Latest news with #BethanyHeitman
NBC News
13-06-2025
- NBC News
This popular portable phone charger was just recalled — here's how to tell if yours is impacted
There's nothing more inconvenient than having your phone run out of battery when you're out and about. Which is why keeping a power bank with you to charge your phone when you travel or when you're away from home for long stretches can be a smart move. If you agree and have a go-to power bank, you're going to want to pay attention to this news: More than one million Anker PowerCore power banks have been recalled due to potential fire and burn risk. Below, you will find all the details to determine if you're impacted. Why was the Anker PowerCore recalled? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled over one million Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks due to 19 reports of fires and explosions. The impacted model number is A1263 and they were sold on Amazon, Newegg and eBay between June 2016 and December 2022. Of the 19 reports the Commission received, two involved incidents of minor burns and 11 involved property damage totaling nearly $61,000. If you have one of the impacted power banks, you can fill out a form on Anker's website to receive a new power bank or a $30 gift card. Anker also advises people with this power bank not to throw them in the trash. Instead, you should contact your local electronics recycling center to dispose of it. Power banks to use instead If you're looking for a new power bank, we've compiled a list of NBC Select editor favorites, as well as some highly rated options to use instead of the Anker PowerCore. Another model from Anker, this portable charger is small and comes with a foldable USB-C connector. It has a 5,000mAh battery, which will hold a full charge for your phone. The charger also comes in various colors, including black and ice blue. This portable charger features a technology called BoostCharge, which is designed to charge your devices, according to the brand quickly. It has three ports, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously and add up to 40 hours of battery life to your items. This portable charger can charge your phone from 0% to 70% in 30 minutes, according to the brand. It has a built-in lightning cable, as well as a USB-C cable. It also has output ports for USB-A and USB-C cables. The 27,000mAh battery can fully charge your phone up to 8 times, according to the brand. This charger can be charged with solar power, making it great for camping trips. If you are an iPhone user, consider this MagSafe charger from Clutch. It attaches to the back of your phone and can provide your phone with a full charge using its 5,000mAh battery. One thing to note: It's not compatible with iPhone 15 and beyond. Why trust NBC Select? Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle.
NBC News
05-06-2025
- Business
- NBC News
This popular air conditioning unit was just recalled — here's how to tell if yours is impacted
When it comes to air conditioners, our editors have long been fans of Midea's U smart window air conditioning unit, praising it for its quietness and effectiveness. Unfortunately, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has just posted a recall notice on their website for this unit, citing a design flaw that may lead to water pooling within the unit, potentially resulting in mold growth. Below, find more details on what this announcement means, plus a list of air conditioners you can use instead. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. Why was the Midea U Smart Air Conditioner recalled? Approximately 1.7 million Midea U and U+ Smart air conditioners have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission due to a design flaw that can cause water to pool inside the unit, potentially leading to mold growth. The commission received 152 reports of mold, 17 of which included individuals experiencing symptoms associated with mold exposure. The recalled units were sold between March 2020 and May 2025 and the smart air conditioners were sold under the Midea name, as well as under other brand names — including Comfort Aire, Frigidaire, Danby and Insignia. Models include 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU units that were sold in stores and online at Costco, Midea, Best Buy, Home Depot, Amazon, Lowe's, BJ's and Menard's. A full list of impacted models can be found on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website. If you have an impacted model, Midea is offering repairs or refunds — the type of assistance you are eligible for is based on your purchase date. To get a refund, Midea will send you a shipping label and you'll have to mail the unit back to them. If you opt for a repair, Midea will send a technician to your home. For full details on how to handle a recalled unit, you can call Midea at 888-345-0256, email the company at midea4028@ or go to In previous testing, our editors liked that this unit from July has three fan speeds and four modes: cool, fan, auto and dry. The unit fits in slider, single and double hung windows, comes with a washable filter, and you can buy different colored covers to fit your aesthetic, including wood and fabric covers. Another NBC Select editor favorite, this window unit has a nice aesthetic and cools quickly. You can operate it via the buttons on the unit or through the Windmill Air app. Reviewers also note that this unit is easy to install and is relatively quiet in small rooms. If you have a smaller space, consider this LG unit. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin uses it in her kitchen, which is about 200 square feet and says it cools quickly. It is relatively light and easy to install. One thing to note: It is slightly noisy. Why trust NBC Select? Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle.
NBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Right now, students can get 50% off a Paramount+ subscription
Being a student doesn't always come with perks. But, it does come with discounts. For example, Apple offers special pricing to college students, and Spotify allows students to sign up for its Premium service for just $6 a month, half of what it costs everyone else. Currently, Paramount+ is jumping on the bandwagon and offering students 50% off any streaming plan. The sale is in honor of March Madness and the platform will be streaming 24 games during the NCAA tournament — including the Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final Four. Below, find all the details on this sale. Paramount+ subscription deal for students Paramount+ Through April 8, students can get 50% off any Paramount+ streaming plan for one year. A Paramount+ subscription gets you access to a massive library of shows from networks under the Paramount umbrella — including CBS, MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. There is also lots of original programming, like '1923' and 'Landman.' One of the plans also allows you to tack on a Showtime membership, gaining access to shows like 'Yellowjackets' and 'Dexter: Original Sin.' This deal for students is in celebration of March Madness. The streaming platform will broadcast 24 games during the NCAA tournament — including the Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final Four. And basketball isn't the only sport you can stream. Paramount+ subscribers can also live stream coverage of the NFL, PGA golf, The Masters and more. Paramount+ offers two plans. Paramount+ Essential is their basic plan, which is ad-supported and doesn't allow you to download episodes and movies. With the student deal, it costs $4 a month for the first year, after which you'll be charged $8 a month unless you cancel. Paramount+ with Showtime has no ads, gives you access to Showtime content, and allows you to download episodes to view when you're not connected to WiFi. This plan costs $6.50 a month with the discount for the first year, after which it automatically increases to $13 a year unless canceled. To get the discount before the offer ends on April 8, you'll need to verify your status as a student by entering your school information. Once verified, you can sign up for whichever plan you choose. Why trust NBC Select? Jordan Bowman is a commerce editor at NBC Select who writes and edits tech, fitness and cleaning stories. Bethany Heitman is a contributing writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty.
