After four long days on the CES show floor, we're reminded why this event remains the most important week in consumer tech. With thousands of companies packed into every corner of Las Vegas, it’s impossible to see everything – but we did our best. We spent the week digging through sprawling booths, back-room demos, private suites, and exciting events, sifting through countless products to find the ideas that actually matter for consumers.
Out of everything we saw, these are the 30 that stood out to earn a Techlicious Editor’s Choice Award for CES 2026. These products push boundaries, solve real-world problems, or simply deliver something smarter and better than what came before. They’re the innovations we believe consumers should be watching in the year ahead – and the ones we're genuinely excited about.
Our panel of experts in this year's selection included industry veterans Sean Captain, Adam Doud, Avi Greengart, Suzanne Kantra, Josh Kirschner, Andrea Smith, Sherri L. Smith, Jonathan Takiff, and Stewart Wolpin.
Aiper IrriSense 2 Smart Irrigation System
Smart irrigation systems have traditionally required trenching, wiring, and professional installation, which is why Aiper’s IrriSense 2 immediately grabbed our attention. It’s one of the first true no-install irrigation solutions, and the only system we’ve seen that lets homeowners dispense nutrients along with water through a single intelligent device. That alone makes it far more flexible than existing smart controllers. IrriSense 2 replaces an entire multi-component setup – the controller, sprinkler system, electric valve, and nutrient feeder – and manages up to ten independent watering zones based on plant type. For homeowners who want healthier lawns without the complexity, this is a genuinely new way to handle outdoor watering.
Aiper backs the convenience with meaningful engineering. Coverage can reach 445 m², simulating natural rainfall to reduce runoff and eliminate patchy watering, while the IrriSense 2 automatically adjusts schedules around rain, heat, wind, and real-time forecasts. The system can save up to 40% more water than a traditional setup and installs in under 15 minutes with no tools required. The companion app gives full control over scheduling, mapping, zone-level adjustments, and real-time tracking whether you’re home or traveling. With professional-grade pressure stability, weather-resistant construction, and the unique ability to handle both hydration and nutrients, IrriSense 2 offers an unusually complete irrigation ecosystem in a homeowner-friendly package.
Price & Availability: €499, available March 2026
(Anker) eufy Robot Vacuum Omni S2
Every year brings new robot vacuums with clever-sounding features, but most don’t make a meaningful difference in daily use. The Omni S2 is one of the rare exceptions. We were immediately drawn to the world’s first built-in air-freshening system in a flagship robot vacuum – a genuinely useful addition for homes with kids, pets, or high-traffic living spaces. Instead of adding yet another gimmick, eufy found a simple way to make the house smell cleaner during and after a vacuum cycle. Pair that with the powerful cleaning engine underneath, and the S2 earns its spot as one of the standout floor-care devices we saw at CES.
The Omni S2 backs up that aromatherapy feature with serious hardware. Its mopping system scrubs with 15N of downward pressure while generating electrolyzed water that kills 99.99% of germs, and the vacuum delivers an impressive 30,000 Pa of suction with dual zero-tangle brushes. AI identifies floor types, recognizes more than 200 obstacles, detects stain types, and automatically adjusts scrubbing force, water levels, and wheel height. The 12-in-1 docking handles auto-emptying, mop washing and drying, water refills, and detergent management, and also disperses the interchangeable fragrances. With strong specs, smart automation, and a delightfully practical aroma system, the Omni S2 stands out as one of the most complete whole-home cleaning systems available.
Price & Availability: $1,599, pre-order now on eufy.com
(Anker) soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro Open Ear Headphones
Open-ear headphones are great for staying aware of your surroundings, but they typically force you to give up sound quality. We selected the Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro because it removes that compromise entirely. The system lets you use open-ear listening for running and outdoor activities, then switch to traditional in-ear earbuds when you want fuller, more immersive audio. It’s a smart solution that saves people the hassle and cost of buying multiple headphones for different situations.
Anker’s hardware makes this dual-mode design work seamlessly. The open-ear configuration uses soft liquid silicone hooks and directional sound projection to keep your ears comfortable and unobstructed, while the detachable semi–in-ear components add passive isolation and Soundcore’s Adaptive ANC 3.0 – sampling the environment up to 380,000 times per second with up to 180 adjustments per minute. A six-microphone array improves call clarity, and the earbuds carry an IP55 rating, making them suitable for sweat and weather. With long battery life, a customizable fit, and a design that articulates up to 56 degrees for comfort, the AeroFit 2 Pro offers users the flexibility no other pair of headphones does.
