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February 17, 2017

Powering Up the Star Wars Universe

We crunched the numbers to calculate how much energy it would take to power up the iconic weapons and ships from the Star Wars universe. So…just how many batteries does it take to power Star Wars? We’ll cover your favorites—lightsabers, blasters, X-wings and yes, even the Death Star.

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A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there were lightsabers, there were blasters and there were ships. But all this cool stuff needed power. Lots of power. Let’s check out the power needs of some of your favorite “Star Wars” technology and what it would take to power up the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance.

To better understand power terminology, we took a look at the common energy usage of things in the world around us. One AA alkaline battery contains 3.9 watt-hours. A car battery contains 722 watt-hours. The Tesla Powerwall has 7 kilowatt-hours. One barrel of oil is equivalent to 1.7 megawatt-hours. A nuclear reactor yields 1,000 megawatts. And for comparison, the Earth’s annual energy consumption is 104,426 terawatt-hours per year.

Droids

We can’t forget about the droids that inhabit the “Star Wars” galaxy. They need power to function too.

We don’t have droids as complicated as R2D2 and C3PO just yet, but we do have ASIMO. Billed as “the world’s most advanced humanoid robot,” ASIMO, developed by Honda, stands 4’3” tall and is capable of walking, talking and helping people.

ASIMO is powered by a rechargeable 51.8-volt lithium ion battery that lasts only for an hour. That’s equivalent to 132 AA batteries or 1 car battery.

K-2S0

Droids would likely be as energy efficient as humanoids in the “Star Wars” universe, otherwise you would expect slaves or clones to replace them. Assuming a 2.14-meter-tall aluminum alloy body (or similar), we can estimate the weight is 470 pounds each.

To power a K-2S0, it would take 19,946 kilojoules, which is equivalent to 5,537 watt-hours. To put it into perspective, that’s 1,420 AA batteries which equals 8 car batteries, 1 Tesla Powerwall, 1.6 oz of oil per hour or 6 hundredths of a percent of a nuclear reactor.

BB-8

Assuming BB-8 has a similar energy efficiency as K-2S0 and knowing that BB-8 is 0.97 meters tall, calculation results are 7.92 x 109 joules, which is equivalent to 2,202 watt-hours. That is equivalent to 565 AA batteries, 4 car batteries, 1 Tesla Powerwall, 1 pint of oil per hour or 2 hundredths of a percent of a nuclear reactor.

Lightsabers

Lightsabers are powered by high-output diatium power cells, which are capable of recharging naturally. The blade neither radiates heat nor expends energy until it comes into contact with the solid item it is striking.

Qui-Gon Jinn used his lightsaber to cut into the thick blast doors of Nute Gunray’s bridge. The doors were 2.35 meters tall and over a meter thick. Qui-Gon’s lightsaber cut a circular area approximately 0.9 meters in diameter.

In order to melt 0.87 cubic meters of conventional steel, it would require approximately 1.69 gigajoules of thermal energy. That is equivalent to 469,482 watt-hours, slightly more energy than one lightning bolt.

One lightsaber has the equivalent energy of 120,380 AA batteries (that’s 6,000 pounds of batteries or 250 gallons, enough to fill-up a kiddie pool). It’s also equivalent to 650 car batteries (that’s 26,000 pounds, exceeding the 20,000-pound maximum weight of a single-axle semi-trailer). One lightsaber is also equivalent to 67 Tesla Powerwalls, 0.28 barrels of oil (5.5 gallons of gas), one nuclear reactor or 0.05 seconds of Earth’s power supply.

Kylo Ren’s Lightsabers

It doesn’t appear there is any reason to assume that Kylo Ren’s lightsaber was capable of generating any more or less power than any other lightsaber.

In one scene, he is shown using the crossguard to burn through Finn’s jacket, causing a small burn. A small lightsaber-sized second-degree burn requires about 166 joules of energy as a low-end estimate. It seems it could be assumed that the crossguard blades are capable of outputting similar power to the full-size blade.

How many batteries would it take to power a lightsaber that uses 2.5 gigajoules of energy or 694,500 watt hours? The answer is 180,570 AA batteries or 975 car batteries. That’s equivalent to 101 Tesla Powerwalls, 0.42 barrels of oil, 1.5 nuclear reactors or 0.07 seconds of Earth’s power supply.

Blasters

According to Han Solo, ancient Jedi weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side. Firing bursts of focused particle beam energy (bolts), a blaster gets its power from two main components: Energy-rich blaster gas from a cartridge and a replaceable power pack.

The blaster bolts carry no heat themselves, but materials struck by them deform and fuse like when Princess Leia blasted a hole through a metal grate using an E-11 blaster rifle while escaping from the Death Star.

A hole was blasted big enough for Chewbacca to pass through, probably about 3 feet wide. An estimate on the mass of the grate is approximately 54 kilograms. Roughly 6.34 megajoules is needed to vaporize 1 kilogram of iron, so the blast yielded approximately 342 megajoules.

Power usage is comparable between lightsabers and blasters. Jedi in the “Star Wars” universe have been known to use power packs to charge up their lightsabers.

The 342 megajoules to power a baster is equivalent to 24,360 AA batteries, 132 car batteries, 14 Tesla Powerwalls (that would weigh as much as two cows or half a Bantha), 0.06 barrels of oil (approximately 1 gallon of gas; that’s $2.29 per shot!), 1 nuclear reactor for three blasts a second, or 0.01 seconds of Earth’s power supply.

