey or are looking to just enhance nail condition, nail strengtheners and cuticle oils are a great place to start.

Other nail strengtheners and oil that The Sun recommends include OPI’s Nail Envy, Sally Hansen’s Miracle Cure, and Jessica’s Bend Don’t Break.

If you are in the market for another more affordable option, Barry M’s Mani Hero is less than £5 and promises to be a great quality, budget-friendly alternative.

Earlier this month, nail pro Sarah Green, also told The Sun the four things people should avoid doing to keep them in good condition.

Among her pro tips were avoiding using hot water, using UV protection and applying cuticle oil.

Following this advice may help ensure your at-home manicure stays in pristine condition and chip-free for much longer.

NAILS NO-NO

A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted.

There’s plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon.

But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they’re even through the door.

Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians.

In a recent TikTok video, she revealed her “unpopular opinion” about message enquiries.

She said: “I’m not replying to you if you just write to me ‘how much’.

“Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum’s house?

“Like what even happened to ‘hey how are you?’. Not even a ‘how are you?’ Just like a ‘hi’.

“‘Hi. How much is nails?’ Or ‘how much is training?’

“[Just] ‘How much?’ Like? I’m sorry but I can’t even reply because I feel like it’s like a waste of my time because then I know you’re not going to reply back to me again.”

People walking past a Boots pharmacy in London.

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The No 7 product has been a huge hit amongst beauty loversCredit: Getty



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Eufy E340 Video Doorbell review: smart, sharp and subscription-free

SMART doorbells are everywhere, but Eufy’s latest model is one of the best out there.

In this Eufy E340 video doorbell review, I’ve put it to the test so you get the real insight into what it’s like to live with.

Eufy Security video doorbell mounted on a brick wall.
The E340 is Eufy’s latest video doorbellCredit: Tom Tyers

Eufy E340 Video Doorbell, £159.99 £109.99 at Amazon

I’ve tested plenty of smart home devices, and video doorbells have become some of the most popular.

But too many lock you into pricey subscriptions or offer poor video quality that feels like a glorified buzzer.

Thankfully, the Eufy E340 is one of the best video doorbells I’ve tried, packed with features that work, and no monthly fees for the pleasure.

Eufy launched back in 2016 as part of Chinese tech giant Anker, and has quickly built a solid reputation in home security.

The E340 arrived in 2024, adding to Eufy’s already impressive lineup of smart doorbells.

It features dual cameras, colour night vision, smart motion detection, and built-in local storage; genuinely smart tech that delivers on its promises.

While it’s not the first doorbell I’ve tested with these features — the Ezviz EP3x Pro I reviewed comes close and even adds solar power —the E340 still manages to stand out.

Read on for my full thoughts on how the E340 performs in real life.

How I tested

eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 box.

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I was impressed by the Eufy video doorbellCredit: Tom Tyers

Eufy E340 Video Doorbell, £159.99 £109.99 at Amazon

I’ve tested my fair share of smart doorbells, from Ring and Tapo to budget buys, so I’ve got a pretty good feel for what’s worth your money.

For the past couple of months, the Eufy E340 has been stationed on my front porch, which sees a steady stream of parcels and visitors.

It’s had to brave typical UK weather, deal with delivery drivers, and keep up with the comings and goings of a busy family home.

I tried it in all sorts of conditions, day and night, rain and shine, using the Eufy app for alerts to see how well it performs.

After having it watch over my front door for a while, I have to say I’m impressed.

Eufy E340 review: Quickfire Q&A

How much is it? The Eufy E340 will cost you around £160 on its own, or £320 with the HomeBase S380 bundle. It’s a pricey investment upfront, but it’s a one-off cost with no sneaky monthly fees.

Who’s it best for? Anyone serious about home security who’s done with subscription traps and wants to monitor comings and goings.

What we loved: With sharp video and dual cameras for solid coverage, this feels more like a serious security cam. And there are no ongoing charges.

What we didn’t: It’s not the most discreet and not exactly cheap, but sometimes you have to pay for peace of mind.