Price & availability: $149.99, available on Soundcore.com
ANTHBOT N series Robotic Mower
Robotic mowers have come a long way, but most still leave homeowners with the same headache: scattered clumps of grass and a yard that looks unfinished. We selected the ANTHBOT N Series because it solves that core problem better than anything else we saw this year. Instead of focusing only on cutting height or navigation, it’s designed for people who want a clean, polished lawn without the usual post-mowing mess. The ability to collect clippings – and automatically empty the bag when it’s full – means the mower actually completes the job instead of creating more work.
The N Series supports both mulching and bagging through a modular cutting system, along with advanced navigation options such as 360° LiDAR or RTK combined with visual sensors, depending on the model. Homeowners can manage mowing schedules, cutting height, and collection routines from the app, but the real advantage is how much cleanup it eliminates. For anyone tired of clumps left behind by traditional robotic mowers, the N Series offers a much more complete approach to lawn care.
Price & availability: Price not set, expected March 2026
Aqara Smart Lock U400
Most smart locks promise convenience, but still make you rely on fingerprint pads, PIN codes or your phone – all of which are cumbersome when you’re juggling bags or arriving home at night. What we love about the Aqara U400 is how it removes all of that friction. Thanks to UWB spatial intelligence, the lock simply opens as you walk up to the door with your phone or watch, without tapping anything or pulling out a device. It’s a much smoother experience than Bluetooth-based proximity unlocking because UWB can tell exactly where you are and which direction you’re approaching from, eliminating the false triggers and security risks that plague many other smart locks. And with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to six months, the U400 is the kind of set-and-forget smart lock we’ve been waiting for.
The U400 also offers one of the most complete access suites on the market. In addition to UWB hands-free unlocking, you get Apple home key, NFC, fingerprints, passcodes, app control, voice assistant support and a traditional key for emergencies. Built on Matter-over-Thread, it works seamlessly with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant, avoiding the ecosystem lock-ins common in earlier generations of smart locks. Direction-aware unlocking ensures the door never opens unintentionally when you’re inside or just passing by, and enhanced anti-relay protections provide stronger security than Bluetooth-only models. With IP65 durability, auto-lock and a clean, modern design, the U400 blends real innovation with everyday practicality in a way few smart locks manage.
Price & Availability: $270, available now on Amazon
AWOL Vision Aetherion Max Ultra-Short-Throw Projector
Ultra-short-throw projectors have been improving steadily, but AWOL Vision’s new Aetherion Max is the first model we’ve seen that genuinely feels like it will reset expectations. Projector enthusiasts at CES were already buzzing, and it’s easy to see why: 3,300 ISO lumens is a major step up in real-world brightness for a UST system, and the 6,000:1 native contrast ratio promises deeper blacks than most triple-laser competitors can manage. Balancing brightness with black levels is notoriously difficult for USTs, yet the early demos showed a meaningful improvement on both fronts – enough that we expect the Aetherion to challenge for the top position in this category once it ships.
AWOL’s PixelLock technology, which precisely aligns every pixel across optical, mechanical, and digital layers, gives the Aetherion unusually clean, edge-to-edge clarity all the way up to 200 inches. The imaging engine pairs that with a zero-leakage optical path, a Diamond-Like Carbon–coated lens system, 99.99% rainbow-artifact suppression, and a full HDR suite that includes Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced, and Filmmaker Mode. Gamers also get 1ms-class input latency at 240Hz, VRR, ALLM, and the first implementation of Dolby Vision Gaming on a projector. With Wi-Fi 7, Gigabit Ethernet, an MT9655 processor, and Google TV 14, this is one of the most technically complete UST systems we’ve seen – and one poised to become the new benchmark for the category.
Price & availability: $4,499, expected March 2026
BLUETTI FridgePower Ultra-Slim Home Backup Battery
Backup systems that can keep a full-size refrigerator running are usually bulky, heavy, and designed to live permanently in a garage or utility room. BLUETTI’s new FridgePower caught our attention because it solves that problem in a completely different way: the entire unit is only 75 mm (2.95 inches) thick, making it far slimmer than any refrigerator-grade backup solution we’ve seen. That slim profile makes it practical to place directly on top of a fridge or even mount discreetly behind it, creating a dedicated power reserve that’s always ready for outages without taking over your living space. With 2,016 Wh of onboard capacity and a 10 ms UPS switchover, it keeps your fridge running immediately when the power drops – something that can prevent food waste and make long outages much less stressful.