Star Destroyer

It’s one of the most menacing ships in the galaxy. In “Empire Strikes Back,” we see an Imperial Star Destroyer blasting asteroids out of its way. If we approximate the standard asteroid mass as about 33,965,759 kilograms with a heating capacity of iron at 447 J/kg·K, then we could calculate that it would take 30 terajoules (8,333 megawatt-hours) to melt the asteroid.

That’s 2.1 billion AA batteries (in the U.S., 2.9 billion AA batteries are thrown away every year!), 11.5 million car batteries (16 million cars were sold in the U.S. last year), 1.2 million Tesla Powerwalls, 4,901 barrels of oil (at 35 mpg, you could drive around the Earth 130 times or make 6 round-trips to the moon), 10,000 nuclear reactors for a blast every three seconds or 2.5 seconds of Earth’s power supply (enough for 207,000 people for one day).

To vaporize the asteroid, it would take 250 terajoules or 69,400 megawatt-hours. That’s 17.8 billion AA batteries, 96 million car batteries (71 million cars were sold globally last year), 9.9 million Tesla Powerwalls (3 for every apartment in New York City), 41,000 barrels of oil (enough to drive a third of the way to the sun), 270,000 nuclear reactors to fire once every second or 21 seconds of Earth’s power supply (one blast from Earth every 21 seconds).

A turbolaser must yield approximately 3,750 terawatts of power, releasing energy four times that of the Little Boy atomic bomb.

X-Wing Fighter

Sometimes it isn’t always about the size of the ship in an intergalactic fight— as long as you are packing the right firepower. In “A New Hope,” when a blast from Luke Skywalker’s X-wing fighter struck the surface of the Death Star, it created a blast likely powerful enough to have vaporized at least one cubic meter of armor.

Conservative estimates put the output of the four X-wing cannons at approximately 60 gigajoules of energy, which equals 16.67 megawatt-hours. That’s 4.27 million AA batteries (enough batteries to go 8 times around the Large Hadron Collider, and stacked up, they’d reach space twice!), 23,153 car batteries, 2,381 Tesla Powerwalls, 9.08 barrels of oil, 0.01667 running hours of a nuclear power plant or 5 milliseconds of Earth’s power supply.

Snowspeeders

The snowspeeders are outfitted with improvised weaponry, including de-icing and heating elements and two laser canons compared to the X-Wing’s four. To power a snowspeeder, it would take 30 gigajoules, which is equivalent to 8.33 megawatt-hours.

That’s equivalent to 2.13 million AA batteries, 11,576 car batteries, 1,190 Tesla Powerwalls, 4.54 barrels of oil, 0.008335 running hours of a nuclear power plant or 2.5 milliseconds of Earth’s power supply.

Death Star

Remember when the first incarnation of this formidable battle station destroyed Leia’s home planet of Alderaan?

Using a beam formed by several beams firing from its Concave Dish Composite Beam Superlaser, the Death Star was able to destroy an Earth-sized planet with a binding energy of roughly 2.25 x 1032 joules. Comparatively, our sun produces roughly 3.846 x 1026 watts. How could one moon-sized battle station produce that much power? Using a ‘hypermatter’ reactor, of course.

The 2.25 x 1032 joules needed to power a Death Star converts to 6.25 x 1028 watt-hours. That’s equivalent to 16 octillion AA batteries (stacked end to end, these batteries would measure 84.5 billion light-years, almost enough to stretch across the observable universe of 92 billion light-years), 86 septillion car batteries (80% of the mass of Jupiter), 8 septillion Tesla Powerwalls (150 times the weight of Earth) or 37 sextillion barrels of oil (enough to satisfy the Earth’s oil consumption for 1 trillion years). The Death Star I uses power equivalent to 2 quintillion nuclear reactors to fire once every 24 hours (each blast would require an amount of uranium equal to the mass of Mercury). The Death Star II uses power equivalent to 1 sextillion nuclear reactors to fire once every 3 minutes (seven blasts would generate enough nuclear waste to equal the dwarf planet Ceres at 9.5 x 1020 kg). A Death Star’s energy usage is equivalent to 598 billion times Earth’s power supply. Astronomers estimate there could be 20 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy. Only 29 more galaxies to go!

Starkiller Base

“The Force Awakens” shows five planets being simultaneously destroyed by Starkiller. The power calculation would be five times the current power of the Death Star, or 3.12 x 1029 kilowatt-hours.

Also in the movie, we see it draining power from an average-sized star, which certainly has enough nuclear fuel to provide the kind of energy shown. Earth’s sun will provide roughly 3.5 x 1056 kilowatt-hours in its lifetime. There isn’t much more info given in the film that would allow for honing in on a figure between these two numbers. Note that the expected lifespan of the sun is 10 billion years.

To power the Starkiller Base, it would take 1.12 x 1036 joules or 3.12 x 1029 kilowatt-hours. This is equivalent to 80 octillion AA batteries, 430 septillion car batteries, 40 septillion Telsa Powerwalls, 10 quintillion barrels of oil, 1.5 septillion nuclear power plants or 3 trillion times Earth’s power supply.

Hyperspace

Aside from powering up the Death Star, hypermatter particles allow a ship to jump to lightspeed without changing its complex mass and energy. We’ve seen the Millennium Falcon make the jump to lightspeed several times. According to physicist Miguel Alcubierre, a warp drive could manipulate space-time, taking advantage of a loophole in the laws of physics to move 10 times faster than the speed of light.

