diff --git a/.github/workflows/pytest.yaml b/.github/workflows/pytest.yaml
index 0a593fbda..833dff91d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pytest.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pytest.yaml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu, macos, windows]
-        python-version: [3.9, "3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
+        python-version: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12", "3.13"]
     name: ${{ matrix.os }} - py${{ matrix.python-version }}
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}-latest
     defaults:
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         mne-version: ["1.4.2", "1.5.0"]
-        python-version: [3.9]
+        python-version: ["3.10"]
     name: mne compat ${{ matrix.mne-version }} - py${{ matrix.python-version }}
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     defaults:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 96d0986cd..63b1554ef 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ transmitted wirelessly. For more information about LSL, please visit the
 
 # Install
 
-MNE-LSL supports `python ≥ 3.9` and is available on
+MNE-LSL supports `python ≥ 3.10` and is available on
 [PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/mne-lsl/) and on
 [conda-forge](https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/mne-lsl).
 Install instruction can be found on the
diff --git a/doc/conf.py b/doc/conf.py
index be98714ab..52f612e8d 100644
--- a/doc/conf.py
+++ b/doc/conf.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 from datetime import date
 from importlib import import_module
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Optional
 
 import mne
 from intersphinx_registry import get_intersphinx_mapping
@@ -210,7 +209,7 @@
 # https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/extensions/linkcode.html
 
 
-def linkcode_resolve(domain: str, info: dict[str, str]) -> Optional[str]:
+def linkcode_resolve(domain: str, info: dict[str, str]) -> str | None:
     """Determine the URL corresponding to a Python object.
 
     Parameters
diff --git a/doc/resources/install.rst b/doc/resources/install.rst
index 3faddee0b..34c9e8576 100644
--- a/doc/resources/install.rst
+++ b/doc/resources/install.rst
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Install
 Default install
 ---------------
 
-``MNE-LSL`` requires Python version ``3.9`` or higher and is available on
+``MNE-LSL`` requires Python version ``3.10`` or higher and is available on
 `PyPI <project pypi_>`_ and `conda-forge <project conda_>`_. It requires
 `liblsl <lsl lib_>`_ which will be either fetch from the path in the environment
 variable ``MNE_LSL_LIB`` (or ``PYLSL_LIB``), or from the system directories, or
diff --git a/examples/10_peak_detection.py b/examples/10_peak_detection.py
index a64c17545..ceae40bc2 100644
--- a/examples/10_peak_detection.py
+++ b/examples/10_peak_detection.py
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@
 for raw_, label in zip(
     (raw, raw_notched, raw_bandpassed, raw_lowpassed),
     ("raw", "notched", "bandpassed", "lowpassed"),
+    strict=True,
 ):
     data, times = raw_[:, start:stop]  # select 5 seconds
     data -= data.mean()  # detrend
@@ -97,6 +98,7 @@
 for raw_, label in zip(
     (raw, raw_notched, raw_bandpassed, raw_lowpassed),
     ("raw", "notched", "bandpassed", "lowpassed"),
+    strict=True,
 ):
     data, times = raw_[:, start:stop]  # select 5 seconds
     data -= data.mean()  # detrend
diff --git a/mne_lsl/datasets/_fetch.py b/mne_lsl/datasets/_fetch.py
index 303b74d95..f55794498 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/datasets/_fetch.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/datasets/_fetch.py
@@ -10,10 +10,9 @@
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pathlib import Path
-    from typing import Union
 
 
-def fetch_dataset(path: Path, base_url: str, registry: Union[str, Path]) -> Path:
+def fetch_dataset(path: Path, base_url: str, registry: str | Path) -> Path:
     """Fetch a dataset from the remote.
 
     Parameters
diff --git a/mne_lsl/datasets/sample.py b/mne_lsl/datasets/sample.py
index a12f61790..edb4f690e 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/datasets/sample.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/datasets/sample.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 from importlib.resources import files
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import pooch
 from mne.utils import get_config
@@ -10,14 +9,11 @@
 from ..utils._checks import ensure_path
 from ._fetch import fetch_dataset
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional, Union
-
 _REGISTRY: Path = files("mne_lsl.datasets") / "sample-registry.txt"
 
 
 def _make_registry(
-    folder: Union[str, Path], output: Optional[Union[str, Path]] = None
+    folder: str | Path, output: str | Path | None = None
 ) -> None:  # pragma: no cover
     """Create the registry file for the sample dataset.
 
diff --git a/mne_lsl/datasets/testing.py b/mne_lsl/datasets/testing.py
index f94aeb83d..06c3a4079 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/datasets/testing.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/datasets/testing.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 from importlib.resources import files
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import pooch
 from mne.utils import get_config
@@ -10,15 +9,10 @@
 from ..utils._checks import ensure_path
 from ._fetch import fetch_dataset
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional, Union
-
 _REGISTRY: Path = files("mne_lsl.datasets") / "testing-registry.txt"
 
 
-def _make_registry(
-    folder: Union[str, Path], output: Optional[Union[str, Path]] = None
-) -> None:
+def _make_registry(folder: str | Path, output: str | Path | None = None) -> None:
     """Create the registry file for the testing dataset.
 
     Parameters
diff --git a/mne_lsl/datasets/tests/test_fetch.py b/mne_lsl/datasets/tests/test_fetch.py
index b594f2816..15a7391c6 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/datasets/tests/test_fetch.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/datasets/tests/test_fetch.py
@@ -1,19 +1,15 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 import pooch
 import pytest
 
 from mne_lsl.datasets._fetch import fetch_dataset
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional
-
 
 @pytest.fixture
-def license_file() -> Optional[Path]:
+def license_file() -> Path | None:
     """Find the license file if present."""
     fname = Path(__file__).parent.parent.parent.parent / "LICENSE"
     if fname.exists():
diff --git a/mne_lsl/lsl/_utils.py b/mne_lsl/lsl/_utils.py
index 35f338ced..3336a97d1 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/lsl/_utils.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/lsl/_utils.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 from ctypes import POINTER, c_int, c_void_p, cast
-from typing import Optional
 
 from .load_liblsl import lib
 
@@ -193,7 +192,7 @@ def free_char_p_array_memory(char_p_array):  # noqa: D103
 
 
 # -- Static checker -----------------------------------------------------------
-def check_timeout(timeout: Optional[float]) -> float:
+def check_timeout(timeout: float | None) -> float:
     """Check that the provided timeout is valid.
 
     Parameters
diff --git a/mne_lsl/lsl/functions.py b/mne_lsl/lsl/functions.py
index 5301d1c7f..baaedfa1f 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/lsl/functions.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/lsl/functions.py
@@ -1,15 +1,11 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from ctypes import byref, c_char_p, c_double, c_void_p
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from ..utils._checks import check_type, ensure_int
 from .load_liblsl import lib
 from .stream_info import _BaseStreamInfo
 
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional
-
 
 def library_version() -> int:
     """Version of the binary LSL library.
@@ -55,9 +51,9 @@ def local_clock() -> float:
 
 def resolve_streams(
     timeout: float = 1.0,
-    name: Optional[str] = None,
-    stype: Optional[str] = None,
-    source_id: Optional[str] = None,
+    name: str | None = None,
+    stype: str | None = None,
+    source_id: str | None = None,
     minimum: int = 1,
 ) -> list[_BaseStreamInfo]:
     """Resolve streams on the network.
@@ -116,7 +112,7 @@ def resolve_streams(
     properties = [
         # filter out the properties set to None
         (prop, name)
-        for prop, name in zip(properties, ("name", "stype", "source_id"))
+        for prop, name in zip(properties, ("name", "stype", "source_id"), strict=True)
         if prop is not None
     ]
     timeout /= len(properties)
diff --git a/mne_lsl/lsl/load_liblsl.py b/mne_lsl/lsl/load_liblsl.py
index 594871b37..dca9541c4 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/lsl/load_liblsl.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/lsl/load_liblsl.py
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@
 from ..utils.logs import logger, warn
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional, Union
-
     from pooch import Pooch
 
 
@@ -71,7 +69,7 @@ def load_liblsl() -> CDLL:
     return _set_types(lib)
 
 
-def _load_liblsl_environment_variables() -> Optional[str]:
+def _load_liblsl_environment_variables() -> str | None:
     """Load the binary LSL library from the environment variables.
 