The FridgePower isn’t just slim; it’s scalable and smart. Homeowners can expand the base system up to 8,064 Wh using additional battery modules, enough to run refrigeration plus key essentials for multiple days. The 1,800 W output supports full-size refrigerators, routers, and lighting, and the system integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Home Assistant for remote monitoring and automation. For people who want reliable backup without the installation requirements of a whole-home battery or the bulk of a traditional power station, FridgePower offers a uniquely space-efficient solution that’s finally easy to live with.
Price & availability: Price not set, expected Q1 2026
Cearvol Liberté Smart OTC Hearing Aids
OTC hearing aids have typically looked like medical devices first and consumer tech second, which is a big reason many people resist wearing them. We chose the Cearvol Liberté because it breaks that mold completely. Its open-ear, clip-on design makes it look and feel much more like a modern pair of open-ear earbuds than a traditional hearing aid, while still functioning as a full hearing-assistance solution. For people who need hearing help but don’t want the stigma or “plugged ear” sensation of in-ear or behind-the-ear devices, this form factor is a genuinely new option.
Liberté uses an open-ear cuff style that keeps the ear canal unobstructed, preserving natural environmental awareness, while its flexible frame is designed to stay secure whether you’re walking, commuting, or working out. Behind the design is a smart OTC hearing system with multi-mic AI processing for speech enhancement and noise reduction, packaged in a product that’s meant to be worn all day without drawing attention. It’s exactly the kind of crossover we’ve been waiting to see – a device that combines the look and comfort of next-generation open-ear earbuds with the clarity and intelligence of a medical-grade hearing assist.
Price & availability: $399, expected Q2 2026
Cearvol Wave Smart OTC Hearing Aids
We evaluate a lot of hearing-related technology, and usability remains one of the biggest obstacles for new hearing-aid users. The Cearvol Wave takes on a problem everyone recognizes – the complexity of traditional controls and app-based navigation – and rethinks it. The Wave has a touchscreen built directly into the charging case, making core adjustments far easier. Volume changes, mode switching, and basic tuning are all available without digging through menus or relying on tiny physical buttons.
Another thoughtful feature is the AUX-IN port built into the case. That means direct connectivity without having to set up a Bluetooth connection, or for non-Bluetooth sources, such as in-flight entertainment.
With its thoughtful design, all-day battery life, and earbud form factor, Wave offers a compelling option for users seeking a more seamless hearing solution.
Price & availability: $599, expected April 2026.
Dreame X60 Max Ultra Robotic Mopvac
Robot vacuums often struggle with two persistent challenges: identifying everyday obstacles and intelligently replanning their route when something gets in the way. The Dreame X60 Max Ultra impressed us at CES because it handled both remarkably well. In our demos, it consistently recognized clutter, rerouted itself smoothly, and continued cleaning without hesitation – a level of intelligence that most competing models still lack. Its 3.13-inch super-slim design also lets it fit under couches, media stands, and other low furniture where standard robot vacuums simply can’t fit.
Dreame’s specs reinforce what we saw on the floor. The X60 Max Ultra uses 3D depth sensing and an upgraded AI navigation system to detect obstacles precisely and dynamically adjust its path. It delivers powerful 35,000 Pa suction, a high-speed mopping system, and a base station that handles auto-emptying, 212°F hot-water mop washing, drying, and automatic refilling, dramatically reducing hands-on maintenance. The robot can also climb up to 3.47 inches, allowing it to cross raised areas that other models get stuck on. By combining superior obstacle avoidance, intelligent path planning, and a uniquely thin chassis, the X60 Max Ultra does a better job cleaning the places most vacuums miss.
Price & availability: $1,699, available now on Dreame.com
DREO TurboCool Misting Fan 765S
Misting fans have always been limited to outdoor spaces because they leave floors and furniture wet – something no one wants inside their home. The DREO TurboCool Misting Fan 765S is the first model designed specifically for indoor use, solving that problem with a micro-mist system that cools the air without leaving moisture behind. For households that want more effective cooling than a standard fan without relying on air conditioning, this is a genuinely new option.
The engineering behind the TurboCool 765S is what sets it apart. Its fine-mist mechanism pairs with humidity-management controls to maintain a comfortable indoor environment while delivering instant perceived cooling of up to 10°F. That’s a meaningful difference you can feel immediately, without the drawbacks that have made misting fans unusable indoors until now. Combined with strong airflow and a tower-fan form factor that fits easily into living areas, the TurboCool 765S expands where and how people can stay cool.
Price & availability: Price not set, expected April 2026
Gyges Labs Vocci AI Voice Note Ring
AI-powered voice recorders are becoming increasingly popular, but most are still standalone gadgets you have to remember to carry, charge, and pull out at the right moment. The Vocci takes a far more practical approach: it’s fundamentally a voice recorder, but engineered into the form factor of a smart ring. That distinction matters. Because it’s worn rather than carried, you can capture a thought, a meeting snippet, or an important moment instantly – without digging for a device or interrupting the flow of what you’re doing. Our team awarded the Vocci because this form factor makes voice capture radically more convenient than any separate recorder we’ve seen.