To make a warp drive, it was initially estimated you would need a minimum amount of energy almost equal to the mass of the planet Jupiter. More recent studies have reduced the energy requirement to be about the mass of the Voyager 1, approximately 700 kilograms.

Using E=mc2, 700 kilograms is equal to 62.9 exajoules, which is 15 billion tons of TNT explosives or 17,500 terawatt-hours. That’s 4.5 quadrillion AA batteries, 23 trillion car batteries, 2.5 trillion Tesla Powerwalls, 10 billion barrels of oil (1% of all the oil ever produced), 17.5 million nuclear reactors or 16 percent of Earth’s power supply (that’s one jump every two months!).

Ebates Star Wars Stores

ThinkGeek – Star Wars Apparel for Adults & Kids
BuyCostumes – Star Wars Halloween Costumes
LEGO – Star Wars Lego Toys and Products
GameStop – Select Star Wars Universe Games

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Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

December 4, 2016

Galactic Gift Guide for Star Wars Lovers

Whether it’s your brother practicing lightsaber moves in the backyard, your mom pulling out the Wampa rug as soon as it’s cold enough to light a fire or your best friend pondering his 40th viewing of “Episode IV — A New Hope,” someone you know is a Star Wars fanatic. Perhaps you embrace the dark side yourself. However your world is touched by the Force, we’ve got 13 amazing Star Wars gifts for the aspiring Jedi in your life.

BB-8 App-Enabled Droid, $119.97 (GameStop)

Use the Force—or, more conveniently, your smartphone or tablet—to control BB-8 . He’ll also respond to your voice, play holographic videos and steal your heart with his adaptive personality.

AT-AT Bookends, $129.97 (GameStop)

Secure your favorite Star Wars comic and art books with these AT-AT bookends—sobering reminders of the carnage at the Battle of Hoth. Till Endor, Lord Vader. Till Endor…

Star Wars Carships Death Star Revolution Race Track Set, $43.42 (Walmart)

Complete with both TIE Fighter and the classic X-wing ships, this Hot Wheels set will hone your budding Jedi’s maneuvering skills, so the Death Star will stand no chance of surviving the ambush. At arms, rebels!

LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon, $119 (Walmart)

Kids and adults alike will enjoy the hours it takes to assemble this 1329-piece LEGO Millennium Falcon. With Han and Chewie at your side, you’ll be ready for anything the Empire can throw at you. Activate the hyperdrive and set course for fun with this LEGO play set.

Playskool Mr. Potato Head Darth Tater, $14.43 (Walmart)

Is it Mr. Potato Head? Darth Vader? No. It’s Darth Tater! The galaxy’s most ruthless villain has taken a new form as the Spud Lord. Add a curly mustache, tongue or silly glasses to take a more stylish walk on the dark side.

Star Wars Battlefront PS4, $19 (Walmart)

Side with either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire in a wide variety of multiplayer matches and exciting challenges. Get ready to watch AT-ATs stomp around Hoth, ride speeder bikes through the forests of Endor and fly X-wings and TIE fighters through the galaxy. This game gives fans the ultimate, authentic and immersive interactive experience they’ve been looking for. Also available on XboxOne and PC.

Funko Pop! Star Wars Rogue One – Jyn Erso, $11.99 (Game Stop)

Plant bobble-headed rebel leader Jyn Erso on your desk, bed stand or dashboard for the perfect collectible companion. She’s made of vinyl, totes a tiny plastic blaster and is just one of many Rogue One bobble-headed characters you can start collecting today.

Star Wars: The Complete Saga Episodes I-VI (Blu-ray), $141 (QVC)

Relive every unforgettable moment with this nine-disc Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set. Binge watch the first six movies, then dive deep with three bonus discs featuring deleted scenes, interviews, archival footage, documentaries and spoofs. Settle in with this one, because these nine discs boast over 1,200 minutes of footage.

Death Star Ice Sphere Mold, $11.99 (GameStop)

That’s no moon. It’s a space station… Create ice spheres to drop into a glass of whiskey for an out-of-this-world beverage after a long day of X-wing flying. Or, get creative and make chocolate truffles or soap.

Loungefly Star Wars Rogue One Backpack, $31.41 (Hot Topic)

Trade the Yoda stuck to your back for a Rogue One distress-print backpack. You can tote all your books, blasters and lightsabers, while keeping your hands free for pod-racing and other intergalactic activities.

Chewbacca Deluxe Talking Plush Toy, $24.99 (Bed Bath & Beyond)

As the saying goes, nothing hugs better than a Wookiee! OK, no one actually said that. But how can you resist this fuzzball? Give him a squeeze to hear his trademark growl, and know you’ve got the best copilot in the galaxy on your side.

Darth Vader Self Stirring and Spinning Mug, $19.99 (Toys R Us)

Use the Force to stir your mug without a spoon. Well, you’ll be pushing a button to do so, but no one needs to know. Enjoy the best tea, coffee or any other hot beverage with the best mug this side of Naboo.

Goodnight Darth Vader by Jeffrey Brown, $14.95 (Bed Bath & Beyond)

Tuck in your little ones (or big ones, depending) each night with “Goodnight Darth Vader,” by Jeffrey Brown. This funny, illustrated tale portrays Darth Vader trying to put his twin children, Luke and Leia, to sleep with a bedtime story. May the Force be with you, as you read along.