     Returns
@@ -101,7 +99,7 @@ def _load_liblsl_environment_variables() -> Optional[str]:
     return None
 
 
-def _load_liblsl_system() -> Optional[str]:
+def _load_liblsl_system() -> str | None:
     """Load the binary LSL library from the system path/folders.
 
     Returns
@@ -128,7 +126,7 @@ def _load_liblsl_system() -> Optional[str]:
     return None
 
 
-def _load_liblsl_mne_lsl(*, folder: Path = _LIB_FOLDER) -> Optional[str]:
+def _load_liblsl_mne_lsl(*, folder: Path = _LIB_FOLDER) -> str | None:
     """Load the binary LSL library from the system path/folders.
 
     Parameters
@@ -173,7 +171,7 @@ def _load_liblsl_mne_lsl(*, folder: Path = _LIB_FOLDER) -> Optional[str]:
 
 def _fetch_liblsl(
     *,
-    folder: Union[str, Path] = _LIB_FOLDER,
+    folder: str | Path = _LIB_FOLDER,
     url: str = "https://api.github.com/repos/sccn/liblsl/releases/latest",
 ) -> str:
     """Fetch liblsl on the release page.
@@ -420,8 +418,8 @@ def _is_valid_libpath(libpath: str) -> bool:
 
 
 def _attempt_load_liblsl(
-    libpath: Union[str, Path], *, issue_warning: bool = True
-) -> tuple[str, Optional[int]]:
+    libpath: str | Path, *, issue_warning: bool = True
+) -> tuple[str, int | None]:
     """Try loading a binary LSL library.
 
     Parameters
diff --git a/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_info.py b/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_info.py
index 2828b2277..41b7273a7 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_info.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_info.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Any, Optional, Union
+    from typing import Any
 
     from numpy.typing import DTypeLike
 
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ def __repr__(self) -> str:
 
     # -- Core information, assigned at construction ------------------------------------
     @property
-    def dtype(self) -> Union[str, DTypeLike]:
+    def dtype(self) -> str | DTypeLike:
         """Channel format of a stream.
 
         All channels in a stream have the same format.
@@ -385,7 +385,9 @@ def get_channel_info(self) -> Info:
             highpass = filters.child("highpass").first_child().value()
             lowpass = filters.child("lowpass").first_child().value()
             with info._unlock():
-                for name, value in zip(("highpass", "lowpass"), (highpass, lowpass)):
+                for name, value in zip(
+                    ("highpass", "lowpass"), (highpass, lowpass), strict=True
+                ):
                     if len(value) != 0:
                         try:
                             info[name] = float(value)
@@ -405,7 +407,7 @@ def get_channel_info(self) -> Info:
                 info["dig"] = dig
         return info
 
-    def get_channel_names(self) -> Optional[list[str]]:
+    def get_channel_names(self) -> list[str] | None:
         """Get the channel names in the description.
 
         Returns
@@ -423,7 +425,7 @@ def get_channel_names(self) -> Optional[list[str]]:
         """
         return self._get_channel_info("ch_name")
 
-    def get_channel_types(self) -> Optional[list[str]]:
+    def get_channel_types(self) -> list[str] | None:
         """Get the channel types in the description.
 
         Returns
@@ -441,7 +443,7 @@ def get_channel_types(self) -> Optional[list[str]]:
         """
         return self._get_channel_info("ch_type")
 
-    def get_channel_units(self) -> Optional[list[str]]:
+    def get_channel_units(self) -> list[str] | None:
         """Get the channel units in the description.
 
         Returns
@@ -459,7 +461,7 @@ def get_channel_units(self) -> Optional[list[str]]:
         """
         return self._get_channel_info("ch_unit")
 
-    def _get_channel_info(self, name: str) -> Optional[list[str]]:
+    def _get_channel_info(self, name: str) -> list[str] | None:
         """Get the 'channel/name' element in the XML tree."""
         if self.desc.child("channels").empty():
             return None
@@ -619,7 +621,11 @@ def set_channel_info(self, info: Info) -> None:
             loc = ch.child("loc")
             loc = ch.append_child("loc") if loc.empty() else loc
             _BaseStreamInfo._set_description_node(
-                loc, {key: value for key, value in zip(_LOC_NAMES, ch_info["loc"])}
+                loc,
+                {
+                    key: value
+                    for key, value in zip(_LOC_NAMES, ch_info["loc"], strict=True)
+                },
             )
             ch = ch.next_sibling()
         assert ch.empty()  # sanity-check
@@ -636,7 +642,7 @@ def set_channel_info(self, info: Info) -> None:
         if info["dig"] is not None:
             self._set_digitization(info["dig"])
 
-    def set_channel_names(self, ch_names: Union[list[str], tuple[str]]) -> None:
+    def set_channel_names(self, ch_names: list[str] | tuple[str, ...]) -> None:
         """Set the channel names in the description. Existing labels are overwritten.
 
         Parameters
@@ -646,7 +652,7 @@ def set_channel_names(self, ch_names: Union[list[str], tuple[str]]) -> None:
         """
         self._set_channel_info(ch_names, "ch_name")
 
-    def set_channel_types(self, ch_types: Union[str, list[str]]) -> None:
+    def set_channel_types(self, ch_types: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...]) -> None:
         """Set the channel types in the description. Existing types are overwritten.
 
         The types are given as human readable strings, e.g. ``'eeg'``.
@@ -663,7 +669,14 @@ def set_channel_types(self, ch_types: Union[str, list[str]]) -> None:
         self._set_channel_info(ch_types, "ch_type")
 
     def set_channel_units(
-        self, ch_units: Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]
+        self,
+        ch_units: str
+        | list[str]
+        | int
+        | list[int]
+        | ScalarIntArray
+        | tuple[str, ...]
+        | tuple[int, ...],
     ) -> None:
         """Set the channel units in the description. Existing units are overwritten.
 
@@ -704,7 +717,9 @@ def set_channel_units(
             ]
         self._set_channel_info(ch_units, "ch_unit")
 
-    def _set_channel_info(self, ch_infos: list[str], name: str) -> None:
+    def _set_channel_info(
+        self, ch_infos: list[str] | tuple[str, ...], name: str
+    ) -> None:
         """Set the 'channel/name' element in the XML tree."""
         check_type(ch_infos, (list, tuple), name)
         for ch_info in ch_infos:
@@ -745,7 +760,7 @@ def _set_channel_projectors(self, projs: list[Projection]) -> None:
             data = projector.append_child("data") if data.empty() else data
             ch = data.child("channel")
             for ch_name, ch_data in zip(
-                proj["data"]["col_names"], np.squeeze(proj["data"]["data"])
+                proj["data"]["col_names"], np.squeeze(proj["data"]["data"]), strict=True
             ):
                 ch = data.append_child("channel") if ch.empty() else ch
                 _BaseStreamInfo._set_description_node(
@@ -773,7 +788,11 @@ def _set_digitization(self, dig_points: list[DigPoint]) -> None:
             if loc.empty():
                 loc = point.append_child("loc")
             _BaseStreamInfo._set_description_node(
-                loc, {key: value for key, value in zip(("X", "Y", "Z"), dig_point["r"])}
+                loc,
+                {
+                    key: value
+                    for key, value in zip(("X", "Y", "Z"), dig_point["r"], strict=True)
+                },
             )
             point = point.next_sibling()
         _BaseStreamInfo._prune_description_node(point, dig)
@@ -811,10 +830,10 @@ def _set_description_node(node: XMLElement, mapping: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
     # -- Helper methods to retrieve FIFF elements in the XMLElement tree ---------------
     @staticmethod
     def _get_fiff_int_named(
-        value: Optional[str],
+        value: str | None,
         name: str,
         mapping: dict[int, int],
-    ) -> Optional[int]:
+    ) -> int | None:
         """Try to retrieve the FIFF integer code from the str representation."""
         if value is None:
             return None
@@ -908,7 +927,7 @@ def __init__(
 
     # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     @staticmethod
-    def _dtype2idxfmt(dtype: Union[str, int, DTypeLike]) -> int:
+    def _dtype2idxfmt(dtype: str | int | DTypeLike) -> int:
         """Convert a string format to its LSL integer value."""
         if dtype in fmt2idx:
             return fmt2idx[dtype]
diff --git a/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_inlet.py b/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_inlet.py
index 6a97992f9..e16f8d63e 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_inlet.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_inlet.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from collections.abc import Sequence
-    from typing import Optional, Union
 
     from numpy.typing import DTypeLike, NDArray
 
@@ -63,7 +62,7 @@ def __init__(
         chunk_size: int = 0,
         max_buffered: float = 360,
         recover: bool = True,
-        processing_flags: Optional[Union[str, Sequence[str]]] = None,
+        processing_flags: str | Sequence[str] | None = None,
     ):
         check_type(sinfo, (_BaseStreamInfo,), "sinfo")
         chunk_size = ensure_int(chunk_size, "chunk_size")
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ def __del__(self):
         self._del()  # no-op if called more than once
         logger.debug(f"Deleting {self.__class__.__name__}.")
 
