• Oscar Brisset transitioned from BCG consultant to AI startup founder by age 25.
• The year before he quit consulting, he used weekends and PTO to teach himself to code.
• His top advice to others who want to take the leap: Don't be afraid to learn technical skills.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Oscar Brisset, 25, a French-Australian founder based in San Francisco. He cofounded Remy AI, a warehouse robotics company. Business Insider has verified his former employment and funding. This piece has been edited for length and clarity.

In 2024, I used 18 of my 25 allotted vacation days from BCG to sit at home and teach myself to code. I wanted to have the skills to one day found my own company.

In November 2025, I quit my job at BCG after launching a robotics startup. We have since raised more than $650,000 for Remy AI, which builds AI-powered robots for e-commerce warehouses.

Here's how I did it.

I planned to become a diplomat until I discovered AI

I was a student at the University of Oxford when GPT-3 came out, and I was blown away. I knew it was going to revolutionize the world.

I graduated from Oxford in 2022 and took a gap year, knowing that I eventually wanted to found a tech startup. In the meantime, consulting felt like a good way to learn about other industries.

In September 2023, I started working at BCG in the private equity team. I was often in the office until midnight, so I didn't have much time during the week. I spent my weekends learning how to code by going back and forth with Claude and ChatGPT, prompting them not to give me answers straight away, but to ask leading questions.

YouTube also helped me discover new tools and frameworks, and I used a textbook to understand the theory.

I wanted to build something myself

About a year and a half into my time at BCG, I transitioned into a role as an AI engineer. One weekend in May, I had a crisis. I didn't sleep or eat much and lay in bed trying to work out what I wanted to do with my life.

That summer, my cofounder, Ben Kaye, and I came up with the idea for Remy AI.

Whereas most existing warehouse robots require preprogramming for each object they grasp, we've built a model with Remy AI that enables them to adapt to changing conditions on the fly. We're bringing AI into the physical world, focusing on warehouses and logistics.

From July onwards, I shifted my focus from learning to code to trying to sell, spending my weekends reaching out to people on LinkedIn.

In October, we flew to San Francisco to get funding. I networked like crazy, pitched to a bunch of investors, and applied to YC.

We got a call inviting us to join the Winter 2026 batch. YC invests $500,000 in each startup, and we'd raised funds from other investors too, which meant I could focus on building the business.

With our startup doing well, I decided to quit my job at BCG in November.

My key piece of advice to others with a background like mine is not to be scared to teach yourself technical skills.

A lot of people hear "software engineering" or "coding" and assume it's not for them or that it's too difficult, but things have changed a lot with the introduction of LLMs and tools like Claude. LLMs can teach you a lot and get you to a quite good level quickly. You just need to be prepared to throw yourself in the deep end.

When I moved from an apartment to a rental home with a backyard, I was a little too excited about gardening. Like a lot of Gen Zers, I'd been looking for something that would get me off my phone and outside more, and gardening felt like the perfect answer. I pictured slow mornings watering plants, fresh herbs whenever I needed them, maybe even a few impressive harvests.

The reality was a lot less idyllic. As soon as I started planning, I got overwhelmed. There were so many gardening tools, supplies, and conflicting opinions about what you "need," and I had no idea where to begin. I test products for a living, so I ended up wasting money on things I didn't need.After a lot of trial and error (and a few plants that didn't make it), my setup is a lot simpler now. These are the tools and essentials I actually use, and the ones I'd skip if you're a beginner gardener.

A pair of tough gardening gloves

If you're a beginner gardener thinking you don't really need gardening gloves, let me stop you right there. Gardening gloves aren't just handy for dealing with thorny plants like roses — they also protect your hands from unexpected scratches, scrapes, and dirt. More than once, I've bent down to confidently extract an innocent-looking weed with my bare hands, only to be stabbed by prickly little barbs. And, I quickly grew quite tired of cleaning dirt out from underneath my fingernails after working in my garden. A pair of gardening gloves is your first line of defense against the elements.

I love this pair from Duluth — the woven cotton covers up to the elbows, and the palm is reinforced with a durable, puncture-proof layer of goatskin that recently survived a bout with my rose bush. For something a bit cheaper, check out the CoolJob Gloves. It's a flexible, rubber-coated pair that made our list for the best gardening gloves.

Shop all gardening gloves at Amazon.

A trusty trowel

A trowel just might be the most important tool in any gardener's arsenal. From planting seeds and starts to digging up the roots of weeds, you'll need a good trowel to get the job done. Look for one with a sturdy metal blade and a squishy handle for optimal comfort and performance during long gardening sessions. I use a Husky trowel, and I've been consistently impressed with its quality at such a budget-friendly price.

Shop all garden trowels at Amazon.

A versatile hose nozzle

A hose nozzle is a garden hose's best friend. My rental house has horrible water pressure, but the Husky Pro Hose Nozzle lets me precisely control the amount and pressure of water I use to water my beloved plants. I also like that this has only five basic settings — I don't really think most gardeners need a nozzle with a ton of different modes. The thumb control is easy to slide, and the squishy grip is comfortable to hold for long periods.

My highest bit of praise for this hose nozzle? My fiancé requested we keep this one after I had finished testing for our best hose nozzles guide. It's rare that he notices a difference in anything I test, so let that be a testament to this nozzle's quality.

Shop all hose nozzles at Amazon.

A bucket organizer

As someone who has a hard time keeping track of tools while I garden (it's not uncommon to find my trowel feet away buried under a mound of dirt), this little bucket caddy has been a game-changer. It hooks directly on top of any standard bucket, with individual pockets to hold essentials like gloves, shears, and seed packets. It's especially useful for weeding, since I can put weeds in the bucket as I work and carry it across the yard. This caddy from Duluth includes mesh at the bottom to filter out excess dirt and prevent grime build-up.

Shop all bucket organizers at Amazon.

A set of shears

A good set of shears is especially important if you're hoping to grow stunning, healthy flowers and shrubs. I recently used my shears to remove dead growth on my rose bush and hydrangeas, and now they're looking better than ever and ready to grow gorgeous flowers this season. Look for bypass shears — they operate like a big pair of scissors for precise cuts. I also recommend full-size loppers if you're planning on using them for larger jobs, like removing dead branches from a tree.

Shop all pruning shears at Amazon.

Raised garden beds

Raised garden beds make gardening so much easier, since you don't have to worry about the soil quality in your backyard. Instead of fussing over the amount of clay or rocks in the dirt, plop one of these down and fill it with your favorite, nutrient-packed potting soil. Plus, they look so neat and aesthetically-pleasing when they're filled up with greenery.

I recommend opting for a rot-resistant wood like cedar, since it can face the weather and daily watering with minimal wear and tear. My fiancé built our raised beds, but if you're not lucky enough to have a handy partner like me, I recommend this option from Vita. It's what our senior pets editor (and my personal gardening mentor) Lisa Sabatini uses for her herbs — and as a recipient of pictures of her fruitful harvests, I wholeheartedly trust her recommendations.

Shop all raised planters on Amazon.

Actually good seeds

Shop all vegetable, flower, and plant seeds at Johnny's Selected Seeds.

My first gardening season, I just stopped at my local hardware store to pick up whatever seeds they had in stock. That's well and good, but moving forward, I've been trying to be more intentional about what kinds of seeds I buy. Johnny's Selected Seeds were recommended to me by our senior pets editor, which was in turn recommended to her by a neighbor — and everyone knows the best gardening recommendations travel by word of mouth. Johnny's Selected Seeds uses natural cross-breeding to create hybrid strains of plants and veggies. You'll find plenty of organic and heirloom seeds, too.

If you must buy seeds from sites like Amazon, look for options from reputable brands like Burpee or Mountain Valley Seed Co. Also, check in with your local greenhouse or nursery for recommendations on native plants.

A full-sized shovel

My first garden season, I told myself I didn't need a large shovel and proceeded to painstakingly dig every hole with my handheld trowel. Needless to say, I learned my lesson and upgraded to an actual shovel, which comes in handy for everything from digging up stubborn weeds to mixing potting soil.

I got my shovel at an estate sale for one single dollar, but if you lack my thrifting luck, I recommend the Fiskars Steel Shovel. It's the top pick in our best shovels guide, boasting a durable steel construction and a squishy grip.

Shop all shovels at Amazon.

A garden rake

Rakes are for way more than just leaves. I've used a heavy-duty garden rake to mix potting soil, spread mulch, and and till dirt. And while you can technically use a leaf rake for these tasks, it's much easier when using a rake with a steel, bow-shaped head. Steel rakes can get a little heavy, but the garden rake from Kobalt has a lightweight fiberglass handle for easy maneuvering.

Shop all rakes at Amazon.

A durable dump cart

The Gorilla Poly Dump Cart is a bit of a splurge, but if you want to avoid lugging bulky items by hand, I think it's worth it. This ultra-durable wagon has a massive weight capacity (so, yes, you can take a ride in it if your heart so desires), and it's my go-to for transporting heavy bags of potting soil around the yard. I like the control and convenience of the four-wheeled cart, but Gorilla sells a traditional two-wheeled wheelbarrow, too.

Shop all yard carts and wheelbarrows at Amazon.

A pair of gardening shoes

After staining multiple pairs of perfectly good tennis shoes, trust me: You're going to need a dedicated pair of gardening shoes. You could do what I do and use a classic pair of rain boots, or opt for something specific like a garden clog. Senior pets editor Lisa Sabatini uses Mucksters (available in women's and men's sizes), which she slips on before stepping outside to work in her garden. Whatever kind of shoe you shop for, make sure they're waterproof, easy to clean, and have adequate support for long gardening sessions.

Cute garden decor

What good is a garden without a little bit of personality? From garden stakes and flags to gnomes and birdbaths, I'm a believer in adding a little extra whimsy to your garden. I love snails (I have a tattoo to prove it), so you'll find plenty of snail references nestled in next to my plants. I'm a fan these rain-boot-sporting ducks and this adorable hedgehog wind chime from Uncommon Goods, my go-to destination for joy-filled outdoor decor.

Shop all garden decor at Amazon.

3 garden tools you can skip

In addition to tools I think every gardener needs, here are a few products you should skip:

Gardening tool sets: When shopping for a trowel, you might be tempted to upgrade to a combination pack, which could include tools like a small rake, transplanter, or cultivator. In my opinion, you're better off just investing in a good trowel, since it can tackle any gardening job just as well as most specialized tools.

Soil composition test kit: If you're using bagged potting soil for gardening, you can safely skip a soil composition test kit. Potting soil mixes are specifically designed to give your plants all the nutrients they need.

Smart sprinklers and irrigation systems: Smart sprinklers are pricey, and a good old fashioned garden hose will work just as well to keep your plants healthy and hydrated. Plus, my favorite part of gardening is spending time tending to my plants everyday, so there's no need to automate the care system.

More garden essentials

Browse more products for the garden: Hoses | Hose reels | Watering cans | Garden edging | Plant pots | Indoor gardens | Soil moisture meters | Sprinklers

• Osmosis, a medical education site, and the IPMA created a free Coursera course that gives students an overview of COVID-19. 
• "COVID-19: What You Need to Know" combines current information issued by the CDC, WHO, and other leading agencies, while also exploring topics like personal protective equipment, diagnostics, and more.
• The course is eligible for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit for healthcare professionals.
• It's taught by Osmosis' Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rishi Desai, a pediatric infectious disease physician with a public health background, and Mary Ales, the executive director of the Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association (IPMA).
• Read more: 12 free public health courses that award a certificate upon completion

Osmosis, a popular online medical education site founded by two former Johns Hopkins medical school students, is offering a free online course on COVID-19, led by its Chief Medical Officer, on Coursera. 

"COVID-19: What You Need to Know" is available for free. It's regularly updated with the most current information issued by the CDC, WHO, and other leading agencies and covers topics like personal protective equipment, diagnostics, and more. Healthcare professionals can earn CME credit for taking it. 

The course is led by Rishi Desai, MD, MPH, a pediatric infectious disease physician with a public health background, and Mary Ales, the executive director of Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association (IPMA) for the last 17 years.

As part of the class, students will learn to recognize the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19, as well as how it spread around the world and how to apply the public health measures needed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Although probably better suited to healthcare professionals, the average person can take the course to understand how to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus and reduce the burden on our healthcare system.

The course breaks down into five videos (about 45 minutes total), 13 readings, and seven quizzes. It should only take students three hours to complete. Subtitles are available in English, Italian, and Spanish.

• For Pi Day, Coursera is offering some online programs for $3.14 for the first month.
• Normally $39-$49/month, Specializations range from data science to video game art. 
• The deal runs until March 28, 2022, and you can only use it on one Specialization.

In honor of Pi Day, Coursera is offering some of its Specializations for $3.14 for the first month.

Coursera Specializations are a series of online courses on a single topic, from using machine learning for trading to becoming an ethical journalist. While you can audit them for free, the paid version (normally between $39-$49/month) comes with graded homework and a certificate of completion you can add to your LinkedIn profile.

Coursera Pi Day deal details:

The Pi Day sale is available until March 28, 2022, can only be used on one Specialization, and isn't valid in India. At checkout, the cost will automatically adjust to $3.14 for the first month, then renew to the normal cost per month ($39-$49) until you unsubscribe.

Specializations can take multiple months to complete depending on your learning pace, so that's also worth considering when signing up. If the same Specialization is covered by Coursera Plus (a nearly all-access membership that comes in monthly and annual options), it may make sense to crunch the numbers to see which option saves you more — especially since Coursera Plus also lets you take an unlimited number of Specializations.

What's included:

Browse all the included Specializations here. 

• Coursera offers thousands of free courses and paid certificate programs from top schools and brands.
• It also hosts online master's degrees, including ones from UPenn and the University of Michigan.
• They are a less expensive way to access the same classes, faculty, and degree as on-campus programs.

Coursera is probably best known for its free course options, from a Yale psychology class on how to be happy to an immensely popular Stanford machine learning course. It also offers short-term certificate programs from companies like Google and IBM.

But it also has master's degree programs — remote, accessible, and comparatively more affordable routes to what are often the same classes, faculty, and degrees offered to on-campus students.  

Below, you'll find 10 popular Coursera master's programs, which range from electrical engineering to public health. Keep in mind that application deadlines span from May 30 to August 31, 2021. 

10 popular Coursera online master's programs:

Master of Computer and Information Technology from University of Pennsylvania

One of the top schools in the world, University of Pennsylvania offers a completely online Master of Computer and Information Technology degree. The MCIT Online program is tailored for non-computer science majors and prepares students for roles in finance, healthcare, education, and government, as well as the core software development industry.

Students come from diverse disciplines (history, chemistry, medicine) and graduates have earned jobs at tech companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Bloomberg, and more.

Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The iMBA program gives online students the same MBA degree as on-campus students. Students web conference into live classrooms, conduct team projects, and interact with professors during virtual office hours to complete 18 courses and three capstone projects. 

Students hail from more than 90 countries and 48 US states, leading to diverse perspectives and a global network. 

Master of Applied Data Science from University of Michigan

The University of Michigan's Applied Data Science master's degree program comes from one of the top 10 information studies programs and blends classroom learning with hands-on projects. S

Students learn to master core data science concepts (machine learning, natural language processing) and explore timely topics such as privacy, data ethics, and persuasive communication.

Master of Science in Management from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The iMSM is a nine-course, completely online master's degree in management. The University of Illinois says it gives students the same education from the same faculty as its on-campus students. 

The core covers the foundational management classes (leadership and teams, marketing management, strategic management, and more) on top of accounting and finance classes. From there, students can customize their degree with elective courses in global business, business challenges, and data-driven decision-making and communication. 

Global Master of Business Administration (GMBA) from Macquarie University

This intentionally global MBA program builds your expertise in traditional foundation topics — marketing, accounting, and more — as well as developing unique, future-focused skills that will help you stand out and succeed in the future.

Students hone skills in strategy, leadership, analysis, and problem-solving using real-world issues from industry partners who help develop each course. 

Please note the following price is in AUD. 

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder

The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder is completely online and flexible. Students can take an individual course in the program to build a professional skill or a fraction of the courses to earn a graduate certificate.

To earn the full master's degree, students get to complete their choice of 30-credit hours. They can choose from over 30 elective courses in key areas: power electronics, embedded systems, photonics and optics, controls and communications, electromagnetics, and computer engineering. 

Admission to the program is based on performance, so no formal application is required to begin. You just need to successfully complete one "Pathway Specialization" in order to be officially admitted into the program. Then, you combine those credits with more courses to reach your 30 credits. 

Master of Public Health from University of Michigan

The University of Michigan, another one of the best global universities, offers its own totally online master's degree in Public Health. Students gain expertise in core public health concepts and customize their education in areas such as precision nutrition, health communication, data analysis, environmental epidemiology, and more.

To prepare for a wide variety of roles, students develop skills in data collection and analysis, intervention strategy, and communication methods over their 42 credits. Each student also gains real-world training through Applied Practice Experiences (APEx).

Master of Science in Population and Health Sciences from University of Michigan

The fully online Master of Science in Population and Health Sciences teaches students about today's most challenging public health issues and hones their data analysis skills.

Designed by one of the nation's top five public universities, the University of Michigan's program is multidisciplinary and research-intensive. Public health experts show students how to conduct literature reviews, understand research methodologies, analyze and interpret data, compare findings, and prepare scientific writing for publication, among other things. 

Global Master of Public Health (GMPH) from Imperial College London

Imperial College London, one of the top 20 universities in the world, offers an online master's degree program in Public Health and, with it, access to faculty that have helped shape global policy (such as researchers who led the Ebola response). Students learn about biostatistics, epidemiology, health systems, health economics, population health improvement, and more. To sharpen research skills, students also explore public health issues impacting their own community.

The program is completely online, and students are given opportunities to develop work to submit to peer-reviewed journals and build portfolios to launch the next stage of their career. 

Online Master of Computer Science from Arizona State University

Named the most innovative school in the US (US News) for four consecutive years, Arizona State University's fully online Master's combines classroom education and hands-on applied projects in topics such as AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and big data. Online students receive the same degree as on-campus students and learn from the same faculty.  

ASU students also have unique opportunities to work with on-campus organizations — such as its Blockchain Research Laboratory. 

• Coursera is offering unemployed workers free access to thousands of job-relevant courses, specializations, and professional certificates.
• Government agencies can apply for the Workforce Recovery Initiative through September 30, 2020, and pass the benefits on to workers, by signing up here. 
• Leah Belsky, the Chief Enterprise Officer at Coursera, mentioned the Contact Tracing Course and Google IT Support Professional Certificate as two great examples of how the program is helping unemployed workers re-skill and re-enter the workforce.

Coursera, a popular online learning platform, has launched a Workforce Recovery Initiative that gives unemployed workers access to 90% of its catalog of courses and certificate programs through government agencies and community colleges for zero cost to either one. Ideally, it'll help unemployed workers re-skill and re-enter the workforce. 

How it works

Through the program, unemployed workers will get free access to over 3,800 courses from universities such as Duke and Yale and from companies such as IBM and Google. Students can access individual courses, Job Paths (collections of courses that prepare them for roles such as Business Analyst or Cloud Architect), and professional certificate programs that can all help demonstrate their aptitude to future employers. 

Leah Belsky, Coursera's Chief Enterprise Officer and formerly a member of Obama's Technology Policy Committee, told Business Insider the program has been adopted both domestically and internationally, from states like Oklahoma and Illinois to countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, Ukraine, Columbia, and Greece. 

"The first thing that we saw happening globally after the shutdown was the shutdown of education," Belsky said. "And now the big reckoning we're all having is how to support people who become unemployed during this time." 

Coursera's offerings are already workforce-ready by design. Enterprise helps colleges integrate more career-related coursework into their curriculum and uses feedback from its network of Fortune 500 companies, along with third-party job market research, to design much of what it offers. The company creates the courses — and pairs them with expert instructors — to teach students the skills they'll ideally need to fill the jobs of the future.

Previously, Coursera's Enterprise arm has also helped up-skill and re-skill workforces in countries such as Egypt and Pakistan to empower unemployed youth.  

According to Belsky, the Workforce Recovery Initiative may help facilitate a pathway into more stable careers in the future. "Significantly, a lot of the jobs that [unemployed workers] left are not necessarily going to exist when the economy comes roaring back to life."

Federal, state, and local governments can sign up until September 30, 2020, and newly enrolled learners will have through December 31, 2020 to complete their courses.

What courses are offered

The new initiative gives unemployed workers access to 90% of Coursera's catalog for free. Among the courses available are those that can take beginners from unrelated fields and make them ready for entry-level roles in another, like tech. 

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is designed specifically for underrepresented and nontraditional learners — many of whom may not have a college degree — and prepares them for one of the hundreds of thousands of entry-level IT positions with a good median salary. The program focuses on hard technical skills, as well as soft skills like customer service. It even delves into difficult but essential traits like grit and resilience. 

Another example is the COVID-19 Contact Tracing course designed by Johns Hopkins that prepares learners to become one of the expected 6,400 to 17,000 Contact Tracers in New York alone. Through Bloomberg Philanthropies, that course — which takes only six hours to complete — is completely free for anyone to take. 

The courses themselves are relatively accessible. They're self-paced, are occasionally offered in multiple languages (though English is the vast majority), there's no need to install any software to complete guided projects, and they can be accessed via web, mobile device, or by download. 

What can I do as an individual?

You can still enroll in classes through Coursera by checking the full course catalog here. It's not covered by the Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative, but you can audit courses for free or pay a relatively low ($39-$79 on average) price for full access and a certificate of completion. If cost is still a concern, you can apply for financial aid for many courses. And anyone at all can enroll in 100 Coursera courses for free — both job-related and not — until December 31 here. 

If you plan to take many online classes this year, and they're covered by Coursera Plus, you may want to look into the Coursera annual membership ($399/year) to save money in the longterm. 

Other initiatives from Coursera

This isn't the only program of its kind that Coursera is offering to support recovery and skill development throughout the pandemic. The site is giving students with a .edu email access to 90% of its site until September 30, 2020 to empower remote learning, especially as students try to gain valuable experience and skills at the same time many internships are being canceled. 

Government agencies can apply for access to the Workforce Recovery Initiative by completing the form here.

• In 2015, Stanford lecturer Maya Adam, MD started teaching a course called Introduction to Food and Health on Coursera. Over half a million students have enrolled since then.
• The class focuses on developing healthy eating habits, emphasizing beneficial nutrients to add to your diet and harmful components to stay away from.
• I signed up for the class and it helped me make better food choices and reinforced my existing healthy habits.

According to the World Health Organization, chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability around the world. Yet a majority of them could be prevented or alleviated with lifestyle changes, such as "early detection, improved diet, exercise, and treatment therapy," says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

While diet is only part of the equation, the CDC notes that fewer than one in 10 US adults and adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables. This is due to many factors, such as the promotion of processed food, harmful diet culture, and the lack of education around healthy eating.

Luckily, one online course is redefining nutrition education by teaching individuals how to eat to live longer, healthier lives. Taught by Stanford lecturer Maya Adam, MD, Coursera's free class, Stanford Introduction to Food and Health debunks common food myths and helps individuals gain practical skills to start eating healthier.

Adam, a physician and professor at Stanford University's School of Medicine, has been teaching courses on child health and nutrition since 2009. In 2013, she founded Just Cook for Kids, a nonprofit initiative that develops educational content for families on healthful eating and cooking. She started teaching her most popular course, Stanford Introduction to Food and Health, in 2015, and since then, 515,038 students have enrolled. To see firsthand why so many people are drawn to this course, I decided to sign up.

The course covers the following topics in five weekly installments:

• Background on Food & Nutrients
• Contemporary Trends in Eating
• Future Directions in Health - Part 1
• Future Directions in Health - Part 2
• Cooking Workshop

Included in the coursework are short videos, readings, and half-hour quizzes to apply your knowledge. It officially takes four weeks to finish the course, but there's an optional fifth week you can take to learn how to prepare healthy meals, with recipes demonstrated by Adam herself.

What to expect from the class

The class is accessible and user-friendly. It takes big, broad health topics and breaks them down through short videos that focus on the different aspects through a nutritional lens. In the first week, you go from understanding the history of modern chronic diseases to ultimately learning which foods are good for you and which ones to steer clear of, all through documentary-style videos that take an hour to watch in total. 

It's fairly short, too — you can take the course over a span of four weeks or even in one sitting, which would just be a couple of hours. There are weekly quizzes to help you stay on top of everything, but absolutely no required reading or note-taking. All of the content is concise, easy to follow, and visually focused, with lots of graphics in the videos to help illustrate what optimizing your eating looks like.

Sign up for free here, or keep reading to learn about my experience.

My experience taking the class

I definitely revel in online classes and I take short ones often to deepen my knowledge in the health and wellness space. Prior to signing up for this one, I've taken courses on sustainability, plant-based eating, and meditation. I liked how I could take the course at my own pace and not have to worry so much about grading. It made the process stress-free, yet still engaging and enjoyable. 

The best part of this course was being able to apply the knowledge in real life and in real-time. It felt convenient and pragmatic — I would incorporate something new on my trip to the grocery store each week. After I learned about how to effectively scan a nutrition label, I went beyond just looking at the calorie and sugar content of my groceries, but also started paying attention to the amount of dietary fiber, a plant-based nutrient that helps control blood sugar levels, promotes a healthy gut, and reduces the risk of heart disease. 

I eventually realized many of my food choices were low in fiber and made some healthier swaps that are now my new favorite foods, like oat bran breakfast biscuits and yellow lentils. The course reinforced my existing healthy eating habits while adding new ones, broadening my understanding of the "why" behind what we should eat for good health.

Another aspect of the class that I immediately adopted was incorporating healthy cooking hacks in preparing convenient meals. As someone who's always on-the-go, I learned a lot about what foods to stock up on in my pantry and fridge to whip up a nutritious and easy meal in minutes (and avoid relying on Uber Eats or DoorDash).

Now, I make sure to always have onions, tofu, olive oil, frozen veggies, and canned protein-rich beans in my kitchen. On days where I just need to grab a quick bite, you can find me throwing together a bean salad with canned chickpeas, olive oil, salt, and pepper in less than five minutes. 

When I usually have more time, I cook a variety of flavorful dishes such as tofu stir-fry, veggie pasta, lentil soup, black bean tacos, and more. While these nourishing food hacks are a sustainable solution, the course does uphold intuitive eating – for those days where I crave a burger or ice cream sundae – affirming that it should be eaten in moderation.

Here's what I liked:

Every aspect of the course is action-oriented.

For example, you learn about how to take a stepwise approach to a more sustainable dietary transformation. For me, this meant swapping my high-sodium, saturated fat snacks with healthier alternatives. Honestly, I am not a huge fan of meal prepping because I don't prefer eating the same meal for days, but it's different with snacks since I munch on pretty much the same things each day.

For instance, instead of popping a bag of salty popcorn in the microwave, I made my own popcorn ahead of time – topped with a sprinkle of olive oil, kosher salt, and nutritional yeast – and stored it in individual-sized bags for the days of the week. The course promoted this switch, which allows me to create homemade, more nutritious versions of my favorite snack without compromising on taste and flavor. Most of the content in the curriculum is centered around simple actions you can take in your daily life. It doesn't just tell you what to eat — it tells you how to eat it too. 

The quizzes provide a lot of structure and hold you accountable.

If you're not a huge fan of grades (like me), you'll still see that it is sort of an efficient portal to apply your knowledge and maintain your understanding. The course does cover quite a few topics each week and the weekly quiz helps you stay on top of the content so you don't find yourself going back and forth. Plus, there are multiple attempts on the quizzes so you can surely try a few times!

You can easily interact with other students in the forum.

Luckily, the course does have an online forum where you can connect with other students, ask questions, and chat about course content each week. I really enjoyed hearing others' perspectives and even learned a lot from a sociocultural point of view regarding the diversity in eating. 