December 4, 2016

Gift Guide: Last-Minute Gifts That Make You Look Like a Flawless Planner

Whether you got swamped at work this season or you’ve just procrastinated, waiting until the last minute to buy holiday gifts is enough to make even the most composed person sweat. Never fear! Check out this list of tried and true last minute gift ideas that will make it seem almost like you started your shopping back in early November. Wrap up your holiday shopping in a snap, and get Cash Back at Ebates as your reward!

Harry & David Moose Munch, $28.50 (Bloomingdale’s)

Give someone the gift of a classic tasty holiday treat! Moose Munch even comes in a festive tin – slap a bow on it, and you’re good to go!

X Box 1 Just Dance Unlimited: 1-Year Subscription, $39.99 (GameStop)

Kick off a dance party with the instantly downloadable gift of this 1-year subscription that will unlock the full song list for the global interactive gaming sensation, Just Dance.

Elle Magazine, $14 (K Mart)

In an era of mostly digital content, give the gift that will inspire the recipient to curl up with her favorite magazine and relax, month after month.

Teavana Tea of the Month Club, $100 (Teavana)

Treat someone to a moment of serenity each time they take a break, thanks to new teas that will arrive monthly with this gift subscription.

Sephora Gift Card, $40 (Sephora)

Give the gift of beauty and skincare for both men and women when you purchase an instantly deliverable eGift Card online at Sephora.

Amazon Echo Dot Black 2nd Generation Bluetooth Speaker, $49.99 (Abt Electronics)

Take advantage of Amazon’s Next Day Air shipping options, and pick up this awesome, voice-controlled speaker for someone on your nice list.

Bose® QuietComfort® 35 Wireless Headphones, $349.99 (Staples)

Need to wow someone at the last minute? Pick up these sensational headphones in-store, and prepare to dazzle even the pickiest audiophile.

Donation to St. Jude, $20 (GNC)

Making a donation in someone’s name as a holiday present is a great way to spread the seasonal cheer and help out a cause in need!

November 16, 2016

Where to Buy the Hottest Black Friday Items of 2016

Black Friday is just around the corner, and this year’s shopping extravaganza promises to be a great one. We are all eagerly awaiting the release of this year’s ads, but in the meantime, check out this list of go-to stores anticipated to carry the hottest items in apparel, electronics, and toys. For some awesome additional deals on Black Friday and year-round, be sure to shop through Ebates for Cash Back and exclusive coupons.

Apparel

According to Wallethub.com, JCPenney topped the charts in terms of Black Friday discounts in 2015, with an average discount rate of 68%. That’s nearly three-quarters off! Last year, JCPenney offered some mega sales on popular brands like Nike and St. John’s Bay, as well as fine jewelry.

Not far behind in terms of sales was Stage, which had an average discount in 2015 of 63.9%. Stage carries a ton of big name brands, including Puma, Fila, Madden Girl, Betsey Johnson, Kensie, and Adidas.

Belk was also high on the list, with an average discount rate of 59.5%. Belk serves up hot fashion Southern-style and is sure to offer some amazing deals on some or all of the major lines it carries. These include Coach, Dooney and Bourke, and Frye, as well as Michael by Michael Kors, to name a few.

As always, Macy’s was also near the top when it came to Black Friday discounts. With its legendary doorbusters, the mainstay store rang in an average discount of 56%.

With iconic brands like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Chanel, among many others, this is a spot not to be missed if you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe with a Black Friday shopping spree.

Electronics

Best Buy has made a name for itself as one of the biggest electronics stores, and for good reason. They’ve got awesome deals year-round, and especially killer sales during the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week.

Year after year, Walmart has solidified that reputation with wicked deals on some of the year’s best tech items like laptops and flat screen TVs. In 2015, some of the most sought-after Black Friday items included Samsung and Toshiba HD TVs, Amazon Fire tablets, Samsung Galaxy phones, and the iPad Air.

Walmart will also more than likely be a smart stop for anyone looking to buy game consoles or games, both of which are expected to have some sweet deals on the Black Friday market this year.

If you’re in the market for a particular game or console, you’ll also want to keep an eye on GameStop, which, in 2015, offered an average discount of 29.2%. Specializing in everything gaming, this store is sure to have the latest and best available.

According to Wallethub.com, in 2015, Panasonic had an average discount rate of 47%, higher than the overall discount average for Walmart, which was 33.5%. This electronics store will likely come in once again as a close second in terms of the popularity of its Black Friday sale. Check this store for items like TVs, cameras, and home and office electronics equipment.

Kohl’s, with an average discount of 66.7% in 2015, is also an excellent stop for home entertainment items, including flat screen TVs. One of the best things about these two stores is that each is also a one-stop shop where you can snag some awesome deals on everything on your list, from home goods to apparel.

Toys

When it comes to kids’ toys, Toys ‘R’ Us continues to come out on top in terms of carrying the greatest variety of must-have items for playtime fun. In 2015, the store offered an average discount rate of 28.9%.

Recently, Toys ‘R’ Us released its list of some of the hottest toys of 2016, all, or at least many, of which are sure to be available for a discount during the Black Friday holiday. With brands like Shopkins, NERF, Power Wheels, and Pokémon, they’re definitely a must-watch.

Target, which came in last year with an average discount of 37.3%, is also expected to have some sweet discounts on the year’s most-beloved playthings. Like Kohl’s, Target offers the bonus of also carrying multiple other items in home goods and apparel, so you can check a number of things off your shopping list in one go. The store is currently advertising brands including Our Generation, Star Wars, and Lego, among many more.