-    def open_stream(self, timeout: Optional[float] = None) -> None:
+    def open_stream(self, timeout: float | None = None) -> None:
         """Subscribe to a data stream.
 
         All samples pushed in at the other end from this moment onwards will be queued
@@ -222,7 +221,7 @@ def close_stream(self) -> None:
         logger.debug("Closing stream, lib.lsl_close_stream(self._obj) done.")
         self._stream_is_open = False
 
-    def time_correction(self, timeout: Optional[float] = None) -> float:
+    def time_correction(self, timeout: float | None = None) -> float:
         """Retrieve an estimated time correction offset for the given stream.
 
         The first call to this function takes several milliseconds until a reliable
@@ -253,8 +252,8 @@ def time_correction(self, timeout: Optional[float] = None) -> float:
         return result
 
     def pull_sample(
-        self, timeout: Optional[float] = 0.0
-    ) -> tuple[Union[list[str], ScalarArray], Optional[float]]:
+        self, timeout: float | None = 0.0
+    ) -> tuple[list[str] | ScalarArray, float | None]:
         """Pull a single sample from the inlet.
 
         Parameters
@@ -309,9 +308,9 @@ def pull_sample(
 
     def pull_chunk(
         self,
-        timeout: Optional[float] = 0.0,
+        timeout: float | None = 0.0,
         max_samples: int = 1024,
-    ) -> tuple[Union[list[list[str]], ScalarArray], NDArray[np.float64]]:
+    ) -> tuple[list[list[str]] | ScalarArray, NDArray[np.float64]]:
         """Pull a chunk of samples from the inlet.
 
         Parameters
@@ -433,7 +432,7 @@ def _obj(self, obj):
     # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     @copy_doc(_BaseStreamInfo.dtype)
     @property
-    def dtype(self) -> Union[str, DTypeLike]:
+    def dtype(self) -> str | DTypeLike:
         return fmt2numpy.get(self._dtype, "string")
 
     @copy_doc(_BaseStreamInfo.n_channels)
@@ -475,7 +474,7 @@ def was_clock_reset(self) -> bool:
             return bool(lib.lsl_was_clock_reset(self._obj))
 
     # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    def get_sinfo(self, timeout: Optional[float] = None) -> _BaseStreamInfo:
+    def get_sinfo(self, timeout: float | None = None) -> _BaseStreamInfo:
         """:class:`~mne_lsl.lsl.StreamInfo` corresponding to this Inlet.
 
         Parameters
diff --git a/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_outlet.py b/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_outlet.py
index f09fd0b9e..5f0807b5a 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_outlet.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/lsl/stream_outlet.py
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@
 from .stream_info import _BaseStreamInfo
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional, Union
-
     from numpy.typing import DTypeLike
 
     from .._typing import ScalarArray, ScalarFloatArray
@@ -110,7 +108,7 @@ def __del__(self):
 
     def push_sample(
         self,
-        x: Union[list[str], ScalarArray],
+        x: list[str] | ScalarArray,
         timestamp: float = 0.0,
         pushThrough: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
@@ -163,8 +161,8 @@ def push_sample(
 
     def push_chunk(
         self,
-        x: Union[list[list[str]], ScalarArray],
-        timestamp: Optional[Union[float, ScalarFloatArray]] = None,
+        x: list[list[str]] | ScalarArray,
+        timestamp: float | ScalarFloatArray | None = None,
         pushThrough: bool = True,
     ) -> None:
         """Push a chunk of samples into the :class:`~mne_lsl.lsl.StreamOutlet`.
@@ -248,7 +246,7 @@ def push_chunk(
             )
             timestamp_c = (c_double * timestamp.size)(*timestamp.astype(np.float64))
             liblsl_push_chunk_func = self._do_push_chunk_n
-        elif isinstance(timestamp, (float, int)):
+        elif isinstance(timestamp, (float | int)):
             if self.sfreq == 0.0 and n_samples != 1 and timestamp != 0:
                 warn(
                     "The stream is irregularly sampled and timestamp is a float and "
@@ -274,7 +272,7 @@ def push_chunk(
                 )
             )
 
-    def wait_for_consumers(self, timeout: Optional[float]) -> bool:
+    def wait_for_consumers(self, timeout: float | None) -> bool:
         """Wait (block) until at least one :class:`~mne_lsl.lsl.StreamInlet` connects.
 
         Parameters
@@ -311,7 +309,7 @@ def _obj(self, obj):
 
     @copy_doc(_BaseStreamInfo.dtype)
     @property
-    def dtype(self) -> Union[str, DTypeLike]:
+    def dtype(self) -> str | DTypeLike:
         return fmt2numpy.get(self._dtype, "string")
 
     @copy_doc(_BaseStreamInfo.n_channels)
diff --git a/mne_lsl/lsl/tests/test_load_liblsl.py b/mne_lsl/lsl/tests/test_load_liblsl.py
index 8d63ca176..3c60aa846 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/lsl/tests/test_load_liblsl.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/lsl/tests/test_load_liblsl.py
@@ -74,6 +74,10 @@ def liblsl_outdated(tmp_path, download_liblsl_outdated) -> Path:
     return tmp_path / download_liblsl_outdated.name
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    _PLATFORM == "linux",
+    reason="Runner ubuntu-latest runs on 24.04 and LSL did not release yet for it.",
+)
 @pytest.mark.skipif(
     _PLATFORM == "windows",
     reason="PermissionError: [WinError 5] Access is denied (on Path.unlink(...)).",
diff --git a/mne_lsl/player/_base.py b/mne_lsl/player/_base.py
index f7181efcd..4b17462e4 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/player/_base.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/player/_base.py
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@
 from ..utils.meas_info import _set_channel_units
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Callable
     from datetime import datetime
-    from typing import Any, Callable, Optional, Union
+    from typing import Any
 
     from mne import Info
 
@@ -54,9 +55,9 @@ class BasePlayer(ABC, ContainsMixin, SetChannelsMixin):
     @abstractmethod
     def __init__(
         self,
-        fname: Union[str, Path, BaseRaw],
+        fname: str | Path | BaseRaw,
         chunk_size: int = 10,
-        n_repeat: Union[int, float] = np.inf,
+        n_repeat: int | float = np.inf,
     ) -> None:
         self._chunk_size = ensure_int(chunk_size, "chunk_size")
         if self._chunk_size <= 0:
@@ -88,10 +89,10 @@ def __init__(
     @fill_doc
     def anonymize(
         self,
-        daysback: Optional[int] = None,
+        daysback: int | None = None,
         keep_his: bool = False,
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BasePlayer:
         """Anonymize the measurement information in-place.
 
@@ -157,10 +158,10 @@ def get_channel_units(
     @fill_doc
     def rename_channels(
         self,
-        mapping: Union[dict[str, str], Callable],
+        mapping: dict[str, str] | Callable,
         allow_duplicates: bool = False,
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BasePlayer:
         """Rename channels.
 
@@ -208,7 +209,7 @@ def set_channel_types(
         mapping: dict[str, str],
         *,
         on_unit_change: str = "warn",
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BasePlayer:
         """Define the sensor type of channels.
 
@@ -244,7 +245,7 @@ def set_channel_types(
         return self
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, Union[str, int]]) -> BasePlayer:
+    def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, str | int]) -> BasePlayer:
         """Define the channel unit multiplication factor.
 
         By convention, MNE stores data in SI units. But systems often stream in non-SI
@@ -292,7 +293,7 @@ def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, Union[str, int]]) -> BasePlayer:
         return self
 
     def set_meas_date(
-        self, meas_date: Optional[Union[datetime, float, tuple[float, float]]]
+        self, meas_date: datetime | float | tuple[float, float] | None
     ) -> BasePlayer:
         """Set the measurement start date.
 
@@ -397,7 +398,7 @@ def chunk_size(self) -> int:
         return self._chunk_size
 
     @property
-    def fname(self) -> Optional[Path]:
+    def fname(self) -> Path | None:
         """Path to file played.
 