The Nitty-Gritty

First impressions

Eufy video doorbell E340 unboxing contents.

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Setup is straightforward and painlessCredit: Tom Tyers

Eufy E340 Video Doorbell, £159.99 £109.99 at Amazon

I expected a solid smart doorbell, but the Eufy E340 felt more like a mini security system.

It’s bigger than most doorbells I’ve tried, thanks to having two cameras stacked vertically.

In the box, you get the E340 unit itself, a mounting kit, a charging cable, and some straightforward setup instructions.

The build feels premium and sturdy. It inspires confidence, unlike some others that just come off cheap and plasticky.

Setting it up was fairly easy. You start by mounting the bracket, then the doorbell just snaps right into place.

It comes with a small security key to remove the unit to charge, which is smart, but you’ll want to keep that key safe; it’s tiny and easy to lose.

Once I downloaded the Eufy app, the rest was a breeze. Just follow the on-screen steps, and you’re up and running in no time.

If you’re going fully wired, there’s a bit more faff involved, but with my battery-powered setup, things were a lot simpler.

Does it deliver?

Two photos of a person holding a black eufy Security doorbell camera.

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It feels like a premium piece of kitCredit: Tom Tyers

Eufy E340 Video Doorbell, £159.99 £109.99 at Amazon

The Eufy E340 was smarter than I expected right out of the box, thanks to the 8GB of onboard storage built into the doorbell.

That’s enough to keep about a month’s worth of footage, depending on how busy your front door is.

You can add a HomeBase later if you want more storage, but I like that it’s an optional add-on, so there’s no extra gadgets to worry about right away.

That said, if you want the HomeBase, be ready to splash out another £159, though it’s really aimed at people who already have a wider ecosystem of Eufy gadgets.

If you just want the doorbell, it’s not a must-have, so you can skip it without missing out.

One feature I like having on hand is Delivery Guard. It doesn’t just notify you when a parcel arrives, it’ll also give you a heads-up if someone’s hanging around your doorstep so you can react.

Thankfully, I’ve not had to experience it in action, but it’s nice knowing it’s got your back.

Plus, with that second camera pointing down, I could always take a quick peek at the doorstep whenever I wanted.

Security camera view of a brick driveway and lawn with a large weeping willow tree.

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The camera quality is excellentCredit: Tom Tyers

Eufy E340 Video Doorbell, £159.99 £109.99 at Amazon

For night vision, you get two choices: a subtle but effective black-and-white IR mode, and a full-colour spotlight mode that lights up faces near your door.

The colour mode does lose a bit of clarity around the edges, but honestly, I’d much rather see who’s there in colour than grey shadows.

The Eufy app ties everything together nicely, and it’s simple to use, quick to pull up live views, and makes it easy to filter clips by date or device.

There wasn’t the two-way talk lag that I’ve experienced on other doorbells like this, so speaking through it felt a lot more natural.

Eufy security app showing doorbell camera feed, visitor count, and quick response options.

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You can use quick responses when you’re in a rushCredit: Tom Tyers

I also liked the quick-reply messages, perfect for those times when you’re busy and can’t have a proper chat but still want to get a message across.

Battery life is solid too, with its 6,500 mAh battery; Eufy says it can last up to six months.

I’ve been using mine for just under two, and I’m nowhere near needing to recharge yet, with about 70% still in the tank.

If you don’t want to worry about charging at all, you can wire it up and forget it. Sadly, I don’t have existing wiring, so that wasn’t an option for me.

It’s true, the E340 isn’t the smallest doorbell around, but it’s definitely one of the sleekest.

It packs a bunch of smart features and sharp video quality without slapping you with subscription fees, just be ready for the upfront cost.

If you want a doorbell that bolsters your home security without any sneaky costs, this one’s a strong contender.

How much is the Eufy E340?

The E340 usually costs £159.99, but right now it’s on sale for £109.99, which feels like a bargain for what you get.

You’re paying mid-to-high-end prices, but with 2K dual cameras, night vision, and local storage included, it’s great value.

Add the HomeBase S380 for another £160 if you want more storage, and the upfront cost does jump quite a bit.