November 13, 2016

90’s Throwback: Black Friday 1996

Ah, the ‘90s. The era of bucket hats, butterfly clips, the first Macintosh computers, “Friends,” and phones made for the sole purpose of actually making calls. A lot has changed in the decades since, and Black Friday is no exception.

Though the biggest sale day of the year has always drawn hearty crowds of savings-hungry shoppers, the craze of the holiday has increased tenfold in the past two decades. What was once a day of wildly low prices on the year’s most-wanted items is now a cultural phenomenon spanning an entire week, with its cousin Cyber Monday immediately following.

In 1996, we could watch the morning news broadcast live interviews with those few dedicated shoppers camped outside of electronics stores, determined to be the first to grab one of a limited stock of coveted Macintosh computers or Nintendo 64s.

This year, we’ll scroll through Twitter to see online versions of local news broadcasts showing interviews with scores of similar dedicated Black Friday veterans, though they’re more likely to be awaiting a chance to snag a new 50-inch TV, or an Apple product exponentially more advanced than that of its ’96 predecessors.

To see just how much things have really changed, check out this list of comparisons between Black Friday ads and sales in 1996 to projected Black Friday ads in 2016.

Electronics

Not only did technology — and the world — not come to a screeching halt in the year 2000, but the world’s fascination with and reliance upon technological innovation has increased tenfold in the years since.

Aside from the aforementioned Macintosh desktop, some of the other biggest electronics buys in ’96 were the 1.2 GB hard drive ($220 after rebate); the Motorola flip phone (free with contract); the Walkman (between $15 and $60); the 4MB memory upgrade ($30); 28.8 kbps modem ($280); 13-inch TV with built-in VCR ($300); CD Rom drive ($150); pagers ($70); and the Packard Bell desktop computer ($1,467 after rebate).

This year’s list of most-wanted tech items looks pretty similar to that from 1996, though much more advanced. Although most Black Friday 2016 ads aren’t live yet, there are some predictions based on previous years and current sales. According to TheBlackFriday.com, one of the hottest items on sale at Best Buy right now is the LG 55-inch 4K Ultra Smart HD TV, which may also be a Black Friday favorite. In 1996, we could barely fathom a smart TV, let alone an ultra-smart one. Also, some Black Friday aficionados are suggesting drones will be a big hit this year, though these are a bit of a wild card.

Games

Games, too, are traditionally a huge draw for Black Friday shoppers. In 1996, besides the Nintendo 64, the Sega Saturn was a major deal, selling for $200. The Super Game Boy was advertised at $40, as were PlayStation games. And lest we forget, before there were smartphone apps like Pokémon Go, there was the Tamagotchi, which, in ’96, sold for just a few weeks’ allowance, or $15.

This year, some Black Friday experts are suggesting the release of the Xbox One S and the rumored release of Sony’s PlayStation Neo, along with the discontinuation of Xbox 360s and Disney Infinity, will lead to major steals on gaming consoles. There are also a host of remastered video games about to be released, such as Bethesda, Call of Duty: Infinite, and Pokémon Sun and Moon, leading many to suggest that games will be a major Black Friday focal point.

Toys

Of course, no Black Friday would be complete without a mad dash to the toy aisle for the season’s most beloved toy. In 1996, the champions of children’s hearts everywhere were by far the Tickle Me Elmo doll and Beanie Babies. As for the latter, these were also a big hit with many teens and adults, rumored to gain significant value over time.

Today, some of the hottest toys of 2016, as named by Walmart, include the Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire Blaster, Razor Scooter, Paw Patrol Zooming Marshall, and the Sky Viper Streaming Drone. No word yet on which of these will be available for deep Black Friday discounts, but it’s likely the drone won’t be the only one flying off the shelves.

Entertainment

When it comes to pop culture, though the faces have changed, our hunger for it has stayed the same. While most of us nowadays watch TV and movies from our computers or flat-screens, back in ‘96 the wide-screen TV marked the dawn of a new era. Some of the hottest Black Friday deals on movies included films like “Forrest Gump,” “True Lies,” and “Braveheart” available from $9.99 to $15.95—or about the price of one month’s subscription to Netflix. When it came to the still-popular VHS, some of the coolest buys were “Buffy,” “Young Frankenstein,” “The Good Son” and “Alien Nation,” all on sale for $5.99 a piece.

This year, predictions for some hot entertainment buys include DVDs of popular movies like “Anchorman 2” and “Magic Mike XXL” on Blu-Ray for $9.72. You’ll also be able to grab titles like “The Walking Dead” and “True Detective”—full box sets for about $10 each.

Clearly, Black Friday has changed quite a bit over the past 20 years, but our love of shopping will never end.

May 1, 2016

The Best Things to Buy in May

Spring is in the air! It’s the perfect time to freshen up your wardrobe, home and more while saving with Cash Back at Ebates. Memorial Day deals pair with springtime specials to make stretching your budget a breeze. Jump into the season and get unbeatable deals on must-haves to buy in May! Check out some of our favorite ways to save this season.

Kick up Your Kitchen

Spring cleaning sessions are a great time to evaluate what you really need and what you can live without. It’s also the perfect opportunity to upgrade those outdated kitchen appliances and start the season off right. Say goodbye to that sad stove and bid farewell to that funky fridge with super savings during May Memorial Day sales. With Cash Back at Ebates and a kitchen appliance promo code, you can score some of the best deals of the season. As the weather warms up, you’ll want to enjoy your morning cup of coffee on the balcony or drink up a refreshing smoothie, so stock up on discount kitchen appliances and enjoy those beautiful May days in style.