         :type: :class:`~pathlib.Path` | None
@@ -413,7 +414,7 @@ def info(self) -> Info:
         return self._raw.info
 
     @property
-    def n_repeat(self) -> Optional[int]:
+    def n_repeat(self) -> int | None:
         """Number of times the file is repeated.
 
         :type: :class:`int` | ``np.inf``
diff --git a/mne_lsl/player/_base.pyi b/mne_lsl/player/_base.pyi
index ec4ecd529..69a08c64c 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/player/_base.pyi
+++ b/mne_lsl/player/_base.pyi
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+from collections.abc import Callable
 from datetime import datetime as datetime
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, Callable
+from typing import Any
 
 from _typeshed import Incomplete
 from mne import Info
diff --git a/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.py b/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.py
index 027509106..3cffebc0d 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.py
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 from ._base import BasePlayer
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Callable
     from pathlib import Path
-    from typing import Callable, Optional, Union
 
 
 @fill_doc
@@ -92,13 +92,13 @@ class PlayerLSL(BasePlayer):
 
     def __init__(
         self,
-        fname: Union[str, Path],
+        fname: str | Path,
         chunk_size: int = 10,
-        n_repeat: Union[int, float] = np.inf,
+        n_repeat: int | float = np.inf,
         *,
-        name: Optional[str] = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
         source_id: str = "MNE-LSL",
-        annotations: Optional[bool] = None,
+        annotations: bool | None = None,
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__(fname, chunk_size, n_repeat)
         check_type(name, (str, None), "name")
@@ -159,10 +159,10 @@ def __init__(
     @copy_doc(BasePlayer.rename_channels)
     def rename_channels(
         self,
-        mapping: Union[dict[str, str], Callable],
+        mapping: dict[str, str] | Callable,
         allow_duplicates: bool = False,
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> PlayerLSL:
         super().rename_channels(mapping, allow_duplicates)
         self._sinfo.set_channel_names(self.info["ch_names"])
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ def set_channel_types(
         mapping: dict[str, str],
         *,
         on_unit_change: str = "warn",
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> PlayerLSL:
         super().set_channel_types(
             mapping, on_unit_change=on_unit_change, verbose=verbose
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ def set_channel_types(
         return self
 
     @copy_doc(BasePlayer.set_channel_units)
-    def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, Union[str, int]]) -> PlayerLSL:
+    def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, str | int]) -> PlayerLSL:
         super().set_channel_units(mapping)
         ch_units_after = np.array(
             [ch["unit_mul"] for ch in self.info["chs"]], dtype=np.int8
diff --git a/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.pyi b/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.pyi
index 4129ceeff..b02c8f506 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.pyi
+++ b/mne_lsl/player/player_lsl.pyi
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
+from collections.abc import Callable
 from pathlib import Path as Path
-from typing import Callable
 
 from _typeshed import Incomplete
 from mne import Annotations
diff --git a/mne_lsl/player/tests/test_player_lsl.py b/mne_lsl/player/tests/test_player_lsl.py
index 33bceae32..c3fe51400 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/player/tests/test_player_lsl.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/player/tests/test_player_lsl.py
@@ -432,7 +432,9 @@ def test_player_annotations(raw_annotations, close_io, chunk_size, request):
     assert stream.info["ch_names"] == annotations
     assert stream.get_channel_types() == ["misc"] * sinfo.n_channels
     time.sleep(3)  # acquire some annotations
-    for single, duration in zip(("bad_test", "test2", "test3"), (0.4, 0.1, 0.05)):
+    for single, duration in zip(
+        ("bad_test", "test2", "test3"), (0.4, 0.1, 0.05), strict=True
+    ):
         data, ts = stream.get_data(picks=single)
         data = data.squeeze()
         assert ts.size == data.size
diff --git a/mne_lsl/stream/_filters.py b/mne_lsl/stream/_filters.py
index a59b5cd21..bcdd14daa 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/stream/_filters.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/stream/_filters.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 from ..utils.logs import logger, warn
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Any, Optional
+    from typing import Any
 
 
 class StreamFilter(dict):
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ def __ne__(self, other: Any):  # explicit method required to issue warning
 
 def create_filter(
     sfreq: float,
-    l_freq: Optional[float],
-    h_freq: Optional[float],
+    l_freq: float | None,
+    h_freq: float | None,
     iir_params: dict[str, Any],
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
     """Create an IIR causal filter.
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def create_filter(
 
 
 def ensure_sos_iir_params(
-    iir_params: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    iir_params: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
     """Ensure that the filter parameters include SOS output."""
     if iir_params is None:
diff --git a/mne_lsl/stream/base.py b/mne_lsl/stream/base.py
index 8e795dbf1..45628014b 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/stream/base.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/stream/base.py
@@ -33,8 +33,9 @@
 from ._filters import StreamFilter, create_filter, ensure_sos_iir_params
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Callable
     from datetime import datetime
-    from typing import Any, Callable, Optional, Union
+    from typing import Any
 
     from mne import Info
     from mne.channels import DigMontage
@@ -110,10 +111,8 @@ def acquire(self) -> None:
     @fill_doc
     def add_reference_channels(
         self,
-        ref_channels: Union[str, list[str], tuple[str]],
-        ref_units: Optional[
-            Union[str, int, list[Union[str, int]], tuple[Union[str, int]]]
-        ] = None,
+        ref_channels: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...],
+        ref_units: str | int | list[str | int] | tuple[str | int, ...] | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Add EEG reference channels to data that consists of all zeros.
 
@@ -156,7 +155,7 @@ def add_reference_channels(
         # error checking and conversion of the arguments to valid values
         if isinstance(ref_channels, str):
             ref_channels = [ref_channels]
-        if isinstance(ref_units, (str, int)):
+        if isinstance(ref_units, (str | int)):
             ref_units = [ref_units]
         elif ref_units is None:
             ref_units = [0] * len(ref_channels)
@@ -238,10 +237,10 @@ def add_reference_channels(
     @fill_doc
     def anonymize(
         self,
-        daysback: Optional[int] = None,
+        daysback: int | None = None,
         keep_his: bool = False,
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Anonymize the measurement information in-place.
 
@@ -340,7 +339,7 @@ def disconnect(self) -> BaseStream:
         # This method needs to close any inlet/network object and need to end with
         # self._reset_variables().
 
-    def del_filter(self, idx: Union[int, list[int], tuple[int], str] = "all") -> None:
+    def del_filter(self, idx: int | list[int] | tuple[int, ...] | str = "all") -> None:
         """Remove a filter from the list of applied filters.
 
         Parameters
@@ -373,7 +372,7 @@ def del_filter(self, idx: Union[int, list[int], tuple[int], str] = "all") -> Non
             )
         elif idx == "all":
             idx = np.arange(len(self._filters), dtype=np.uint8)
-        elif isinstance(idx, (tuple, list)):
+        elif isinstance(idx, (tuple | list)):
             for elt in idx:
                 check_type(elt, ("int-like",), "idx")
             idx = np.array(idx, dtype=np.uint8)
@@ -419,7 +418,7 @@ def del_filter(self, idx: Union[int, list[int], tuple[int], str] = "all") -> Non
             for k in idx[::-1]:
                 del self._filters[k]
 
-    def drop_channels(self, ch_names: Union[str, list[str], tuple[str]]) -> BaseStream:
+    def drop_channels(self, ch_names: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...]) -> BaseStream:
         """Drop channel(s).
 
         Parameters
@@ -456,12 +455,12 @@ def drop_channels(self, ch_names: Union[str, list[str], tuple[str]]) -> BaseStre
     @fill_doc
     def filter(
         self,
-        l_freq: Optional[float],
-        h_freq: Optional[float],
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
-        iir_params: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None,
+        l_freq: float | None,
+        h_freq: float | None,
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
+        iir_params: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:  # noqa: A003
         """Filter the stream with an IIR causal filter.
 