By the end, you'll know exactly which nutrients to incorporate into your diet and what to avoid.

I love that the course has a whole unit on recipes (aka optional week 5) where you get 10 new healthy recipes to start with! The recipes are demonstrated by Adam herself, where she walks you step-by-step on how to prepare these easy, delicious meals in your home kitchen. 

During the fifth week, I prepared one recipe each day, from idlis to sweet pea salad to a spicy lasagna. One of my favorite recipes from the course was the asparagus torta, which featured crispy sautéed asparagus baked with eggs and spices. As a plant-based eater, I subbed the eggs with a chickpea flour and water mixture. The dish was easy to throw together, tasted delectable, and was packed with nutrients. I'm excited to assemble this dish again and again experimenting with a variety of different vegetables, spices, and whole grains.

The bottom line:

Ultimately, this course is not just about giving you the knowledge on food and nutrition but helping you change your lifestyle. By the end of the class, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to empower others and influence your community to live more fulfilling, healthier lives just by the power of nutritious, home cooking.

• Coursera has thousands of affordable online courses and certificate programs, and currently offers 12 public health courses for free.
• Below are 12 of Coursera's best public health courses — including one that's CME eligible — that offer optional paid certificates to add to your resume or LinkedIn.
• Read more: Coursera Plus gives you unlimited access to over 90% of the site's online courses for $399 a year

Most online learning platforms aim to provide mass affordable access to education — something that's increasingly and especially important in areas like public health.

To help healthcare professionals and medical students gain crucial — even life-saving — skills quickly and flexibly, Coursera, which already hosts over 3,000 affordable online courses, also currently offers 12 public health courses completely for free.

The courses span topics ranging from disaster preparedness and infection prevention in nursing homes to disease screening in epidemics. Students can learn the essentials of global health from Yale University, as well as what a disease cluster is from Johns Hopkins University, all free of cost, or they can pay for optional certificates (usually $49) to add to their resumes or LinkedIn profiles.

Find 12 Coursera public health courses below:

COVID-19: What You Need to Know (CME Eligible)

Offered by: IMPA + Osmosis 

Length: 3 hours

Osmosis, a medical education site founded by former Johns Hopkins medical students, created this CME-eligible course for COVID-19. It's regularly updated with current information about the novel coronavirus and aggregates information issued by the CDC, WHO, and other leading agencies. The class covers the basics, as well as personal protective equipment, diagnostics, and other related material. Healthcare professionals can earn CME credit.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Epidemics, Pandemics, and Outbreaks

Offered by: The University of Pittsburgh

Length: 13 hours

This course tries to answer the question: what can we do to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases from becoming epidemics or pandemic?

Students learn about infectious diseases and medical responses, focusing on public health laws and policies that provide the framework for effective prevention like quarantine laws, drug development policies, bioterrorism, and biodefense.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Infection Prevention in Nursing Homes

Offered by: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Length: 8 hours

In this course, students learn about the role that the environment plays in disease transmission and how to implement standard and transmission-based precautions to prevent the spread of bacteria and infections in elderly care facilities.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Communicating During Global Emergencies

Offered by: Emory University

Length: 8 hours

This course introduces a basic framework of concepts and principles of communication during a global crisis or emergency including why such communication is different, as well as the importance of adapting emergency messages to the needs of affected populations.

Students use sample scenarios to identify information needs and develop useful messages that communicate effectively and promote behaviors that reduce health risks during an emergency.

Communicating During Global Emergencies was designed in collaboration with the Emory Rollins School of Public Health and the CDC's Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response, and Recovery Branch.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Essentials of Global Health

Offered by: Yale University

Length: 70 hours

Essentials of Global Health course takes a global perspective but emphasizes low- and middle-income countries, the health of the poor, and health disparities. 

Students pay particular attention to issues within health systems; the links between health and development, and health matters related to global interdependence. 

The course is primarily structured around five questions: What do people get sick, disabled, and die from? Why do they suffer from these conditions? Which people are most affected? Why should we care about such concerns? And, most importantly, what can be done to address key health issues, hopefully at least cost, as fast as possible, and in sustainable ways?

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

The Challenges of Global Health

Offered by: Duke University

Length: 20 hours

Taught by Dr. David Boyd, an award-winning professor at Duke's Global Health Institute, The Challenges of Global Health provides students with a concise but comprehensive foundation for approaching global health problems. The class examines what the world's major health challenges are, what contributes to them, and what we can do to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Science Matters: Let's Talk About COVID-19

Offered by: Imperial College London + Abdul Latif Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics (J-IDEA)

Length: 16 hours

This course features insight directly from experts about the theory behind the analysis of COVID-19 and its spread, as well as how to interpret new information using core principles of public health, epidemiology, medicine, health economics, and social science.

Students watch regular situation reports about the state of the epidemic, provided by the researchers of J-IDEA and its director, Professor Neil Ferguson.

Free 

Global Health: An Interdisciplinary Overview

Offered by: The University of Geneva

Length: 19 hours

This course constructs an interdisciplinary overview of our current global health challenges using insights from medicine, public health, law, economics, social sciences, and humanities. Students use these as guides for seven critical topics in global health.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Disaster Preparedness

Offered by: The University of Pittsburgh

Length: 13 hours

This course is best for proactive people looking to improve their disaster readiness and survival planning. It introduces the disaster cycle and specifically focuses on mitigation and recovery phases. Students create an extensive personal preparedness plan in the absence of resources like food, water, shelter, and communication.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health

Offered by: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Length: 7 hours

This course explores public health issues like cardiovascular and infectious diseases, both locally and globally, through the perspective of epidemiology.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Disease Screening in Public Health Epidemics

Offered by: The University of Geneva + The University of Lausanne

Length: 22 hours

This course, designed by two major Swiss universities, is designed to aid in critically assessing the promises and the pitfalls of disease screening strategies.

The course helps students understand important concepts for disease screening programs that are explored through a series of examples most relevant to public health today. The class concludes with expert interviews that explore vital future topics.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Disease Clusters

Offered by: Johns Hopkins University

Length: 7 hours

This course teaches students what disease clusters are, how they are examined, and the challenges posed in studying them. The course's goal is to empower community scientists and to build better relationships between communities and health officials.

Free to audit, add a certificate for $49

Looking for more e-learning? Here are some of the best online classes you can take

• Coursera's 23 most popular online courses right now — from public health courses on COVID-19 to the science of happiness
• These are the best e-learning platforms for free or cheap online classes, whether you want to switch careers or pick up a new hobby
  
• I use Coursera to take all the fun classes I didn't have time for in college, like an art history course taught by the Museum of Modern Art. Here's why it's such a great resource for pursuing your hobbies and interests.
• 10 affordable and free online data science courses from MIT, Harvard, Google, IBM, and more
• These are the best apps and platforms to learn a new language in 2021 — including Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and more
  
• 12 affordable online courses that could help advance your career, according to a professional career coach

• College and university students can take 3,800 online classes with Coursera completely free right now. 
• Free courses offered range from computer science and data to public health and humanities. Students also have access to 150 Guided Projects, 400 Specializations, and 11 Professional Certificates.
• Students can enroll here until September 30, 2020. They have two months from their enrollment date to complete classes.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

Online learning platform Coursera is giving current undergraduate, graduate, and recent graduates with a verified school email access to 90% of its site for free.

For $0 (and no credit card even needed at checkout), students gain access to 3,800 classes, 150 Guided Projects, 400 Specializations, and 11 Professional Certificates. There's no limit to how many classes students can enroll in. Available courses range in topics from humanities and languages to computer science and data to business and entrepreneurship. 

Students can earn credentials from some of the best instructors and the world's top universities, including the University of Michigan, Yale University, and Duke University. Professional Certificates can be earned from leading companies such as Google and SAS, which use online courses to educate the up-and-coming workforce with in-demand skills they need.

Students can enroll in programs until September 30, 2020, and must complete them within the two months following the enrollment date.

After September 30, 2020, students will still have free access to Guided Projects, which are short, hands-on learning experiences that develop job-relevant skills like data analysis with Plotly and Python, app development in Android Studio with Java, or social media marketing with Canva. Thanks to the interactive nature of these projects, Coursera says students should be able to learn a new skill in under two hours with step-by-step guidance from a subject matter expert.

According to Coursera's Chief Product Officer Shavran Goli, the company determines the most in-demand job skills by talking with its 200 institutional partners about their needs. They also use labor insights from Burning Glass, a company that reportedly uses AI to analyze hundreds of millions of job postings and career transitions to provide insight into current job market patterns. Once Coursera knows which skills employers are actively hiring for, Coursera determines which classes the site should teach. 

Because Coursera's college student initiative is designed to support students impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, it's worth mentioning its accessibility. Students can easily access courses through a mobile app, there's no need to install any software to complete guided projects, and the site has courses in multiple languages — though English remains the dominant default.

Beyond Coursera's student initiative helping the 1.2 billion students experiencing a disruption in their education, internships, and summer jobs, the site has also created a Workforce Recovery Initiative. The initiative gives broad, free access to its site to unemployed workers through government agencies.

Coursera also created a CME-eligible course on COVID-19 with Osmosis, a medical e-learning site, and is home to the "COVID-19 Contact Tracing" training course built as part of the New York Contact Tracing program from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. (Contact tracing is expected to create 6,400 to 17,000 tracer jobs statewide.)

When asked if there was a business model to Coursera's latest initiative, Goli answered in the negative. "We just want to help ensure that anyone who wants or needs to continue their education is able to do so."

Sign up for Coursera's free courses for college students here 

• Popular e-learning platforms edX and Coursera both offer free courses through top universities, as well as certificates and online degree programs for a fraction of the cost of traditional school.
• Below is a comparison of the two platforms, including course offerings, program types, and pricing.
• Read more: Online learning is growing faster than ever — we compared 4 of the top platforms leading the way.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

As online learning platforms continue to grow, there are more and more options for more accessible education. Whether you're looking to switch careers, pick up a new skill for your current job, or take classes for fun, many e-learning platforms offer both free classes and paid certificate programs that can be budget-friendly alternatives to traditional college.

Among some of the biggest platforms are edX and Coursera, which collaborate with prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and MIT to provide free or comparatively affordable online courses. Each lets users audit at least some classes for free, pay to earn certificates to put on LinkedIn or your resume, and complete longer certificate programs that can be used as cheaper college credits to work towards a full degree. 

Below is a comparison of both edX and Coursera's features, including the pricing for each.

• Coursera's Crash Course on Python offers a great introduction to Python and programming.
• This online course isn't as intense as a graduate-level class but still provides a solid foundation.
• You can audit the course for free like I did or pay $39 per month for a certificate.

This past fall, I began my master's program in Information Management and Systems at UC Berkeley. I enrolled in two introductory courses that covered the fundamentals of coding in Python as well as data structures and object-oriented programming. 

The classes were hard. Though I did have some introductory knowledge to support me, I struggled in this intensive, graduate-level course load. I was able to pass in the end, but felt like I had just run a marathon without any water. 

After my first semester, my confidence in my Python knowledge was low, and  I began to wonder about alternative ways to learn to code. Were there other options I should have explored to help me through my transition to the academic field of technology and information? 

This led me to Coursera's Crash Course on Python offered by Google (part of a longer Google certificate program in IT automation with Python). During some free time at the beginning of my spring semester, I audited this online course for free to catch up on the subjects I still struggled to grasp. 

Taught by Christine Rafla, a Site Reliability Engineer at Google (who was a Systems Administrator at the time the course was filmed), this flexible, six-week course is designed to teach the fundamentals of programming in Python to beginners. It also offers insights into what a career in IT would look like.

Simply put, it's the course I wish I took before I started my graduate program. It gave me all the foundations for me to feel comfortable with more complex concepts. You can browse the course for free as I did, or pay to get a certificate of completion to add to your LinkedIn profile.

I also think the full Google IT Automation certificate program can be a great investment if you specifically want to move into an IT career, as the course was very intentional in preparing individuals for these types of roles.

What to expect from Google's Crash Course on Python

Like most of Coursera's online courses, the class consists of six weeks of modules that include lecture videos, readings, practice quizzes, and grades assessments. While watching the videos, pop-up quizzes test your comprehension of the material. 

As part of the readings, there are cheat sheets that provide a quick rundown of all the concepts discussed in the particular module. The course provides context for beginners by introducing Python and then continuing through all the basic concepts used to program with this language. 

At the end of each module, there's a short video from the curriculum developer Marga Manterola, a Site Reliability Engineer at Google.  In these short videos, she shares her journey in learning programming, her experience as a woman working in IT, and other interesting insights into her career at Google.

What I loved about the course

This crash course provided a fantastic introduction to programming and Python. Rafla's energy fostered a welcoming and encouraging environment and the material covered a comprehensive overview that accumulated into writing a script in Python. It's even filled with programming puns, which I thought was a fun added bonus. 

The course also contextualizes lessons in real-world examples. For instance, the instructor explains how she used a loop in her IT role at her job and discusses mistakes she made while writing her first script. I found this extremely helpful since there were times I  wondered how programming concepts are actually used in the workplace in my introductory graduate course. Though these examples were explicitly relevant to IT work, they helped make complicated concepts digestible. 

But my absolute favorite part of this course was the availability of cheat sheets. Learning to program is exactly like learning a new language. Maintaining a working vocabulary can be difficult, which is why making flashcards or using cheat sheets can be so useful. The cheat sheets provided from this course rivaled the homemade ones I had made studying for my midterm and finals in graduate school — I wish I had them back then.

How it compared to my graduate-level classes

The material covered in both my graduate course and this one was extremely similar — both were very much an introduction to programming and to Python. But the online course allowed me to go at my own pace, instead of the mandatory two-hour lectures I attended twice a week in school. 

The main difference between this course and the one I took as part of my graduate program is the constant emphasis on IT roles. The Crash Course on Python provides a practical application of how the concepts taught would be used in an IT job. I found the course to be more basic (in a good way) in its examples of programming and in its assignment prompts. This was great for a relative beginner in using Python.

In general, I wish I had taken this online course before my graduate semester began — for the cheat sheets alone, this class would have helped me solidify my knowledge of Python before I began a more accelerated course. 

Is it worth it to get a Coursera certificate?

It really depends on your goals. If you're looking for a basic introduction to Python, the certificate isn't worth it since you can get access to the lectures and readings for free if you audit the course. But if you're attempting to make a career change and want to continue on through the programming courses Google offers on Coursera, $39 a month for graded homework assignments and a certificate of completion is a great deal. 

For me, taking the course for free was a fantastic experience. It was a great refresher of Python and did not interfere with my current course load in the second semester of my master's program.  I would recommend trying the course out for free beforehand. You can always upgrade to get the certificate later on, or audit the course like I did.  

The bottom line

If you're interested in learning Python, this course is a great place to start. Though it won't make you a data scientist in six weeks, it'll provide a solid foundation and great cheat sheets for you to continue on in your programming journey. 

• Millions of students of all ages use Coursera to learn something new, whether for personal enjoyment or professional advancement. 
• The online classes are completely free to audit, or, you can pay an affordable monthly fee in order to receive an official course certificate of completion. 
• The most enrolled classes on Coursera include Stanford's Machine Learning, Yale's The Science of Well-Being, and the University of Michigan's Programming for Everybody. 

With people worldwide staying at home, the question of how to keep busy inevitably comes up. 

Online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, edX, and Skillshare offer a refuge, both from the boredom of sitting indoors all day and the anxiety of everything going on in the world right now. E-learning sites like these aren't new, but they're even more important now because of the resources and learning opportunities they offer to students of all ages.  

Coursera offers individual courses, specializations, professional certificates, and full online degrees from top universities and companies. They're free if you audit the course (meaning you won't get access to certain course materials like graded assignments, and you won't receive an official certificate of completion), but if you want to earn a course certificate, you can pay an affordable monthly fee. 

Through the end of December 2020, 100 of these courses are completely free. They include all course materials and a course certificate. 

Since Coursera is home to so many different types of courses, it may be overwhelming to decide what your first online class will be.

Below, check out the most popular Coursera classes, ranked by the number of students enrolled, for some guidance. All enrollment numbers are as of September 2020. 

1. Machine Learning, Stanford University | 3.5 million enrolled 

Learn about the most effective machine learning techniques and how to implement them. The intro course covers machine learning, data mining, and statistical pattern recognition, as well as a look into how machine learning and AI lead to innovation in Silicon Valley. 

2. The Science of Well-Being, Yale University | 2.9 million enrolled

One of Yale's most famous classes is basically a crash course on how to be happier in your life. Topics include misconceptions about happiness, how to overcome our biases, and practical strategies to make you happier. 

3. Learning How to Learn, McMaster University and UC San Diego | 2.5 million enrolled

The practice of learning is a class in itself. Take this popular class and you'll be set up with the best learning techniques to tackle and master any topic in the future. It's also available in fully translated versions in Spanish, French, Chinese, and Portuguese.

4. Programming for Everybody, University of Michigan | 1.8 million enrolled

Although programming can sound intimidating, this course assures you there are no significant pre-requisites and uses only simple math. If you have moderate computer experience, you'll be able to make a program from a series of simple instructions in Python.

5. Successful Negotiation, University of Michigan | 898,000+ enrolled 

Negotiating is engrained in our everyday lives, from deciding where to eat with your significant other to asking for a few more days to pay rent. And, it's essential to business. You'll learn about the four steps to a successful negotiation so that both parties emerge satisfied. 

6. Chinese for Beginners, Peking University | 837,000+ enrolled

Mandarin Chinese is an essential global language to learn. This spoken language class includes basic conversations that you'll be able to use in everyday life. 

7. Neural Networks and Deep Learning, deeplearning.ai | 811,000+ enrolled

Deep learning is a highly sought after skill in the job market right now. Part of the larger Deep Learning Specialization, this is an opportunity to understand the foundations of a skill that's been called a "superpower." 

8. Algorithms, Part 1, Princeton University | 725,000+ enrolled

If you want to be a serious programmer, you can learn elementary data structures, sorting, searching algorithms, and  graph- and string-processing algorithms. This course doesn't offer a certificate, so all the features are free. 

9. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies, Princeton University | 438,000+ enrolled

We've all heard the craze around bitcoin, but confusion and misconceptions run rampant. Basics like "how does bitcoin work" and "how secure are your bitcoins" are among the many lessons you'll learn. 

More online classes:

• I tried out the Coursera Project Network to gain basic Figma skills. 
• Though I learned a lot and earned a certificate, I ran into some technical difficulties.
• The lag and time limit of the split screen technology took away from my experience. 

My first exposure to the software Figma was working as a UX writer intern over the summer. Though I was looking at different Figma files every day, the only thing I knew how to do with 100% certainty was make comments and edit text. 

By working closely with UX designers, I could watch them create incredible products with Figma, and I became interested in learning the tool myself. I wasn't necessarily starting from scratch, but I knew I needed to learn in a way that wouldn't overwhelm me. 

• Check out our guide to Coursera prices and best classes

Since I've had a great past experience using Coursera, I decided to try the Coursera Project Network's Get Started with Figma course. Just as the title indicates, this course is centered around completing a guided project in Figma that, in theory, I could add to my portfolio. The time commitment was supposed to be 1-2 hours, the course is free, and I would earn a certificate I could share on my LinkedIn. It seemed like a perfect fit.

What is the Coursera Project Network?

Coursera introduced the concept of "guided project" learning in 2020 to allow learners to showcase their skills through sharable projects. What makes these courses distinct from others you might find on Coursera is the smaller time commitment and focus on step-by-step guidance on a singular project.

Compared to the other Coursera course I took, the time commitment differed from six weeks to a few hours. You can also think of the difference between the Coursera Project Network and other Coursera courses as the difference between reading a chapter versus the whole book.  

The technology of the guided projects is specific to the Coursera Project Network with a split-screen function. These courses are hosted through a cloud desktop workspace, so the learner can hear and watch the instructions while working on the project simultaneously. A benefit is that you do not need to download the software to learn, but the drawback for some is these courses are not suited for mobile devices.  

Are Coursera Project Network courses free?

Not all Coursera Project Network courses are free. Those that require payment are priced at $9.99. However, you can find free guided project courses easily on the site. 

Will I get a certificate of completion?

Yes. Upon completing the course, you'll be able to access your certificate — a downloadable PDF you can share on your LinkedIn page for potential employers to see.

My review of Get Started with Figma

I have mixed feelings about my experience with Get Started With Figma. 

I really appreciated how the course made the project digestible: An initial brief reading presented the learning objectives in concise bullet points. The project was divided into tasks, including short instructional videos.

The instructor also referenced additional resources outside Coursera, so we could understand the layout we were building and continue learning. After completing the project and taking a quiz, I received a digital certificate of completion. 

Since this is a beginner-level course, the initial task the instructor walked through was setting up a Figma account. I already had an account, but it seemed like the Figma I was using differed from the Figma shown in the instructional video, which confused me. For example, the instructor was working on an iPhone 11 frame — I couldn't even find that template and ended up using one for an iPhone 14. The fact my screen wasn't 100% identical to my instructor's threw me off.  

Initially, I was so excited to try out the split-screen technology of this course. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by it. A lag made following along with the instructor's pace difficult. I could pause the video to catch up, but the lag also impacted how precisely I could move my cursor. 

I also didn't realize that the cloud desktop space I was using on the left side of my screen had a time limit. I figured this out when the space I was working in suddenly went blank and would not refresh. This might have been because I had taken a long time to log in to Figma. I could keep watching the videos on the right-hand side of my screen, but this defeated the point of the split-screen technology to work and watch in the same space. 

I had to finish my Figma project outside of the cloud workspace in a makeshift split-screen function. The problem then was that the video paused every time I left the window (this ended up being a minor inconvenience, as I was doing a lot of pausing anyway).

In the end, I was able to finish the project, but it took me longer than I anticipated. 

The bottom line

Technical difficulties aside, this course helped solidify my foundation in Figma fairly quickly. My experience with the split-screen lag and the cloud workspace time limit did take away from my experience. But since this was a free course, I would still recommend it to others. 

I think project-based learning was a really effective way for me to strengthen my design skills, and the structure and pacing of the course were fantastic. I would be interested in trying out other courses from the Coursera Project Network, especially now that I'm mindful of the time limit of the cloud workspace.

• Introduction to Psychology is a free online course from Yale University, offered through Coursera.
• The class explores the study of behavior, learning, memory, and emotions.
• I signed up and it helped me understand my own thoughts and actions better.

Why do we think and act the way we do? What are we most afraid of, and why? What do our dreams mean? Finding clear answers to some of our most ambiguous questions isn't easy.

But one online class — and Coursera's most popular online psychology course — aims to explore these ideas. With over 620,000 enrollments so far, Yale University's free Introduction to Psychology class breaks down the science behind cognitive, social, and clinical psychology, from how we perceive things to what influences our relationships.

The course is taught by Paul Bloom, Ph.D., a Yale professor who's been teaching psychology since 1990. He's also the author of five books and co-editor of three, including "Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion."

Bloom designed the course to answer many pressing questions we may have about our thoughts and behaviors using research-backed facts to explain everything in a digestible way. Ultimately, Bloom uncovers the hidden factors that shape our actions — knowledge can direct us towards building more fulfilling lives.

As someone who's always seeking to learn more about my own mind and why we think the way we do, this course really caught my attention as it provides a comprehensive overview of key psychology topics. To see why so many people were drawn to this course, I decided to sign up. 

You can take the course for free here. Or, keep reading for an overview of what to expect and a firsthand review of the online course.

What to expect from the course

Each section includes video lectures, readings, and short quizzes to apply your knowledge. It takes six weeks to officially finish the course, but since it's self-paced, you can complete it in a week or even one sitting.

There are also required readings and quizzes, which really enhance the course, in my opinion. Most of the readings are studies conducted by psychologists, which go above and beyond the course material to show you how these concepts apply to human beings in the real world. I'm not a huge fan of tests in general, but the weekly quizzes really helped me stay on top of the material throughout the weeks. You do have to score higher than 80% to pass, but don't worry — you get three attempts every eight hours. 

3 things I loved about the course

1. It's incredibly easy to understand.

Psychology can be very abstract, but Bloom presents the material in a really comprehensible way. His tone is inviting and conversational, making the lectures feel more personal and fun to listen to, almost like he's speaking directly to you.

Plus, the videos are filled with interactive graphics and key summaries to supplement the lectures, and some even include clips of relevant social experiments so you can see how the concept actually applies to individuals.

2. The information is genuinely fascinating and relatable.

If you're looking for an enriching alternative to a Netflix binge, this course is for you. One thing that fascinated me was when Bloom examined the research behind smiles and what they can tell you about a person. For example, there's the Duchenne smile, a genuine smile that people have when they're happy, and the Pan Am smile, which (as the name suggests) is fake. Learning how to spot the difference even inspired me to open my old high school yearbook and compare my findings based on how I knew my classmates.

3. It helped me understand myself so much better.

Throughout the course, I found plenty of opportunities for self-reflection. One particularly memorable moment was when I learned why people can have such distorted memories — or even memories of things that didn't actually happen. 

According to Bloom, false memories are shaped through exercises where we think back and try to reconstruct what we remember. For instance, I can have a memory of a party I went to that is very similar to my friend's description of the event. We may have not had the same experiences at the party, but now our personal recounts of the party are similar because of the discussions we've had about it.

You'll find yourself growing throughout the course as you start to analyze more of your thoughts, behaviors, and actions. When I took the baseline happiness survey at the beginning of the course, I found myself with lower scores in the relationships and meaning categories. The questions posed in the survey helped me identify the sources of dissatisfaction when it came to my relationships and how I was finding meaning in my life. 

By the time the six weeks were over, I became more mindful of how I was forming relationships and finding fulfillment in my day-to-day life. My scores in the relationship and meaning categories improved at the end of the course because I started to internalize more of Bloom's teachings, such as embracing unexpected changes as a gift.

The bottom line

Ultimately, this class doesn't teach you just about psychology — it shows you tangible steps you can take to improve your mindset, strengthen your relationships, and feel more fulfilled. By the end of the course, you'll definitely be able to identify the deeper reasoning behind common thoughts and behaviors. Personally, it's helped me foster greater connections with people and develop a more optimistic mindset, even when things feel gloomy.

Best of all, the lectures in this course feel like listening to an audiobook and the online format is low-pressure. I enjoyed watching or even just listening to Bloom's videos at my own pace – often while I was taking a walk in my neighborhood or exercising on the elliptical. He's very passionate about the subject, and you'll feel just as enthusiastic listening to this engaging, one-sided conversation.

This course costs nothing upfront but will deliver tons of unexpected benefits in return that'll make your life more rewarding and exhilarating.

• Robert Wright, a lecturer at Princeton, teaches Buddhism and Modern Psychology on Coursera.
• The class explores how Buddhist practices like meditation can scientifically improve mental health and wellbeing.
• I signed up and learned how mindfulness and meditating can make me a happier and healthier person.

One of the biggest aspects of Buddhism is meditation, a mindfulness practice that promotes awareness in the present moment. The purpose of meditation is to control your state of mind so your thoughts become more focused and peaceful, and the benefits of incorporating meditation into your daily life range from stress and pain reduction to higher self-esteem.

But how does meditation actually work, and why is it so effective? That's what Coursera's Buddhism and Modern Psychology class, which has over 520,000 enrollments, aims to explore. Focusing on the science behind the mindfulness practices of Buddhism (rather than the overall religion), the course is taught by Robert Wright, a journalist and visiting lecturer in Princeton University's religion department and their Center for Human Values. Wright also wrote "The New York Times" bestseller "Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment," which combines evolutionary psychology and neuroscience to uphold Buddhist philosophy about the human mind. 

As someone who has taken yoga and meditation courses (including one in India), this course really drew my attention with its focus on Buddhist principles through a philosophical and scientific lens.  To see firsthand why so many people are so drawn to this course, I decided to sign up.