The hardware and feature set reflect that purpose-built design. The ring itself weighs just 3–5 grams yet can record up to eight hours of audio, with the charging case providing three full recharges. A double tap or quick press starts a recording immediately, and AI-driven cleanup, transcription, summarization, and multi-speaker separation make the resulting notes far easier to use. The system supports more than 112 languages, includes keyword and highlight extraction, and secures data using on-device encryption and U.S.-based cloud processing. By rethinking the recorder as a wearable that’s always on your hand, Vocci solves the biggest problem with voice capture: making sure the tool is there when you need it.
Price & availability: Price not set, expected April 2026
Hisense X-Zone Master Washer Dryer
Most washer–dryer combos are built around a one-size-fits-all drum, which is convenient until you need to wash something delicate, or gross, or both. The Hisense X-Zone Master stood out to us because it solves that long-standing limitation with a modular approach: a full-capacity washer–dryer paired with a smaller, independent secondary washer that can handle the kinds of loads you never want mixed together. Whether it’s pet beds, sweaty gym clothes, or delicate fabrics that deserve gentler treatment, the X-Zone Master gives you separation without needing a second appliance.
Hisense’s design goes beyond simple compartmentalization – the zones operate with their own wash modes, temperatures, and soil settings, letting households run multiple types of loads without waiting for the main drum to free up. The smaller capacity unit is ideal for quick cycles and sensitive items, while the large unit provides the full performance of a modern washer–dryer system. For busy families, pet owners, and anyone who constantly juggles conflicting laundry needs, this dual-zone setup makes everyday washing far more practical. It’s a thoughtful rethinking of how laundry machines should work.
Price & availability: Price not set, expected March 2026
HP HyperX Clutch Tachi Game Controller
Leverless arcade controllers have become the standard for serious fighting-game players, but few manage to balance pro-level precision with the usability and accessibility that newcomers need. Our team saw this controller up close at an HP event, and the players there were visibly excited about it &nash; the kind of reaction you usually only see when a product gets the fundamentals exactly right. Between its responsiveness, its compact layout, and the way it streamlines complex inputs, it delivers the feel competitive players want while still being approachable for someone picking up a leverless controller for the first time.
The hardware backs that up. The Clutch Tachi uses magnetic TMR switches with short travel, fast actuation, and a consistent linear feel across its 24 mm buttons – the kind of input precision that helps players execute reliably and improve over time. Comfort features like the angled wrist rest, adjustable legs, and a slip-resistant base make it easy to use on a desk or lap, while HyperX’s customization software lets players fine-tune actuation points, rapid-trigger behavior, and multiple profiles. Add Xbox licensing and tournament-friendly features like a lock switch, and you get a controller built for everyone from pros to motivated beginners.
Price & availability: $199, expected Spring 2026
INIU Pocket Rocket P50 Power Bank
We couldn’t help but smile when we first saw the INIU Rocket P50. It’s an adorable little power bank, but don’t let the cute exterior fool you – this thing is a serious fast-charging workhorse. INIU managed to squeeze a full 10,000mAh battery and true 45W output into a body that’s 45% smaller than typical chargers. That combination gives it enough muscle to fast-charge a phone, tablet, and even a handheld console, all while being small enough to toss into the tiniest bag or jacket pocket.
The P50’s detachable USB-C lanyard cable makes it even more practical on the go, and the three output ports let you top up multiple devices at once without juggling adapters. It supports PD, QC, and Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0, so compatibility isn’t something users have to think about. What ultimately won us over is how INIU blends engineering intelligence with personality – a power bank that’s compact, fast, cute, and genuinely useful is a rare combination, and the P50 pulls it off beautifully.
Price & Availability: $27, available now on Amazon
Lenovo Yoga AIO i Aura Edition All-in-One PC
All-in-one desktops rarely push the boundaries of what a PC can be, but Lenovo’s Yoga AIO i Aura Edition is one of the few that genuinely feels new. Our team selected it because the Aura lighting system isn’t just decorative – it becomes part of the experience. The ambient lighting reacts to activity on the screen and can support everyday use cases like notifications and visible system cues, turning the AIO into a more expressive, more informative workspace. It’s a thoughtful design choice that makes the desktop feel more modern and more personal without adding complexity.