@@ -517,7 +516,7 @@ def filter(
     @copy_doc(ContainsMixin.get_channel_types)
     def get_channel_types(
         self,
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
         unique=False,
         only_data_chs=False,
     ) -> list[str]:
@@ -529,7 +528,7 @@ def get_channel_types(
     @fill_doc
     def get_channel_units(
         self,
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
         only_data_chs: bool = False,
     ) -> list[tuple[int, int]]:
         """Get a list of channel unit for each channel.
@@ -562,9 +561,9 @@ def get_channel_units(
     @fill_doc
     def get_data(
         self,
-        winsize: Optional[float] = None,
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
-        exclude: Union[str, list[str], tuple[str]] = "bads",
+        winsize: float | None = None,
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
+        exclude: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...] = "bads",
     ) -> tuple[ScalarArray, NDArray[np.float64]]:
         """Retrieve the latest data from the buffer.
 
@@ -630,7 +629,7 @@ def get_data(
             raise  # pragma: no cover
 
     @copy_doc(SetChannelsMixin.get_montage)
-    def get_montage(self) -> Optional[DigMontage]:
+    def get_montage(self) -> DigMontage | None:
         self._check_connected("get_montage()")
         return super().get_montage()
 
@@ -639,12 +638,12 @@ def get_montage(self) -> Optional[DigMontage]:
     def notch_filter(
         self,
         freqs: float,
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
-        notch_widths: Optional[float] = None,
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
+        notch_widths: float | None = None,
         trans_bandwidth=1,
-        iir_params: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None,
+        iir_params: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Filter the stream with an IIR causal notch filter.
 
@@ -734,8 +733,8 @@ def plot(self):  # pragma: no cover
     @fill_doc
     def pick(
         self,
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
-        exclude: Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray] = (),
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
+        exclude: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray = (),
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Pick a subset of channels.
 
@@ -777,10 +776,10 @@ def record(self):  # pragma: no cover
     @fill_doc
     def rename_channels(
         self,
-        mapping: Union[dict[str, str], Callable],
+        mapping: dict[str, str] | Callable,
         allow_duplicates: bool = False,
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Rename channels.
 
@@ -829,7 +828,7 @@ def set_channel_types(
         mapping: dict[str, str],
         *,
         on_unit_change: str = "warn",
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Define the sensor type of channels.
 
@@ -864,7 +863,7 @@ def set_channel_types(
         )
         return self
 
-    def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, Union[str, int]]) -> BaseStream:
+    def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, str | int]) -> BaseStream:
         """Define the channel unit multiplication factor.
 
         The unit itself is defined by the sensor type. Use
@@ -896,8 +895,8 @@ def set_channel_units(self, mapping: dict[str, Union[str, int]]) -> BaseStream:
     @fill_doc
     def set_eeg_reference(
         self,
-        ref_channels: Union[str, list[str], tuple[str]],
-        ch_type: Union[str, list[str], tuple[str]] = "eeg",
+        ref_channels: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...],
+        ch_type: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...] = "eeg",
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Specify which reference to use for EEG-like data.
 
@@ -969,7 +968,7 @@ def set_eeg_reference(
         return self
 
     def set_meas_date(
-        self, meas_date: Optional[Union[datetime, float, tuple[float]]]
+        self, meas_date: datetime | float | tuple[float, float] | None
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Set the measurement start date.
 
@@ -1001,12 +1000,12 @@ def set_meas_date(
     @fill_doc
     def set_montage(
         self,
-        montage: Optional[Union[str, DigMontage]],
+        montage: str | DigMontage | None,
         match_case: bool = True,
-        match_alias: Union[bool, dict[str, str]] = False,
+        match_alias: bool | dict[str, str] = False,
         on_missing: str = "raise",
         *,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Set %(montage_types)s channel positions and digitization points.
 
@@ -1158,7 +1157,7 @@ def _submit_acquisition_job(self) -> None:
 
     # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     @property
-    def compensation_grade(self) -> Optional[int]:
+    def compensation_grade(self) -> int | None:
         """The current gradient compensation grade.
 
         :type: :class:`int` | None
@@ -1198,7 +1197,7 @@ def connected(self) -> bool:
             return True
 
     @property
-    def dtype(self) -> Optional[DTypeLike]:
+    def dtype(self) -> DTypeLike | None:
         """Channel format of the stream."""
         return getattr(self._buffer, "dtype", None)
 
diff --git a/mne_lsl/stream/base.pyi b/mne_lsl/stream/base.pyi
index b5c5434d0..81fb15dda 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/stream/base.pyi
+++ b/mne_lsl/stream/base.pyi
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from collections.abc import Generator
+from collections.abc import Callable, Generator
 from datetime import datetime as datetime
-from typing import Any, Callable
+from typing import Any
 
 import numpy as np
 from _typeshed import Incomplete
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ class BaseStream(ABC, ContainsMixin, SetChannelsMixin):
     def add_reference_channels(
         self,
         ref_channels: str | list[str] | tuple[str],
-        ref_units: str | int | list[str | int] | tuple[str | int] | None = None,
+        ref_units: str | int | list[str | int] | tuple[str | int, ...] | None = None,
     ) -> BaseStream:
         """Add EEG reference channels to data that consists of all zeros.
 
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ class BaseStream(ABC, ContainsMixin, SetChannelsMixin):
             The stream instance modified in-place.
         """
 
-    def del_filter(self, idx: int | list[int] | tuple[int] | str = "all") -> None:
+    def del_filter(self, idx: int | list[int] | tuple[int, ...] | str = "all") -> None:
         """Remove a filter from the list of applied filters.
 
         Parameters
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ class BaseStream(ABC, ContainsMixin, SetChannelsMixin):
         a step response steady-state.
         """
 
-    def drop_channels(self, ch_names: str | list[str] | tuple[str]) -> BaseStream:
+    def drop_channels(self, ch_names: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...]) -> BaseStream:
         """Drop channel(s).
 
         Parameters
diff --git a/mne_lsl/stream/epochs.py b/mne_lsl/stream/epochs.py
index 2a009fa57..d12c7a579 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/stream/epochs.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/stream/epochs.py
@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@
 from .base import BaseStream
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional, Union
-
     from mne import Info
     from numpy.typing import NDArray
 
@@ -130,18 +128,18 @@ def __init__(
         self,
         stream: BaseStream,
         bufsize: int,
-        event_id: Optional[Union[int, dict[str, int]]],
-        event_channels: Union[str, list[str]],
-        event_stream: Optional[BaseStream] = None,
+        event_id: int | dict[str, int] | None,
+        event_channels: str | list[str],
+        event_stream: BaseStream | None = None,
         tmin: float = -0.2,
         tmax: float = 0.5,
-        baseline: Optional[tuple[Optional[float], Optional[float]]] = (None, 0),
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
-        reject: Optional[dict[str, float]] = None,
-        flat: Optional[dict[str, float]] = None,
-        reject_tmin: Optional[float] = None,
-        reject_tmax: Optional[float] = None,
-        detrend: Optional[Union[int, str]] = None,
+        baseline: tuple[float | None, float | None] | None = (None, 0),
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
+        reject: dict[str, float] | None = None,
+        flat: dict[str, float] | None = None,
+        reject_tmin: float | None = None,
+        reject_tmax: float | None = None,
+        detrend: int | str | None = None,
     ) -> None:
         check_type(stream, (BaseStream,), "stream")
         if not stream.connected or stream._info["sfreq"] == 0:
@@ -375,9 +373,9 @@ def disconnect(self) -> EpochsStream:
     @fill_doc
     def get_data(
         self,
-        n_epochs: Optional[int] = None,
-        picks: Optional[Union[str, list[str], int, list[int], ScalarIntArray]] = None,
-        exclude: Union[str, list[str], tuple[str]] = "bads",
+        n_epochs: int | None = None,
+        picks: str | list[str] | int | list[int] | ScalarIntArray | None = None,
+        exclude: str | list[str] | tuple[str, ...] = "bads",
     ) -> ScalarArray:
         """Retrieve the latest epochs from the buffer.
 