That said, compared to Ring’s ongoing subscription fees for cloud storage, the Eufy starts to look like the smarter long-term deal.

Where to buy the Eufy E340

You can pick up the Eufy E340 as a standalone unit, and right now it’s on sale.

It’s available from most major UK retailers, including:

Eufy E340 alternatives

Blue and pink halftone background

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There are alternatives if you feel the Eufy isn’t for youCredit: Tom Tyers

If the Eufy E340 isn’t quite what you’re after, there are a few solid alternatives worth considering.

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus offers a sleeker design and sharp video, but just be ready for those subscription fees if you want full access to storage and extra features.

Then there’s the Ezviz EP3x Pro, which packs similar smart features and video quality, plus it throws in solar power for easy, hassle-free charging.

For those on a budget, the Tapo D235 is a decent option with good video and handy features, though it doesn’t have the same level of polish as the Eufy.

Eufy E340 review: The verdict

The Eufy E340 is a smart move for anyone serious about home security, packing in two cameras, crystal-clear video, and zero subscription fees.

Its quality feels more like a proper security cam, so you really get that extra peace of mind it brings.

It’s reliable, sharp, and clever enough not to drive you mad with false alarms.

It’s not the tiniest or cheapest doorbell out there, but it more than makes up for that with reliable performance and value that lasts.

If you’re done with flaky smart doorbells, this one’s a solid investment that won’t let you down.

  • Eufy E340 Video Doorbell, £159.99 £109.99 at Amazon – buy here

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Spider season is about to begin, but you can keep them out of your home for good with B&Q’s ‘powerful’ £8 buy

KEEP your home pest free for less than £10 with B&Q’s powerful spider repellent spray.

As spider season approaches, B&Q has the perfect solution to keep your house creepy crawly free for just £7.99.

Zero In Spider Repellent spray bottle.

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B&Q’s Zero in Spider Repellent Spray will help keep creepy crawlies at bayCredit: B&Q
House spider on a tile floor.

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Spider season will hit the UK in a matter of weekCredit: Getty

Keep pests out the house with cheap solution

The Zero In Spider Repellent spray does exactly what it says on the tin with a powerful formula that keeps spiders out.

The water based formula comes in a 500ml bottle and a fresh peppermint scent.

Beyond getting rid of spiders, the spray also helps to prevent the build-up of cobwebs.

According to the product description, the repellent works to rid your home of the pests without the use of harmful chemicals.

It also emphasises that this safe to use spray does not cause any harm to spiders.

The description recommends you to use the product after cleaning.

Spider season soon to hit UK

Spider season occurs from August to October, with wetter conditions often enticing them into homes, the Royal Meteorological Society reports.

Among its spider prevention tips are keeping windows shut at night. clearing any clutter that they may like to hide in and vacuuming regularly.

The website also praised cats and dogs as great helpers in terminating the critters.

B&Q’s stain-free and non-toxic solution is set to keep the pests at bay.

Giant huntsman spider lurking in his bunch of Aldi bananas

Bargain hacks that help keep spiders at bay

You can also keep spiders out the house by using a simple kitchen staple.

Earlier this year, The Sun revealed that white vinegar can often do the job.

Pest control expert Doug O’Connor explained that “spiders hate vinegar.”

He added: “The smell is overwhelming to them, and it causes irritation on contact.

“It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to deter them.”

You can pick up a bottle for as little as 35p from Sainsbury’s, though there is a good chance you will already have some sitting in your cupboard.

Peppermint oil is also a great way to keep critters out.

Adeel Ul-Haq, a sleep expert from Divan Beds, explained: “Peppermint oil is a great way to keep spiders away for cheap, and not only does it leave your home smelling amazing, but spiders hate it.

“The strong smell overwhelms the spiders and encourages them to go elsewhere.”

Keep pests out all summer

IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here’s what you need to know.

Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.

Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.

Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.

Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.

B&Q store exterior with signage.

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B&Q is providing the perfect solution to spider seasonCredit: Nicholas Strugnell – Commissioned by The Times

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