The course covers the following topics in six weekly installments: 

• The Buddhist Diagnosis
• The Buddhist Prescription
• Does Your Self Exist?
• A New Model of the Mind
• Mental Modules and Meditation
• What is Enlightenment? 

Included in the coursework are short lectures, readings, and pre-recorded office hour videos where Wright answers common questions about the course directly from students. It officially takes six weeks to complete the course, but just like most of Coursera's courses, you can learn at your own pace and time. 

What to expect from the class

The class makes more abstract concepts very digestible. It organizes material into weekly installments and further organizes sub-topics of those installments into short lecture videos that take about 10-30 minutes to watch. After each lecture video, there are a few short multiple-choice questions to instantly apply your knowledge. In the first week, you go from understanding the Buddhist perspective on existence and suffering to learning how enlightenment in Buddhism is supported by modern psychology.  

The course only requires a commitment of a couple of hours per week for a total of six weeks, but you could also finish it in one week. There is absolutely no required reading or note-taking, but there are two essays: one during the middle of the course and one during the end of the course. The assignments have a specific rubric and are graded by other students taking the course, which makes the process very interactive. Not only will you get to review three other students' essays, but also gain feedback on your own to see how you did.

Sign up for free here, or keep reading to learn about my experience.

My experience taking the class

Wright makes the course easy to follow, perfect for a beginner who is not familiar with the content. I was initially hesitant to take the course as it discusses a variety of philosophical abstract concepts, which I do not have prior knowledge of. However, Wright uses a lot of relatable examples that break down complex concepts with simpler terms and analogies. He also includes graphics or video clips of speaking to other experts in his lectures to emphasize or expand on a key idea. 

The course centers on how natural selection has distorted our perception of reality, making us see things not the way they actually are. With that in mind, Wright emphasizes how a mindful attitude can be valuable because it can help you pick up subtle feelings that you may otherwise miss. 

One example he gives is that every time something bad comes to mind, you do not feel rage – your feelings can be subtler than that and it's important to understand them before resorting to drastic measures. This idea really resonated with me and I learned how mindfulness meditation can be a helpful tool in being aware of what's really going on in my mind, not what I think is going on. I now try to incorporate meditative practices in my daily routine, especially if I'm stressed (or just having a bad day). 

Wright also provides insightful information about the benefits of meditation and other mindfulness practices to live happier and healthier lives. He doesn't give many suggestions for actionable steps to apply to your life as much as provides a broader framework to help guide you towards healthier decisions. For example, he iterates how meditation can help drive self control by weakening desire, aligning with the scientific idea of operant conditioning to reinforce positive behavior. 

Meditation cultivates a still mind, allowing us to enter a realm of consciousness and awareness. Wright highlights that when our mind is calm, we have the power to choose which thoughts are helpful, which ones are going to serve us, and which ones we can let go of. With this in mind, I strive to meditate when I feel upset or fixated on a certain outcome so I can detach myself and make decisions that aren't based on impulsivity.  

Here's what I liked about the course: 

1. While watching the lecture videos, I felt like I was in a live classroom. Wright engages in a lot of storytelling, especially while explaining Buddhist thought that originated from the discourse that the Buddha gave to his disciples. Wright also uses a chalkboard to organize concepts and reference them during his lectures, which makes the content easy to follow.
2. The course is not live, so you cannot directly chat with the lecturer. However, I really enjoy listening to Wright's recorded office hours, where he provides additional insight and reviews material from each installment. He also shares analogies that students in the course made. One student described viewing thoughts as semi-independent actors in your brain, which you can listen to objectively and allow or dismiss, just as you may allow or dismiss the spoken thoughts coming from your neighbor. 
3. One aspect of the course that was really interactive was being able to communicate with other students through the discussion forum. It was really interesting to chat about course content and see different viewpoints on the material. Additionally, I was able to explore additional resources and articles suggested by others to expand my knowledge on the power of meditation. 
4. As with most Coursera classes, I enjoyed how I was able to take this course at my own pace and time. This course, in particular, did not have many assessments to showcase mastery of content, which made it stress-free and manageable. I did appreciate the creative aspect of the mid-term and final essays, where we could articulate information in whichever way we wanted, as long as we were hitting the points on the rubric for a passing grade. 

The bottom line:

By the end of the class, you learn how meditative practices can transform how your mind operates and may be inspired to start a mindfulness meditation regimen of your own. Personally, I've ingrained more mindfulness practices in my life – such as meditating right before taking an exam or interview so I don't let my nervousness affect my thoughts. I also meditate when I have any intense feelings I need to manage, such as disappointment or grief, to help me calm down or relax. Ultimately, this course not only teaches you how Buddhist thought and psychology are intertwined, but also how these time-tested principles can help us lead more fulfilling lives. 

• edX and Coursera both online graduate courses, many from top schools like MIT and Duke. 
• edX MicroMasters and Coursera MasterTracks are bite-sized portions of master's degree programs. 
• They can be used to build stand-alone skills or as stepping stones to full master's degrees. 

To mitigate common economic and geographic barriers to getting a master's degree, established online platforms edX and Coursera have special programs like edX MicroMasters and Coursera MasterTracks, which offer graduate-level courses for a fraction of the average on-campus price tag.

Ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, they can cover up to 50% of a university master's program's curriculum. On top of that, you can usually apply your MicroMasters or MasterTrack credits towards select full master's programs to reduce costs and finish your degree faster. Since both platforms count top universities among their partners, that could eventually mean lower overall tuition costs at schools like MIT, Duke, the University of Michigan, Indiana University, Georgia Tech, and more. 

Below, we compared the basic details for each bite-sized graduate program below. Ultimately, the best platform will be the one that offers the program closest to your particular interests and goals. But, in terms of services, edX may edge out Coursera — its offerings are cheaper, significantly more varied, and more lenient overall. 

You can find detailed FAQs on Coursera's MasterTracks and edX's MicroMasters here, and learn more about Coursera and edX here, including how they compare to each other as e-learning platforms.

You can browse all of edX's MicroMasters programs here.

You can browse all of Coursera's MasterTrack programs here.

What is an edX MicroMasters?

An edX MicroMasters is an online graduate-level program with courses that cover 25% to 50% of a university's master's degree curriculum for a lower cost. 

MicroMasters are designed as a stepping stone toward credit in a full master's degree, or to strengthen stand-alone skills to help advance your career, offering a certificate of completion to add to your LinkedIn profile or resume. On average, they take roughly six to 12 months to complete.

Plus, every MicroMasters program on edX must be eligible for credit in a full master's degree program, so you can take the MicroMasters on its own, or potentially apply it to a full degree online afterward. 

While every master's program offered online through edX includes a MicroMasters program, some of these MicroMasters programs can also be transferred to an on-campus master's degree, such as the Project Management MicroMasters which is designed to count towards a master's degree in Professional Studies at RIT. If you're accepted into an eligible master's program, your MicroMasters program counts towards the degree requirements.

What is a Coursera MasterTrack?

A Coursera MasterTrack is a portion of an on-campus master's program that's been adapted online at a lower price than taking the classes in person. On average, MasterTracks range from four to eight months.

Each MasterTrack is a stackable, for-credit program with several courses. In some programs, students are allowed to earn credit toward the full master's degree program from which the MasterTrack certificate program is based.

For instance, you may apply to the MScA degree from the University of Chicago after the online Machine Learning for Analytics MasterTrack Certificate program and, if admitted, your MasterTrack Certificate will equate to the first two classes in the program (approximately 18% of course requirements), allowing you a headstart on your degree. Sometimes, the MasterTrack may even be "cashed in" to lower the cost of the full, on-campus master's program.

You can check out a full review of a Coursera MasterTrack program here.

How much do they cost on average?

edX MicroMasters range from $1,000 to $1,500, and you pay all at once. You can buy MicroMasters courses on an individual basis, but if you bundle all the courses in the program at once, you'll typically save 10% overall. 

All individual courses in edX MicroMasters programs are free to try, so learners can test them out before deciding to pay to upgrade to the verified track. 

Coursera MasterTracks range between $2,000 to $5,000. Some MasterTracks offer installation payment programs — otherwise, students can choose to pay upfront and get a 5% discount. You can't buy individual courses within a MasterTrack, and you typically can't try out any of the courses for free before signing up. 

Do they offer financial aid?

Coursera doesn't offer financial aid or free audit access on its MasterTrack courses.

edX offers financial aid and trial periods for its MicroMasters programs. You can find more information here, though you'll typically enroll in the course as an audit learner and complete a financial aid application here. 

How does academic credit work?

edX MicroMasters

The edX MicroMasters credits you earn may be accepted by eligible on-campus or online Master's programs to cover a portion of your master's degree.

If you've successfully earned a MicroMasters program certificate, you can apply to the on-campus or online master's programs that may accept credits from your MicroMasters program. Every MicroMasters program must be eligible for credit in a master's degree program. To find your program's specific details, search for "Certificate & Credit Pathways" or scroll to find this section in the FAQs at the bottom of the page. Once you're accepted into the master's program, you can apply your certificate toward a segment of the full master's degree to reduce the tuition cost and potentially finish your degree sooner. 

Coursera MasterTrack

Coursera MasterTrack credits are often offered for the institution's full master's program, but not always. Sometimes, they may reduce the cost of the full-time program.

Once you've completed a university's MasterTrack program, you can sometimes apply to the institution's full master's program. If admitted, your certificate will sometimes transfer and equate to a certain number of classes or credits in the program. The exact details vary by school and degree. To find your program's specific details, search for "Accelerate Your Path to a Degree" or "Earn degree credit" on the page. 

However, some MasterTrack programs don't offer credit exchanges. For programs like the Blockchain Applications MasterTrack Certificate from Duke, completion doesn't give you on-campus credit. It does make you eligible to fast-track your application process and get a scholarship that covers10% of the cost of Duke University's Master of Engineering in FinTech if you apply and are accepted to the program. 

The bottom line: Which one is better?

It thoroughly depends on which platform has the best program for your career or educational goals, but edX may have better overall perks. 

edX lets you audit courses for free, gives you lifetime access to its materials, and can provide financial aid for its MicroMasters, while Coursera doesn't. edX MicroMasters are also cheaper on average than Coursera MasterTrack programs, and edX offers significantly more post-graduate program options.

That being said, it all depends on what you want to study — Coursera has no shortage of great MasterTracks, including offerings from Yale, Duke, and the University of Michigan.

Browse all edX MicroMasters here.

Browse all Coursera MasterTracks here.

A few of the most popular edX and Coursera programs:

• Online learning platforms are great tools for both personal and career development.
• I've been interested in art for years, but I stopped investing time in the subject when it didn't apply to my college major.
• I used an affordable online course on Coursera — created by the Museum of Modern Art, one of the top museums in the world — to get back into a hobby I genuinely enjoy. 
• Read more: Yale's most popular class ever is available free online — and the topic is how to be happier in your daily life

I spent the summer after my sophomore year of high school in a small Italian town that trapped heat like a convection oven. Thanks to a scholarship, I got to spend my days relaying piazzas to paper with gritty, melting pastels and my nights in a peaceful local nunnery. 

I've always loved art. But, years later, when it came time to choose a university (and with it, a career path), artistic aspirations took a backseat. Over the semesters, art moved further away from my everyday life. I allotted any extra time almost exclusively to my major instead — a strange habit that tends to follow us from college into our careers.

But after a trip to Paris in 2017, I decided to make some changes. The day I got back, I signed up for a course — Modern Art & Ideas on Coursera.

How I found the course

I searched popular e-learning sites like Udemy and edX, eventually landing on Coursera's Modern Art & Ideas. Part of a longer specialization in contemporary art and design, this course covered pieces and time periods I found the most interesting, required zero prior art history knowledge, and taught students how to continually apply the knowledge from the course to conceptualize art in everyday life. The course is free to audit for the first seven days of a Coursera trial, then it's $49 a month to continue learning (and even earn a certificate of completion by the end). Given that this course is only five weeks long (and you can learn at your own pace), it's likely that you could finish in one month, or for $49 total.

It was also created by one of the most noteworthy museums in the world, the Museum of Modern Art. The beautiful thing about remote learning is that you can take classes on virtually any topic, and at the sort of level you may not be able to access otherwise, like online courses and programs curated by Ivy League schools. For a fraction of the cost of attending in person, the main tradeoff is you'll need to supply a bit more personal accountability. 

The specifics of online learning differ by platform and course, but online classes are relatively affordable and easy to fit into your busy life. They can help you quickly adapt to changing job markets, or help you get deeper into personal hobbies for less money and time than enrolling in a local college class.

For me, online learning meant I could finally take the "fun classes" I could never fit into my college schedule. I've been interested in art for years, but adulthood provided me with free time to really learn about it at my own pace.

What Modern Art & Ideas was like as a student

Modern Art & Ideas was broken up into five sessions, with different assignments and material to be covered each week (estimated to take you about an hour per week to complete).

The materials were primarily slideshows and videos with supplemental resources you could read, and weeks two through five had quick 10-question quizzes to complete. The course also had discussion forums available for you to discuss the class with the other students.

The material was manageable and really didn't require prior knowledge in the area. For convenience, you can set up push notifications to remind you to study and download the material for offline reading. And since there were definitely times when I didn't want to study, the self-pacing was essential — it took the pressure off of learning and let me simply enjoy the course. I caught up when I could, or worked ahead if I wanted to. 

What I got out of the course

The experience was remarkably positive. I freshened up my general art history knowledge, was inspired to head to the Museum of Modern Art itself for a little field trip (which you can do virtually), and started listening to a podcast recommended as supplemental material that I likely would never have found otherwise ("A Piece of Work" by the comedian Abbi Jacobson). Later, I gifted tickets to one of the exhibitions mentioned in the podcast to my boyfriend as a birthday present. 

The course is structured by the four themes that educators at the MoMA frequently use in their teaching — Places & Spaces, Art & Identity, Transforming Everyday Objects, and Art & Society — so I've actually enjoyed my independent museum visits more, now that I have new ways of thinking about what I'm seeing, apart from the plaque of information and a gut reaction.

Read more: 100 online courses from Coursera are $0 now through December 31 — here's a list of all the classes open for free enrollment

The bottom line

I noticed that adulthood had a way of narrowing my interests until I was essentially majoring in my career. I was concerned that, without noticing, I'd spend the next decade ignoring other interests and rounding out unique, distinguishable edges in the efficient pursuit of becoming more "professional." Not only did that seem myopic and counterintuitive (dynamic people provide dynamic thought to a team), but it seemed boring.

It feels like our happiness, diversity of thought, and, hey, even the quality of small talk at happy hour, could be exponentially improved just by taking the time to explore these other interests — even if it's just a free guitar lesson from Fender. 

The Modern Art & Ideas class has made me happier and feel more versatile and less stagnant in my adult life — which, to be honest, can morph into a cycle of work, Netflix, sleep. 

Plus, now that I've gotten over the hurdle of just starting a course in the first place, it seems easier to keep taking more. Knowing now that it didn't transport me back to stressful all-nighters in the college library has been a relief, and so has seeing how seamlessly and easily additional education could fit into my own life. I have plans for other courses, some art-related and some not, for the next time I find myself with free time to explore. 

I can't speak to every course online, but I can say that — at least for me — online courses are the perfect way to pay some attention to your individual interests, actually become a lifelong learner, and keep yourself engaged (and pleasantly surprised) by the everyday.

• Facebook recently released a professional certificate in Marketing Analytics.
• Through Coursera, students take six courses to earn a certificate of completion.
• The courses teach strategy, data analysis, Python programming, Tableau software, and more.

Whether you're looking to switch careers — or enhance your current one — Facebook's new Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate program is built to teach you in-demand skills in five months or less.

Offered through the online learning platform Coursera — and one of the platform's most popular beginner certifications — the program includes six courses and requires no prior knowledge in the subject. Students learn how data informs marketing decisions as well as how to effectively approach common analytical questions and use essential analytics tools — skills that can be applied to a range of careers, from becoming a marketing analyst to boosting a personal business. 

The program was designed in collaboration with marketing analytics experts at Aptly and Facebook, including Anke Audenaert, CEO and co-founder of Aptly and an adjunct professor at UCLA.

How much does the Facebook Marketing Analytics program cost?

Coursera offers a seven-day free trial and then charges $49 per month to continue learning. (The program is estimated to take around five months, which theoretically puts the bill at $245 total).

If $49/month is too steep, you can also try applying for financial aid. 

If you don't need access to every feature or certificate, you can also audit the program for free by clicking on each individual course and hitting the "Enroll for Free" button. Once you do, you'll see a pop-up that has "audit the course" in small print in the lower-left corner.

Despite it being taught by Facebook (recently renamed Meta), the Marketing Analytics program isn't designed solely around Facebook's tools. Students also work on building foundational skills such as applying a marketing analytics framework and using Python programming and Tableau. 

You can scan all the courses and their syllabi here.

What credentials do you get if you finish the program? 

Meta's Facebook Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate program, as the name suggests, awards you a certificate of completion when you successfully finish the program, which you can add to your LinkedIn profile and your resume.

The final course also prepares you for the Facebook Marketing Science Certification Exam, which is only accessible to people who've successfully completed all five earlier courses.

Throughout the program, you'll also apply your skills to Applied Learning Projects — which may be useful for interviews or in a portfolio. Students participate in projects on topics that range from using Python to sort data to visualizing results through Tableau. 

Lastly, upon completion, students also get access to Meta's Facebook Certification Career Network — a job search platform with 130+ top employers looking for skilled talent.

The bottom line

If you're looking for a relatively cost-effective, comprehensive way to learn and demonstrate foundational Marketing Analytics skills, this is a solid option to consider.

Enroll in a free, 7-day trial here.

• Learning a new topic, whether for a career move or an academic test, is no small feat.
• The popular (and free) Coursera class Learning How to Learn helps you understand how your brain processes information and builds memory, so you can efficiently learn any subject.
• This course is also included in Coursera Plus, the site's annual membership.
• Read more: Yale's most popular class ever is available free online — and the topic is how to be happier in your daily life

If you want to learn how to bake bread, code, or start a degree in public health you can do it online. 

And with the right process, you can master any topic. In fact, one of the most popular courses of all-time on e-learning Coursera's website doesn't involve art or data science: it's about how to learn.

Learning How to Learn has had 2.7 million enrollments, according to the company. It gives students of all ages and educational backgrounds a foundational knowledge of how our brains store information and the related practical tools that help us get the most out of learning — whether through time management techniques or test-taking strategies. 

The course's instructors are Dr. Barbara Oakley, a Professor of Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering at Oakland University, and Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, the computational neurobiology director at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Altogether, the course takes about 15 hours to complete, though there's also bonus material. In exchange for about four short weeks of classes, you'll gain new insight and tools that can help you complete your degree, make a major career move, or simply enjoy learning for the sake of learning.

Time is the most valuable commodity we have, and if you maximize your learning approach, you can grow faster, feel more comfortable jumping into new topics, or even revisit subjects that gave you trouble in the past only to find them clearer than ever now.

Learning How to Learn can be taken independently, but there's also a companion course, Mindshift, that focuses on learning in careers.

How the class is structured

Coursera courses have recorded video lectures and accompanying readings, practice exercises, and short quizzes. This particular course is broken down into four weeks:

• What is Learning? 

• Chunking

• Procrastination and Memory

• Renaissance Learning and Unlocking Your Potential

Each section is about four hours, so the full course takes about 15 hours to complete in its entirety. There aren't any set deadlines, though, so you can go at your own pace. 

You can also join discussion forums — general discussions, study groups, FAQs, and forums focusing on each of the four weekly lessons in particular — if you want a deeper learning experience. There are also optional readings and videos included in weekly lessons — such as a post from a fellow student on how anxiety, depression, and PTSD may factor into learning. 

Unsurprisingly, Learning How to Learn is structured in a way that embodies the very efficient learning techniques it teaches you. For example, you'll see chunking — or, "compact packages of information that your mind can easily access" in the section that teaches chunking, where students learn what a chunk is and how to form one through accompanying exercises. 

Learning How to Learn also has subtitles available in a dozen languages — Chinese, Hebrew, Dutch, Polish, Vietnamese, and others — as well as versions offered completely in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Chinese.

What to expect

The course follows both a conceptual and actionable structure. Students gain a broad knowledge in the science of learning, such as the relationship between procrastination, memory, and sleep. They also get practical advice for learning information efficiently, like the Pomodoro Technique; counter-intuitive test-taking tips; and how to avoid procrastination without exerting tons of willpower.

Cost

The course is free to audit (and you'll have access to all the course materials), but you can pay $49 to earn a certificate of completion to add to your CV or resume or share on LinkedIn. Financial aid for the certificate is also available.

You can find answers to common FAQs about Coursera here.

• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are popular forms of online education.
• E-learning platforms like edX, Coursera, and FutureLearn offer thousands of MOOCs.
• Below, learn what MOOCs are, how much they cost, and why they can be great resources.

If you're interested in online learning, you've probably heard the term MOOC — Massive Open Online Course — before. But you might have questions about what they are, what exactly "open" means, how much they cost, or how they generally differ from other forms of e-learning, like apps or online degrees. Here's everything you need to know:

What are MOOCs?

MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course. In order for an online course to be considered a MOOC, it needs to be:

Massive, or able to be taken by large numbers of people at once (whether it's 100 or 100,000 students)

Open, or generally accessible to the public — meaning it's either free, relatively affordable, or has open enrollment

Online, or taken digitally (with optional opportunities to connect with students in forums)

Course, or providing clear learning opportunities, such as learning from an instructor or earning a certificate of completion

A MOOC can be a self-paced edX course you browse completely for free, or a LinkedIn class you can take with a paid subscription. 

How do MOOC courses work?

MOOCs vary in how they work. Some, like on popular platforms edX and Coursera, can simply let you enroll for free to access course materials such as video lectures, readings, and quizzes. 

Others, like Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, or Udemy, typically require a paid subscription or one-time fee to be able to access unlimited courses.

And then there are MOOCs such as Open Yale Courses and MIT Open Courseware that provide free course materials but aren't necessarily structured with assignments and are a little more fluid than edX or Coursera MOOCs. 

What are the benefits of MOOCs?

MOOCs offer access to thousands of courses and educational opportunities for free or at a relatively low cost. Top schools like Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, and more offer online courses in subjects from computer science to psychology, and companies like Google, Amazon, and IBM offer professional certificate programs that cost a lot less than traditional master's degrees.

MOOCs can also be a great way to test out if you like a subject or course before committing to a paid subscription or degree. Codecademy, for example, offers free beginner programming classes with optional paid projects, and Coursera can let you audit courses for free before pursuing a MasterTrack program.

How much do MOOCs cost?

MOOCs vary in cost, and affordability is relative. Platforms like edX, Coursera, and FutureLearn offer many of their MOOCs for free, with optional paid certificates or subscriptions for unlimited access. 

Others, like Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, and MasterClass, typically charge monthly or annual fees for access to all their courses. 

And platforms like Udemy or CreativeLive let you buy individual MOOCs for a one-time fee.

What are some popular MOOC platforms?

Skillshare:
Offers unlimited MOOCs under its subscription plan, in topics from career development to writing and drawing. You can read more about Skillshare here.

• Coursera's MasterTracks are multi-course grad-level programs that offer certificates and college credit upon completion.
• MasterTracks include Machine Learning for Analytics to Sustainability and Development and are offered by schools like Duke and Yale.
• Below, you'll find a personal review of a MasterTrack program and some answers to common FAQs.

As remote lifestyles become more common, affordable online education is taking on new value — especially when providing more access to career advancement opportunities. 

Many such offerings are available through sites like Coursera. Its MasterTrack programs, in particular, offer a portion of an on-campus master's program online for cheaper prices and a more flexible time commitment than in a traditional classroom setting.

Students work at their own pace and receive access to real-world projects, live sessions, and virtual office hours. When they've completed the program, learners receive a certificate they can add to their resume and LinkedIn to demonstrate aptitude (and their commitment to personal growth).

What's nice about MasterTrack is that if you like what you studied and wish to pursue a full master's degree in the subject, most MasterTrack programs provide instructions on how students may transfer those online credits into an on-campus program in order to save time and money (rules vary by program and school). Other MasterTracks offer scholarship opportunities and fast-track applications for full master's programs to those who complete the program online.

edX also offers MicroMasters, which are slightly different from Coursera's MasterTrack programs. There are fewer edX options than MasterTrack courses, but they offer up to 50% of a master program's curriculum and are eligible for financial assistance. A MasterTrack, on the other hand, typically doesn't exceed one-quarter of a graduate degree's curriculum. To read more about the difference between edX MicroMasters and Coursera MasterTracks, you can check out our coverage of both platforms here.

Here's everything you should know if you're considering enrolling in a Coursera MasterTrack, including a personal review of the University of Illinois' Instructional Design MasterTrack program.

What you'll find below:

• Some common FAQs
• A personal review of a Coursera MasterTrack

Coursera MasterTrack FAQs:

What is a MasterTrack certificate?

MasterTrack certificates are for those who want to develop skills for career advancement and receive a certificate from a university to back it up. It's also a good option for those who need a flexible time commitment or want to test out a lower-cost program before enrolling in a full master's degree. 

Each MasterTrack is a stackable, for-credit program comprised of several courses completed over a few months. In some cases, MasterTracks allow students to earn credit toward the full master's degree program from which the MasterTrack Certificate program is based, though this varies by institution.

How much does a Coursera MasterTrack cost?

MasterTrack courses cost between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the specific program. 

How is a MasterTrack billed?

Students can pay all at once, and receive a 5% discount for doing so. Otherwise, there are payment installation programs available for a handful of programs.

How does receiving credit for an online MasterTrack certificate work and can you apply it towards a full master's program? 

You receive a certificate upon completion of a MasterTrack to share on their resume and LinkedIn.

Additionally, once you've finished your MasterTrack program, you can apply to the institution's full master's program. If admitted, your certificate will sometimes transfer and equate to a certain number of classes or credits in the program. However, the exact details vary by program. 

For instance, after completing the University of Chicago's Machine Learning for Analytics MasterTrack, you can apply to the MScA degree from the school. If admitted, your MasterTrack certificate equates to the first two classes in the program (approximately 18% of course requirements), giving you a cheaper headstart on your degree.

For the Supply Chain Excellence MasterTrack, your certificate would equate to three credits (one course). For ASU's The Big Data MasterTrack, learners are awarded 9 out of 30 credits required to complete the program.

Other programs don't work this way, though. For instance, completing the Blockchain Applications MasterTrack from Duke isn't exchangeable for credit. But, it makes you eligible to earn a scholarship that fast tracks your application process and covers 10% of tuition for the Duke University's Master of Engineering in FinTech. 

How closely does a MasterTrack online module for a master's degree from a university resemble that university's in-person curriculum? 

According to Coursera, MasterTrack certificates are similar to the full program experience they're designed from. They feature live expert instruction and feedback combined with interactive, team-based learning. 

What MasterTrack programs are offered?

Coursera offers 22 MasterTracks in topics that range from Machine Learning for Analytics from the University of Chicago to Blockchain Applications from Duke University to Sustainability and Development by the University of Michigan. Most programs include 4-6 courses.

Browse the list of all MasterTracks here. 

How long does it take to complete a MasterTrack program?

It varies. The range is about 4-8 months, depending on the program. However, the time commitment is flexible and self-paced, especially in comparison to an entire master's program.

Will MasterTrack students always have access to their program materials? 

Students will not have access to the course content forever. They're given access based on the estimated time it takes to complete the program.

Do MasterTrack programs cap enrollment at a certain number?

According to Coursera's MasterTrack team, there are enrollment caps depending on the bandwidth of each university partner, the instructors, and their faculty.

Coursera provides best practices for their partners on factors like an ideal student to faculty ratio.