Stores to Watch: Best Buy, Blendtec, Keurig

Freshen Your Fashion

Shorts, tees and tanks, oh my! You’ve been cooped up in cardigans and stifled by sweaters for months. It’s time to spruce things up with some new spring clothes. Wardrobe basics are among some of the best things to buy in May, with great spring sales and irresistible Memorial Day specials. Plus, you can score huge discounts on last season’s clothes and store them away for next year! Get deals on all the latest spring trends and save on fashions for the whole family when you shop at Ebates. With clothing promo codes, you don’t have to splurge to get the styles you want at perfect prices.

Stores to Watch: Nordstrom, Macy’s

Go, Go Gadget

Spring specials make electronics one of the best things to buy in May. Upgrade to a new phone or watch your favorite shows on a top-notch HD TV. Shop portable speakers so you can enjoy that spring breeze while listening to your favorite songs or use an electronics promo code to save on a discount digital camera to capture springtime snapshots. Browse discount tablets, computers and more amazing electronics on sale while saving with Cash Back at Ebates. Be sure to keep gift buying in mind and stock up for holidays and special occasions, too!

Stores to Watch: Verizon, Logitech

Sweet Dreams

Typically, a mattress should be replaced about every seven years. Spring is one of the best times to leave lumpy mattresses behind and buy a brand new one. Snooze and save with Cash Back at Ebates on a cozy pillow top or foam mattress designed to give you a great night sleep. May is an ideal time to bring your guest bedrooms to life on a budget, too. When you buy in May you’ll even find plenty of ways to dress up mattresses with affordable bedding sets, discount sheets and more bedding buys through Ebates.

Stores to Watch: 1800Mattress, Sears

STAR WARS EVERYTHING

It’s NOT a trap! May the fourth (be with you) is Star Wars Day and prices are going to be cut (or lightsabered) down so low, you’ll be able to add to your collection of shirts, toys, accessories and more without crossing over to the Debt Side.

Stores to Watch: Kohl’s, GameStop, Amazon

November 20, 2015

The Best Cyber Monday Deals on Electronics

Once you’ve had your fill of turkey and dressing, it’s time to buckle in for all of the holiday deals and savings coming your way. Make this year the one that puts all others to shame with the monumental savings you’ll find at retailers all over. But if long lines and massive crowds aren’t your thing, you can shop from the comfort of your home with incredible online shopping discounts and earn Cash Back at Ebates for the upcoming Cyber Monday.

If electronics deals are at the top of your shopping list (and let’s face it, who doesn’t want the latest electronics around?!) then this guide is for you. Manned with this list of the best Cyber Monday deals around, you will reign supreme this holiday season.

Laptop Deals

This year’s laptop deals are bound to be pretty spectacular. Whether you’re looking for the latest 2-in-1 laptop deals or just want to get a reliable and durable laptop, the holiday season will have plenty of Cyber Monday deals.

Your favorite big box stores, like Best Buy, Staples and OfficeMax, will feature additional savings online. But don’t shy away from the likes of Arrow Direct, where you’ll find the ultimate selection of refurbished laptops that are sure to meet the needs of anyone on your list. You can even customize your gift with a laptop from Dell or Alienware. To bring you the best laptop deals, many stores will offer bundle specials, allowing you to get even more bang for your buck.

TV Deals

Televisions are always a holiday gift hot item, but there’s no need to shop doorbuster sales when the ultimate TV deals can be found through online shopping. Get savings on everything you need for your home entertainment system this Cyber Monday.

Walmart will feature TV deals on hot names like Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Vizio, Sony and more. You’ll even find special savings on surround sound systems and wall mounting hardware so your gifting experience can go to the next level. Overstock won’t disappoint either with deals on 4K Ultra HD televisions, Curved TVs, OLED televisions and even outdoor projection equipment.

Video Game Deals

Video games are always a favorite amongst kids, teens and adults alike. Whether you’re looking for a deal on a new console or the latest video games, you’ll have plenty of special offers to choose from on Cyber Monday. You’ll find savings on the season’s hottest video games, like Rainbow 6 Siege, Just Cause 3 and more. Whether you’re looking for games for portable systems like Nintendo 3DS XL or Playstation Vita, or you want to add to their arsenal of games for Playstation 4, Xbox One or Nintendo Wii U, plenty of online retailers will have great Cyber Monday deals.

You’ll find incredible savings on video games when you shop at stores like GameStop, Best Buy and CD Universe. Walmart will be sure to extend their department store savings online, so keep a close eye on savings that keep you out of the cold and the chaos.

Smart Phone Deals

Step up your smart phone game with the latest from the big names in smart phone technology. Whether it’s Android, BlackBerry or Microsoft on the wish list, you’ll find incredible savings and earn Cash Back at Ebates. Best Buy will have fantastic pricing on the latest smart phones on the market.

You can even save directly through cellular providers. You can earn Cash Back at Ebates with the biggest names including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular. And don’t worry, Lifeproof and Skullcandy will be able to help you with all of the accessories you need to pair with your smart phone purchase.

Wearable Electronic Deals

Wearable electronics are one of the most popular items on online shopping lists. The tech junkie on your list will get their electronic fix on the go and you’ll save with Cyber Monday electronics coupons for the latest wearable technology. Expect to find savings on smartwatches, fitness trackers, action camcorders and headphones this upcoming Cyber Monday.