@@ -658,7 +656,7 @@ def times(self) -> NDArray[np.float64]:
 def _check_event_channels(
     event_channels: list[str],
     stream: BaseStream,
-    event_stream: Optional[BaseStream],
+    event_stream: BaseStream | None,
 ) -> None:
     """Check that the event channels are valid."""
     for elt in event_channels:
@@ -698,8 +696,8 @@ def _check_event_channels(
 
 
 def _ensure_event_id(
-    event_id: Optional[Union[int, dict[str, int]]], event_stream: Optional[BaseStream]
-) -> Optional[dict[str, int]]:
+    event_id: int | dict[str, int] | None, event_stream: BaseStream | None
+) -> dict[str, int] | None:
     """Ensure event_ids is a dictionary or None."""
     check_type(event_id, (None, int, dict), "event_id")
     if event_id is None:
@@ -741,7 +739,7 @@ def _ensure_event_id(
 
 
 def _check_baseline(
-    baseline: Optional[tuple[Optional[float], Optional[float]]],
+    baseline: tuple[float | None, float | None] | None,
     tmin: float,
     tmax: float,
 ) -> None:
@@ -766,7 +764,7 @@ def _check_baseline(
 
 
 def _check_reject_flat(
-    reject: Optional[dict[str, float]], flat: Optional[dict[str, float]], info: Info
+    reject: dict[str, float] | None, flat: dict[str, float] | None, info: Info
 ) -> None:
     """Check that the PTP rejection dictionaries are valid."""
     check_type(reject, (dict, None), "reject")
@@ -805,7 +803,7 @@ def _check_reject_flat(
 
 
 def _check_reject_tmin_tmax(
-    reject_tmin: Optional[float], reject_tmax: Optional[float], tmin: float, tmax: float
+    reject_tmin: float | None, reject_tmax: float | None, tmin: float, tmax: float
 ) -> None:
     """Check that the rejection time window is valid."""
     check_type(reject_tmin, ("numeric", None), "reject_tmin")
@@ -831,7 +829,7 @@ def _check_reject_tmin_tmax(
         )
 
 
-def _ensure_detrend_str(detrend: Optional[Union[int, str]]) -> Optional[str]:
+def _ensure_detrend_str(detrend: int | str | None) -> str | None:
     """Ensure detrend is an integer."""
     if detrend is None:
         return None
@@ -854,10 +852,10 @@ def _find_events_in_stim_channels(
     sfreq: float,
     *,
     output: str = "onset",
-    consecutive: Union[bool, str] = "increasing",
+    consecutive: bool | str = "increasing",
     min_duration: float = 0,
     shortest_event: int = 2,
-    mask: Optional[int] = None,
+    mask: int | None = None,
     uint_cast: bool = False,
     mask_type: str = "and",
     initial_event: bool = False,
@@ -865,7 +863,7 @@ def _find_events_in_stim_channels(
     """Find events in stim channels."""
     min_samples = min_duration * sfreq
     events_list = []
-    for d, ch_name in zip(data, event_channels):
+    for d, ch_name in zip(data, event_channels, strict=True):
         events = find_events(
             d[np.newaxis, :],
             first_samp=0,
@@ -897,11 +895,11 @@ def _find_events_in_stim_channels(
 
 def _prune_events(
     events: NDArray[np.int64],
-    event_id: Optional[dict[str, int]],
+    event_id: dict[str, int] | None,
     buffer_size: int,
     ts: NDArray[np.float64],
-    last_ts: Optional[float],
-    ts_events: Optional[NDArray[np.float64]],
+    last_ts: float | None,
+    ts_events: NDArray[np.float64] | None,
     tmin_shift: float,
 ) -> NDArray[np.int64]:
     """Prune events based on criteria and buffer size."""
@@ -932,12 +930,12 @@ def _prune_events(
 
 def _process_data(
     data: ScalarArray,  # array of shape (n_epochs, n_samples, n_channels)
-    baseline: Optional[tuple[Optional[float], Optional[float]]],
-    reject: Optional[dict[str, float]],
-    flat: Optional[dict[str, float]],
-    reject_tmin: Optional[float],
-    reject_tmax: Optional[float],
-    detrend_type: Optional[str],
+    baseline: tuple[float | None, float | None] | None,
+    reject: dict[str, float] | None,
+    flat: dict[str, float] | None,
+    reject_tmin: float | None,
+    reject_tmax: float | None,
+    detrend_type: str | None,
     times: NDArray[np.float64],
     ch_idx_by_type: dict[str, list[int]],
 ) -> ScalarArray:
diff --git a/mne_lsl/stream/stream_lsl.py b/mne_lsl/stream/stream_lsl.py
index 0a4b73a9a..e07020d5b 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/stream/stream_lsl.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/stream/stream_lsl.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from collections.abc import Sequence
-    from typing import Optional, Union
 
     from mne_lsl.lsl.stream_info import _BaseStreamInfo
 
@@ -55,9 +54,9 @@ def __init__(
         self,
         bufsize: float,
         *,
-        name: Optional[str] = None,
-        stype: Optional[str] = None,
-        source_id: Optional[str] = None,
+        name: str | None = None,
+        stype: str | None = None,
+        source_id: str | None = None,
     ):
         super().__init__(bufsize)
         check_type(name, (str, None), "name")
@@ -101,8 +100,8 @@ def connect(
         self,
         acquisition_delay: float = 0.001,
         *,
-        processing_flags: Optional[Union[str, Sequence[str]]] = None,
-        timeout: Optional[float] = 2,
+        processing_flags: str | Sequence[str] | None = None,
+        timeout: float | None = 2,
     ) -> StreamLSL:
         """Connect to the LSL stream and initiate data collection in the buffer.
 
@@ -338,7 +337,7 @@ def connected(self) -> bool:
             return False
 
     @property
-    def name(self) -> Optional[str]:
+    def name(self) -> str | None:
         """Name of the LSL stream.
 
         :type: :class:`str` | None
@@ -346,7 +345,7 @@ def name(self) -> Optional[str]:
         return self._name
 
     @property
-    def sinfo(self) -> Optional[_BaseStreamInfo]:
+    def sinfo(self) -> _BaseStreamInfo | None:
         """StreamInfo of the connected stream.
 
         :type: :class:`~mne_lsl.lsl.StreamInfo` | None
@@ -354,7 +353,7 @@ def sinfo(self) -> Optional[_BaseStreamInfo]:
         return self._sinfo
 
     @property
-    def stype(self) -> Optional[str]:
+    def stype(self) -> str | None:
         """Type of the LSL stream.
 
         :type: :class:`str` | None
@@ -362,7 +361,7 @@ def stype(self) -> Optional[str]:
         return self._stype
 
     @property
-    def source_id(self) -> Optional[str]:
+    def source_id(self) -> str | None:
         """ID of the source of the LSL stream.
 
         :type: :class:`str` | None
diff --git a/mne_lsl/stream/tests/test_filters.py b/mne_lsl/stream/tests/test_filters.py
index f875149ac..ec985a5b1 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/stream/tests/test_filters.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/stream/tests/test_filters.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 from mne_lsl.stream._filters import StreamFilter, create_filter, ensure_sos_iir_params
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Any, Optional
+    from typing import Any
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="module")
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def filters(iir_params: dict[str, Any], sfreq: float) -> list[StreamFilter]:
     h_freqs = (40, 15, None)
     picks = (np.arange(0, 10), np.arange(10, 20), np.arange(20, 30))
     filters = list()
-    for k, (lfq, hfq, picks_) in enumerate(zip(l_freqs, h_freqs, picks)):
+    for k, (lfq, hfq, picks_) in enumerate(zip(l_freqs, h_freqs, picks, strict=True)):
         filt = create_filter(
             sfreq=sfreq,
             l_freq=lfq,
@@ -122,8 +122,8 @@ def test_StreamFilter_repr(filters: list[StreamFilter]):
 def test_create_filter(
     iir_params: dict[str, Any],
     sfreq: float,
-    l_freq: Optional[float],
-    h_freq: Optional[float],
+    l_freq: float | None,
+    h_freq: float | None,
 ):
     """Test create_filter conformity with MNE."""
     filter1 = create_filter(
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/_checks.py b/mne_lsl/utils/_checks.py
index 4f71aced9..e43932606 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/_checks.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/_checks.py
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@
 import operator
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, Optional
+from typing import Any
 
 import numpy as np
 
 from ._docs import fill_doc
 
 
-def ensure_int(item: Any, item_name: Optional[str] = None) -> int:
+def ensure_int(item: Any, item_name: str | None = None) -> int:
     """Ensure a variable is an integer.
 
     Parameters
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def __instancecheck__(cls, other: Any) -> bool:
 }
 
 
-def check_type(item: Any, types: tuple, item_name: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
+def check_type(item: Any, types: tuple, item_name: str | None = None) -> None:
     """Check that item is an instance of types.
 
     Parameters
@@ -123,8 +123,8 @@ def check_type(item: Any, types: tuple, item_name: Optional[str] = None) -> None
 def check_value(
     item: Any,
     allowed_values: tuple,
-    item_name: Optional[str] = None,
-    extra: Optional[str] = None,
+    item_name: str | None = None,
+    extra: str | None = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Check the value of a parameter against a list of valid options.
 