If a student completes a MasterTrack program and decides to pursue a master's degree from the university that offered it on Coursera, will they have a better chance of being accepted? 

Currently, MasterTrack certificate holders do not receive preferential treatment during the application process, which is conducted independently by the university, according to Coursera.

But, it's worth noting that a student's success in the online program likely helps build the case that they'd continue to do well in the on-campus program. 

Can you audit MasterTrack courses?

No, unfortunately. MasterTrack courses are available only to learners who have paid for the full program. You may not subscribe to a MasterTrack or pay for individual courses within a MasterTrack.

Is financial aid available for MasterTrack courses?

Financial aid or free audit access is not available for MasterTrack courses.

Note: Similar MicroMasters programs from edX can offer financial aid.

What is the refund policy?

Students have two weeks following the start of the first course to receive a refund on the payment.

A review of MasterTrack

When I decided I was interested in instructional design as a potential career pivot, I knew I probably needed additional schooling to break into the field, since many jobs ask for at least a master's degree or equivalent experience. The main factors in my decision boiled down to money and time — since I wasn't sure if I'd love instructional design, I wanted a program I could finish in under a year and one that I felt wasn't a big financial risk.

The University of Illinois' Instructional Design MasterTrack program hit all those points for me: The program was about 4-5 months long, fairly flexible, and cost $2,384. (Not included in that total was a textbook I needed to rent for the class, plus a $57 surprise fee when I paid my tuition via credit card.)

The program consisted of two courses, which I took back-to-back. Both involved live-recorded weekly Zoom classes, short video lectures, assigned readings, graded short-answer questions, and a few final projects. By the end, I completed final group projects for both courses and an individual instructional design e-portfolio that I could show to future employers.

One of my group project members described this as a "master's class at twice the speed" which is pretty accurate. While I only took one class at a time, this MasterTrack program felt more like a bootcamp due to the amount of information I'd need to learn to be proficient in instructional design by the end. There's an emphasis on multiple hands-on projects, so I was being challenged to create something right away and essentially practice what I would be doing as an instructional designer. 

At the same time, going through the information this quickly (especially all remotely) made it hard, at times, to fully process everything, or even fully enjoy the class. Compared to some other online classes I've taken and loved, like edX's rhetoric course or Coursera's Science of Well-Being, I was less engaged with this one because it felt like the end goal was to train me to do a job rather than learn something for the pleasure of learning it. The workload could also feel like a lot if you have a full-time job or kids (or both!) and feel like you have to cram in studying and homework on weeknights and weekends.

But given that I picked this as an affordable, quick, and flexible way to advance my career by learning a new skill set, I feel like the experience the course provided definitely helped me, especially in my current role as an e-learning editor.  —Julia Pugachevsky, e-learning editor

• The University of Michigan has the top-ranked Master of Social Work program in the US.
• The school offers a Social Work Coursera MasterTrack certificate, making a degree more affordable.
• Taking the intro course encouraged me to apply to and pursue a Master of Social Work degree at NYU.

The decision to go to grad school is a daunting one: Committing time, money, and effort to a major career decision that won't actually manifest until years later feels slightly terrifying. 

I had been curious about how I could fuse my background in journalism with my passion for mental health advocacy, so I took to Coursera and discovered the University of Michigan's Social Work: Practice, Policy and Research MasterTrack (one of the school's many online offerings). I enrolled in the free, self-paced introductory course to help me decide if I wanted to commit to the full MasterTrack, which takes about 6-8 months to complete, or even a longer degree.

It was a small preview into the history and importance of social work, an opportunity for self-reflection and understanding my role in promoting social justice, and a test in balancing a full-time job with part-time learning. Three weeks later, I flew through nearly the entire intro course in two sittings — and felt ready to apply to part-time graduate programs in social work. 

Sure enough, I recently committed to a part-time, on-campus Master of Social Work at NYU, and I feel exponentially more confident in that decision after taking the University of Michigan's free online course.

Keep reading to learn about the free course, the University of Michigan's social work MasterTrack program, and more:

Course structure

Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change breaks its instruction down into four main sections:

• What Is Social Work?
• Integrated Themes of Social Work
• A History of Social Work
• Privilege, Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice

All modules include videos from practicing social workers, alumni, and faculty from Michigan's School of Social Work. This was the selling point for me: Hearing firsthand how each speaker has used their experience in social work to better understand others' perspectives, empower those they work with, and advocate for the communities they care so deeply about. 

However, it's important to note that the vast majority of the course is presented through these video accounts. The videos are accessible and include captioning, but there are far more of them than there are discussion opportunities, quizzes, or interactive materials (although there are multiple occurrences of these other learning tools as well). 

Timing and cost 

The course is estimated to take about 12 hours to complete, and when I enrolled, it was suggested that I dedicate one week to each module — or three hours each week — to learning. Because I found the course material very engaging, I completed more than half the course in four hours on a Saturday night. The remaining modules were completed in two smaller chunks on weeknights. It'll depend on your learning style how you want to spread out your study time.

The course is free to audit, though you can also pay $49 for a certificate of completion to add to your LinkedIn or resume. I appreciated having the graded quizzes and certificate for accountability and career development, and the assessments were pretty straightforward — I enjoyed the quizzes and didn't find them particularly challenging.

If you're looking to pursue the Social Work: Practice, Policy and Research MasterTrack, then the certificate is worth it because its cost can be applied to the MasterTrack. If not, then the value of the certificate will depend on your career ambitions and learning style — it might just be worth it to audit the course for free.

Enrolling in the MasterTrack and applying to the MSW

If you finish the course and would like to take the entire MasterTrack, you can enroll directly through Coursera with no required application. The MasterTrack is $2,000, and a detailed FAQ page explains the enrollment process.

If you'd like to apply to Michigan's School of Social Work, you can submit an Eligibility Review Request to the university before enrolling in the MasterTrack. This form, which requires uploading your resume, is used to assess whether you'd be eligible to apply the MasterTrack certificate to an online or in-person Master of Social Work degree at UMich. It is not automatically supplemental to an MSW application and MasterTrack students are not guaranteed acceptance.

The completion of the MasterTrack certificate reduces the master's degree from 60 credits to 45, potentially saving a significant amount of time and tuition costs. However, it's important to note that the MasterTrack certificate is only applicable to Michigan's MSW programs — it can't be applied to other schools or programs.

How the course informed my own career 

I loved Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change so much that it inspired me to apply to MSW programs of my own, and I'm proud to be attending NYU's Silver School of Social Work in the fall. 

I'm NYC-based, and NYU's Extended Program allowed me to enroll part-time in night and weekend courses while keeping my full-time job. 

Though I could have enrolled in Michigan's online program, I felt in-person courses were the right fit for me following over a year of work from home. For those who live in Michigan or prefer online learning, I'd still recommend the MasterTrack program.

The bottom line

If you're curious about others' professional experiences in social work, passionate about social justice, and considering social work as a career, I'd highly recommend this free course as a starting point. The engaging videos, varying perspectives, and powerful takeaways have already left a lasting positive impact on my future.

While working through it, I entered a much sought-after flow state of engagement, empowerment, and confidence that confirmed my suspicion that social work would be the right path for me. As I plan to begin pursuing my MSW in the fall, I'm grateful for the reassurance that I've made an informed career decision.

• Coursera offers a wide range of online courses and the ability to audit classes for free. 
• Coursera shared courses that have high enrollment numbers and high completion rates.
• Some of them are part of longer certificate programs, including several from Google.

Coursera is a popular e-learning platform, offering thousands of courses administered by some of the top universities and higher-learning institutions in the world. 

With such a breadth of options, it can be hard to know which courses are worth your time (and money, if you opt for a certificate program).

We reached out to Coursera to get some insight on their most popular courses based on completion rates, a metric we felt signaled the value a course is providing to students. Coursera wasn't able to share exact completion rates with us, but they provided a list of courses that they say have both high enrollment numbers and corresponding high completion rates.

Many of the courses are free to audit (Click the "Enroll" button and then "Audit this course"), meaning you can view all of the course's videos and materials but usually can't earn a certificate of completion. Others are parts of longer paid certificate programs (including several from Google), which can cost $39 or $49 per month until you finish.

Whether you're looking to sharpen up some business skills or pick up a new hobby, Coursera probably has something for you.

20 of the most popular Coursera courses, based on high enrollment numbers and completion rates:

COVID-19 Contact Tracing

Enroll here

Offered by: Johns Hopkins University

Number of students enrolled: Over 1.2 million 

One of the few Coursera courses with a free certificate of completion, this relatively short class covers the basic science behind COVID-19 and how it's transmitted, strategies for creating an infection timeline, and even the ethics behind contact tracing

What is Data Science?

Enroll here

Offered by: IBM

Number of students enrolled: Over 481,000

Meet a range of data science professionals and learn about what they do, getting a real overview of what data science looks like today. 

Programming for Everybody: Getting Started with Python

Enroll here

Offered by: The University of Michigan

Enrolled: Over 2.2 million

Learn the basics of programming computers with Python. This course — the first in a Python Specialization — covers everything from how to install Python, write your first program, and understand the nuances of the language.

Technical Support Fundamentals

Enroll here

Offered by: Google

Number of students enrolled: Over 835,000

Prepare for a role as an entry-level IT support specialist with this course — the first in Google's IT Support Professional Certificate. Introduce yourself to the world of IT and get tips on how to best prepare for a career in the industry.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity

Enroll here

Offered by: The University of California, Irvine

Number of students enrolled: Over 396,000

Part of UCI's Career Success Specialization, this course covers organizational tips to help students learn how to successfully plan their goals (leaving room for potential surprises or crises) and manage their time to reduce stress and overwork. 

Neural Networks and Deep Learning

Enroll here

Offered by: DeepLearning.AI

Number of students enrolled: Over 988,000

This course will help you develop a strong background in deep learning, so you can break into the world of AI. Learn about major technology trends as well as how to build, implement, and fully understand neural networks. 

Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere

Enroll here

Offered by: DeepLearning.AI

Number of students enrolled: Over 988,000

This course will help you develop a strong background in deep learning, so you can break into the world of AI. Learn about major technology trends as well as how to build, implement, and fully understand neural networks. 

Foundations of Project Management

Enroll here

Offered by: Google

Number of students enrolled: Over 236,000

The first of six courses in Google's Project Management Professional Certificate, this course goes over the core responsibilities of project managers before going into different project management methodologies.

AI For Everyone

Enroll here

Offered by: DeepLearning.AI

Number of students enrolled: Over 690,000

Designed for non-engineers and people with no direct experience with AI, this course explores the fundamentals of AI and machine learning, including the limitations of AI, how teams can build data science projects, and ethical considerations that should be discussed in relation to AI.

Introduction to HTML5

Enroll here

Offered by: The University of Michigan

Number of students enrolled: Over 423,000

Part of a web design and coding Specialization, this course is ideal for total beginners and starts from what happens when a webpage URL is typed into a browser, with coding exercises and assignments to put theory into practice.

Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design

Enroll here

Offered by: Google

Number of students enrolled: Over 208,000

In this intro course to Google's UX Design Professional Certificate, students learn the main responsibilities of entry-level UX designers, get familiarized with concepts like "user-centered design," and begin to create an online portfolio.

Cloud Computing Basics (Cloud 101)

Enroll here

Offered by: LearnQuest

Number of students enrolled: Over 113,000

Perfect for beginners, this course explains common Cloud computing terms like APIs and Azure Services, goes over different Cloud deployment models, and helps students identify the best Cloud services for their needs.

Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

Enroll here

Offered by: Indian School of Business

Number of students enrolled: Over 113,000

Part of a Specialization in business technology management, this course teaches students how to apply emotional intelligence to work effectively in teams, manage important relationships with stakeholders, and navigate conflict in the workplace.

Excel Skills for Business: Essentials

Enroll here

Offered by: Macquarie University

Number of students enrolled: Over 609,000

As part of the Excel Skills for Business Specialization, this first course teaches students the basics of navigating Excel, from performing simple calculations with formulas and functions to creating data visualizations.

Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19

Enroll here

Offered by: The University of Toronto

Number of students enrolled: Over 167,000

This three-hour course acknowledges the unprecedented anxiety people have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic before diving into stress management strategies, from reducing news consumption to maintaining social interaction in a time of physical distancing.

Introduction to TensorFlow for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

Enroll here

Offered by: DeepLearning.AI

Number of students enrolled: Over 262,000

As the first course in the DeepLearning.AI TensorFlow Developer Professional Certificate, this class teaches aspiring software developers the basics of TensorFlow, a commonly used open-source machine learning framework, including the steps to building their own neural network.

Psychological First Aid

Enroll here

Offered by: Johns Hopkins University

Number of students enrolled: Over 394,000

Learn the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition) to help aid people in an emergency. Bring these applicable skills to your workplace, volunteer organizations, and more.

Supply Chain Logistics

Enroll here

Offered by: Rutgers University

Number of students enrolled: Over 155,000

For anyone who's interested in a career in supply chain management, this course covers the three main parts of supply chain logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory, teaching students how to develop supply chain networks that reduce cost and maximize customer satisfaction.

Getting Started with AWS Machine Learning

Enroll here

Offered by: Amazon Web Services

Number of students enrolled: Over 180,000

Designed for anyone interested in a machine learning or AI career, this introductory course explains the basics of machine learning before jumping into using AWS tools like Amazon SageMaker, AWS DeepLens, Amazon Comprehend, Amazon Rekognition, Amazon Translate, and more.

Grammar and Punctuation

Enroll here

Offered by: The University of California, Irvine

Number of students enrolled: Over 610,000

Part of UCI's Academic English: Writing Specialization, this course acts as an English grammar and punctuation refresher, offering tips on everything from correct comma and verb tense usage to varying sentence types to write more effectively.

• I'm the senior director of a $5 billion data company; before that, I was a manager at Ford.
• I took 25 online courses and earned certificates from Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning.
• Focusing on hard skills like data analysis as well as management helped me move up in my career.

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Mike Crabtree, the Senior Director of Data Operations & Engineering at Driven Brands Inc and former Manager of Data Engineering at Ford. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

My job history is very colorful and all over the place: I've worked as a Kmart cashier, fishmonger, Ragu factory worker, and Geek Squad member. I've cleaned fish in the blink of an eye and oversaw the machines that chop the broccoli and chicken for Bertolli frozen meals. 

While these jobs were valuable experiences, at one point, I realized that if I wanted to break out of the cycle of poverty, I had to put in the work. I started by getting my undergraduate degree in computer information systems at the University of Louisville, studying what I felt were employable skills.

But what really put my career on a rocket ship was taking online courses from platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning. I've earned over 20 professional certificates in topics from data analysis and machine learning to strategic management and international leadership, which helped me eventually land a management position at Ford and a senior director role at Driven Brands Inc, a $5 billion revenue data company.

I can't stress enough how much continual online learning has helped me advance my career. I was able to learn from professors at the best institutions, including MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania.

While I'm planning on starting my MBA at the University of Michigan in May, I've probably spent as much time (if not more) learning from these courses for a much lower combined cost than the average college degree.  

For anyone looking for a big career jump, here are four lessons I learned from taking online courses — and how to make the most of online learning. 

Unlike in college, I could focus solely on the meat of what I needed to learn.

When you go through a traditional undergraduate college experience, there's a fair amount of baseline, foundational classes you have to get through before you reach the core of what you're majoring in. It might not be until your second or even third year that you really get to the meat of what will help you most in your career.

I knew I wanted to be as marketable as humanly possible after graduating, so I started taking online classes while I was getting my degree. Courses like MIT's Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python and Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science helped me dive right into what I needed to know early on, and I kept building from there.

Later on, I was able to take more challenging courses, like Stanford's popular Machine Learning specialization and a data science program from Johns Hopkins.

Taking management courses helped me advance much faster.

My goal was always to get into data and analytics before using it as a springboard for landing a management role. To learn how to be a better boss, I took supplementary courses in everything from inclusive leadership to strategic communication.

I have a hypothesis that most successful leaders that are going to take companies to the future have a mix of all the skill sets — that beyond writing SQL queries, it's critical thinking that will help them make better business decisions.

Asking for feedback led to me to connections to top-level experts.

With online learning, you get what you put in. While you can take some online courses without ever (or rarely) interacting with the faculty itself, I highly encourage taking advantage of that feature if it's available. 

One of the biggest surprises for me was how involved the instructors are in these online courses — it would always throw me through a loop when I'd send out an email complaining about a homework assignment and get a response from an actual professor. When I had several questions about the algorithms for gradient descent in my Machine Learning program, Dr. Andrew Ng and his team responded and helped.

When you're from an impoverished background like I am, it's easy to have this mindset that the teachers at top institutions are in their ivory towers and we'll never hope to reach them. But because online courses are so accessible, they presented a much smaller gap to cross in making connections that otherwise would not have been afforded to me. 

My certificates showed my personality and work ethic to employers.

While many of the courses on edX and Coursera are free, paying for them earns you a certificate of completion you can display on your LinkedIn page. 

Beyond showing off your dedication to personal growth — always a plus with employers — it can also help you stand out. Most technical professionals run into the risk of being pigeonholed as "the IT guy" or "the data person." Having a range of courses on your page shows you can do more than your job title suggests — I also took some courses in entrepreneurship and business analytics as well as management and programming.

The bottom line

Because of taking online courses, my career advanced very quickly in a short amount of time. I jumped from being a business analytics intern to landing a data scientist role at Ford, where I became a lead data scientist and eventual manager of the data engineering team.

Now, I run the entire data platform — the data, the teams, the infrastructure, you name it — for a company with more than 4,000 retail locations across several different business segments. 

I even went full circle and taught an online course myself through DataCamp, keeping in mind what I loved most about all the ones I took.

Check out the latest Coursera prices and best classes in our roundup.

• Coursera is one of the top e-learning platforms and offers over 3,000 online courses, specializations, and professional certificate programs.
• Below is a ranking of Coursera's 30 most popular online courses and programs, some of which are completely free to audit.
• Read more: 12 public health courses you can take online for free through Coursera

With the number of e-learning options out there, it can be hard to know where to start. One good place to look is Coursera, one of the best-known online learning platforms out there. Coursera offers over 3,000 online courses and longer programs, many of which are free to audit or test out with a short trial.

Since there are so many class offerings, below are the 30 most popular Coursera courses around the world right now, according to the company.

The list includes individual courses as well as specializations and professional certificate programs, which represent a series of related courses bundled together to help students master a specific skill or interrelated concepts.

Rather than offer courses that are free to audit with a one-time fee to enroll, specializations and professional certificate programs typically offer a free week-long trial and are billed monthly afterward. Since they contain multiple courses, they can take anywhere from a few months to more than a year to complete. So, the faster you complete each program, the more money you'll save.

If you're looking to take just one course included in a specialization, you can usually do that too. And, if you expect to spend more than $399 on your months-long program, consider the Coursera Plus annual subscription — just make sure your courses are included in the 90% of classes it gives you access to.

These are Coursera's top 30 most popular courses right now:

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Offered by: Google

Length: 5 courses

Google's IT Support professional certificate includes courses designed to prepare beginners for an entry-level role in IT support.

Students are introduced to troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security through video lectures, quizzes, hands-on labs, and widgets.

You can also earn a CompTIA and Google dual credential when you complete the Google certificate and pass the CompTIA A+ certification exams.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

Offered by: IBM

Length: 11 months (5 hours per week)

IBM's professional certificate includes nine courses that give beginners job-ready skills and techniques.

The program covers a range of data science topics, including open source tools and libraries, methodologies, Python, databases, SQL, data visualization, data analysis, and machine learning. Students practice in the IBM Cloud using real data science tools and data sets.

Upon completion, students have a finished portfolio of projects and hands-on assignments. In addition to a professional certificate from Coursera to add to your resume and LinkedIn, you'll also receive a digital badge from IBM recognizing proficiency in Data Science.

Free 7-day trial; $39 per month after trial ends

Machine Learning

Offered by: Stanford University

Length: 60 hours

It's widely understood that machine learning is the key to achieving human-level AI. This class shows students how machine learning impacts their day-to-day lives, teaches them effective machine learning techniques, and gives them practical tools to apply machine learning to real problems.

Free to audit; $79 for certificate

Deep Learning Specialization

Offered by: DeepLearning.Ai

Length: 4 months (5 hours per week)

This specialization is designed for students looking to break into Deep Learning and teaches theory as well as real-life industry applications. Over five courses, students cover the foundations of Deep Learning, understand how to build neural networks, and learn how to lead successful machine learning projects.

All ideas are practiced in Python and TensorFlow, which are taught as part of the program. Students work on case studies from healthcare, autonomous driving, sign language reading, music generation, and natural language processing.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Python for Everybody Specialization

Offered by: The University of Michigan

Length: 8 months (3 hours per week)

This specialization builds on the Python for Everybody course and introduces fundamental programming concepts including data structures, networked application program interfaces, and databases using the Python programming language.

In the fifth course, students complete a Capstone Project in which they apply what they've learned to design and create applications for data retrieval, processing, and visualization.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

The Science of Well-Being

Offered by: Yale University

Length: 19 hours

The Science of Well-Being is an online version of Professor Laurie Santos' Psychology and the Good Life course, which became the most popular class ever taught within Yale University's 317-year history in 2018. The class helps quantitatively increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. You can find out more in our full review here.

Free to audit; $49 for certificate

Indigenous Canada

Offered by: The University of Alberta

Length: 21 hours

The University of Alberta's Faculty of Native Studies takes students through Canadian Indigenous history, culture, and current issues through an Indigenous lens. Topics include exchange-based relationships like the fur trade; environmental issues; land claims; activism, and legal rights.

Free to audit; $49 for certificate

IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate

Offered by: IBM

Length: 11 months (3 hours per week)

In this eight-course professional data analysis program, students learn how to use Excel, Python, and SQL to perform tasks such as data mining, data wrangling, and creating data visualizations and ecosystems. By the end, students will have analyzed real-world datasets, built interactive dashboards, and started a portfolio to show to employers.

Free 7-day trial; $39 per month after trial ends

Facebook Social Media Marketing

Offered by: Facebook

Length: 7 months (2 hours per week)

In six courses, students learn how to create compelling advertising to attract a target audience, build and troubleshoot ads in Facebook Ad Manager, and establish a growing social media presence. Successful completion of the program earns students both the Coursera and the Facebook Digital Marketing Associate Certification.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Financial Markets

Offered by: Yale University

Length: 32 hours

This course is an overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions involved in financial markets, with an emphasis on financially-savvy leadership skills. Students receive an introduction to risk management and behavioral finance principles to understand the securities, insurance, and banking industries in the world.

Free to audit; $49 for certificate

Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate

Offered by: Google

Length: 8 months (5 hours per week)

Intended for beginners, this six-course program teaches students how to automate tasks with Python scripts, use Git and Github for version control, and troubleshoot real-life IT problems. Students who complete the program have the option to share their information with potential employers like Walmart, Sprint, Hulu, Bank of America, Google, and more.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Introduction to Psychology

Offered by: Yale University

Length: 15 hours

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of thought and behavior. It explores topics like perception, communication, learning, memory, decision-making, persuasion, emotions, and social behavior. Coursework also examines how those mental elements develop in children, how they differ across people, and how they're affected by illness and injury.

Free to audit; $49 for certificate

Excel Skills for Business Specialization

Offered by: Macquarie University

Length: 6 months (5 hours per week)

This specialization focuses on developing advanced Excel skills for business. Students practice the skills they learn in workbooks, quizzes, and challenges, and use spreadsheet software in a variety of business contexts.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

DeepLearning.AI TensorFlow Developer Professional Certificate

Offered by: DeepLearning.Ai

Length: 4 months (5 hours per week)

TensorFlow is one of the most popular, open-source machine learning frameworks that can be used to build and train powerful models. Full of hands-on projects, this four-course program teaches students applied machine learning skills and can even help them prepare for the Google TensorFlow Certificate exam.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

Offered by: IBM

Length: 8 months (4 hours per week)

Whether you're entering the workforce or switching careers, this IBM certificate program teaches you the skills you need to move into a cybersecurity career. Beyond getting an overview of data protection best practices, students gain internet safety experience through hands-on projects and virtual labs. 

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

AI For Everyone

Offered by: DeepLearning.Ai

Length: 6 hours

This relatively short course is centered around the non-technical side of AI, meant to provide, as the name suggests, everyone with basic knowledge of what AI does, how to use it in an organization, and how to handle ethical questions that inevitably crop up. The intention is for people who aren't engineers to gain a deeper understanding of AI.

Free to audit; $49 for certificate

Graphic Design Specialization

Offered by: CalArts

Length: 6 months (3 hours per week)

This four-course specialization focuses on the fundamental skills of graphic design: process, historical context, and communication through image-making and typography needed to "make and communicate" in graphic design. Students apply what they've learned in future interface design, motion graphics, and editorial design. 

In a final project, students complete a branding project for a professional portfolio.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends 

Modern and Contemporary Art and Design Specialization

Offered by: MoMA

Length: 7 months (3 hours per week)

Led by New York's Museum of Modern Art, this four-course program is a great way for students to gain some art history knowledge while being stuck at home. Courses are divided into modern art; photography; contemporary art, and fashion, and provide important historical and cultural context for the pieces discussed. You can read a full review of the modern art class here.

Free 7-day trial; $39 per month after trial ends

Learn SQL Basics for Data Science Specialization

Offered by: The University of California, Davis

Length: 4 months (5 hours per week)

Learners with no prior knowledge can use this course to learn how to use SQL to filter, sort, and summarize data, as well as manipulate strings, dates, and numerical data for data analysis. By the end, students present a statistical analysis project proposal and leave with a deeper knowledge of how to use SQL to analyze complex data.

Free 7-day trial; $39 per month after trial ends

Improve Your English Communication Skills Specialization

Offered by: Georgia Tech

Length: 5 months (3 hours per week)

Meant for those who want to boost their business interactions, this course teaches students the skills they need to feel more confident in writing emails, speaking at meetings and interviews, giving presentations, and networking online. The Capstone lets students practice with their peers and receive feedback.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Psychological First Aid

Offered by: Johns Hopkins University

Length: 6 hours

Mental health awareness is of extra importance right now, and this relatively short online course teaches students how to apply the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition) in emergencies, whether they happen at work, school, home, or their communities.

Free to audit; $49 for certificate

Natural Language Processing

Offered by: DeepLearning.Ai

Length: 4 months (6 hours per week)

Ideal for intermediate AI learners, this course teaches Natural Language Processing (NLP) to help algorithms manipulate human language through logistic regression, naïve Bayes, word vectors, recurrent neural networks, dynamic programming, hidden Markov models, word embeddings, and more.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Applied Data Science with Python Specialization

Offered by: The University of Michigan

Length: 5 months (7 hours per week)

In five courses, this UMich specialization takes early-level Python programmers through statistical, machine learning, information visualization, text analysis, and social network analysis techniques to expand their Python skills. Learners will go over popular Python toolkits such as pandas, matplotlib, scikit-learn, nltk, and networkx to get better at data analysis.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization

Offered by: The Wharton School, UPenn

Length: 5 months (2 hours per week)

Taught by one of the best-known business schools in the world, this four-course program walks students through the fundamentals of finance all the way through investment and financial accounting, where learners read financial statements and gain an understanding of the language and grammar of accounting.