The biggest brands in electronics will have plenty of sales available. Best Buy, Crutchfield and Brookstone feature the latest hot brands. Garmin, Fitbit and more will be marked down with fantastic pricing for Cyber Monday deals. Samsung and Microsoft Store will have their own devices with special savings as well.

Camera Deals

If you’re shopping for a photographer, you’re bound to find items like cameras, lenses, lighting kits and flash units on your list. Get Cyber Monday deals on the hottest camera brands like Canon and Olympus, as well as the gear to go with them.

Adorama features deals on everything from simple point and shoot cameras to the finest full frame DSLR cameras on the market. You can save hundreds on camera bodies at Focus Camera and Beach Camera where you’ll also find free shipping offers and rebate options. You can even save on popular Canon products, including bodies and lenses.

Kids’ Deals

If kids are the top of your shopping list, there are bound to be plenty of hot electronic toys finding their way to your online shopping cart. Walmart will have plenty of Cyber Monday deals for the kiddos in your life. The Disney Store and Fisher Price will have special savings on toys for kids of all ages. Give great education gifts with Cyber Monday deals from Fat Brain Toys and Marbles: The Brain Store. Turn their special gifts into an educational experience that will brighten their day and lead to hours of entertainment.

Big Kids/Adult Deals

Adults love getting their hands on the latest gadgets and gizmos, just like the kids. Shop for the big kid at heart on your list and save with Cyber Monday electronics coupons. Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, your sibling or your parent, you’re bound to find exactly what you need at unbeatable prices.

Best Buy never disappoints with their great selection of Cyber Monday electronic deals. You’ll find savings on items like GPS navigation devices, Bluetooth speakers, KitchenAid mixers and more. Their deals go quickly though, so be sure to check their list of daily deals regularly throughout the day to get the best savings.

Give the gift of an amped up sound system with audio equipment from Crutchfield or find the latest tech innovations at Brookstone. Whatever the upgrade, big or small, great Cyber Monday deals are to be had.

If you have your heart set on a special item for someone, keep an eye out for the best Cyber Monday electronics coupons to pair with incredible daily deals. When you earn additional savings with Cash Back at Ebates, you’ll find the best Cyber Monday deals and save the most money.

November 18, 2015

10 Hottest Tech Gifts for 2015

If you’re a layman (or woman) when it comes to everything high-tech, shopping for the people who are always in the know on the hottest electronics can be daunting. We’ve rounded up some tech gifts that are guaranteed to be a big hit with everyday electronics users and technophiles alike.

For a Smarter Home:

Amazon Echo

There will be quite a few wish lists this holiday season with the Amazon Echo on it. Access information, music, audiobooks, news, weather, traffic, sports and more with this hands-free, voice-controlled device. Echo boasts 7 microphones so it can easily hear you from across the room, even when playing music. Alexa – the brain behind Echo – is built into the cloud, so it is always getting smarter. The more you use Echo, the more it adapts to your speech patters, vocabulary and personal preferences. Think of it as the personal assistant you always wanted!

Belkin WeMo Home Automation Switch and Motion Sensor Bundle

Does your mom ever leave the house without turning off the lights? Maybe your brother prefers to have the lights on when he gets home late? The WeMo Home Automation Switch and Motion Sensor Bundle is the perfect gift for anyone in your life. Set up your electronics to turn on or off from anywhere using your existing Wi-Fi router and any iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Receive notifications when someone enters or leaves, leaving your home safe and secure. It even helps save energy by powering down frequently used appliances when no motion is detected.

BISSELL SmartClean Robotic Vacuum

Gone are the days of following and picking up after kids, boyfriends and pets. The SmartClean Robotic Vacuum delivers automatic and effortless cleaning whenever you want. This vacuum gets it all too! Its powerful suction and unique brush roll design will gather all the dust, debris and hair so you don’t have to. Schedule your cleanings when its convenient for you and always return to a clean and happy home.

Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit

Set the perfect tone and enhance a moment with the Philips Hue. This personal wireless lighting system allows you to create and control light using your smartphone or tablet. Dim the lights after a long day to relax or celebrate on game day by synching the lights to match your team’s favorite colors. And don’t worry about leaving the house without turning off the lights ever again. Simply switch them off wherever you may be.

For the Gamer:

PlayStation 4 Star Wars Battlefront 500 GB Bundle

One of the most anticipated games of the year just hit the shelves and it is gracing the wish lists of children and adults alike. Star Wars Battlefront lets you fight as the Rebellion or the Empire in a variety of action-packed multiplayer modes. This limited edition PlayStation 4 bundle gets you console and wireless controller inspired by none other than Darth Vader himself. Want even more Star Wars action? This bundle also comes with a voucher containing four Star Wars Classics – Super Star Wars, Star Wars: Racer Revenge, Jedi Starfighter and Star Wars Bounty Hunter. The force is strong with this bundle.

Xbox One 1TB Fallout 4 Bundle

It’s been seven years since Bethesda gave the gaming world Fallout 3. Fallout 4 brings us the next generation of open-world gaming. A fantastic RPG for old fans and new ones alike, Fallout 4 will give players countless hours of entertainment. This Xbox One bundle gives you everything you need to enjoy Fallout 4 as well as a full download of Fallout 3. Grab your Pipboy and set out for a new adventure with this console bundle.