The hardware makes just as strong an impression. The 32-inch 4K OLED display delivers rich color and deep contrast, and its 165 Hz refresh rate is far beyond what most AIOs offer – a real benefit for creators, motion designers, and anyone who appreciates smooth visuals. Inside, the Yoga AIO i Aura Edition includes up to an Intel Core Ultra X7 Series processor, giving it enough performance headroom for demanding creative applications and AI-enhanced workflows. The floating-screen design keeps the footprint elegant, and the feature set positions it as a capable, visually striking system for both productivity and entertainment. Combined with the integrated lighting effects, it’s one of the few all-in-ones that meaningfully elevates the category.
Price & availability: Starts at $2,399.99, expected Q2 2026
Read more: Lenovo's All-in-One PC Brings an Immersive Experience to the Desktop
LG OLED 4K 83-inch G6 TV
LG’s G-series is always positioned as its flagship line for wall-mounted setups, and the 83-inch G6 continues that legacy by delivering one of the most refined large-screen OLED TVs available. This year’s improvements are ones you can easily see. LG claims a 20% increase in brightness, better HDR, and an improved anti-reflective coating – we believe it.
LG has also refined the design around real-world use. The G6 includes a flat, flush-mount wall kit in the box, making it easier for buyers to get the cinematic look the G-series is known for without needing aftermarket hardware. The upgraded Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor enhances motion handling, tone mapping, and upscaling, giving the panel the intelligence needed to match its hardware improvements. Combined with the clean, gallery-style profile, the G6 delivers top-tier picture performance with the ease of installation that makes it best in class.
Price & availability: Price note set, expected April 2026
LiberNovo Omni Ergonomic Chair
Ergonomic chairs rarely make dramatic leaps forward, but LiberNovo’s Omni feels genuinely different. It uses a bionic spine-mimicking support system to continuously adjust to the user rather than forcing the user to adjust to it. Instead of relying on fixed lumbar pads or manual levers, the Omni’s motor-assisted mechanism and backrest move with your posture in real time, with 16 joints and eight adaptive panels working together to maintain proper alignment. When we sat in it at CES, we were struck by how natural the support felt whether sitting upright or fully reclined, and how the chair subtly stretched our spines as we shifted – something we’ve never experienced from a traditional task chair.
What makes the Omni even more compelling is how the posture system extends beyond the backrest. The calf-support footrest actively participates in alignment, creating a near zero-gravity feel that reduces lower-back compression and leg fatigue. The new Cooling Cushion, made from high-thermal-conductive materials, keeps the seat several degrees cooler without fans or gels – an underrated benefit for long workdays, gaming sessions, or warm rooms. With multiple recline modes tuned for focus, extended work, relaxation, and decompression, plus upgraded premium materials and a new Moss Green finish, the Omni stands out as one of the most effective ergonomic innovations we saw at CES.
Price & Availability: starting at $929, available now on Amazon
Lockin V7 Max with AuraCharge Wireless Charging Technology
Smart locks have gotten smarter over the years, but battery anxiety has never gone away – until now. With the Lockin V7 Max, you simply never need to recharge it. Using a truly new approach to power, the lock’s AuraCharge optical charging system keeps the battery topped off wirelessly within a four-meter range, using safe IR light instead of sunlight or manual charging. It’s something we’ve never seen in a smart lock, and it solves the biggest long-term frustration homeowners have with connected deadbolts. And even if the charger gets blocked, the V7 Max can still run for up to a week on its internal battery.
Lockin pairs that breakthrough power system with a full suite of high-end security and smart-home features. The V7 Max uses triple biometric authentication – finger vein, palm vein and 3D facial recognition – for fast, highly accurate unlocking, along with dual wide-angle cameras for full video doorbell functionality. LockinAI adds scenario-based automation for detecting deliveries, preventing theft, and managing visitors, while Matter support ensures it works seamlessly with the major smart-home ecosystems. The ultra-thin 15 mm front panel gives the lock a clean, modern look that fits most doors. Taken together, the V7 Max doesn’t just improve the smart-lock experience – it meaningfully modernizes it from the power source up.
Price & Availability: Price not set, expected in early 2026.
MOVA Smart-Touch Cordless Portable Flip Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are typically overbuilt for the kinds of quick, everyday cleaning jobs most people actually need. MOVA’s Smart-Touch Cordless Portable Flip Pressure Washer stood out to us because it makes water-based cleaning far more approachable. The foldable flip design, touch-sensitive controls, and compact cordless body remove the intimidation factor that comes with full-size pressure washers. It’s a simple idea executed thoughtfully, making a common tool easier to use, easier to store, and far more convenient for spontaneous cleaning jobs.