Free 7-day trial; $79 per month after trial ends

UI / UX Design Specialization

Offered by: CalArts

Length: 4 months (5 hours per week)

Instead of focusing on marketing or programming alone, this program prioritizes UI and UX through a design and visual communications lens. Students learn up-to-date best practices in UX design and use them to build visually gratifying and comprehensive web apps and digital experiences.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Cloud Architecture with Google Cloud Professional Certificate

Offered by: Google Cloud

Length: 3 months (6 hours per week)

Ranked as one of the top-paying IT certifications of 2019 by Global Knowledge, this Google Cloud specialization prepares aspiring cloud architects for the Professional Cloud Architect certification exam. Students learn about Google Cloud Platform's infrastructure and platform services and practice with hands-on Qwiklabs projects.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Leading the Modern Day Business Specialization

Offered by: BCG + The University of Virginia

Length: 4 months (2 hours per week)

Employing design thinking, this course guides students through selecting and fine-tuning their business ideas into ones that generate measured growth. Learners will gain experience in incorporating useful analytics in their product programs and find new ways to digitize their organizations.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress

Offered by: Yale University

Length: 10 hours

Another one of Yale's online mental health resources, this somewhat short course is intended for school staff and feels especially relevant to living through the current pandemic. Teachers, principals, counselors, and non-teaching school employees can better understand how stress impacts students and find ways to accommodate deeper feelings of uncertainty.

Free to audit; $49 for certificate

Data Science Specialization

Offered by: Johns Hopkins University

Length: 11 months (7 hours per week)

Made for those who are completely new to data science, this program covers how to use R to clean, analyze, and visualize data; manage data science projects with GitHub; perform regression analysis, least squares, and inference with regression models, and overall form a clearer understanding of the data analysis pipeline.

Free 7-day trial; $49 per month after trial ends

Business Foundations Specialization

Offered by: The Wharton School, UPenn

Length: 7 months (2 hours per week)

This specialization includes six related courses to improve literacy in business so you can switch careers, start a business, optimize an existing one, or apply to business school. In five courses, students focus on the fundamentals of marketing, accounting, operations, and finance. In a final capstone project, they develop a go-to-market strategy to address a real business challenge.

Free 7-day trial; $79 per month after trial ends

Whether you're interested in learning computer programming or becoming happier in your daily life, you can probably find a course online — often, completely for free.

In an effort to democratize education, Coursera offers thousands of courses that are completely free to take. Many of Coursera's offerings are in partnership with top universities like Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, and the University of Michigan, as well as companies like Facebook and Google. It also caters to a range of demographics, from high schoolers and college students to adults. 

Students can audit a course, freely accessing all the lectures, readings, and discussion forums in a Coursera course. They can also opt to pay a fee (from $49 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the course) for features like graded homework or a certificate of completion to add to their LinkedIn profile or resume. 

Taking free online courses can be a great option for those looking for an affordable alternative to traditional college, helping learners develop new skills for a career switch. They can also be a great tool for personal growth and discovering one's passions, with classes ranging in topics from fashion to psychology.

The 65 best free Coursera online courses:

Personal Development

• The Science of Well-Being, Yale University (You can read a review of the course here.)
• Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential, McMaster University
• Introduction to Psychology, Yale University
• Think Again I: How to Understand Arguments, Duke University
• Introduction to Personal Branding, University of Virginia
• Creative Problem Solving, University of Minnesota

Computer Science

• Algorithms, Part I, Princeton University
• Introduction to Programming with MATLAB, Vanderbilt University
• HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers, Johns Hopkins University
• Build Your First Android App (Project-Centered Course), CentraleSupélec
• Algorithms, Part II, Princeton University
• Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose, Princeton University
• Introduction to User Experience Design, Georgia Tech

Business

• Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills, University of Michigan
• Financial Markets, Yale University
• Marketing Analytics, University of Virginia
• The Strategy of Content Marketing, University of California Davis
• The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know, University of Michigan
• Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design, Google
• Personal & Family Financial Planning, University of Florida
• Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups, University of Colorado Boulder 
• Brand Management: Aligning Business, Brand, and Behaviour, University of London and London Business School
• Management of Fashion and Luxury Companies, Università Bocconi

Health

• Introduction to Food and Health, Stanford University
• Social Psychology, Wesleyan University
• A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment, Indian School of Business
• Psychological First Aid, Johns Hopkins University
• Introductory Human Physiology, Duke University
• Science of Exercise, University of Colorado Boulder
• Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress, Yale University

Cloud and Tech

• Machine Learning, Stanford University
• Cloud Computing Basics (Cloud 101), LearnQuest
• Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere, Google
• AI for Everyone, DeepLearning.AI
• Neural Networks and Deep Learning, DeepLearning.AI
• Managing Machine Learning Projects with Google Cloud, Google Cloud
• Google Cloud Fundamentals for AWS Professionals, Google Cloud
• Introduction to Cloud Identity, Google Cloud

Languages

• English for Career Development, University of Pennsylvania 
• First Step Korean, Yonsei University
• Chinese for Beginners, Peking University
• Write Professional Emails in English, Georgia Tech
• Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics, Universiteit Leiden
• Tricky American English Pronunciation, University of California Irvine 

Arts and Humanities

• Introduction to Philosophy, The University of Edinburgh
• Guitar for Beginners, Berklee College of Music
• Fashion as Design, MoMA
• Getting Started with Music Theory, Michigan State University
• Making Architecture, IE Business School
• Indigenous Canada, University of Alberta

Math, Logic, and Data Science

• Machine Learning, Stanford University
• Data Science Math Skills, Duke University
• SQL for Data Science, University of California Davis
• Introduction to Calculus, The University of Sydney
• Introduction to Statistics, Stanford University
• Calculus: Single Variable Part 1 - Functions, University of Pennsylvania 
• Probability and Statistics: To p or not to p?, University of London
• Calculus: Single Variable Part 2 - Differentiation, University of Pennsylvania 
• Game Theory, Stanford University

Physical Science, Astronomy, and Engineering

• How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics, University of Virginia 
• Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space, The University of Arizona
• Computer Architecture, Princeton University 
• Chemistry, University of Kentucky
• How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course), École Polytechnique

Whether you're a first-time pet owner or a seasoned pet parent, the costs add up quickly. Between pet food, prescription medications, vet care, and the never-ending need for treats, toys, and accessories, it's easy for your budget to feel stretched. Chewy makes it easier by offering a one-stop shop for everyday essentials — plus frequent coupons, promo codes, and discounts that can help you save while keeping your pet stocked and spoiled.

Chewy's selection goes well beyond cats and dogs. You'll also find supplies for reptiles, fish, birds, and small animals (like hamsters and rabbits), as well as specialty items for larger animals and livestock. The retailer also offers helpful services that simplify pet care at home, including a licensed online pharmacy for prescription refills and virtual vet support through Chewy Vet, which can be useful when you need quick guidance without an in-person visit.

The store runs frequent limited-time deals, seasonal sales, and category-specific discounts, but you can often save even more by applying a valid Chewy coupon code at checkout. Below, we've rounded up the best Chewy promo codes and coupons available right now so you can score the lowest price on pet food, treats, toys, pharmacy refills, and more.

Today's best Chewy promo codes

Today's best Chewy pharmacy promo codes

Previous Chewy promo codes

Are there any other Chewy sales running at the moment?

Check out the full list of markdowns and ongoing deals, including the option to shop deals by pet, on Chewy's Today's Deals page. At the time of writing, you can shop for the following deals.

Use Chewy promo codes on these items

If you purchase items we recommend in our pet guides on Chewy's site, you can easily spend enough to earn the free $20 gift card with the code WELCOME. Purchasing one of our top cat treats, the Inaba Churu Chicken Variety, for $32.96, and the ChomChom Pet Hair Remover, one of our favorite pet hair removers we've reviewed, for $24.99, puts the total price of your order over the $49 minimum to use the promo code.

• Follow us on Instagram and WhatsApp for more deals and buying guides

How to use Chewy promo codes

Start by adding coupon-eligible items to your cart. Once on the "Shopping Cart" page, you should see a list of applicable promo codes in the "Available Savings" dropdown box. Apply any of the Chewy promo codes by clicking "Apply," and you should see a checkmark to let you know that the coupon will be applied. From there, continue to checkout to enter your shipping and billing information.

Can you stack Chewy promo codes?

Chewy does allow you to stack promo codes. If multiple promotions apply to your purchase, they will be listed in your cart's "Available Savings" dropdown box. However, certain promotions may not be eligible for stacking, so be sure to check the terms and conditions.

Chewy promo code frequently asked questions

Does Chewy offer discounts for students, teachers, and the military?

As of the time of writing, Chewy does not offer special discounts for students, teachers, or members of the military, so your best bet is to take advantage of their other coupons and deals.

If you're a student or teacher, check out our roundups of the best student discounts and best teacher discounts for more ways to save on your favorite brands.

Can I get pet insurance through Chewy?

Yes, Chewy does offer insurance. Chewy's Care Plus insurance offers its customers four plans at varying price points, including everyday wellness coverage and accident and illness coverage.

Read our full Chewy pet insurance review for more information on plans and pricing.

Does Chewy offer free shipping?

Chewy offers customers free shipping on all orders over $49. For all other orders, shipping costs a flat fee of $4.95 per order.

What is Chewy's return policy?

Chewy allows you to return items for a full refund within 365 days of your original purchase. This policy does not apply to prescription medications. That said, if you received damaged or incorrect medication, Chewy will help you exchange it or provide a refund on a case-by-case basis.

Do I need a vet prescription to get pharmacy products from Chewy?

Yes, you must have a prescription from a licensed vet to order medication from Chewy. Chewy will contact your vet by phone or fax for their authorization before fulfilling your order. This process can take around three business days, so consider the timing when deciding how soon to order.

What are the benefits of choosing Chewy's autoship option?

In addition to not having to remember to reorder pet supplies and prescriptions, shoppers who use autoship can save an extra 5% on select brands for all future autoship orders. There's no additional fee for choosing the autoship option, so it may be worth it if you frequently need to order the same food, medication, or supplies.

Still shopping? Check out our roundup of the best dog subscription boxes.

Kylie Minogue's sold-out Las Vegas residency, More Than Just a Residency, comes to an end this weekend. If you're hoping to attend the experience, we've put together all the details on snagging an elusive ticket to Minogue's final Vegas concerts.

Minogue has been a fixture in pop music since she first came onto the scene in the late 80s, following her spin on an Australian soap opera. She has seen a recent resurgence thanks to her 2023 album, Tension, which includes the hit song "Padam Padam." Minogue's More Than Just a Residency concert series takes place at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort, a new kind of entertainment experience that prioritizes intimacy by only having about 1,000 seats in the venue. The residency started in the fall and then picked back up in March for a spring leg of concerts.

With the end of Kylie Minogue's More Than Just a Residency almost here, many fans are hoping for their last chance to catch Minogue live in Vegas. Below, find all the info on Minogue's remaining residency dates, purchasing details, and resale ticket prices. You can also explore StubHub and Vivid Seats at your leisure.

• See also: Madonna tickets | Adele tickets | Taylor Swift tickets | Olivia Rodrigo tickets | Jennifer Lopez tickets | Bruce Springsteen tickets

Kylie Minogue concert schedule

Kylie Minogue's final performances in her More Than Just a Residency concert series at The Venetian take place from April 26 to May 4. All ticket purchases for tables have a minimum required "spend" amount on food and drink per table the night-of, which is not included in the ticket price.

Tickets are only for 21+. The venue can't guarantee access to ticketholders who purchase from secondary ticketing platforms. The below prices are the cheapest available listings on StubHub and Vivid Seats at the time of writing.

Need travel arrangements?

• Flights & hotel: Booking.com | Expedia 
• Flights: Booking.com | Expedia 
• Accommodation: Booking.com | Expedia | Airbnb 
• Parking: Spot Hero | The Parking Spot

How to buy Kylie Minogue tickets

Original tickets to Kylie Minogue's Las Vegas were sold through Ticketmaster and sold out long ago. Ticket listings are available to peruse on resale websites like StubHub and Vivid Seats.

How much are Kylie Minogue tickets?

Since Kylie Minogue tickets have sold out and resale tickets are the only ones available, it's unclear how much original Ticketmaster tickets cost. Tickets were available for General Admission areas and various-sized tables. Table ticket purchases require a minimum spend per table on food and drink the night of, which is not included in the ticket prices.

On StubHub, the cheapest listings for Kylie Minogue start at $486 on May 3. On Vivid Seats, the cheapest listings start at $405 for May 3. The cheapest ticket listings range from around $400 to $650. The lowest Vivid Seats listings are slightly cheaper on May 3, while the lowest StubHub listings are slightly cheaper on May 4. 

In the past week, demand for both nights has risen substantially. Almost all of the cheapest listings have increased by more than $100 on resale sites. Tickets for Minogue's final night are particularly sought-after, with prices starting from $585 and $644 on StubHub and Vivid Seats, respectively.

Note: Certain services and regions prohibit the resale of tickets. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal reselling of tickets, and entry into an event is at the venue's discretion.

• "Judas and the Black Messiah" premiered in theaters and on HBO Max on February 12.
• The biopic stars Daniel Kaluuya as Chicago Black Panther Party chair Fred Hampton.
• The film is now available to rent from VOD streaming services, like Prime Video and Vudu, for $20.

"Judas and the Black Messiah," a film based on the 1969 killing of Chicago Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton, has been nominated for six Academy Awards. The movie is now available to rent through services like Prime Video for $20.

"Judas and the Black Messiah" premiered on February 12 in theaters and on HBO Max, but its availability on HBO's streaming service was only temporary. The movie was removed from HBO Max on March 14, but it could be added back at a later date.

The film chronicles the events leading to the joint FBI and police raid that saw more than 80 shots fired into Fred Hampton's apartment as he slept. "Get Out" and "Queen & Slim" star Daniel Kaluuya plays Hampton in the film, while Lakeith Stanfield plays the FBI informant tasked with spying on Hampton and the Black Panthers.

For many Black activists, Hampton's killing exemplified violent methods that racists and the government would use to suppress their movement, sowing years of distrust for Chicago police and federal law enforcement. 

Years after Hampton's death, it was revealed that the FBI had identified Hampton as a radical and launched a campaign to undermine his activism. They planted an informant named William O'Neal within the Black Panther Party to track Hampton's actions and spread misinformation about Hampton to other Black activist groups in Chicago.

"Judas and the Black Messiah" has garnered critical acclaim from reviewers. The movie currently holds a "96% Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85/100 on Metacritic.

How to watch 'Judas and the Black Messiah'

"Judas and the Black Messiah" is now available to rent through video-on-demand platforms. The movie premiered on HBO Max on February 12 and remained on the service through March 14. Though it's no longer available on HBO Max, the film could be added back in the future.

To watch "Judas and the Black Messiah" at home you can rent it through services like Vudu, FandangoNow, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play. Rentals start at $20 but may vary based on your platform of choice. 

Most rental services give you a 30-day period to start watching a movie after you order it. Once you begin playback, you typically get 48 hours before the rental expires. "Judas and the Black Messiah" is available in 4K with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos via supported services on compatible devices.

If you want to own a physical copy of the movie, the Blu-ray disc is scheduled for release on May 4.

What other Warner Bros. movies are coming to HBO Max?

The latest Warner Bros. movie on HBO Max is the monster mash-up of "Godzilla vs. Kong." Other upcoming releases include "Mortal Kombat," "Space Jam: A New Legacy," and "Matrix 4."

Here's a complete list of every upcoming Warner Bros. movie with same-day releases on both HBO Max and in movie theaters.

• "Don't Worry Darling" is now available to stream with an HBO Max subscription ($10/month).
• Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine star in the psychological thriller set in the 1950s.
• The movie is also available to buy ($25) or rent ($20) from digital retailers like Amazon and Vudu.

"Don't Worry Darling," the highly anticipated psychological thriller, is now available to watch at home. The movie marks the first leading role for pop star Harry Styles and the second directorial effort from filmmaker Olivia Wilde ("Booksmart").  You can stream the movie on HBO Max, or buy it from retailers like Amazon, Vudu, and Apple TV.

"Don't Worry Darling" tells the story of Alice and Jack Chambers, a young couple in the 1950s who live in the picture-perfect town of Victory, a community built and funded by the company Jack works for. Alice soon becomes fixated on the nature of Jack's work on the top-secret Victory Project, with her discoveries causing tension in the town. Despite being warned against questioning the community's idyllic life, Alice seeks to uncover the true nature of her "utopia."

Check out the trailer for 'Don't Worry Darling'

Florence Pugh ("Midsommar") plays the lead role of Alice opposite Harry Styles ("Dunkirk") as Jack. The cast also includes Chris Pine ("Star Trek"), Gemma Chan ("Crazy Rich Asians"), Nick Kroll ("Big Mouth"), and director Olivia Wilde ("House").

Despite behind-the-scenes controversy fueling anticipation for "Don't Worry Darling," the movie debuted at the Venice Film Festival to mostly negative reviews. As of November 7, "Don't Worry Darling" has a low "38%" score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie may still be worth a watch for fans of the lead actors, Wilde's directorial style, and psychological thrillers in general.

How to watch 'Don't Worry Darling'

"Don't Worry Darling" is now available to watch on HBO Max. The movie hit the service on November 7, just 45 days after it arrived on the big screen.

HBO Max costs $10 a month with ads or $15 a month without ads. The ad-free plan also adds support for 4K streaming and the ability to download titles to watch offline. If you have the ad-free plan, you can stream "Don't Worry Darling" in up to 4K quality with Dolby Vision high dynamic range contrast and Dolby Atmos sound.

The HBO Mas app is available on smart TVs, mobile devices, and media players from most major brands. Check the HBO Max website for a full list of supported devices.

Can I rent or buy 'Don't Worry Darling' without a subscription?

"Don't Worry Darling" is available to buy or rent through digital retailers like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTube.The movie costs $25 to purchase or $20 to rent, and these options do not require an additional subscription fee.

If you purchase "Don't Worry Darling" you'll be able to stream it whenever you like with no restrictions. Meanwhile, with a rental you only get 30 days to start watching the movie and then 48 hours to finish it after you hit play.

Keep in mind, however, that the current rental price carries a premium since the movie is still playing in theaters. If you don't mind waiting, the rental price is expected to drop from $20 to around $6 in the coming months.

When will 'Don't Worry Darling' be available on Blu-ray?

"Don't Worry Darling" will be released on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and DVD on November 29. You can preorder the film now from retailers like Amazon. 

The Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray discs will also include a digital copy code you can use to redeem a streaming version of the film. 

Is 'Don't Worry Darling' based on a book?

"Don't Worry Darling" is not based on a book, but rather a spec script originally written by Shane and Carey Van Dyke. The script was then rewritten for the official screenplay by Katie Silberman, who also co-wrote Wilde's "Booksmart."

Though not directly based on any pre-existing stories, reviews for "Don't Worry Darling" have compared it to hit psychological dramas and thrillers like "The Stepford Wives," "The Truman Show," and "Black Mirror."

• The fifth season of "Cobra Kai" hit Netflix on September 9.
• The series picks up three decades after the events of "The Karate Kid" movie series.
• A Netflix subscription ranges from $10 to $20 a month, depending on the streaming quality you sign up for.

"Cobra Kai" returned for a fifth season on September 9. The series continues the story that originated in 1986's "The Karate Kid," offering an entertaining blend of action, drama, comedy, and '80s nostalgia.

Though the first two seasons debuted on YouTube Premium, new episodes of "Cobra Kai" now stream exclusively on Netflix.

The series stars William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence, a middle-aged handyman who decides to open a karate dojo like the one he trained in as a teenager. Johnny's politically incorrect teaching style catches the attention of his former high school classmate Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), reigniting their decades' old rivalry. 

Check out the trailer for 'Cobra Kai' season 5

Xolo Maridueña, Mary Mouser, Tanner Buchanan, Peyton List, Jacob Bertrand, Courtney Henggeler, Martin Kove, and Thomas Ian Griffith also star.

"Cobra Kai" season one premiered on YouTube Premium in 2018, and a second season followed in 2019. The show moved to Netflix starting with its third season in January 2021. Netflix remains the show's home for season five.

How to watch 'Cobra Kai'

"Cobra Kai" season five is now available to watch exclusively on Netflix. All 10 episodes of the new season debuted on September 9. The show's first four seasons are also available on Netflix. In addition, you can still stream seasons one and two on YouTube Premium. 

A Netflix Basic plan costs $10 a month, and offers standard definition (SD) streaming on one device. A Netflix Standard plan costs $15.49 a month, and includes high definition (HD) streaming with support for two devices at the same time. Finally, a Netflix Premium plan costs $20 a month, and steps things up to 4K HDR streaming with support for up to four devices at the same time.

How many episodes are in 'Cobra Kai' season 5?

"Cobra Kai" season five includes a total of 10 episodes. The first four seasons also featured 10 episodes each.

Has 'Cobra Kai' been renewed for season 6?

As of September 9, "Cobra Kai" has not been officially renewed for a sixth season. A decision on whether or not the show gets another season will likely come sometime over the next few weeks as Netflix takes a look at the viewership numbers for season five.

How to watch 'The Karate Kid' movies

If you're interested in catching up on the story of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence before streaming "Cobra Kai," you can watch the first three "Karate Kid" movies on Paramount Plus or Showtime.

Paramount Plus starts at $5 a month with ads, while Showtime costs $11 a month without ads. You can also bundle both services together for a limited-time deal price of just $8 a month. The deal ends on October 2.

"The Karate Kid" and its sequels are also available to rent or buy digitally through a variety of streaming retailers, including Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, and Apple TV.

• "Succession" returns for its fourth and final season on March 26.
• You can watch new episodes every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET.
• HBO Max costs $10/month for an ad-supported plan or $16/month for an ad-free plan.

"Succession" returns to HBO Max and the HBO cable channel on March 26 for its fourth and final season. The critically acclaimed show is set to air its series finale on May 28. 

The show focuses on the wealthy Roy family as they attempt to run a giant media empire and fight to wrest control of the company from their aging patriarch. "Succession" is known for its mix of tense drama and dark humor. The series stars Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen, and Alan Ruck.

Check out the 'Succession' season 4 trailer

Lauded by critics, the second and third seasons of "Succession" received Emmy awards for outstanding drama series. The show comes from creator Jesse Armstrong and is executive produced by Armstrong, Will Ferrell, and Adam McKay, among others.

How to watch 'Succession' season 4

You can watch "Succession" season four exclusively on HBO Max and the HBO cable channel. The season premiere debuts on March 26 at 9 p.m. ET, and new episodes will follow weekly on Sundays. If you're new to the show, you can also stream the first three seasons on HBO Max.

HBO Max costs at $10 a month for ad-supported streaming or $16 a month for ad-free streaming. HBO Max does not directly offer a free trial to new members, but Amazon Prime subscribers can get a one-week trial if they sign up for the service as an add-on channel.

Is 'Succession' season 4 the final season?

Yes, "Succession" season four will be the final season of the show. The series finale is expected to air on May 28.

Is 'Succession' worth watching?

"Succession" has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous industry awards. The show has been nominated for 48 Emmys and has won 13. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, "Succession" holds a "95% Fresh" score. As of March 24, season four has a "100% Certified Fresh" score. 

The show is well worth a watch for fans of tense family dramas and dark satires focused on the media business.

• Target is calling about 150 remote workers back to its Minneapolis headquarters.
• The relocation mandate impacts workers within its merchandising division.
• The retailer, which brought on a new CEO earlier this year, has been working to turn the business around.

Target is calling more remote workers back to its headquarters.

The retailer is requiring about 150 remote workers within two teams in its merchandising group to relocate to Minneapolis, a spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider. Bloomberg earlier reported the news.

The company is offering relocation assistance to those who decide to move and severance to those who choose not to.

A company spokesperson said in a statement that "increased in-person collaboration across a core part of our merchandising team will help us reinforce our merchandising authority, unlocking greater creativity and enabling us to move faster to deliver on our strategy."

The retailer, which brought on a new CEO earlier this year, is in the midst of a turnaround strategy to revive growth, and improving its merchandise is a pillar of that effort.

The relocation mandate comes as more companies, such as Amazon and AT&T, have been calling workers back into the office in recent years. Target last year ramped up in-office days for employees already based in Minneapolis.

Target does not have a companywide mandate and has left in-office requirements to team leaders.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at dreuter@businessinsider.com or text/call/Signal at 646-768-4750. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Maine Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would have paused new data center projects until late 2027.
• Mills cited her support for an existing project and said she wanted to study data center impacts.
• Lawmakers in at least 12 states have tried and failed to ban data centers as local resistance grows.

Another state-level effort to ban new data center development just failed, this time in Maine.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills on Friday vetoed a bill that would have put a pause on data centers in the state until late 2027. Mills said she supports a moratorium on data center projects but that the bill, which passed the state House and Senate his month, did not include an exemption for a project already underway.

"A moratorium is appropriate given the impacts of massive data centers in other states on the environment and on electricity rates," Mills said in a letter to the state legislature. "But the final version of this bill fails to allow for a specific project in the Town of Jay that enjoys strong local support from its host community and region."

A statement shared by her office said the $550 million data center redevelopment project was needed in Jay, where a paper mill closure in 2023 "eliminated hundreds of good-paying jobs and dealt a significant blow to the local economy."

The governor said she would have signed the bill had there been a carve-out for the project, which she said is expected to create over 800 construction jobs and at least 100 high-paying permanent jobs in addition to generating property tax revenue.

Mills, a Democrat who is running for US Senate in 2026, said she plans to issue an executive order to create a council to look at the impact of data centers in Maine.

"I believe it necessary and important to examine and plan for the potential impacts of large-scale data centers in Maine, as the use of artificial intelligence becomes more widespread," she said.

Lawmakers in at least 11 other states have also tried and failed to pass legislation that would temporarily ban new data center development, Business Insider previously reported.

The data center boom, fueled by Big Tech's AI ambitions, has sparked pockets of local resistance across the US amid concerns about energy consumption and impact on energy costs as well as the environment.

A Business Insider investigation found Maine had two data centers in the state as of last year.

• The banker says he has received multiple offers from employees since posting the deal this week.
• The 13-acre Mill Valley estate features sweeping views of San Francisco, an infinity-edge pool, and a spa.
• The offer comes as Anthropic's valuation on secondary markets reached $1 trillion, and shares are scarce.

A tech banker really, really wants Anthropic shares.

The hunt for shares in Anthropic has become so frenzied in recent weeks that Storm Duncan is offering up his $4.8 million Marin County estate in exchange for stock.

"If you're going fishing, you've got to put a worm on the hook," said Storm Duncan, the founder and managing partner of Ignatious, a tech boutique investment bank, in an interview with Business Insider. "What's my other option? Not being in it?"

The offer comes as Anthropic's valuation on secondary markets soared to $1 trillion, driven by investors who have been wowed by its torrid revenue growth and momentum around its AI-powered coding assistant, Claude Code, Business Insider reported this week.

Duncan, who lives primarily in Jackson Hole, Wyo., also owns other properties, but he decided to list this one because he thought it would be especially attractive to Anthropic employees.

Duncan's 13-acre, fully furnished Mill Valley estate features sweeping views of San Francisco, an infinity-edge pool, and a spa.

"It's a 20-minute commute to the Anthropic offices in the city," he said. "No one from Anthropic probably wants my Miami or Jackson Hole place."

By offering the property, Duncan hopes to get on the radar of employees who have legitimate shares to sell and own a goldmine of Anthropic stock they can't sell until after the company goes public.

Duncan says he has received multiple offers since posting the deal this week. "Some of them are [Anthropic] employees, and some of them just happen to have invested early," he said. "I believe they're serious, but it's a complex transaction."

"There's probably a decent number of people who are sitting in a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco even though they're earning $400,000 a year and are worth a $100 million," he said. "But they can't access that because their stock is so illiquid, so this gives them an opportunity to diversify."

It's not the first time there's been an unconventional way to secure shares in pre-IPO tech companies. In 2005, artist David Choe chose Facebook stock over $60,000 in cash to paint murals at Facebook's first office. That choice led to an estimated windfall of about $200 million once Facebook went public in 2012. In the dot-com era, some real estate owners asked startups for company stock in exchange for leasing space in San Francisco.