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.py b/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.py
index c423418ee..e3f666a4a 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 """
 
 import sys
-from typing import Callable
+from collections.abc import Callable
 
 from mne.utils.docs import docdict as docdict_mne
 
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.pyi b/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.pyi
index 0cf2b0fa2..322c52253 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.pyi
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/_docs.pyi
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from typing import Callable
+from collections.abc import Callable
 
 docdict: dict[str, str]
 _KEYS_MNE: tuple[str, ...]
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/_fixes.py b/mne_lsl/utils/_fixes.py
index 702e3227a..d84d90c66 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/_fixes.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/_fixes.py
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@
 from mne.utils import check_version
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Optional, Union
-
     from .._typing import ScalarArray
 
 
@@ -34,11 +32,11 @@ def __getattr__(self, name):  # noqa: D105
 def find_events(
     data: ScalarArray,
     first_samp: int,
-    verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+    verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
     output: str = None,
-    consecutive: Union[bool, str] = None,
+    consecutive: bool | str = None,
     min_samples: float = None,
-    mask: Optional[int] = None,
+    mask: int | None = None,
     uint_cast: bool = None,
     mask_type: str = None,
     initial_event: bool = None,
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/_imports.py b/mne_lsl/utils/_imports.py
index 6821a6f48..7e3f7cf0d 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/_imports.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/_imports.py
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import importlib
+from importlib import import_module
+from importlib.util import find_spec
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from types import ModuleType
-    from typing import Optional
 
 # A mapping from import name to package name (on PyPI) when the package name
 # is different.
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def import_optional_dependency(
     name: str,
     extra: str = "",
     raise_error: bool = True,
-) -> Optional[ModuleType]:
+) -> ModuleType | None:
     """Import an optional dependency.
 
     By default, if a dependency is missing an ImportError with a nice message will be
@@ -48,22 +48,18 @@ def import_optional_dependency(
 
     Returns
     -------
-    module : Optional[ModuleType]
+    module : Module | None
         The imported module when found.
         None is returned when the package is not found and raise_error is False.
     """
     package_name = _INSTALL_MAPPING.get(name)
     install_name = package_name if package_name is not None else name
-
-    try:
-        module = importlib.import_module(name)
-    except ImportError:
+    if find_spec(name) is None:
         if raise_error:
             raise ImportError(
-                f"Missing optional dependency '{install_name}'. {extra} "
-                f"Use pip or conda to install {install_name}."
+                f"Missing optional dependency '{install_name}'. {extra} Use pip or "
+                f"conda to install {install_name}."
             )
         else:
             return None
-
-    return module
+    return import_module(name)
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/_tests.py b/mne_lsl/utils/_tests.py
index 827fd98ab..41f2672ae 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/_tests.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/_tests.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pathlib import Path
-    from typing import Union
 
     from mne import Info
     from mne.io import BaseRaw
@@ -18,7 +17,7 @@
     from .._typing import ScalarArray
 
 
-def sha256sum(fname: Union[str, Path]) -> str:
+def sha256sum(fname: str | Path) -> str:
     """Efficiently hash a file."""
     h = hashlib.sha256()
     b = bytearray(128 * 1024)
@@ -112,7 +111,7 @@ def compare_infos(info1: Info, info2: Info) -> None:
     assert len(info1["projs"]) == len(info2["projs"])
     projs1 = sorted(info1["projs"], key=lambda x: x["desc"])
     projs2 = sorted(info2["projs"], key=lambda x: x["desc"])
-    for proj1, proj2 in zip(projs1, projs2):
+    for proj1, proj2 in zip(projs1, projs2, strict=True):
         assert proj1["desc"] == proj2["desc"]
         assert proj1["kind"] == proj2["kind"]
         assert proj1["data"]["nrow"] == proj2["data"]["nrow"]
@@ -125,7 +124,7 @@ def compare_infos(info1: Info, info2: Info) -> None:
         assert len(info1["dig"]) == len(info2["dig"])
         digs1 = sorted(info1["dig"], key=lambda x: (x["kind"], x["ident"]))
         digs2 = sorted(info2["dig"], key=lambda x: (x["kind"], x["ident"]))
-        for dig1, dig2 in zip(digs1, digs2):
+        for dig1, dig2 in zip(digs1, digs2, strict=True):
             assert dig1["kind"] == dig2["kind"]
             assert dig1["ident"] == dig2["ident"]
             assert dig1["coord_frame"] == dig2["coord_frame"]
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/config.py b/mne_lsl/utils/config.py
index 5986a76c0..4467c42f7 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/config.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/config.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import platform
 import sys
+from collections.abc import Callable
 from functools import lru_cache, partial
 from importlib.metadata import requires, version
-from typing import IO, Callable, Optional
+from typing import IO
 
 import psutil
 from packaging.requirements import Requirement
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@
 from .logs import _use_log_level
 
 
-def sys_info(fid: Optional[IO] = None, developer: bool = False):
+def sys_info(fid: IO | None = None, developer: bool = False):
     """Print the system information for debugging.
 
     Parameters
@@ -160,7 +161,7 @@ def _list_dependencies_info(
 
 
 @lru_cache(maxsize=1)
-def _get_gpu_info() -> tuple[Optional[str], Optional[str]]:
+def _get_gpu_info() -> tuple[str | None, str | None]:
     """Get the GPU information."""
     try:
         from pyvista import GPUInfo
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/config.pyi b/mne_lsl/utils/config.pyi
index d25255b43..53c1088ff 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/config.pyi
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/config.pyi
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-from typing import IO, Callable
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from typing import IO
 
 from packaging.requirements import Requirement
 
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/logs.py b/mne_lsl/utils/logs.py
index 16a98f387..5f342d7d8 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/logs.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/logs.py
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 from ._fixes import WrapStdOut
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Callable
     from logging import Logger
-    from typing import Callable, Optional, Union
 
 
 _PACKAGE: str = __package__.split(".")[0]
@@ -24,9 +24,7 @@
 @fill_doc
 def _init_logger(
     *,
-    verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = os.getenv(
-        "MNE_LSL_LOG_LEVEL", "WARNING"
-    ),
+    verbose: bool | str | int | None = os.getenv("MNE_LSL_LOG_LEVEL", "WARNING"),
 ) -> Logger:
     """Initialize a logger.
 
@@ -54,11 +52,11 @@ def _init_logger(
 
 
 def add_file_handler(
-    fname: Union[str, Path],
+    fname: str | Path,
     mode: str = "a",
-    encoding: Optional[str] = None,
+    encoding: str | None = None,
     *,
-    verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
+    verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
 ) -> None:
     """Add a file handler to the logger.
 
@@ -85,7 +83,7 @@ def add_file_handler(
 
 
 @fill_doc
-def set_log_level(verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]]) -> None:
+def set_log_level(verbose: bool | str | int | None) -> None:
     """Set the log level for the logger.
 
     Parameters
@@ -172,12 +170,12 @@ class _use_log_level:
 
     def __init__(
         self,
-        verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None,
-        logger_obj: Optional[Logger] = None,
+        verbose: bool | str | int | None = None,
+        logger_obj: Logger | None = None,
     ):
         self._logger: Logger = logger_obj if logger_obj is not None else logger
         self._old_level: int = self._logger.level
-        self._level: Optional[int] = None if verbose is None else check_verbose(verbose)
+        self._level: int | None = None if verbose is None else check_verbose(verbose)
 
     def __enter__(self):
         if self._level is not None:
@@ -193,7 +191,7 @@ def warn(
     message: str,
     category: Warning = RuntimeWarning,
     module: str = _PACKAGE,
-    ignore_namespaces: Union[tuple[str, ...] | list[str]] = (_PACKAGE,),
+    ignore_namespaces: tuple[str, ...] | list[str] = (_PACKAGE,),
 ) -> None:
     """Emit a warning with trace outside the requested namespace.
 
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/logs.pyi b/mne_lsl/utils/logs.pyi
index 9cdc2771a..e97b28d28 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/logs.pyi
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/logs.pyi
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import logging
+from collections.abc import Callable
 from logging import Logger
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Callable
 
 from _typeshed import Incomplete
 
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/meas_info.py b/mne_lsl/utils/meas_info.py
index 110160982..2ca8d6a4d 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/meas_info.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/meas_info.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 from .logs import logger, warn
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from typing import Any, Optional, Union
+    from typing import Any
 
     from mne import Info
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def create_info(
     n_channels: int,
     sfreq: float,
     stype: str,
-    desc: Optional[Union[_BaseStreamInfo, dict[str, Any]]],
+    desc: _BaseStreamInfo | dict[str, Any] | None,
 ) -> Info:
     """Create a minimal :class:`mne.Info` object from an LSL stream attributes.
 