The specs make the case even stronger. Weighing just 1.76 pounds, the Flip Pressure Washer is light enough for anyone to handle comfortably and powerful enough for real cleaning, delivering up to 174 PSI and 0.66 gallons per minute of water flow. It supports multiple pressure modes, and because it can draw water from portable containers or even standard beverage bottles, you don’t need a hose connection to use it. That combination of portability, controlled output, and flexible water sourcing opens up cleaning tasks that traditional pressure washers are either too cumbersome or too wet for – from outdoor gear to car touch-ups to small patio jobs. By rethinking the form factor and the user experience, MOVA has made pressure-washing accessible instead of overwhelming.
Price & availability: Price not set, available Q1 2026
Ottocast Cabin Care Wireless Rear-Seat Camera for CarPlay
What makes the Ottocast CabinCare adapter stand out is how incredibly simple it is. You plug a USB-A dongle into your car’s existing CarPlay port, and suddenly your built-in screen can show a live video feed from the back seat. Competing solutions don’t work with factory-installed systems, so this is the first plug-and-play option that gives parents an easy way to check on kids without adding a secondary display or rewiring the car. We also appreciate the playful design – the optional owl cover makes the camera friendlier and less clinical, which is a thoughtful touch for families.
Beyond the simplicity, CabinCare solves multiple problems at once. You get wireless CarPlay with responsive steering wheel controls and voice commands, plus a 150° adjustable camera that supports picture-in-picture, split-screen, or full-screen modes so you’re never taking your eyes off the road to check the back seat. The camera includes night vision, two mounting methods, and low-latency streaming with no recording or cloud uploads, which keeps everything private. For anyone with babies, toddlers, kids, pets, or valuables in the rear seat, CabinCare delivers a clever, practical upgrade for everyday driving in a single compact accessory.
Price & Availability: $139, available now on Ottocast and Amazon
Reolink OMVI X16 PoE Outdoor Security Camera
Triple-lens cameras are an emerging category, and the OMVI X16 PoE is the most advanced execution we’ve seen. It combines a full 180-degree panoramic dual-lens system with a 16× pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) lens, letting users see the entire scene and zoom in on meaningful detail at the same time without needing multiple cameras. What really sets it apart is how intelligently the system ties these lenses together. When the panoramic view detects a person, vehicle, or animal, the PTZ lens automatically locks on, tracks the subject, and maintains optimal framing far beyond the panorama camera’s field of view. Features like Pinpoint with One Tap and Auto Patrol make the camera feel proactive rather than passive, giving users immediate access to detail shots and customizable visual sweeps with almost no effort.
Reolink’s latest on-device AI takes the system even further. The OMVI can identify people, vehicles, animals, and packages in real time, send filtered alerts that avoid false alarms, and even perform AI-powered natural-language video search (“white car,” “golden retriever,” “man in blue shirt”) without relying on the cloud. A triple-motor architecture provides fluid 360° pan and 140° tilt for wide-area coverage, while built-in spotlights, long-range IR night vision, two-way audio, and an IP66 metal housing support round-the-clock use in demanding environments. It’s a rare combination of broad visibility, long-range detail, and genuinely smart automation.
Price & availability: Price not set, available Summer 2026
Rokid Ai Glasses Style
Rokid Ai Glasses Style immediately stood out because it offers a broader, more capable feature set than its biggest competitor – and at a significantly lower price. We tried them on at CES and the 38.5-gram frame was genuinely light and comfortable, solving one of the biggest issues with all-day wearable AI devices. The open AI ecosystem is another major advantage: instead of locking users into a single model, Style supports ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Qwen, along with real-time translation in 89+ languages, voice interaction in 12 languages, and multimodal controls including head gestures. For many people, this will be the first pair of AI glasses that feels like a practical everyday tool instead of a tech demo.
Rokid also designed Style as creator-friendly eyewear, not just an AI assistant. A 12MP Sony sensor, 4K capture, and three native shooting ratios (3:4, 4:3, 9:16) make it ideal for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube without the need for cropping or editing. Continuous 10-minute video recording surpasses what most competitors allow, and the dual-chip architecture enables up to 12 hours of typical daily use with open-ear audio that keeps you aware of your surroundings. With interchangeable lenses, broad prescription support, all-day comfort, and a starting price of $299, Rokid Ai Glasses Style delivers more value, flexibility, and wearable practicality than any AI glasses we saw at CES.