Some on X have dismissed Duncan's offer as a publicity stunt or a sure sign of the top of a bubble. Others have made cracks about the only thing being more precious than Anthropic shares is Bay Area real estate.

Duncan insists the offer is real and he is not seeking attention. As for why he does not simply buy shares in the company, he says a small investor like him would never be able to secure stock directly.

"Anthropic can't spend time with people like me," Duncan said. "They're looking for people who can write $100 million in a single check." (The company did not respond to a request for comment.)

The alternative is to buy shares from early employees or investors on secondary markets, but Duncan says those deals are often increasingly dubious.

He said the scarcity of shares on the secondary market has made sellers offer deals that can be rife with high fees and opaque ownership structures.

Duncan already owns shares in Anthropic that he acquired in its 2024 funding round, when it was much easier to obtain shares. He says he was recently convinced he wanted to double down after being wowed by the results of his firm's implementation of Claude Code.

"It's probably going to triple our throughput and reduce our costs by 50%," he said. "As I started to implement the platform at my own firm, I said I would like to have more exposure to this."

• Prosecutors say Gannon Van Dyke used military secrets to make trades on Polymarket.
• Kalshi says he tried to open an account on its platform but was blocked.
• Van Dyke, a master sergeant at Fort Bragg, was indicted on multiple felonies.

The Army Special Forces soldier indicted on charges that he used military secrets to win over $400,000 in Polymarket trades was blocked from opening an account on rival prediction market platform, Kalshi.

Elisabeth Diana, head of communications for Kalshi, told Business Insider that Gannon Van Dyke did not make it past the verification and know-your-customer process but declined to provide more details. Reuters, citing an unnamed source, had earlier reported that Van Dyke tried but failed to gain access to Kalshi.

Van Dyke, a 38-year-old master sergeant assigned to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, was charged with wire fraud and other felonies for placing more than $33,000 in trades related to US action in Venezuela, prosecutors said.

The career soldier was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Absolute Resolve to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and used classified information to make his bets, the indictment alleges.

Van Dyke is being prosecuted in New York, but made his first appearance in federal court in North Carolina on Friday. The court docket states that the government did not seek to detain him, and he was released on $250,000 bond.

He is represented by federal public defenders, who did not respond to a request for comment. He also did not respond to a call from Business Insider.

Polymarket did not immediately respond to an inquiry about the vetting Van Dyke underwent when he signed up for an account. The company said that it tipped off the feds to Van Dyke's trades.

In a statement on X, CEO Shayne Coplan said, "Noise aside, the reality is we work proactively with all relevant authorities on any suspicious activity on our marketplace. We flagged this, referred it, and cooperated throughout the process. This happens constantly behind the scenes, despite what many are led to believe."

Critics have raised alarms about the potential of insider trading on prediction markets and fretted about the possibility that the markets or the current events that fuel them could be manipulated for profit. Kalshi bans insider trading, and Polymarket bans trades based on confidential information.

Kalshi earlier this week said it suspended three political candidates for trading on their own elections as the platform moves to crack down on insider trading.

Asked about the Van Dyke case by reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Donald Trump said he wasn't a big fan of prediction markets.

"The whole world, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a casino," Trump, who once owned several casinos, said. "I don't like it, conceptually, but it is what it is."

Michael Selig, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates prediction markets, has defended the businesses, at one point calling them "valuable to society."

The commission filed a civil complaint against Van Dyke in federal court on Thursday.

Tote bags exist in a carry-all league of their own. Less prescribed and more adaptable, tote bags are, if we're being honest, usually the coolest option in the room. They're more distinctive than a messenger, more easygoing than a briefcase, and a little more refined than a backpack.

The best tote bags for men are timeless, utilitarian, and stylish ways to carry your stuff and, frankly, look awesome slung over your shoulder or carried by the handles.

You can use tote bags as an unassuming workhorse that hauls groceries, records, books, your laptop, and a change of clothes, or, depending on the tote, you can still look right walking into an office or heading out for the weekend.

Most guys, myself included, have a few in their arsenal, for varying situations, but at least one daily driver. After putting over 20 through the paces, these are the 10 best tote bags right now, a mix of accessible picks and worthwhile investments from brands we know and trust that will carry your gear with ease and style.

Our top 5 tote bags for men

Best overall: Filson Rugged Twill Zipper Tote Bag

What makes the best overall tote comes down to where/how you plan to use it. But after putting a slew of totes through the paces, I kept coming back to one of the OGs of heritage goods and the brand that made me a tote convert: Filson. This tote means business without announcing it, stoically handling whatever you throw at it. It's a near-perfect mix of durability, versatility, and straight-up style, and one I looked forward to using daily, which says a lot for a carry-all sidekick.

Materials first: The rugged twill is incredibly durable and versatile, finished with a light wax that resists drizzle and everyday wear. The bridle leather handles and detailing reinforce the build while adding a nice bit of contrast and will patina beautifully over time. I hauled this around for a weekend of record shopping, and it slides easily over the shoulder, hits that ideal spot at your side (a small detail many totes get wrong), and stays put throughout the day. You can carry it by the handles, too, and it won't drag or scuff the ground. The brass zipper is extremely tough and slightly oversized, keeping everything secure. Inside, it's one large main compartment (functional minimalism at its finest) while the exterior pockets add useful storage. I was able to fit an iPad and a larger book in either side pocket, stash a phone or small bottle in the front sleeves, and still have plenty of room for weekend essentials inside.

The sizing is spot on. It's large and structured enough without feeling bulky, with just enough give to expand when needed. You could use this as your primary weekend bag if you pack light, or as a daily driver. And it's stylish as heck. The handsome green or khaki leans heritage, but the black, IMO, is the stylishly versatile move, sleek enough for the office yet relaxed enough for weekend hangs. Saddle-grade bridle leather straps, subtle stitching, and a brass zipper give it just the right amount of character. The price might give pause, but this is a tote that earns it and then some, built to last for years, just like the best Filson pieces.

Best iconic design: L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, Zip-Top

L.L.Bean has no shortage of icons: Bean Boots, Norwegian sweaters, barn coats, rag socks, thick flannels, the list goes on. The Boat and Tote sits right there with them as another stone-cold cult classic in the Maine brand's stacked catalog. This tote is the definition of no-frills simplicity, built to do one thing and do it exceptionally well. Toss it in the car, haul it to the beach, lug it onto a boat, it protects your stuff and doesn't ask for much in return.

The 24-ounce cotton canvas is very hefty with double-stitched seams designed to take a beating. You also get reinforced handles and a double-layer, reinforced base with a flat bottom so it stays put while open, plus handles tested to hold up to 500 pounds (which you'll likely never need, but still good to know). You can go open top, but I prefer the zippered option to keep things from tumbling out and sand from creeping in. The classic matte canvas finish only gets better with age, and the range of colors, sizes, and handle lengths lets you customize.

If you want a bunch of interior pockets and compartments, this won't float, but if you want a simple, durable, heavyweight canvas tote to carry beach towels, books, and whatever else your day calls for at a great value, it's a no-brainer. One thing to keep in mind: the shorter handles are great for hand carry but not ideal over the shoulder, while the longer handles are perfect for shoulder carry but can feel a bit long at your side, so choose accordingly. Either way, this made-in-Maine staple, still produced one tote at a time, is about as no frills dependable as it gets.

Best utility tote: Steele Canvas Steele Utility Tote

Steele Canvas quickly became a staple in the storage scene, and it feels like every gear and travel roundup has included the carry-on powerhouse. So I was excited to finally give their totes a proper test drive, and the best-selling Utility version exceeded just about every expectation I had. What I dig most is how it walks that line between function and everyday lifestyle, i.e., versatility. It's tough as nails to load with garage tools or whatever gear you're hauling, but it looks just as at home at the farmers market as it does in a work shed.

The structure is substantial, too. It stands upright on its own when you set it down, so you can see and reach for what's inside easily. The leather-wrapped handles feel quality in hand and add durability, and the shoulder strap is long enough to wear crossbody or over one shoulder comfortably. Inside, you've got a main compartment with a side pocket for smaller items, while the exterior has various slip pockets and compartments that can hold everything from a garden shovel to your iPhone. The size runs a bit on the smaller side compared to some of their larger, non-utility options (which I actually prefer for this model), but for regular usage, it's more than enough.

You can choose from a few colorways, but I'd strongly recommend waxed canvas for its added density, weather resistance, and abrasion durability. It also breaks in beautifully over time. All in all, this Made in America tote nails that form-meets-function sweet spot, looks great hauling around, and is an investment you'll feel good about using for years to come.

Best daily use tote: Alex Mill The Perfect Weekday Tote

Alex Mill makes a lot of exemplary things. Their chore jackets, lived-in shirting, and denim are all hallmarks of the brand, but perhaps no accessory lives in the current zeitgeist quite like its iconic tote bag. You can spot the garment-washed colorways, handsome silhouettes, and that telltale monogram from yards away. They offer a few different sizes, from the Perfect Day Tote to the Perfect Weekend, but for my money, the Perfect Weekday Tote is the sweet spot. The 13-inch sides give it that squared-off shape that can haul everything from records to a laptop to knick-knacks with ease, and the sides expand, so you can keep it cinched with buttons or undo them when you need the extra space.

This garment-washed canvas tote feels lived in from the moment you unpack it, with those handsome retro shades and a textured cotton body that feels good in hand and looks even better with use. I also dig the dual carry setup, with shorter handles to hold it like a briefcase and longer straps you can sling over your shoulder (and tuck away when not in use). Storage is more streamlined; there aren't a ton of pockets, but you do get a very roomy main compartment and an inner zip pocket for valuables. With a bag this stylish, you don't really want a bunch of exterior pockets messing with the vibe anyway. And while you don't have to get it monogrammed, we recommend it. It's a subtle hint of personalization that adds character, an IYKYK detail many folks will clock and compliment.

Best commuter tote: Stuart & Lau The Clarke Totepack

Since 2015, Stuart & Lau has been producing stylish, technical, very thoughtfully designed bags that consistently land on best-of lists, and we'll gladly add the Clarke Tote Pack to that roster. Let's start with the obvious: hybrid functionality. Yes, it's a tote, but it's also a backpack, so you can throw it on your back whether you're biking, hopping on the subway, or heading through the airport. It looks the part, too—sleek, a little futuristic, and appropriate for the office or airport alike.

As a daily commuter with real technical chops, few totes come close, and the thoughtful details reveal themselves with usage (trust that you are getting every cent's worth and then some). The interior is plush and padded, with a proper laptop sleeve, passport and pen pockets, plus two zippered compartments for valuables. The exterior is built from a DuraLite fabric shell that's lightweight yet very tough, paired with Italian full-grain leather handles and flap details, and a waterproof rubberized base for extra protection. You also get padded back straps, magnetized snap closures, two side sleeves, a concealed AirTag pocket, and a durable, smooth Japanese-made zipper...and I may still be leaving out a few minor things I noticed while testing this. Phew. All in all, the Clarke Totepack handles airplane carry-ons, rainy bike commutes, and everyday wear with ease, keeping your valuables safe and you looking sharp upon arrival. If you travel a lot or simply want a functional, hybrid tote, look no further.

Best lightweight travel tote: Fjallraven High Coast Tote 30

At some point in the coming months, you might get the urge to just get up and go somewhere. Maybe a road trip or a weekend beach getaway, but you'll want something lightweight, durable, and with enough smart storage ready at the helm. Fjällräven is another iconic brand where lifestyle and technical chops come together, and I've featured their rain jackets and gear plenty of times over the years. They also turn out seriously good carry-ons, and the High Coast Tote 30 is no exception. First thing you notice: this bag is lightweight, very lightweight. Ultra-packable, it practically disappears when not in use, making it perfect for stashing and stowing without a second thought.

It's got the bones to back it up, too. It's built from a durable recycled polyamide (a lightweight, tightly woven nylon that punches above its weight), finished with a water-resistant DWR coating so it can handle light drizzle and everyday wear without issue (not fully waterproof, but more than capable if the weather turns). Storage is simple but practical for something this lightweight, with a zippered side pocket and a clasped inner pocket for essentials. The convertible carry is a big win too, as you can carry it like a tote, sling it over your shoulder, or wear it crossbody. I especially like that the straps are adjustable, so you can customize the fit depending on how you're carrying it. Perfect for short weekend trips or beach days, or as that secondary bag when you inevitably need a little extra carry, it's a barely-there tote that shows up exactly when you need it.

Best understated workhorse Tote: Taylor Stitch The Foundation Tote

Sometimes simplicity speaks volumes, and I can't overstate how much I enjoyed using the Foundation Tote from elevated essentials stalwarts, Taylor Stitch. So much of menswear is rooted in military utility, and this tote echoes that lineage. It feels like something you'd find in the back of a vintage army caravan, which tracks given it's reverse-engineered from deadstock military fabric. The cotton is super durable yet soft, with a garment-dyed wash that gives it a well-worn personality and a spongey, slightly retro feel.

It's got enough structure and heft to handle loads of apples or records but can also be scrunched up and tossed into another suitcase if needed. There are numerous pockets besides the main compartment, including an inner side pocket, a larger exterior slip for books or an iPad, and two side slips for smaller gear. It's one of those pieces that doesn't fully click until you wear it around town, and then you realize how effortless it feels as you catch yourself admiring it. For everyday weekend jaunts or to have a less structured tote in your arsenal at a very easy price, Taylor Stitch's Foundation Tote is exceptionally foundational.

Best Value Tote: JanSport Everyday Large Tote

JanSport is so much more than backpacks, folks. And while they still excel at our padded, back-strapped counterparts (I was at a preview recently and got a firsthand look at some of the newer, fantastic technical ones), the iconic brand makes some of the best carry-all's, period, including the best value tote I tested. It's nicely oversized, but not too big, landing right in that sweet spot between a beach or weekend tote and a bag you can carry to work. The 600-denier poly body is tough as heck, abrasion-resistant, and surprisingly lightweight. Add a reinforced, padded bottom to protect against floor scuffs and a zippered top, which you rarely see at this price point, and you're already ahead.

But I'm not finished. The storage here is exemplary for this price. It has a padded inner sleeve with a Velcro fastener for your laptop, so you can skip an extra case for shorter hauls. There's also a zippered inner pocket for keys and valuables, another zippered outer pocket for quick-access essentials, and side elastic bottle holders. It's not the flashiest bag, but it's not trying to be. Sleek, lightweight, durable, and packed with thoughtful design and storage touches, get one, or a few, and keep them on hand; they'll pay dividends over time.

Best oversized hauler tote: Cotopaxi Allpa 60L Gear Hauler Tote

Cotopaxi makes some of the finest form-meets-function gear out there, and the brand's commitment to fair trade practices and use of repurposed, recycled, or responsibly sourced materials shows they walk the sustainability walk, too. Now, this is not your everyday tote, not for the office, not for quick errands. The Allpa 60L Gear Hauler is what you grab when you need to haul it all, towels, bottles, extra layers, gear, the kind of tote you keep folded and ready to go for road trips, weekend getaways, or splitting the load with friends and family. (There's a more modest 30L version that's also great, too, FYI.) It's easily the largest option here, but still manageable enough to carry tote-style when you want to keep your hands free.

The build backs it all up. The shell is made from recycled materials, including 840D TPU-coated nylon and 840D ballistic ripstop, and it feels tough as nails. You get dual carry options, longer handles for over-the-shoulder hauling, and shorter ones for when it's packed out, plus side grab handles that make pulling it out of a trunk or tight space easier. Inside, there's a mesh pocket for visibility, along with slip pockets and a zip pocket to keep things organized. It's also semi-structured, so it stands up for easy loading but still has enough give to conform to whatever you're hauling into it. Durable, oversized, functional, and finished with Cotopaxi's signature color-blocking, what's not to like?

Best luxury tote: Frank Clegg Leather Market Tote

Tote bags are everyday carry-alls, hauling groceries, records, books, or whatever else the day throws at you. Then there's the kind that does all of that with elevated, heirloom-worthy craftsmanship, built from rich leather that develops a well-earned patina over time. That's where Frank Clegg comes in.

I've admired the Massachusetts-based brand's work and aesthetic for years. These are classically handsome artisan bags that reflect an old-world approach when things were built to last. It starts with the leather, each hide carefully inspected to ensure it's free of imperfections. From there, every edge is buffed, polished, and hand-finished. The brand's smooth tumbled leather has a soft, relaxed hand but feels extremely durable, finished with light waxes that protect the surface. Solid brass hardware connects the straps and feels substantial in hand, while the unlined interior gives you a full view of that natural grain, adding just a hint of ruggedness. You can choose from a range of finishes and palettes, but the chestnut is the bestseller, with its warm, deep tone.

Functionally, it keeps things streamlined and simple. One large compartment handles the bulk, while discreet exterior slip pockets give you quick access to your phone, iPad, or whatever vintage book you're working through. And it just feels so damn luxurious and good to wear, with timeless style for days. This is the kind of tote you might hesitate to ding up at first, but that's part of the appeal. It looks fantastic and polished out of the gate, but only deepens in character with use—an investment tote you'll admire for life.

How We Tested The Best tote bags:

Each tote featured here excels in its own lane and was evaluated accordingly. I carried each tote for several days, paying attention to comfort, durability, storage, ease of access, materials, construction, and the small design details you notice after a full day of hauling your stuff around. Some were loaded up for grocery runs, some for record and book browsing, others for work meetings, some to carry heavier tools, and a few for weekend trips. With years spent covering style and accessories, and trust in the brands above, I can confidently stand behind every tote included here.

The best tote for you will depend on your lifestyle, and most folks will end up with more than one in rotation. When choosing the best tote bag, think about how you'll use it most. Are you carrying a laptop every day, loading it up with groceries or tools, or using it as a travel companion or weekend bag? Maybe it's a rugged hauler for road trips, a reliable cotton tote for errands, a waxed canvas option for utility, a lightweight nylon style you can stash with ease, a technical commuter tote, or a leather tote with a well-earned patina to admire. The best tote bags seem simple, but they're more specialized than they appear. Every tote here carries your gear with ease; the difference comes down to how it fits into your day-to-day.

What to Look for in a tote bag:

Materials and Build Quality: This is the big one, because it shapes everything from durability to how the bag looks and feels over time. If you want something rugged and classic, look to heavyweight cotton canvas, rugged twill, or waxed canvas, all of which are tough, dependable, and develop character with use. If you want something lighter and more technical, ballistic nylon, recycled polyamide, or other tightly woven synthetics are great for daily wear, travel, and inclement weather, especially when paired with water-resistant coatings. Leather brings polish, heft, durability, and a patina that only gets better with age. Some bags also mix materials for the best of both worlds. Beyond the fabric itself, pay attention to the details: reinforced seams, sturdy stitching, a reinforced bottom, quality hardware, durable zippers, and handles that feel secure in hand.

Storage and Organization: A great tote bag should make your life easier, not a dark pit where your keys, charger, and sunglasses get lost. Some folks are perfectly fine with a single main compartment, especially for groceries, beach gear, or bulkier everyday carry. Others will want more storage, like interior zip pockets, slip compartments, laptop sleeves, bottle holders, or quick-access outer sleeves for a phone, wallet, or passport. Neither approach is better; it just depends on how much you plan to carry. What matters most is that the storage feels intentional and easy to access when needed. Look for a top closure or zippered pockets for added security.

Carry and Comfort: Totes seem simple, but the way they carry matters more than people realize. Handle or strap drop is important. Some handles are perfect to carry in hand but are awkward over the shoulder, while others sling easily over a jacket but hang too low or too high at your side when carried like a briefcase. Try it both ways. Throw it over your shoulder to see where it lands and whether it stays put, then carry it by the handles to make sure it works with your height. I almost always carry a tote over my shoulder, for instance, so that is most important to me. Adjustable straps, dual sets of different-length handles, crossbody straps, or even hybrid tote-pack designs all give you more flexibility depending on your needs.

Structure and Size: This one really comes down to preference. Some folks prefer a structured tote that stands upright, holds its shape, and makes it easier to see and access what's inside. Others lean toward more flexible designs that can be scrunched up, packed away, or mold to your body. Some fall in the middle with a semi-structured build. Neither is better across the board; it just depends on how you plan to use it. And, of course, think about capacity. The larger the tote, the more it can carry, so make sure the size and shape line up with what you're hauling day to day.

The FA Cup semifinals have arrived, and Man City continues its quest to right last year's wrongs with a can't-miss match against Southampton. Below, we've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch Man City vs. Southampton live streams, including free options.

If you don't want to read any further, you can live stream the match for free on BBC iPlayer in the UK, on ESPN Select in the US, and on Stan Sport in Australia. In several other countries, you can stream the match on DAZN. Keep reading to learn about global streaming options and our tips for watching the free UK option from anywhere.

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton for free

There are a few different ways to watch Man City vs. Southampton for free around the world. In the UK, the match will air on BBC One and be available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer. In the US, the game will live stream on ESPN Select, which is included in DirecTV MySports and Fubo Sports + News subscriptions, both of which have free trials for new customers.

How to watch Man City vs. Southampton from anywhere

If you're away from the location where your streaming service works, such as the UK, you can still access your free watch options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tech tools that enable people to temporarily alter their device's virtual location. They're especially popular among those looking to access their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad or hoping to upgrade their cybersecurity.

NordVPN is a top-rated option. It's user-friendly and one of the best VPNs we've tested. Plus, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not what you're looking for.

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton in the US

Man City vs. Southampton won't be broadcast on TV in the US, but it will be available on ESPN Select. ESPN Select plans cost $13 a month, but you can upgrade to ESPN Unlimited for $30 a month to unlock even more content.

ESPN Select and Unlimited access is also available with DirecTV MySports and Fubo Sports + News plans. DirecTV MySports carries around 20 channels and costs $65 a month, but new users can get their first two months for $45 a month after a five-day free trial. Fubo Sports + News carries around 28 channels and costs $56 a month, but new customers can get their first month for $46 after a five-day free trial.

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton in the UK

Man City vs. Southampton will be available for free on BBC One in the UK. This means fans will also be able to live stream all the action on the BBC iPlayer, a free streaming service in the UK that only requires account creation to use, if you haven't already signed up. The match should also be available on TNT Sports 1 through HBO Max.

Where to watch Man City vs. Southampton in Australia

Stan Sport will show Man City vs. Southampton in Australia. Stan base plans cost $12 a month, but you also need to add Sport for an extra $20 a month. In total, this will cost you $32 a month.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

Whether you're planning a party, wedding, or fundraiser — or creating marketing materials for your business — custom prints can instantly make your project look more polished. Vistaprint is a popular go-to for affordable, professional-quality products like business cards, invitations, flyers, vinyl banners, stickers, labels, and signage, with easy templates and beginner-friendly design tools. Since printing costs can climb fast (especially for bulk orders), using Vistaprint coupons or promo codes is one of the simplest ways to save on your next purchase.

Vistaprint also runs frequent sitewide sales and limited-time promotions, and a valid Vistaprint coupon code can unlock extra savings — sometimes up to 50% off, depending on the offer and category. Many deals apply across high-demand items like stationery, banners, and branded packaging, and some codes can be used on repeat orders, which is helpful if you restock business supplies regularly.

Before you check out, it's worth scanning the latest Vistaprint promo codes to make sure you're getting the best price on everything from everyday business essentials to custom stationery. Below, we've rounded up the top Vistaprint discount codes and active deals we've tested so you can save more on your next print project.

Today's best Vistaprint discount codes

Previous Vistaprint discount codes

Are there any other Vistaprint sales running at the moment?

In addition to their voucher codes, Vistaprint also runs several ongoing sales and promotions, all of which can be found on their "Offers" page. As of the time of writing, Vistaprint is running the following deals.

• Follow our Instagram page and WhatsApp channel for more deals and buying guides

How to use Vistaprint voucher codes

Vistaprint requires all shoppers to create an account before designing products, so start there. Once you've created an account, you can add coupon-eligible items to your cart. From the "My Cart" page, you can apply a promo code by clicking the "Have a code?" dropdown, pasting the code into the text box, and clicking apply. Once the voucher code has been applied, continue to checkout to enter your shipping and billing information.

Can you stack Vistaprint promo codes?

Vistaprint does not allow discount codes to be stacked together. Only one code may be applied per purchase.

Vistaprint discount code frequently asked questions

Does Vistaprint offer discounts for students, teachers, and the military?

Vistaprint does not offer special discounts for students or teachers in the United States, so your best bet is to take advantage of their other coupons and deals.

Military members can receive a discount on all Vistaprint purchases. To take advantage of the discount, shoppers must verify their military status.

If you are a student or teacher, check out our roundups of the best student discounts and best teacher discounts to unlock more deals.

Does Vistaprint offer free shipping?

Vistaprint offers shoppers free economy shipping on orders of $100 or more. You don't need to enter a promo code to access free shipping; just add enough items to your cart.

Does Vistaprint offer special pricing plans for businesses?

Vistaprint offers special corporate pricing plans for businesses to use to create their branding and marketing materials. Businesses that participate in one of the three corporate pricing plans (each designed for different business sizes) enjoy perks like free shipping on orders over $50, multiple logins for other team members, and ease-of-ordering features like bulk ordering and auto-reordering. Learn more about the different corporate pricing plans on Vistaprint's corporate website.

Can I reuse a Vistaprint promo code?

In most cases, Vistaprint allows you to apply a promo code to multiple orders as long as your order contains qualifying items. There are some exceptions, though, so it's best to check the terms and conditions for a coupon to confirm.

Does Vistaprint save my previous designs?

When you create an account, Vistaprint saves all your designs and orders on the "My Projects" page, so you can access your previous designs and reorder them anytime.

Does Vistaprint offer resources to help me with my designs?

Yes, you can visit Vistaprint's "Ideas and Advice" blog for resources to help you with your designs, including design tips like packaging and graphic design trends, how to choose a logo for your business, the best promotional products for building brand loyalty, and more.

Can I hire someone to design things for me on Vistaprint?

Vistaprint makes creating your own designs easy. But if you don't have the bandwidth or would rather hire a professional, Vistaprint offers design services on many of its products, including business cards, flyers, and more. Learn more on Vistaprint's website.

Can I apply a Vistaprint discount code after placing an order?

If you forgot to apply a discount code before placing your order but later found one that applies, you won't be able to apply it yourself. That said, you can contact Vistaprint's customer care team through their help center, and they can apply the code for you.

If you've been considering building a new website for yourself or your business, our roundup of the latest Squarespace promo codes has more helpful coupons.

• MrBeast's next growth act may come from AI-produced videos.
• Jimmy Donaldson's company is looking for someone to lead a production team with AI at the foundation.
• MrBeast has been expanding his company while looking for ways to save.

YouTube's biggest star, MrBeast, is looking for a leader to help his company create "AI-native" productions.

A job posting says that Beast Industries wants to build a new production capability in which AI is "not a tool but the foundation."

It calls for someone who can help define "what AI-native entertainment looks like, develop original formats, and build systems that enable content to be conceived, produced, and scaled with AI at the core."

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, wouldn't be the first creator to delve into AI. Fellow superstar creator Steven Bartlett has been making fully AI-animated shows since last year.

Still, as YouTube's top creator with 479 million subscribers, Donaldson's moves in the space will be closely watched by the entertainment community.

Many production studios are adopting AI across production, marketing, and visual effects, and startups are raising millions on the promise of helping legacy Hollywood transition to the AI era.

So far, entirely AI productions are largely the realm of animation, podcasts, and short-form video.

In the micro drama space, apps including TikTok's Pine Drama and Vigloo have character-driven dramas generated by AI. These AI dramas account for 10% of Vigloo's library, a spokesperson said. The Beijing-based startup StoReel recently raised $34 million to make AI micro dramas.

AI-driven productions would solve some problems for Donaldson.

