Parents of young kids just need a break. Even before the pandemic, it was tough to run out to the movies, since that involves setting up a baby sitter and praying nothing goes wrong in the middle of your night out. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to help new dads (and moms) build out their home entertainment options. And it's even easier if you're aiming to find gifts for someone who hasn't already nerded out on A/V gear. There are plenty of soundbars out there, but few are as versatile as the Sonos Beam.

If you aren't shopping Amazon Prime Day with a specific product in mind--maybe you're looking for holiday gifts for the whole family--it can quickly get overwhelming and pricey. Thankfully, there are quite a few options under $50 to choose from. We've narrowed down some of the best we've seen from Amazon and other stores, and we'll update this as the final day of Prime Day (yes, it stretches from Tuesday through Wednesday, October 14) stretches on. Note: We strike through items that sell out or rise in price as we update this guide. You'll need a subscription to Amazon Prime to get most of these deals. Updated October 14: We added the Roku Streaming Stick, Logitech Mouse, changed some links, and struck out some sold out deals.

If you're not keen on participating in Prime Day, you can still save a ton on gadgets, home tech and more at other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. The best part about shopping at other retailers today is that most of them have made their sales available to all -- no subscription or membership required. Here are the best "anti-Prime Day" tech deals we found across the web. Samsung's iPad Pro competitors that just came out last month are $100 off at Best Buy. The Galaxy Tab S7 is down to $549 while the Tab S7 is down to $749.

We're all spending a lot more time at home these days, and for many of us, that means a lot more time in front of the TV. Whether for gaming, family movie night, or simply vegging out in front of our favorite streaming service, if you're staring into an antiquated TV or listening to weak and tinny sound, you probably already know what we're going to say: It's time for an upgrade. Movie theaters are not an option for most of us at the moment, so the only way to get some cinematic wow factor in your life is to bring the theater to you. Luckily, you don't have to dip into that college fund to upgrade to features like 4K, HDR, or spine-tingling sound. Our guide will show you how to spend light--or go large--on a new home theater without ever leaving the house.

If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA Today's newsroom and any business incentives. Shopping for your boyfriend can be difficult, especially if the relationship is still new. There are some great gift guides out there for the men in your life, but the ideal gift for your boyfriend is something he'll find useful on his own, with the option of being something you could also enjoy together. We've been testing tons of different products throughout the year, and we've assembled this list of gift ideas for that special guy in your life.

If you want to control a Roku player or Roku smart TV by voice, you have lots of options. Many Roku devices include a remote control that supports voice commands, and you can also control Roku hands-free with an Amazon Echo or Google Home smart speaker. But along with all those voice control options comes several limitations, especially when it comes to launching videos or TV channels directly. Knowing what Roku can and can't do will spare you some headaches when you're barking out orders. We'll talk through how to get set up with Roku voice controls, a list of supported voice commands, and some tips for making your experience smoother.

If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA TODAY's newsroom and any business incentives. There are small things you can do to your home to make it feel a little more luxurious. From a fresh coat of paint to a few more throw pillows these little things make your home feel refreshed. Aside from changing up your interior, you can still buy a few things without spending too much that will give your home a serious upgrade.

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commissions. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of Prime Day deals here. A new low and huge drop in price on our upgrade pick for best home theater projector and also budget pick for best 4K projector. Chris Heinonen wrote, "if you want better image quality, along with support for wide color gamut (WCG) Ultra HD sources (although not at 4K resolution), even easier setup, and support for automation integration with complex home theaters, the Epson Home Cinema 5040UB is our upgrade pick."

There just happens to be a much better streamer available if you're willing to spend another $20. That would be the stellar Roku Streaming Stick, which for $50 includes a remote with TV volume and power controls, voice controls, and point-anywhere RF technology. If you plan to use your Roku for any decent stretch of time, you'll want those features. Still, the new Roku Express is more powerful than its predecessor, which in turn makes it passable enough to buy as a cheap gift, for use with a universal IR remote, or perhaps for TVs you don't intend to use very often. Compared to last year's model, it feels a little less like a compromise.

Your message has been sent. There was an error emailing this page. Whether you've just gotten rid of cable or want to supplement your TV package with online video, now's an excellent time to buy a media streaming device. Compared to the typical smart TV, standalone streamers such as the Roku Streaming Stick and Amazon Fire TV tend to have bigger app selections, faster performance, and more features. And with so much competition between device makers, the hardware is becoming faster, more capable, and more affordable.