Price & availability: $299, available for pre-order on January 19, 2026 on Rokid.com
Samsung Freestyle+ Portable Projector
We’ve always appreciated the Freestyle line for its portability and ease of use, but the Freestyle+ finally fixes the one thing portable projectors have always struggled with: imperfect surfaces. The new AI OptiScreen system does more than basic keystone correction – it actively analyzes walls, corners, curtains, textures, and patterns, then reshapes the image in real time so the picture stays correctly proportioned and natural. In our CES demos, it handled situations that would normally break a portable projector, including angled corners and uneven fabrics, and did so nearly instantly. The boost to 430 ISO lumens also makes everyday viewing noticeably brighter than the previous generation.
Samsung backs these improvements with a smarter overall design. 3D Auto Keystone, Real-time Focus, Wall Calibration, and Screen Fit all work together to eliminate manual adjustment, while the compact 180-degree rotating chassis makes it easy to project onto walls, ceilings, or floors without extra mounts. Built-in Samsung TV Plus, major streaming apps, Samsung Gaming Hub, and a 360-degree speaker make it an all-in-one entertainment device you can move from room to room. Support for Q-Symphony lets it integrate with Samsung soundbars for a fuller soundstage. With meaningful brightness improvements and the most impressive surface-correction tech we’ve seen in a portable projector, the Freestyle+ feels like a major leap forward for the category.
Price & availability: Price not set, expected first half of 2026
Read more: This AI-Powered Portable Projector Casts a Sharp Image on Any Surface
Shokz OpenFit Pro Open Ear ANC Headphones
Open-ear earbuds usually come with two big compromises: weak noise control and “good enough” sound. OpenFit Pro is the first pair we’ve worn where open-ear noise reduction actually feels effective. Walking around the deafening CES show floor, they did a surprisingly good job of cutting down background noise while still letting us stay aware of what was going on around us. And because they rest outside the ear with flexible titanium-reinforced hooks, they stayed comfortable for hours without the pressure and heat that comes with traditional in-ear buds.
Under the hood, Shokz leans on a stack of new tech to make that work. The new Open-Ear Noise Reduction system uses two feedforward microphones and an Ear Adaptive Algorithm to soften unwanted background noise in places like gyms, cafés, and offices, with adjustable levels in the Shokz app. You also get support for Dolby Atmos, up to 12 hours of listening on a charge and up to 50 hours with the case, Bluetooth 6.1, wireless charging, smart wear detection, multi-device connectivity, and Find My Earbuds. It all adds up to an open-ear design that finally delivers on comfort, awareness, and noise control at the same time.
Price & availability: $249, available for pre-order on Shokz.com
SOUNDPEATS Clip1 Open Ear Headphones
The Clip1 stands out in the fast-growing open-ear category by solving one of its biggest annoyances: figuring out which earbud goes on which side. Its AutoSense system automatically detects the ear you clip it onto and instantly assigns the correct left/right channels – a small detail that makes everyday use feel noticeably smoother. At $69.99, it’s also one of the most affordable open-ear designs we’ve seen that genuinely delivers all-day comfort thanks to the featherlight 5g build, flexible 0.6mm N-Flex Arch, and pressure-free clip architecture that avoids the fatigue of traditional in-ear designs. We were impressed by how secure and comfortable they felt while still keeping your ears fully open to the environment.
SOUNDPEATS backs that comfort with real audio tech rather than open-ear compromises. The Clip1 uses 12mm dual-magnetic drivers, LDAC for Hi-Res wireless playback, and Dolby Audio for improved spatial depth. Three independent touch zones make controls far more reliable than typical open-ear buds, while wind-noise suppression, AI call noise reduction, dual-device pairing, wear detection, and an IPX5 rating round out a surprisingly full feature set. With 8 hours of listening per charge and 40 hours total, it’s an impressive package.
Price & availability: $69, available now on Amazon
SunLED SunBooster Near-Infrared "Daylight" Emitter
Most lighting products designed to boost mood or energy rely on bright visible light – which inevitably changes the lighting in your space, making them impractical at a desk or in shared environments. What makes SunBooster different is that it uses a specific near-infrared wavelength that’s invisible to the human eye, so it provides the same type of wellness benefits associated with sunlight exposure without altering how your room looks. That’s a genuinely useful innovation for people who spend long hours indoors and want the benefits of sunlight without sitting under a clinical-looking lamp. We like that SunBooster simply clips to a monitor or laptop and works passively in the background, making it effortless to incorporate into your daily routine.
Under the hood, SunBooster delivers a precisely targeted dose of 850 nm NIR light over a two to four-hour window using three narrow-beam LEDs, and the technology is backed by peer-reviewed clinical validation. The device auto-activates via onboard sensors, tracks NIR exposure over time, and runs off a standard USB-C port, making it easy to use with any screen. Because it doesn’t require users to change their habits, SunBooster fits seamlessly into work, study and gaming setups.
