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Joel Cunningham
Deputy Editor

Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he also founded The Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog and published a novelette by the Malaysian fantasy author Zen Cho that won a Hugo Award in 2019. At the start of his career, Joel won awards of his own from the Illinois Press Association for his work as a local journalist. He now lives in New York City, but you can find him on Bluesky.

Latest by Joel

remarkable paper pure, stylus, and green folio cover
Remarkable Paper Pure Review: This Might Be the Best Digital Notebook for Most People
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A Chinese promotional image of the S4 e-reader alongside its minimalist brown packaging
This Little Device Might Be the Pocket E-Reader of My Dreams
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
product image of the Xteink X4 in white
This Buzzy Pocket-Sized E-Reader Is Under $60 on Amazon for the Next Few Hours
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
Screenshot from Hibreak Dual promotional video showing hands holding the device and using the circular LCD
This Tech Announcement Was so Bad, the Company Apologized
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A hand holding the X3 e-reader (displaying the cover of the book Lonesome Dove) and an MTA OMNY card for scale, with the NYC skyline in the background
I'm Reading a 900-Page Novel on an E-Reader the Size of My Library Card, and It's Going Great
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
Screenshot from Hibreak Dual promo video showing a phone with a small circular LCD screen displaying a picture of a cat. Onscreen text reads  "chat with AI pet"
This Dual Screen E-Ink/LCD Smartphone Is One of the Most Ill-Conceived Tech Products of the Year
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
Roblox Plus promotional art
Roblox 'Plus' Is Here, but It's Only for the Hardcore Spenders
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A promo image of the new Bigme dual-screen smartphone. The device is standing vertically but largely in shadow.
Would You Buy This Dual-Screen Smartphone With Both E-Ink and LCD Displays?
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A closeup of hands holding a black canvas shoe with white laces, pulling it off of a foot
These Elastic Shoelaces May Be the Best $10 I've Ever Spent
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A POV photo taken outdoors, with the Xteink X4 e-reader held in one hand displaying an ebook, with an out of focus house in the background
Xteink X4 Review: After Three Months, I Love This Teeny-Tiny E-Reader More Than Ever
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
XP-Pen Magic Note Pad
Artists Love the XP-Pen Magic Note Pad Drawing Tablet, and It's $140 Off During Amazon's Big Spring Sale
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A collage of Kindle models on sale on a colorful background
The Best Kindles Have the Deepest Discounts During Amazon's Big Spring Sale
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
An array of digital notebooks (Boox Note Max, Boox Note Air 4C, Boox Go 7, Viwoods AiPaper, Supernote Manta, reMarkable Paper Pro) laid out on a table
The Best Digital Notebooks You Can Buy in 2026
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A hand holding the Xteink 4 E-reader displaying the lock screen
This Wallet-Sized E-Reader Is My Tech 'Upgrade of the Year'
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
The reMarkable Paper Pro
There's a Last-Minute Cyber Monday Sale on New and Refurbished reMarkable Digital Notebooks
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A screenshot of the homepage for The Criterion Channel
The Two Best Streaming Services for Movie Nerds Are Discounted for Cyber Monday
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
The AiPaper tablet showing the lock screen, with the stylus nearby
This Black Friday Deal Puts the AiPaper, One of the Best Digital Notebooks of 2025, at $80 Off
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A photo of digital notebooks on a table, including the Boox Note Max, Boox Note Air 4C, and Viwoods AiPaper
I Review Digital Notebooks, and Five of My Favorites Are on Sale for Black Friday
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
A hand holding the Palma 2 displaying a Goodreads page
The Phone-Sized Palma 2 E-Reader Is Cheaper Than Ever During Black Friday
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio
The Boox Note Max on a desk displaying a page from the One Piece manga
I Love to Read Manga on This Boox Digital Notebook, and It’s $50 Off for Black Friday
Joel Cunningham
Joel Cunningham Deputy Editor
Experience
Joel Cunningham is Lifehacker’s Deputy Editor. He has 15 years of experience as a writer and editor. Previously, he was managing editor of content marketing for Barnes & Noble, where he founded the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog.
Areas of Expertise
Read Full Bio