Elgato Game Capture HD60

Live-streaming video games via Twitch and YouTube has become increasingly popular. If someone in your life like to stream their games, the Elgato Game Capture HD60 is a must have. Stream in 1080p quality with 60 fps from your PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and WiiU. Built in live-streaming makes setup easy and ready to go out of the box.

Kingston HyperX Cloud II Headset

Just as a movie wouldn’t be complete without a great soundtrack, the video game experience isn’t complete without amazing surround sound. The HyperX Cloud II will enhance your gaming, movie or music experience with a newly designed USB sound card audio control box that amplifies audio and voice for the optimal gaming experience. Perfect for horror games late at night or team communication in-game, these headphones will take you to the next level.

For Tech Fun:

BB-8 App-Enabled Droid

One of the hottest tech gifts of the season happens to come from one of the most anticipated movies of the year. BB-8 is the perfect droid for any Jedi in your life. Kids and adults alike will love controlling BB-8 with their smartphone or tablet. Featuring voice controls, an adaptive personality, holographic communication and more, BB-8 will quickly capture the heart of many this holiday season.

GoPro Hero+ LCD Camera

The GoPro Hero+ LCD is the perfect gift for anyone hitting the slopes, catching air, or surfing a wave this holiday season. With built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, touch display and easy sharing to social media sites, the Hero+ LCD delivers 1080p60 video with ease. Capture all the incredibly moments of life and relive them time and time again.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone

If someone in your life is interest in playing instruments, singing or creating podcasts, then the gift of this microphone will change their life. The Yeti captures studio-quality records and features four different pattern settings to record audio that normally would require a setup with multiple microphones. Simple controls and plug and play setup makes it easy to use for the youngest and oldest of creative minds.

Parrot Airborne Cargo MiniDrone

Take to the skies with the Parrot MiniDrone. Customize your MiniDrone before twisting, turning and zooming through the air. Pilots of all ages will enjoy taking control of the MiniDrone with a smartphone or tablet. Take aerial photos in flight with the built-in VGA camera and share with all your family and friends.

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

November 17, 2015

Stores That Will Be Closed on Thanksgiving

We all know that Black Friday sales have started earlier and earlier over the years. This means Thanksgiving has turned into a shopping event itself. However, these big-name retailers are keeping their stores locked tight all day on Thanksgiving 2015. So, if you’re planning on getting a head start on Black Friday deals, remember to shop these stores online only with Cash Back at Ebates.

Clothing & Accessories

Home & Garden

Sam’s Club

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Jo-Ann

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Shop Jo-Ann with 2% Cash Back>

Crate & Barrel

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Pier 1 Imports

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Lowe’s

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Electronics & Entertainment

Game Stop

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Staples

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Barnes & Noble

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Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

October 30, 2015

The Best Things to Buy in November

November may be all about holiday gift shopping but don’t forget that you still have plenty of time to check off your list. In order to stretch your budget as far as it can reach, you may want to jump on certain items this month and leave others for December. Here is our complete guide on the best things to buy in November.

Kitchen Goods – Restock your own cook’s corner or plan gift-buying for all the foodies and chefs on your list this month. Experts report that nearly half of all kitchen sales have featured the lowest prices of the year on top items like Pyrex containers and even KitchenAid mixers.
Stores to watch: Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond.

Major Appliances – Black Friday has been known to feature the hottest appliance sales on items like Dyson vacuums, washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators. However, the entire month of November is fair game. So while you may not be planning to gift an entire washer/dryer unit, you may consider taking this time to upgrade your own.
Stores to watch: Sears, Best Buy.

Tools – Expect to see amazing deals on select hand tools and power drill sets. This is usually typical for the colder months when people are less likely to take on household projects. However, beware. Some purchases may require in-store pickup while others will offer free shipping. Always be clear on the purchase terms before checkout.
Stores to watch: Ace Hardware, Lowe’s.

Tablets – Tap into savings with rock bottom prices on cheap tablets including Android and Windows models. Believe it or not, you may be able to score off-brand Android tablets for as low as $20 and Windows tablets for as low as $45! Want to save even more? Go with a refurbished model. If you’re an Apple user, don’t fret. The iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2 are projected to drop significantly in price with the upcoming release of the iPad Pro.
Stores to watch: Lenovo, Best Buy.

Clothes – Start shopping for clothes on the Monday before Black Friday to see the most savings on apparel for the whole family. The average clothing sales for this time of year can take off over 50% while some can go as low as 80% off. Also, be on the lookout for clothing coupons that can take up to 60% off.
Stores to watch: Kohl’s, J.Crew.

Console Bundles – Black Friday is slated to bring the best prices of the year on console and game bundles including PlayStation4 and Xbox One. The best bundles will include two free video games normally priced at around $60. If you’re tempted to buy a refurbished console to save money, it may actually be a better deal to go with a bundle so be sure to weigh the costs.
Store to watch: The Hut, Game Stop.

15″ Laptops – Expect to see amazing price drops on big-name laptops that use either Intel’s current generation Core i5 processor or the Broadwell Core i5 CPU. These laptop sales will also extend to generic laptops, however, you may want to opt for higher quality at a great deal. Big names will go for about $300 while bargain bin, 11″ laptops will be as low as $150.
Stores to watch: Kmart, Microsoft Store.

Candy! – Need we remind you that Halloween has passed leaving lonely Halloween candy on shelves just waiting to be eaten? Fill those candy dishes with fun-sized errthang at next to nothing!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.