Price & Availability: €199, shipping now in Benelux, expanding to Nordics, Germany, and the UK in Q1 2026 , and the U.S. and Canada in Q2 2026
TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED TV
Color has long been the dividing line between premium LCDs and even higher-end RGB mini-LED sets, but TCL’s new X11L closes that gap in a way that genuinely changes expectations. By pairing its new “Super” Quantum Dots (SQD) with an upgraded color filter, the X11L achieves 100% of the BT.2020 color space using traditional Mini LED hardware rather than the far more expensive Micro RGB backlighting. That means the X11L produces deeply saturated, highly accurate color without the artifacts or blooming that often come with competing technologies – a meaningful upgrade that directly improves the viewing experience across movies, sports, and games.
TCL backs that color performance with equally aggressive hardware. The X11L reaches up to 10,000 peak nits, uses up to 20,000 discrete dimming zones, and features the new CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel with wide viewing angles, anti-reflection coating, and a zero-border design. The new TSR AI Processor improves clarity, motion, contrast, and upscaling, while built-in Audio by Bang & Olufsen and support for an expandable wireless audio system elevate sound to match the picture. With Google TV powered by Gemini, four HDMI 2.1 ports, 144Hz gaming, and a razor-thin 0.8-inch chassis that hangs flat like framed art, the X11L sets a new bar for premium televisions – delivering flagship-grade color without the flagship-grade price spike of RGB mini-LED sets.
Pricing & availability: starting at $7,999.99 for the 85-inch model, available for preorder now on TCL.com
Read more: TCL Pushes Mini LED TVs Further While Others Chase Costly Micro RGB
TDM Neo Convertible Headphones/Speaker
We’re always drawn to products that solve multiple use cases without forcing compromises, and TDM’s Neo hybrid headphone-speaker nails that idea. On the show floor, these felt like well-built, comfortable on-ear headphones – soft memory-foam cushions, a stable headband, and a clean, detailed sound signature. Then, with a quick twist, they transformed into a compact, standalone Bluetooth speaker, redirecting audio through dedicated outward-facing drivers. It’s a clever, delightfully simple execution that lets you switch from private listening to shared playback without carrying a second device. And unlike gimmicky “swivel earcups,” Neo uses separate speaker drivers and custom acoustic architecture, so the audio quality in both modes feels intentional rather than improvised.
Behind that twist mechanism is real engineering. Neo uses four 40 mm drivers, Dynamic Bass EQ, and a high-efficiency Class-D amp capable of up to 98 dB output in speaker mode – impressive for something this size. Bluetooth 6 with Auracast support ensures strong wireless performance, and the battery specs are standout: more than 200 hours in headphone mode and around 10 hours in speaker mode. Fast USB-C charging delivers eight hours of playtime from a five-minute top-up, making the headphones easy to grab on the way out the door. With customizable twist controls and a travel-friendly design, Neo is a smart and genuinely fun piece of hybrid audio gear that fits the way people actually listen today.
Price & Availability: $249, preorders begin January 2026
Read more: These New Headphones Twist Into a Portable Speaker
Vantrue Pilot 2 Dashcamera
Dash cams have improved steadily over the years, but Vantrue’s Pilot 2 takes a much bigger leap by adding something genuinely new: an integrated thermal camera that gives drivers another view of the road when they need it most. We like this approach because thermal imaging solves a real problem optical sensors can’t – spotting pedestrians, wildlife, vehicles, or obstacles in places where headlights and night vision typically fall short. For anyone driving through rural areas, unlit roads, or bad weather, this full-spectrum visibility feels like a meaningful safety upgrade rather than a spec-sheet novelty. Combined with a 2K optical sensor and Sony STARVIS 2 sensors on every lens, the Pilot 2 is built for situations where low-light performance actually matters.
Vantrue supports the thermal system with a full professional-grade ecosystem, including four synchronized camera channels (front optical, front thermal, interior, and rear), a large 6.25-inch touchscreen with CarPlay and Android Auto, and features designed for high-demand, long-distance driving–HUD-style displays, fatigue reminders, WiFi 6 transfers, and support for up to 1TB of storage. It’s one of the few dash cams we’ve seen that blends advanced imaging with modern smart-cockpit integration, making older vehicles feel much more capable.
Pricing & availability: Price not set, expected March 2026
[Image credit: Techlicious, MOVA, Shokz]
From Michael Antonoff on January 10, 2026 :: 4:20 pm
Suzanne,
You look very comfortable in that ergonomic chair. It might be because it was the only time you were able to sit down in 4 or 5 days!
Reply