He is famous for his viral, high-budget challenge and giveaway videos, though the company has been tightening up spending. One of the job's listed expectations is to use automation to make more content, faster.

Making AI-driven videos also directly addresses the risk any creator faces when they build a company that relies on their time and persona. As Donaldson expands his company to consumer products and services, it limits his bandwidth to star in his own videos. He recently hired former NBCU unscripted executive Corie Henson to head his studio division and is looking to broaden the company's video franchises. He said this week his company now has 750 employees.

Donaldson himself has shared concerns about AI's risk to his industry.

After OpenAI released Sora 2 last fall, Donaldson mused on X about what AI's advancement will mean for creators, adding, "Scary times."

He also released — and then removed — a tool that used AI to generate video thumbnails last year, after receiving backlash from creators.

• Copper is a great cooking material because it heats up quickly and evenly, but it's usually pretty expensive.
• Online kitchen brand Material has launched new stainless steel cookware that contains a copper core. This construction lets you take advantage of copper's powerful heat conduction properties without having to pay for the price or maintenance of copper. 
• We tried the two pans, the Classic Pan ($95-$105) and the Coated Pan ($95), and loved them for their durability, efficiency, and ease of use. 
• See more: The best cookware sets

Copper cookware, while beautiful, can be expensive (a 10-inch pan from Mauviel, for example, retails for $180). However, the prime benefits of copper — quick and even heat conduction — have many home cooks eyeing the powerful material for their pots and pans. 

If you don't care much about the glossy orange look of copper but do want to take advantage of its cooking ability, you can get around the gulp-inducing price by looking for a pan with a copper core. 

These are exactly the types of pans that Material chose to launch its cookware collection. The online kitchen brand, which also sells cooking tools, knives, and countertop accessories, comes from an ideology of high-quality construction and thoughtful design.

The cookware expansion, called the 29 Collection (a reference to copper's atomic number), consists of three pans and one sauce pot that replicate these qualities to great success. 

The pans are the type you'd use every day, the prerequisites of a thriving kitchen set-up. 

The Classic Pan ($95-$105) comes in 10.5-inch and 12-inch sizes and has a copper core, which is surrounded by five-ply stainless steel, and a curved lip to allow for smooth pouring. It's oven-safe up to 500° F and dishwasher-safe.

The Coated Pan ($95) comes in a 10.5-inch size and has the same above characteristics. The only difference is that it also has a fume-free, Teflon-free nonstick coating that Material tested to be 37 times more durable than ceramic. 

The Sauté Pan ($105) comes in 10.5-inch size with all the characteristics of the Classic Pan, along with high sides to prevent oil, grease, and liquids from splattering. It has two sets of dots on the inside — four dots means four cups and eight dots for eight cups. 

The Sauce Pot ($95) comes in a 3-quart pot with a curved spout for easy pouring and curved bottom for cleanability. It also has dots on the insider to mark the number of cups, and the same benefits as the Classic and Sauté pans.

Read more: This startup's set of fundamental cooking tools contains everything you need to declutter your kitchen

We tested The Classic Pan and The Coated Pan in our own kitchens — here's how they performed 

The Classic Pan: I tried the company's Classic Pan and was thoroughly impressed. I have attempted to cook for myself in the past, but I have a tendency to burn food that winds up sticking to the pan. I cooked a variety of dishes from shrimp and grits to meatball sliders in the Classic Pan and managed not to burn anything (I'm sure the copper core helped with heat retention and distribution and was a big part of the reason why my food was edible).

This stainless steel pan withstood me stirring my food with a fork and, while it did get a bit scraped up, it doesn't look terrible. I'm really good at burning both food and myself, but any time I touched the handle of this pan, it was relatively cool. At the end of the day, I realized that I actually enjoy cooking and that I'm actually excited to cook for myself now. —Ciannah Gin, former editorial fellow 

The Coated Pan: The most satisfying feelings in the world include inserting a USB the correct way the first time, coasting down a road without hitting a single red light for blocks, and lifting eggs off a slick pan. Every time I use Material's pan, I enjoy the singular satisfaction of a quick, smooth, and effortless cooking experience. 

Because of its copper core, the pan heated up noticeably faster, and it distributed this heat evenly too. I made corn cakes and even though they were spread out throughout the pan, the ones on the sides crisped as well and evenly as the ones closest to the burner. Since the rest of the pan is made from thick and durable stainless steel, it can be banged up a bit and should last you many years. 

I have to commend Material for its expansion from tools like spatulas to everyday workhorses like pans. While I keep my kitchen stocked with a large variety of brands, I could easily see myself becoming a Material loyalist because of its well-rounded repertoire of products. —Connie Chen, senior reporter

The bottom line

Material's new cookware is the solution for anyone who wants to cook with copper but strives for practicality and cost-efficiency. We found the pans were well-made and effective, especially for any meal that had to be made quickly and precisely. Get these pans and you'll find yourself eagerly waiting for Material's next new cookware drop. 

• "Top Gun: Maverick" is now available to watch at home.
• You can stream the blockbuster sequel on Paramount Plus ($5/month) or Epix ($6/month).
• It's also available to buy ($10) or rent ($4) through services like Prime Video and Vudu.

"Top Gun: Maverick," the sequel to the 1986 movie "Top Gun," is now available to watch at home on Paramount Plus and Epix. You can also buy or rent the movie from digital retailers like Amazon and Vudu for a starting price of $4. 

Tom Cruise returns to the "Top Gun" franchise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a US Navy test pilot who is tasked with training a group of young Top Gun graduates for a high-risk specialized mission. The detachment includes Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of Maverick's late best friend Goose. 

Check out the trailer for 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Val Kilmer also reprises his role as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, a longtime rival of Maverick's. New cast members include Jennifer Connolly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, and Ed Harris. 

"Top Gun: Maverick" holds a "96% Certified Fresh" rating on review-aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with some critics saying it's better than the first movie. It's also the highest grossing film of 2022 so far, with over $1.4 billion worldwide, and it's nominated for best picture at the Golden Globes. 

Where to watch 'Top Gun: Maverick'

"Top Gun: Maverick" is now available to watch on Paramount Plus and Epix Now. The movie made its subscription streaming debut on December 22.

A Paramount Plus Essential plan costs $5/month and includes access to the entire streaming library with limited commercial interruptions. A Premium plan is $10/month and lets you stream on-demand content without ads, plus you can watch your local CBS station live. 

As part of a limited-time promotion, new members can get 50% off an annual Paramount Plus membership. This brings the ad-supported plan down to just $25 and the ad-free plan down to $50 for an entire year of streaming.

Can you watch 'Top Gun: Maverick' for free?

You can watch "Top Gun: Maverick" for free if you sign up for a trial to Paramount Plus. New members can get a one-week free trial to either service.

As long as you cancel before your trial is done, you'll be able to stream the movie without committing to a subscription. 

Is 'Top Gun Maverick' available to rent or buy?

If you don't want to sign up for a subscription service, you can rent or buy "Top Gun: Maverick" to watch at home through digital retailers like Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV. The movie costs $10 to purchase in up to 4K quality, and rentals start at $4.   

After you purchase "Top Gun: Maverick" you'll be able to stream it whenever you like with no restrictions. If you rent the movie, you'll get 30 days to start watching it and then 48 hours to finish it after you hit play.

Digital retailer apps are available on most mobile devices, media players, and smart TVs from major brands. You should check each service's website to ensure your device is supported before making a purchase.

Where can I watch 'Top Gun' (1986)?

You can watch the first "Top Gun" movie from 1986 on Paramount Plus and Epix Now.  It's also available to rent or buy from digital retailers like Amazon Prime Video. 

The first "Top Gun" movie follows Maverick as he and a group of naval aviators are given the chance to train in the Navy's Top Gun program. The movie was released in 1986 and has held cultural relevance since; in 2015, it was added to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry for preservation. 

• Baked by Melissa is a New York City-based cupcake shop famous for its bite-sized cupcakes in fun colors and creative flavors. 
• Nationwide shipping starts at $15.95 on orders with a $32 minimum so you can send these treats to a loved one easily. 

When you want to satisfy your sweet tooth and try a bunch of different cool flavors without overloading on sugar, we can't think of a better dessert option than Baked by Melissa. The New York City-based cupcake shop makes delicious bite-sized cupcakes in fun colors like tie-dye, and creative flavors like chocolate chip pancakes.

The now-empire of mini cupcakes was born out of Melissa Ben-Ishay's personal passion for baking and was once simply a pop-up and pickup window in SoHo. Today, there are multiple retail stores, and it ships nationwide to anyone who loves cupcakes. 

We've given them to loved ones for birthdays and happily indulged in them ourselves during office celebrations. Since they're so small, it's easy (and fun) to eat a few at a time. 

What to shop at Baked by Melissa

One of its top sellers — and the best way to try Baked by Melissa's biggest hits — is the Latest and Greatest cupcake pack. It features 12 different flavors, from a classic red velvet to the one-of-a-kind Caramel Hot Cocoa (chocolate cake stuffed with dulce de leche and topped with hot cocoa icing, mini marshmallows, and nonpareils). There are two cupcakes of each flavor, plus an extra Chocolate Peanut Butter cupcake. Some of these flavors rotate depending on the season, so there will always be something new to look forward to. 

A few of our favorite Baked by Melissa Original flavors are the signature tie-dye, which is a rainbow cake topped with vanilla icing and rainbow sugar crystals, and the mint cookie, which is a mint cake stuffed with fudge, topped with mint cookies and cream icing, mint cookie butter, and green drizzle. On a standard-sized cupcake, these combinations can sound overwhelming and very filling, but they're just right when packed into a cupcake you can hold with two fingers. 

Baked by Melissa also offers seasonal and limited edition flavors, including Valentine's Day-themed packs and pre-curated birthday boxes that make gifting easy. Check out the gift section for more pre-curated bundles. 

You can also customize a 25-, 50-, or 100-count box by picking your favorite flavors. Gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free cupcakes are available.

For the truly avid cupcake lover, the site even has a few subscription options, which are sent monthly or quarterly. 

And for client gifting, corporate gifting, catering, and special events, Baked by Melissa can also step in to provide treats for everyone. 

Shipping and delivery

There are a few ways to obtain your bite-sized cupcakes:

Nationwide shipping: Available on orders with a $20 minimum and to all 50 states, and you can schedule a specific arrival date. There are standard, expedited, and priority shipping options. The cupcakes are packed with foam liners and ice packs to ensure freshness upon arrival. 

Delivery in NYC: Available on orders with a $20 minimum and to Manhattan addresses below 110th Street. The delivery fee is $9.95 and you can choose a 2-hour delivery window. 

In-store pickup: Available on orders with a $20 minimum. Choose your store and go straight to the front counter and provide the full name of the recipient. 

Baked by Melissa deals 

From time to time, Baked by Melissa will run free giveaways. In the past, it's given away free 25-packs of cupcakes and included free shipping to sweeten the deal. 

These deals typically go quickly, so have your recipient's address information ready when you visit the website. When the company ran a giveaway deal earlier in the year, I redeemed it to send birthday cupcakes to my roommate. They arrived safely and tasted great (from what I heard), and my roommate loved the surprise, so I highly recommend taking advantage of the deals. We'll update this post whenever we hear about the next Baked by Melissa giveaway.  

Previously, the brand offered a "cupcake insurance" feature due to nationwide shipping delays.

Shop all mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• An adult who leads an active lifestyle needs a significant amount of protein; you can calculate exactly how much you need by converting your weight in pounds into kilograms, so divide by 2.2, and then multiplying that by 0.8.
• Protein cookies are a perfect on-the-go or post-workout snack that helps keep you full, provides nutrients you need, and also lets you enjoy a sweet treat.
• They're also a great way to get a bit more of this all-important nutrient into the diet of a picky young eater like my preschooler son.

When most people think of protein, they think of muscle. And while protein is critical for muscle growth, it does so much more than that for your body. It's important for the general health of your skin, tendons, internal organs, hormone production, and the list goes on. You could sum it up like this: Protein is critical for life itself.

But life can get so busy, it's often hard to get enough of all the important nutrients we need for optimal health. Thus, the rise of healthy products like meal replacement bars and shakes, powders you can whip into elixirs to compensate for the junk food we called lunch, and other products that combine nutrition and convenience but taste like cardboard.

As a category of food by itself, cookies are delicious through and through. 

I recently tried out a brand called Munk Pack that offers protein cookies in a variety of flavors like Snickerdoodle, Double Dark Chocolate, and Oatmeal Raisin Spice. There are five varieties in total and each cookie comes individually wrapped, which is a good thing because you'll have to stop yourself from eating more than one at a time.

Munk Pack cookies are large and thick, think five or six of the circular cardboard coasters you get at a bar stacked on top one another. And they're seriously high in calories, but that's the point. Each Munk Pack cookie packs 360 calories. As for the protein? They have 18 grams each — that's approximately 22% of the daily protein needs for the average person based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet.

A single cookie also has 21% of your daily needed fiber and 12% of your recommended iron. As for carbs, there are 12% of those too, which is impressively low given the other stats.

I've eaten these cookies after workouts, during hikes, and when I'm behind on an assignment and can't take a break for lunch. And I've given a half a cookie to my son when his dinner was light on protein. Personally, I like the Oatmeal Raisin Spice the most while he likes the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. And if you won't take it from me, take it from him — he's five, so his opinions come out pretty honestly.

And if 18 grams of protein is a bit much for you but you like the concept, then try The Complete Cookie from Lenny & Larry's. They have 16 grams of protein per cookie in its soft baked variety, while its crunchy cookies scales it down to six grams per serving. 

Get a 6-pack of Munk Pack Protein Cookie variety pack from Amazon for $14.24

Get a box of Lenny & Larry's The Complete Cookies from Amazon for $17.28

Get a box of Lenny & Larry's The Complete Crunchy Cookies from Amazon for $18.03

• Paramount Plus is available for $5 a month (with ads) or $10 a month (ad-free).
• The streaming service features many original shows and movies you can watch right now.
• New Paramount films will also be available to stream as soon as 30 days after they hit theaters.

From revivals of hit '90s shows to original movies and spin-off series based on popular franchises, Paramount Plus holds its own in the streaming game with dozens of upcoming projects.

The streaming service features a catalog of over 2,500 movies and 30,000 TV episodes. Some notable originals include a "Halo" show based on the video game series and a several shows based on the "Star Trek" franchise. Paramount Plus is also home to the exclusive "Yellowstone" spin-off series "1883," and two more "Yellowstone" shows are in development.

The streaming service has two plans: Essential (with ads) and Premium (ad-free). The Essential Plan costs $5 a month ($50 a year) while the Premium Plan costs $10 a month ($100 a year). You can even bundle Paramount Plus with Showtime.

All plans offer access to the full Paramount Plus catalog of on-demand programs, including several exclusive titles you can watch right now. Even more originals are on the way over the coming months.

Here's a roundup of all the Paramount Plus original shows and movies announced so far:

Paramount Plus original shows available now

Paramount Plus includes access to several original series you can watch right now.

Most notably, "1883," a prequel series to the popular drama "Yellowstone," and "Halo," inspired by the video game of the same name, are now streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus.

The service is also home to several "Star Trek" shows, including "Discovery," "Picard," and "Strange New Worlds."

Here's a complete list of Paramount Plus original shows streaming right now:

• "1883"
• "60 Minutes Plus"
• "Before I Forget"
• "Behind the Music"
• "Big Nate"
• "Blood and Treasure"
• "Clive Davis: Most Iconic Performances"
• "Coyote"
• "Dream Team"
• "Evil"
• "For Heaven's Sake"
• "From Cradle to Stage"
• "Ghislaine: Partner in Crime"
• "Guilty Party"
• "Halo"
• "iCarly" (reboot)
• "Interrogation"
• "Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years"
• "Indivisible: Healing Hate"
• "Inside the NFL"
• "Love Island: Laid Bare"
• "Love Island: The Drop"
• "Mayor of Kingstown"
• "Next Influencer"
• "No Activity"
• "One Dollar"
• "Parot"
• "Queen of the Universe"
• "Rugrats"
• "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars"
• "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars: Untucked"
• "SEAL Team"
• "Star Trek: Discovery"
• "Star Trek: Lower Decks"
• "Star Trek: Picard"
• "Star Trek: Prodigy"
• "Star Trek: Short Treks"
• "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds"
• "Strange Angel"
• "Tell Me A Story"
• "Texas 6"
• "That Animal Rescue Show"
• "The Challenge: All Stars"
• "The Envoys"
• "The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder" 
• "The Game"
• "The Good Fight"
• "The Harper House"
• "The Offer"
• "The Real World: Homecoming: Los Angeles"
• "The Real World: Homecoming: New Orleans"
• "The Real World: Homecoming: New York"
• "The Stand"
• "The Thomas John Experience"
• "The Twilight Zone"
• "Tooning Out the News"
• "Wasteland"
• "Why Women Kill"
• "Yo! MTV Raps"
• "Younger"

Paramount Plus original movies and documentaries available now

Paramount Plus is home to a few original movies and documentaries, including a new "Spongebob Squarepants" film and exclusive "South Park" specials.

Here's a list of original Paramount Plus movies and documentaries available now:

• "26th Street Garage: The FBI's Untold Story of 9/11"
• "76 Days"
• "Ascension"
• "Black Gold"
• "Bree Wayy: Promise Witness Remembrance"
• "Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker"
• "Console Wars"
• "Destination Porto: The Unimaginable Journey"
• "Going to Pot: The High and Low of It"
• "Infinite"
• "Kacey Musgraves: Star-Crossed"
• "Love, Tom"
• "Lynching Postcards: "Token of a Great Day""
• "Madame X"
• "Madame X Presents: Madame Xtra Q&A"
• "Oasis Knebworth 1996"
• "Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin"
• "R.I.P. T-Shirts"
• "Rumble" 
• "Sabaya"
• "South Park: Post Covid"
• "South Park: Post Covid: The Return of Covid"
• "The In Between"
• "The J Team"
• "The Musician"
• "The Marfa Tapes"
• "The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run"
• "Three Months"
• "Unknown Dimension: The Story of Paranormal Activity"

Original shows expected to arrive on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus has several original shows set for release in 2022 and beyond.

Most notably, subscribers will be able to watch two new "Yellowstone" spin-off shows: "1883: The Bass Reeves Story'' and "1932." "The Bass Reeves Story" will star David Oyelowo as the legendary Wild West lawman, while "1932" will follow members of the Dutton family during the Great Depression. "1932" is set to star Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren.

Paramount Plus also plans to revisit other existing franchises with a "Criminal Minds" revival, a reboot of the '90s sitcom "Frasier," and more. 

Here's a list of all the upcoming shows for Paramount Plus with expected release windows:

• "1932" - December 2022
• "Beavis and Butt-Head" - expected 2022
• "Dora the Explorer" - expected 2023
• "Frasier" (reboot) - expected 2022
• "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies" - expected 2022
• "Ink Master" - expected 2022
• "Players" - premieres June 16
• "Rabbit Hole" - expected 2022
• "The Turkish Detective" - expected 2023
• "Transformers: EarthSpark" - expected November 2022
• "Tulsa King" - premieres November 13
• Untitled "Sonic The Hedgehog" spin-off - expected 2023
• Untitled "The Loud House" series - expected 2022

Here's a rundown of upcoming shows announced for Paramount Plus without specific release windows:

• "1883: The Bass Reeves Story"
• "48 Hours Original: The Lie Detector"
• "6666"
• "All Store Shore"
• "American Tragedy"
• "Are You The One?"
• "Black Gold"
• "Criminal Minds" 
• "Dating Naked"
• "Fatal Attraction"
• "Flashdance"
• "Happy Face"
• "Inside Amy Schumer"
• "Insta Docs"
• "Land Man"
• "Lioness"
• "Love Story"
• "Not A Bride" 
• "Road Rules"
• "Skymed"
• "Stories from the Beautiful Game"
• "The Italian Job" 
• "The Parallax View" 
• "The Real Criminal Minds"
• "The Weekly Show with Trevor Noah"
• "Unplugged"
• "Watergate"
• "Yonder"

Original movies expected to arrive on Paramount Plus

More exclusive movies and documentaries are also in the works for Paramount Plus.

Though release dates are still pending, a prequel to "Pet Sematary" and a revival of MTV's "Teen Wolf" are in development. "South Park" fans can also look forward to more streaming movies based on the show.

Here's a rundown of upcoming original movies expected to debut on Paramount Plus:

• "6 Festivals"
• "Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe"
• "Blue's Big City Adventure" - premiering November 18
• "Corazonada"
• "Fantasy Football"
• "Finestkind"
• "Girl, Please"
• "Honor Society"
• "Hush, Hush"
• "Jerry and Marge Go Large" - premiering June 17
• "Snow Day"
• "South Park: The Streaming Wars" - premiering June 1
• "Toxicomania"
• Untitled "Baby Shark" film
• Untitled "Henry Danger" film
• Untitled "Pet Sematary" prequel
• Untitled "SEAL Team" film
• 11 Untitled "South Park" films
• 3 Untitled "Spongebob Squarepants" spin-off films
• Untitled "Teen Wolf" revival
• Untitled "Workaholics" film

Theatrical movies coming to Paramount Plus

In addition to original series and films, Paramount Plus is also the subscription streaming home of Paramount's new big-screen releases.

Paramount movies arrive on the service as soon as 30 to 45 days after they premiere in theaters. Some new MGM movies are also making their way to Paramount Plus.

Here's a list of current and upcoming big-screen releases that are expected to stream on Paramount Plus following their theatrical releases:

• "A Quiet Place Part II" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "Clifford the Big Red Dog" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "PAW Patrol: The Movie" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "Scream" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "Jackass Forever" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "The Lost City" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" - now available on Paramount Plus
• "No Time To Die" - premiered in theaters October 8, 2021
• "Top Gun: Maverick" - in theaters May 27
• "Creed III" - in theaters November 23
• "Dungeons & Dragons" - in theaters March 3, 2023
• "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" - in theaters June 9, 2023
• "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One" - in theaters July 14, 2023
• "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two" - in theaters June 28, 2024

• You should add these 20 food and drink brands from Asian American founders to your pantry.
• They draw upon traditional and cultural backgrounds but may also add new twists and flavors.
• See also: From Here: Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Heritage

As the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country, Asian-Americans have a large influence on what we all consume in culture, from music and film to food and drink. 

In the realm of food and drink, we've been really excited about Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) founders who are drawing upon their cultural heritage to create new snacks, sauces, delivery services, and beverages that both celebrate where they come from and introduce familiar (to them) flavors to new audiences. 

These brands often represent an intersection of the traditional and modern and can be found in classic Asian grocery stores and millennial-branded online storefronts alike. Another thing that distinguishes them as a uniquely millennial brand is their commitment to sustainable and ethical values, from paying family farms fair, above-market wages to using natural and organic ingredients.  

As an Asian-American woman, it's exciting for me to see all the ways fellow members of the AAPI community are shedding light on, celebrating, and innovating upon the amazing foods and drinks that I grew up on — and we hope you're just as excited to eat and drink all of them, too. 

These are the 20 Asian-American food and drink brands you should try:

Omsom

Shop Asian starter kits at Omsom 

Created by Vanessa and Kim Pham, the daughters of Vietnamese refugees, Omsom celebrates authentic east Asian and southeast Asian flavors through its convenient meal starters. The packets include fully prepared sauces for iconic dishes like Vietnamese Lemongrass BBQ, Korean Spicy Bulgogi, and Filipino Sisig. All you have to do is add the suggested proteins and veggies on the included recipe cards or improv with your own ingredients to create your own delicious meal. Omsom partnered with Asian chefs, like Amelie Kang of Mala Project, on a number of the products, further strengthening ties with the AAPI food community.  

Eat this:

Bokksu

Shop Japanese snacks at Bokksu

After Danny Taing lived in Japan for four years and returned to the US, he was disappointed that he couldn't enjoy the same unique snacks found in Japan. It's this passion for Japanese snacks that prompted him to start Bokksu, a monthly subscription box that curates treats and tea from local Japanese businesses. Each month revolves around a different theme and includes a culture guide. You can also shop your favorite individual snacks and groceries on the site, with options like mochi cheese puffs, persimmon candy, and spicy tantan instant ramen. 

Eat this:

Sanzo

Shop sparkling water at Sanzo

Seeing and drinking the same seltzer flavors gets old, fast. Sandro Roco wanted to drink sparkling waters with flavors that he and many other Asian-Americans grew up with (read: calamansi, lychee, and alphonso mango) and created Sanzo. The drinks are light, crisp, and refreshing and can be found in stores, a number of Asian restaurants in NYC, and online. In summer of 2021, Sanzo released limited-edition printed cans with characters from Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" — we're looking forward to cool future collaborations like this. 

Drink this:

Fly by Jing

Shop Chinese sauces and spices at Fly by Jing 

Fly by Jing — a name that combines the concept of fly restaurants in Chengdu ("hole-in-the-wall eateries so good they attract people like flies") and founder Jing Gao's name — sells the crunchy, oily, spicy Sichuan chili crisp that everyone on the internet wants to try. And once you do try it, you'll want to put it on everything to give it an extra kick, from fried eggs to sandwiches to congee. The brand has now sold over 1 million jars of sauce and also makes dumpling sauce, mala spice mix, and a hot pot base. 

Eat this: 

Brightland

 Shop oils, vinegar, and honey at Brightland

Not all olive oils are created equal, and when Brightland founder Aishwarya Iyer looked deeper into the industry, she discovered it was rife with lack of production and ingredient transparency. Brightland's olive oils, vinegars, and honey are never made with preservatives or fillers, and you'll know exactly when its ingredients were harvested. The results are pantry staples that taste fresh, bright, and pure. Brightland's beautiful packaging and giftable sets make it even more enticing to use its products every day.  

Eat this: 

Nguyen Coffee Supply

Shop coffee at Nguyen Coffee Supply

As the first Vietnamese specialty coffee company in the US, Nguyen Coffee Supply is changing the way we think about specialty coffee. With every cup, founder Sahra Nguyen wants to remind people of the influence of Vietnam on the coffee industry — after all, it is the world's largest producer of robusta beans and second largest producer of all coffee. In addition to a variety of delicious beans, you can get phin filters, which are like a cross between pour over and a French press. 

Drink this: 

Partake Foods

Shop allergen-free snacks at Partake Foods

Buying food when you suffer from major food allergies can feel like navigating a minefield. Partake Foods, founded by Black and Korean entrepreneur Denise Woodard, lets people snack on cookies, brownies, and pizza without worrying about the risks to their health. Though they're free from the top eight allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, milk, soy, fish, shellfish), they still taste delicious. Partake is the first food startup led by a woman of color to raise over $1 million in funding and is continuing to expand its product offerings and footprint in physical retail stores. 

Eat this: 

Diaspora Co.

Shop spices at Diaspora Co

If you want fresh single-origin spices, look no further than Diaspora Co, founded by Sana Javeri Kadri. The company launched in 2017 with one spice, Pragati Turmeric, and now sources 30 single-origin spices — including cinnamon, coriander, two types of cardamom, saffron, and kashmiri chili — from 150 farms in India and Sri Lanka. To keep your spices fresh and organized, you'll also want to pick up a masala dabba, a spice box filled with katoris (small bowls). At Diaspora Co, when you build your own masala dabba, you also get access to a quarterly virtual cooking club where you can learn how to make the most of your spices. 

Eat this:

Umamicart

Shop Asian groceries at Umamicart

Umamicart is an online grocer designed with the Asian-American experience in mind by carrying traditional foods and brands that immigrants and their children ate as well as new brands created by Asian-American founders. Founder Andrea Xu, born in Spain to Chinese parents, wanted to build a site that reflected the unique evolving identities of Asian Americans and gave them a convenient, user-friendly place to shop all their favorite foods. At Umamicart, you can shop longan and Korean pears alongside Yakult drinks, Calbee chips, and some of the very brands mentioned in this article. There's free shipping on orders over $49. 