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def create_info(
                 info["sfreq"] = sfreq
                 info["lowpass"] = 0.0
                 info["highpass"] = 0.0
-            for ch, ch_unit in zip(info["chs"], ch_units):
+            for ch, ch_unit in zip(info["chs"], ch_units, strict=True):
                 ch["unit_mul"] = ch_unit
         # add manufacturer information if available
         info["device_info"] = dict()
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ def _create_default_info(
 # --------------------- Functions to read from a description sinfo ---------------------
 def _read_desc_sinfo(
     n_channels: int, stype: str, desc: _BaseStreamInfo
-) -> tuple[list[str], list[str], list[int], Optional[str]]:
+) -> tuple[list[str], list[str], list[int], str | None]:
     """Read channel information from a StreamInfo.
 
     If the StreamInfo is retrieved by resolve_streams, the description will be empty.
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ def _read_desc_sinfo(
 
     try:
         ch_units = list()
-        for ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_types, desc.get_channel_units()):
+        for ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_types, desc.get_channel_units(), strict=True):
             ch_unit = ch_unit.lower().strip()
             fiff_unit = _CH_TYPES_DICT[ch_type]["unit"]
             if fiff_unit in _HUMAN_UNITS:
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ def _read_desc_sinfo(
 # --------------------- Functions to read from a description dict ----------------------
 def _read_desc_dict(
     n_channels: int, stype: str, desc: dict[str, Any]
-) -> tuple[list[str], list[str], list[int], Optional[str]]:
+) -> tuple[list[str], list[str], list[int], str | None]:
     """Read channel information from a description dictionary.
 
     A dictionary is returned from loading an XDF file.
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ def _safe_get(channel, item, default) -> str:
 
 
 # ----------------------------- Functions to edit an Info ------------------------------
-def _set_channel_units(info: Info, mapping: dict[str, Union[str, int]]) -> None:
+def _set_channel_units(info: Info, mapping: dict[str, str | int]) -> None:
     """Set the channel unit multiplication factor."""
     check_type(mapping, (dict,), "mapping")
     mapping_idx = dict()  # to avoid overwriting the input dictionary
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_logs.py b/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_logs.py
index 9fd4e9f94..d443e1c9d 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_logs.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_logs.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pathlib import Path
-    from typing import Optional, Union
 
 
 def test_default_log_level(caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture):
@@ -68,7 +67,7 @@ def test_verbose(caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture):
 
     # function
     @verbose
-    def foo(verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None):
+    def foo(verbose: bool | str | int | None = None):
         """Foo function."""
         logger.debug("101")
 
@@ -94,12 +93,12 @@ def __init__(self):
             pass
 
         @verbose
-        def foo(self, verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None):
+        def foo(self, verbose: bool | str | int | None = None):
             logger.debug("101")
 
         @staticmethod
         @verbose
-        def foo2(verbose: Optional[Union[bool, str, int]] = None):
+        def foo2(verbose: bool | str | int | None = None):
             logger.debug("101")
 
     foo = Foo()
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_meas_info.py b/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_meas_info.py
index 24131d174..af12fb71c 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_meas_info.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_meas_info.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ def test_valid_info():
     # nested
     desc = dict(channels=list())
     desc["channels"].append(dict(channel=list()))
-    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units):
+    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units, strict=True):
         desc["channels"][0]["channel"].append(
             dict(label=[ch_name], unit=[ch_unit], type=[ch_type])
         )
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def test_valid_info():
     # non-nested
     desc = dict(channels=list())
     desc["channels"].append(dict(channel=list()))
-    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units):
+    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units, strict=True):
         desc["channels"][0]["channel"].append(
             dict(label=ch_name, unit=ch_unit, type=ch_type)
         )
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def test_valid_info():
     # nested
     desc = dict(channels=list())
     desc["channels"].append(dict(channel=list()))
-    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units):
+    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units, strict=True):
         desc["channels"][0]["channel"].append(
             dict(label=[ch_name], unit=[ch_unit], type=[ch_type])
         )
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def test_invalid_info():
 
     desc = dict(channels=list())
     desc["channels"].append(dict(channel=list()))
-    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units):
+    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units, strict=True):
         desc["channels"][0]["channel"].append(
             dict(label=[ch_name], unit=[ch_unit], type=[ch_type])
         )
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ def test_invalid_info():
     # nested
     desc = dict(channels=list())
     desc["channels"].append(dict(channel=list()))
-    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units):
+    for ch_name, ch_type, ch_unit in zip(ch_names, ch_types, ch_units, strict=True):
         desc["channels"][0]["channel"].append(
             dict(label=[ch_name], unit=[ch_unit], type=[ch_type])
         )
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def test_manufacturer():
     # nested
     desc = dict(channels=list(), manufacturer=list())
     desc["channels"].append(dict(channel=list()))
-    for ch_name, ch_type in zip(ch_names, ch_types):
+    for ch_name, ch_type in zip(ch_names, ch_types, strict=True):
         desc["channels"][0]["channel"].append(
             dict(label=[ch_name], unit=["uv"], type=[ch_type])
         )
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ def test_manufacturer():
     # not nested
     desc = dict(channels=list(), manufacturer="101")
     desc["channels"].append(dict(channel=list()))
-    for ch_name, ch_type in zip(ch_names, ch_types):
+    for ch_name, ch_type in zip(ch_names, ch_types, strict=True):
         desc["channels"][0]["channel"].append(
             dict(label=[ch_name], unit=["uv"], type=[ch_type])
         )
diff --git a/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_test.py b/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_test.py
index e3efcd0e3..7ba2d278c 100644
--- a/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_test.py
+++ b/mne_lsl/utils/tests/test_test.py
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ def test_compare_infos(raw):
     for param, value in zip(
         ("kind", "coil_type", "loc", "unit", "unit_mul", "ch_name", "coord_frame"),
         (202, 1, np.ones(12), 107, -6, "101", 0),
+        strict=True,
     ):
         info2 = info.copy()
         compare_infos(info, info2)
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 193fe45cd..0924fc37e 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ classifiers = [
   'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10',
   'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11',
   'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12',
-  'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9',
+  'Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13',
   'Topic :: Scientific/Engineering',
   'Topic :: Software Development',
 ]
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ maintainers = [
 ]
 name = 'mne_lsl'
 readme = 'README.md'
-requires-python = '>=3.9'
+requires-python = '>=3.10'
 version = '1.7.0.dev0'
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
@@ -152,7 +152,6 @@ select = ['A', 'B', 'D', 'E', 'F', 'G', 'I', 'LOG', 'NPY', 'PIE', 'PT', 'T20', '
   'D100',  # 'Missing docstring in public module'
   'D104',  # 'Missing docstring in public package'
   'D107',  # 'Missing docstring in __init__'
-  'UP007',  # 'Use `X | Y` for type annotations', requires python 3.10
 ]
 '*.pyi' = ['D', 'E501', 'F811']
 '*/stream_viewer/backends/*' = ['D401']
diff --git a/tools/stubgen.py b/tools/stubgen.py
index 22c619a53..408c4bdb3 100644
--- a/tools/stubgen.py
+++ b/tools/stubgen.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
     objects = [
         node
         for node in module_ast.body
-        if isinstance(node, (ast.ClassDef, ast.FunctionDef))
+        if isinstance(node, (ast.ClassDef | ast.FunctionDef))
     ]
     for node in objects:
         docstring = getattr(module, node.name).__doc__
diff --git a/tutorials/20_player_annotations.py b/tutorials/20_player_annotations.py
index b3373624f..20c6c3ef2 100644
--- a/tutorials/20_player_annotations.py
+++ b/tutorials/20_player_annotations.py
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@
         data_annotations, ts_annotations = stream_annotations.get_data(
             winsize=stream_annotations.n_new_samples
         )
-        for sample, time in zip(data_annotations.T, ts_annotations):
+        for sample, time in zip(data_annotations.T, ts_annotations, strict=True):
             k = np.where(sample != 0)[0][0]  # find the annotation
             ax.axvspan(
                 time,