Eat this:

Brooklyn Delhi

Shop condiments and sauces at Brooklyn Delhi

Whenever she came back from visiting family in India, chef and cookbook author Chitra Agrawal always filled her suitcase with achaar, a sweet, sour, and spicy condiment also known as Indian pickle. Unsatisfied with the achaar sold in the US, she began making her own and now sells a variety of achaar at Brooklyn Delhi. It goes great with traditional pairings like rice, daal, and curry, as well as eggs, sandwiches, and pasta. You can also buy various simmer sauces (coconut cashew korma, tomato curry) and hot sauces, all of which are handcrafted in small batches right in NYC. 

Eat this: 

Fila Manila

Shop simmer sauces from Fila Manila

Though Filipino Americans are the country's second-largest Asian ancestry group, Filipino food and flavors are still underrepresented in grocery store aisles. Jake Deleon, founder of Fila Manila (a spin on "FilAm," which is short for Filipino American), said "we want to show you the world of Filipino cuisine" in an interview with Food Business News and is starting off with three versatile and flavorful simmer sauces: adobo (tamari soy and garlic), kare kare (peanut), and caldereta (tomato). Expect snacks, desserts, and prepared meals down the line to add even more variety to your pantry. 

Eat this:

Lunar

Shop hard seltzer at Lunar

Sanzo's party counterpart is Lunar, a craft hard seltzer inspired by a night out with founders Sean Ro and Kevin Wong. When the only drink options alongside their late night Korean fried chicken were Heineken and Budweiser, they began brewing ideas for a new generation of Asian alcohol and flavor-testing in their own kitchens. Its flavor lineup currently comprises yuzu, lychee, Korean plum, and makrut lime. But, it's the limited-edition flavors like tamarind rice paddy herb and pineapple cake are where the brand really shines. 

Drink this: 

Copper Cow Coffee

Shop portable pourover coffee packs at Copper Cow Coffee

Debbie Wei Mullin's Vietnamese coffee comes in a highly portable and convenient form: just hang the pre-filled coffee filter over your mug, pour in boiling water, and add as much of the included creamer packet to your liking. In addition to black and classic lattes, the brand offers creative flavors like churro and lavender, blending Mullin's Vietnamese heritage with her Californian upbringing. Copper Cow works directly with farmers in Vietnam, paying them twice the market rate for the flavorful coffee you enjoy every morning. 

Drink this: 

Dang Foods

Shop snacks at Dang Foods

Dang is named after the mother of Thai-American brothers and founders Vincent and Andrew Kitirattragarn. She's the one who taught them how to make the signature crunchy, slightly sweet coconut chips that we all love snacking on. Dang, a certified B Corp that works directly with family farms in Thailand, has since expanded its delicious, 100% plant-based and non-GMO snack portfolio to include rice cakes (with mouthwatering flavors like toasted sesame, sriracha spice, and aged cheddar) and low carb snack bars. 

Eat this:

Noona's Ice Cream

Shop ice cream at Noona's Ice Cream

Noona, an ice cream brand whose name means "big sister" in Korean, is the brainchild of pastry chef Hannah Bae. In 2016, her toasted rice flavor won the annual ice cream contest at an NYC street fair, inspiring her to make more flavors using Asian ingredients. In addition to formulating original flavors like golden sesame, turmeric honeycomb, and toasty mochi, Noona collaborates with artists and influencers like singer Japanese Breakfast to make fun ice creams like persimmon jubilee. The brand is also thoughtful about sourcing, working with collective farms to get hormone- and antibiotic-free dairy, and using only whole foods and non-GMO ingredients in all its products.

Eat this:

Us Two Tea

Shop tea at Us Two Tea

Tea, central to many Asian cultures, has always provided an opportunity to gather with friends and family. Us Two Tea, founded by Maggie Xue, specializes in Taiwanese tea and works directly with family-owned farms. Through Us Two, you can expand your horizons past black and jasmine tea and try Baozhong tea and oolong tea in both non-toxic and biodegradable tea sachet or loose leaf varieties. You'll also receive education about how best to enjoy your tea and what kinds of food to pair it with. 

Drink this:

Makku

Shop makgeolli at Makku

Korea's oldest drink makgeolli dates all the way back to the 10th century and is still enjoyed today for its smooth, slightly sweet, slightly tart taste. Bringing together her background at ZX Ventures, the innovation and investment group for Anheuser-Busch InBev, and her own love for makgeolli, founder Carol Pak thought it was the perfect time to introduce the Korean beer to American consumers. Makku comes in cans in a variety of flavors that you can enjoy by itself or as part of a cocktail. 

Drink this:

Tea Drops

Shop tea at Tea Drops

The tea from Tea Drops, founded by Sashee Chandran, immediately stands out from all the other tea you've had because it's neither bagged nor loose leaf — instead, it's made from ground-up organic tea leaves that are packed into fun shapes like hearts and flowers. Add boiling water and the drop dissolves to give you a hot cup of delicious tea. All the tea is kosher-certified and the brand supports fair trade, organic harvesting practices, and female-driven supply chains. And, for every box sold, Tea Drops donates a year's supply of clean water through The Thirst Project. 

Drink this:

Mama O's

Shop kimchi at Mama O's

As with many entrepreneurial ventures, Mama O's, a kimchi brand created by Kheedim Oh, was never intended to be a brand. Oh simply wanted kimchi that tasted as good as his mom's and none of the Asian stores near him could satisfy him. The kimchi that his mom taught him how to make was such a hit among friends and strangers that he eventually launched Mama O's, which today sells kimchi, kimchi paste, "kimchili," and kimchi kits. There's even a vegan variety. 

Eat this: 

Kasama

Shop rum at Kasama

Rum is often associated with the Caribbean but the Philippines is also one of the top rum producers in the world. Alexandra Dorda is the Polish-Filipino founder behind the small-batch rum Kasama, which means "together" in Tagalog. Aged in American oak barrels, the classic spirit tastes like pineapple with a hint of vanilla and sea salt. Kasama's site also has plenty of creative Filipino-inspired cocktail recipes, from the Pandan Pleaser to the Pinay Colada. 

Drink this:

• Miyoko's Creamery is a plant-based dairy alternative brand that makes vegan cheese and butter.
• I'm a cheese enthusiast, but I will devour Miyoko's vegan cheese wheels and dip just as quickly.
• Some of my favorites include the Roadhouse Chedda' dip and the Classic Chive cashew milk cheese.

Anyone who's been friends with me for a while (or just been to one happy hour networking event together) has seen me stack enough cheese cubes on my plate to build a small fortress. My leaf-to-feta salad ratio leans heavily on dairy, and I refuse to call it a panini if it isn't glued together with slabs of mozzarella.

But, for reasons ranging from animal wellbeing to my skin routinely breaking out after a beloved grilled cheese, I've been trying to cut down. 

I've tried a lot of vegan and plant-based cheeses (my partner is vegan, as are a handful of my friends) and the brand that consistently blows me away is Miyoko's Creamery.

Fully lactose-free and made from ingredients like oat and cashew milk, coconut oil, navy beans, sea salt, and mushroom extract, Miyoko's products are perfect if you're craving a solid dairy or cheese alternative such as a spread, easy butter sub, or burger topping. 

My favorites have been the Roadhouse Chedda' dip and the cheese wheels, which come in flavors like Classic Chive, Sundried Tomato Garlic, Smoked English Farmhouse, and French-Style Winter Truffle. (Yes, I have eaten them all and in very close to one sitting!)

For me, the game-changer is the taste: My biggest gripe with other vegan dairy substitutes is that there can be an artificial-feeling aftertaste or even just an overpowering nutritional yeast presence. (I love a sprinkling of nooch, but I have my limits). 

Miyoko's doesn't feel like it's trying to directly mimic how dairy tastes (which seems impossible to replicate): Instead, it's just trying to make a delicious, savory product that can expertly fill the role of cheese in whatever meal you make, whether as an artichoke dip base or a bagel-enhancing spread.

As an added bonus, I like that the ingredient lists aren't too complex or full of lots of additives (a common critique of plant-based products). Miyoko Schinner, the company's founder and CEO, previously published a vegan cookbook with simple, flavorful recipes, and it seems like Miyoko's vegan cheese applies the same logic of prioritizing fewer ingredients without skimping on flavor.  

And if you need any more ringing endorsements of this cheese, look at Schinner herself: Like me, she too was once obsessed with cheese. She loved it so much that she spent years creating plant-based substitutes before landing on Forbes' 50 Over 50 list and acquiring $52 million in investments to expand Miyoko's.  

I'll dunk a chip in cashew cheese dip to that.

• Star is a new Disney Plus channel that's geared toward older audiences in international markets.
• Star will launch on February 23 in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and parts of Europe.
• The price of Disney Plus will increase by about 33% in those countries alongside the launch of Star.
• Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories.

Starting February 23, some Disney Plus subscribers outside the United States will gain a new channel, called Star, that features Disney's adult-oriented movies and shows. Disney Plus launched as a family-friendly streaming service in November 2020 and until now all of its programming has been rated for kids age 13 and below.

However, Disney has a large library of R-rated films and shows for older audiences thanks to its acquisition of 21st Century Fox and ABC's steady stream of primetime dramas. That collection includes popular shows like "Family Guy," "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy," as well as blockbuster movies like "Deadpool" and "Die Hard." Viewers in the US can already stream most of that catalog on Hulu, but Hulu isn't available outside of the US and Japan.

Disney Plus subscribers in the US won't have to worry about any of the changes coming to the streaming service, but as a new Disney entertainment brand, Star could become a household name in international markets. In January, Disney said it had more than 146 million subscribers spread across its different streaming services, including 94.9 million Disney Plus members. Star will help the company continue to expand its streaming options overseas.

What is Star on Disney Plus?

Star is a new entertainment brand geared toward older viewers rather than just kids and families. It will bring Disney-owned movies and shows from ABC, FX, Fox, and ESPN to Disney Plus subscribers outside of the US.

Star will launch as a channel within the Disney Plus app, but Disney also plans to make a separate streaming service called Star Plus in Latin America.

When does Star launch on Disney Plus and where is it available?

Star will be available on February 23 for Disney Plus subscribers in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and certain parts of Europe. Disney says it plans to bring the service to Eastern Europe, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong later in 2021.

For Latin American viewers, Disney plans to launch a separate streaming service called Star Plus in June 2021. Star Plus will also include live sports content from ESPN, and can be bundled with Disney Plus for a discount.

Is Star content available on Disney Plus in the US?

The Star section of Disney Plus will not be available to US subscribers, but a lot of the content included through Star is already streaming on Hulu.

Hulu will continue to offer Disney-owned movies and shows for older viewers in the US, while Star will be its entertainment brand for older viewers outside of the US.

How much does Star cost with Disney Plus?

Star is included with the standard price of Disney Plus, but that price will go up when Star launches on February 23. Prices will increase by about 33% on average, though it depends on the region. Below you can see a full list of Disney Plus prices going into effect on February 23, based on region.

• Australia — $11.99 a month or $119.99 per year
•  Canada  — $11.99 a month or $119.99 per year
• Denmark — 79.00kr a month or 790.00kr per year
• Euro — 8.99 a month or 89.90 per year
• New Zealand — $12.99 a month or $129.99 per year
• Norway — 89.00kr a month or 890.00kr per year
• Singapore — $11.98 a month or $119.98 per year
• Sweden — 89.00kr a month or 890.00kr per year
• Switzerland — CHF12.90 a month or CHF129.00 per year
• UK — £7.99 a month or £79.90 per year

How do I watch Star on Disney Plus?

Star movies and shows will be added to Disney Plus automatically; existing Disney Plus subscribers will be asked to enter their password to unlock the channel to make sure kids aren't accessing R-rated content on their own.

You can access Disney Plus via the official website or with the Disney Plus app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple devices, Android, Xbox, PlayStation, and most smart TV brands. Like all streaming services you'll need internet to watch Star, but the Disney Plus app will also let you download movies and shows for offline viewing.

Disney Plus offers streaming in up to 4K resolution with support for Dolby Vision and HDR, but it's not clear whether all movies on Star will support the same level of quality.

What can I watch on Star on Disney Plus?

Star will add hundreds of shows and movies to Disney Plus, including series from ABC, Fox, 20th Century Studios, Touchstone Pictures, ESPN, and Hulu. That's decades' worth of content, with hit series like "Family Guy," "How I Met Your Mother," and "Scandal," as well as blockbuster movies like "Deadpool " and "Die Hard."

Click here for the official list of the shows and movies coming to Star, and check out some of the highlights below.

• "Borat"
• "Be Water"
• "Braveheart"
• "Con Air"
• "Deadpool" franchise
• "Desperate Housewives"
• "Die Hard"
• "Family Guy"
• "Firefly"
• "Glee"
• "Good Morning Vietnam"
• "Grey's Anatomy"
• "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
• "How I Met Your Mother"
• "Idiocracy"
• "Modern Family"
• "Office Space"
• "Planet of the Apes"
• "Romeo + Juliet"
• "Scandal"
• "Starship Troopers"
• "The Thin Red Line"
• "Ugly Betty"
• "The X-Files"
• "24"
• "9-1-1"

• Intel stock surged on Friday to a record high after it reported first-quarter earnings.
• The chipmaker reported solid results and exceeded analysts' estimates for Q2 revenue.
• AI-driven demand for its CPUs helped boost the results.

The move: Intel stock soared 23% on Friday to a record, trading as high as $85.22 before closing out the day at $82.57. Shares of the chip manufacturer have been on a tear recently, with Friday's rally bringing the year-to-date gain to 120%.

The chart:

Why: Investors are cheering Intel's first-quarter earnings report, which blew past Wall Street's estimates.

Revenue came in at $13.58 billion, topping the anticipated $12.42 billion, and earnings-per-share came in at $0.29 versus $0.01 estimated. The revenue increase is a 7.2% increase from the $12.67 billion Intel posted one year ago.

But the forward guidance was the real show for investors. Intel expects second-quarter revenue of $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion, outpacing analysts' expectations of $13 billion. It expects EPS of $0.09 for the quarter.

What it means: A key takeaway from the earnings report is Intel's data center growth. Revenue in this key area surged 22%, topping $5 billion, while its foundry revenue jumped 16% to $5.4 billion

"The next wave of AI will bring intelligence closer to the end user, moving from foundational models to inference to agentic. This shift is significantly increasing the need for Intel's CPUs and wafer and advanced packaging offerings," Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said in a statement.

Intel has languished as a laggard in the AI race until recently, eclipsed by other hardware titans like Nvidia. But this type of growth indicates that market forces may be shifting in Intel's favor.

Intel flagged its Xeon 6 CPU as selected by Nvidia to host the tech leader's DGX Rubin NVL8 systems. This decision is seen as a major update in the deployment of AI infrastructure for the compahy.

Marcus Sturdivant Sr, a managing principal at advisory firm The ABC Squared, isn't surprised by Intel's earnings smash.

"Intel is set up for success," he told Business Insider. "They're the American First chip maker. We've seen huge investments into their company over the last few years, even beginning with the CHIPS Act during President Biden's administration. Now we're seeing new leadership efforts come to fruition."

Apple's AirPods are popular earbuds, and it's easy to see why. They sound good, connect instantly to an iPhone, and have a sleek, unmistakable design. But with several models in the lineup, figuring out the best AirPods for your needs can take a bit more thought than just grabbing the first pair you see.

That's where we come in. We've spent hours testing every model to determine which is best for different types of users. For most people, the best AirPods are the AirPods Pro 3. They're Apple's top-tier earbuds, with strong ANC, a secure in-ear fit, and even heart rate tracking for workouts. If you're trying to spend less, though, the AirPods 4 are our go-to pick. They skip features like ANC, but still deliver that familiar AirPods experience at a much friendlier price (often under $120).

Below, you'll find a full breakdown of each model to help you choose the best Apple AirPods for your listening style and budget.

Editor's note: William Antonelli and Antonio Villas-Boas contributed to the FAQ section in this guide.

Our top picks for the best Apple AirPods

Best overall: AirPods Pro 3 - See at Amazon

Best for an open fit: AirPods 4 with ANC - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: AirPods 4 without ANC - See at Amazon

Best for audiophiles: AirPods Max 2 - See at Amazon

Best overall

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's latest flagship wireless earbuds, and they're our pick for the best AirPods overall. This model offers a few key improvements over the older AirPods Pro 2, including stronger noise cancellation, longer battery life, better water resistance, and new heart rate tracking.

Although they use the same custom driver as the Pro 2, Apple has refined the design for improved airflow. In our tests, this resulted in slightly improved sound, with a wider soundstage and deeper bass.

Apple claims the Pro 3's active noise cancellation (ANC) is twice as powerful as before, and our testing confirmed a clear boost. They effectively block engine hum, vacuums, and subway noise — nearly matching the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2, though Bose still has a small edge in some cases.

The AirPods Pro 3's in-ear fit has a slightly updated shape, and you get five ear-tip sizes, including a new XXS option. However, our reviewer actually preferred the old shape of the Pro 2, as it fit a bit more tightly against their ear. Ultimately, fit varies by ear shape, but most users should be able to achieve a good seal.

A standout feature not available on other AirPods is built-in heart rate tracking. Each earbud has a sensor that measures your heart rate, providing helpful fitness and workout data when paired with an iPhone. This is a great perk for users who don't already own a fitness tracker, such as an Apple Watch. Water resistance also jumps from IP54 to IP57, meaning the AirPods Pro 3 can handle sweat and brief submersion. If you're looking for the best AirPods to use during exercise, the Pro 3 are the buds to get.

Battery life now reaches eight hours with ANC enabled (up from six hours on the Pro 2), although total battery life drops slightly to 24 hours with the case (down from 30 hours). We think the longer single charge is the better tradeoff, but this is something to keep in mind.

The AirPods Pro 3 retain all of the Pro 2's aural health features, which you won't get on standard AirPods. There's also a Live Translation function (which requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence). However, that feature is also supported on the AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max 2.

In nearly every way, the AirPods Pro 3 beat their predecessor and aced out tests. Best of all, they accomplish this while carrying the same suggested retail price as the Pro 2. The older AirPods Pro 2 remain a solid choice if you find them discounted, but for most users, the Pro 3 are the better buy.

Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review.

Check out our guide to the best earbuds.

Best for an open fit

Apple's AirPods 4 are the brand's midrange earbuds. Unlike the AirPods Pro 3, they use a semi-open fit rather than an in-ear seal, which some people find to be more comfortable. You can choose between two versions: one without ANC for $129 and one with ANC and a wireless charging case for $179.

Both options deliver the same core audio performance and design, but the ANC model's noise-canceling feature and wireless charging case are useful perks for those willing to pay the extra money. Though the AirPods Pro 3 have some benefits that this model lacks, the AirPods 4 with ANC are an excellent midrange alternative, and they're the best AirPods for people who prefer an open fit.

Instead of having silicone tips that plug into your ears to create a full seal, the AirPods 4 ear tips rest just outside your ear canal. Although an in-ear seal allows the AirPods Pro 3 to deliver better sound quality and noise cancellation, some people dislike the constricted feeling of the tips in their ears.

The AirPods 4 offer a more open fit, and Apple has refined the design over previous models to ensure they stay securely in place across a variety of ear shapes. However, opinions remain divided over the comfort of open-ear AirPods, so this ultimately comes down to personal preference and the size of your ears.

During our review, we were impressed by the earbuds' audio quality, which holds up well against other options in this price range. Noise-canceling performance is also solid, which is surprising, given that most open-fit earbuds struggle with ANC. The earbuds' transparency mode is also excellent for when you want to let in outside sound to stay aware of your surroundings. That said, the AirPods Pro 3 outperform the AirPods 4 at blocking out louder distractions, such as an airplane engine.

Read our full Apple AirPods 4 review.

Best on a budget

The standard AirPods 4 without ANC are the cheapest AirPods available. They retail for $129 and are sometimes on sale for just under $100, cementing them as the best AirPods on a budget.

This model is essentially identical to the more expensive AirPods 4 with ANC, save for two important differences. This option does not have active noise cancellation, so it can't block ambient sounds or pass them through in transparency mode. Additionally, this version features a wired charging case instead of a wireless one.

Beyond those two limitations, the earbuds offer the same open-fit design, solid audio performance, and robust feature set as the more expensive version. This makes the AirPods 4 without ANC a good fit for casual listeners who don't want to pay more for noise cancellation.

Just note: We've occasionally seen the AirPods 4 with ANC go on sale for less than the standard AirPods 4. When that happens, opt for the ANC version instead.

For affordable earbud recommendations from other brands, check out our guide to the best budget headphones.

Best for audiophiles

The AirPods Max 2 are the new second-generation model of Apple's over-ear headphones. While other AirPods use an earbud-style design, the Max 2 use large padded cups and a sturdy headband. This over-ear design delivers the most impressive sound quality and noise cancellation in Apple's lineup. They also feature a premium build with metal components, making them ideal for anyone who values high-end style and audio over portability.

The first-generation AirPods Max launched in December 2020, and the new second-generation model hit stores in April 2026. The AirPods Max 2 feature the same physical design but incorporate a few small yet welcome enhancements under the hood. They use Apple's more advanced H2 chip to improve ANC and enable features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Live Translation, which were missing from the original AirPods Max. Though owners of the first-gen model shouldn't rush out to upgrade, the Max 2 are the better headphones and carry the same retail price.

The AirPods Max 2 also use a new high-dynamic-range amplifier that pairs with the device's custom 40mm drivers. In testing, this resulted in a subtle improvement in sound quality. Our reviewer was especially impressed by their spacious soundstage, and they delivered a more balanced profile than rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2.

Noise-canceling performance is also exceptional and improved over the first-gen model. In fact, the AirPods Max 2 essentially matched the ANC power of Bose's industry-leading QC Ultra 2 headphones in our tests.

As with the first-generation model, the main drawbacks here are the headphones' weight and the included case. Though the premium metal design looks great, some people might find the Max 2 to feel a bit heavy on their head during extended listening. Meanwhile, the case doesn't fully protect the headphones. Instead, it just wraps around the ear cups. If you're looking for something more functional, check out our guide to the best AirPods Max accessories.

The AirPods Max 2 are also pricey, even compared to direct rivals. That said, the original Max often went on sale for $100 off, and I expect similar discounts on the Max 2 in the coming months. Ultimately, if you're an Apple fan who wants top-tier sound in an over-ear design — and you're willing to splurge — these are the best AirPods you can buy.

Read our full Apple AirPods Max 2 review.

How we test AirPods

To test the best Apple AirPods, our audio reviewers evaluated performance across design, fit, sound quality, extra features, and ease of use. We listen to a diverse range of tracks across genres and from various sources, including many of the best music streaming services. For AirPods that support spatial audio, we also listen to Dolby Atmos tracks.

Likewise, if an AirPods model supports noise cancellation, we evaluate that feature in a real-world noisy environment, such as near heavy traffic outside, to test how well the feature reduces ambient sounds. We also sample transparency modes to see how well the AirPods let in surrounding noise naturally.

For this guide, we focused on how each AirPods model compares to other AirPods to determine each model's strengths and weaknesses within Apple's headphones lineup. We also compared them to similar options from competing companies to gauge their performance against the best headphones from other brands.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I oversee tech buying guides for Business Insider's Reviews team, and I've been covering headphones for over a decade. My writers test earbuds year-round, including every new pair of AirPods Apple releases. I put this guide together based on our hands-on testing to help you figure out which AirPods actually make sense for you. While all of Apple's earbuds share some core features, certain models have advantages depending on how you listen. My goal is to break it all down so you can feel confident you're getting the right AirPods without paying for extras you'll never use.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

What to look for in AirPods

When selecting the best AirPods for your needs, consider price, sound quality, noise cancellation, and design.

Price: Apple's current lineup includes the AirPods 4 ($129), AirPods 4 with ANC ($179), AirPods Pro 3 ($249), and AirPods Max 2 ($549). Discounts are common, especially on the standard AirPods 4, which often dip to just under $100.

Sound quality: For earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3 offer the best overall audio performance. If you prefer over-ear headphones and don't mind paying more, the AirPods Max 2 are Apple's best-sounding option, period. The AirPods 4 sound solid, but their open-fit design leads to some audio leakage.

Noise cancellation: If ANC is a priority for you, consider the AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods Max 2. The Max 2 headphones block out the most noise thanks to their over-ear build, while the Pro 3 earbuds also perform impressively. The AirPods 4 with ANC offer the lightest noise cancellation of the group, but still do a decent job.

Design and fit: The AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods 4 with ANC are all earbuds. The Pro 3 use an in-ear fit that creates a seal for better sound and stability. An in-ear design is great for performance, but not everyone loves the feel. The AirPods 4 use a semi-open design that sits just outside the ear canal, making them more comfortable for some but less effective for sound quality and ANC. For an entirely different experience, the AirPods Max 2 use an over-ear design with padded cups and a headband. They deliver the strongest performance but aren't nearly as portable as earbuds.

What are the top AirPods alternatives?

Apple's AirPods are popular headphones, but they may not be the ideal choice for all users. This is especially true if you plan to use your earbuds primarily with an Android phone or PC. Thankfully, many brands sell similar headphones that are less rigidly tied to the Apple ecosystem.

Some of our favorite AirPods alternatives include the Beats Fit Pro, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. The Beats brand is actually owned by Apple, and the Fit Pro earbuds use the company's H1 chip, just like older AirPods. Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro 2 use the H2 chip and have heart rate tracking just like the AirPods Pro 3. Beats headphones also offer a more Android-friendly set of features and an Android app. The Soundcore earbuds are an affordable alternative to AirPods, priced under $100, and feature a stem-like design reminiscent of classic AirPods.

Check out our guide to the best AirPods alternatives for details on all of our picks. For earbuds geared more toward active use, visit our guides to the best running headphones and best headphones for working out.

AirPods FAQs

Are the AirPods Pro 2 still worth it?

The AirPods Pro 2 have been replaced by the new AirPods Pro 3, but you may still find the Pro 2 in stock at some online retailers. Although the new Pro 3 model is a better buy for most people, the AirPods Pro 2 remain a worthwhile pair of earbuds as long as they're discounted. The Pro 3 have better ANC, longer battery life, and added heart rate tracking, but the AirPods Pro 2 are otherwise similar.

Do AirPods go on sale?

Although Apple rarely offers direct discounts on AirPods in its online or physical stores, the headphones often receive great deals from other retailers, such as Amazon. In fact, it's rare to find the AirPods 4 selling at full price on Amazon.

Based on typical street prices, we don't recommend paying more than $120 for the AirPods 4 or more than $170 for the AirPods 4 with ANC. The lowest price we've ever seen the AirPods 4 discounted to was $69, while the AirPods 4 with ANC have dropped to $99 for a limited time.

The new AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025, and we're now seeing them regularly drop to around $200 when on sale.

How often does Apple release new AirPods?

Apple's standard AirPods are now in their fourth generation, the AirPods Pro are in their third, and the AirPods Max are in their second.

• AirPods: Apple's fourth-generation AirPods launched in September 2024 during the brand's iPhone 16 launch event. The release cycle for new AirPods is typically two to three years, so we don't expect another model until 2026 at the earliest.
• AirPods Pro: Apple released the first-generation AirPods Pro in 2019, followed by the second-generation model in 2022, and the third-generation model in September 2025. Another brand-new generation model is unlikely to launch this year, but a Bloomberg report indicates that an upgraded model with infrared cameras could be in the works. The cameras would be used to enable more AI functions.
• AirPods Max: Apple released the original AirPods Max in December 2020 and launched a refreshed Max model with USB-C charging and new colors in 2024. A second-generation model hit stores in April 2026.