All the brand new tech that caught our eye in Las Vegas

This 12 months, over 4,000 exhibitors descended on Las Vegas, Nevada to showcase their wares at CES, and the Engadget crew was out in full force. The week began with press conferences from the largest firms on the present, which had been usually a flurry of AI buzzwords, imprecise guarantees and little or no in the best way of onerous information.

Multiple firm even determined to forgo saying issues throughout their conferences to make approach for extra AI chatter, solely to publish press releases later quietly admitting that, sure, truly, they did make some shopper know-how. It is applicable, I assume, that as we’re starting to really feel the knock-on value results of the AI business’s insatiable urge for food for compute sources — larger utility payments and system costs — firms would slightly use their flashy conferences to strengthen AI’s supposedly must-have attributes slightly than truly inform the general public about their new merchandise.

We’re in no way AI luddites at Engadget, nevertheless it’s honest to say that our crew is extra excited by tangible merchandise that enrich our lives than iterative enhancements to giant language fashions. So, away from the entire bombast of NVIDIA’s marathon keynote and Lenovo’s someway concurrently gaudy and uninteresting Sphere present, it has been a pleasure to guage the gang of weird new gadgets, home equipment, toys and robots vying for our consideration.

Over the course of a number of days of exhaustive dialogue and impassioned pitching, our CES crew has whittled down the tons of of merchandise we noticed to select our favorites. Beginning with an preliminary shortlist of round 50 candidates throughout a various vary of product classes, we finally landed on 15 winners and our singular greatest in present.

For those who’ve been with us all week, keep tuned for lots extra to return — regardless of publishing virtually 200 articles from the present already, there’s nonetheless loads now we have to inform you about. For now, although, listed here are our winners, every launched by the editor most acquainted with it. — Aaron Souppouris, Editor-in-chief

Finest robotic: Switchbot Onero H1

We noticed loads of robots displaying off intriguing and helpful capabilities at CES 2026. Whereas loads of robots impressed us, there have been fewer firms prepared to commit to really making them out there. However Switchbot’s Onero H1, which we watched pick up clothes and cargo a washer, is a helper robotic the corporate intends to promote this 12 months.

The demo we noticed was restricted, however Switchbot claims it will possibly assist with an array of family chores (even when it would do them extra slowly than a human). It is also form of cute. The corporate hasn’t stated how a lot Onero will value, although it guarantees the droid will probably be lower than $10,000. A five-figure price ticket continues to be out of attain for many, nevertheless it not less than offers us hope we’ll see it someplace outdoors of the CES showfloor. — Karissa Bell, Senior reporter

Finest accessibility tech: WheelMove

WheelMove presents a easy improve for guide wheelchairs that would make it a lot simpler for the rider to navigate tough surfaces like grass and uneven filth paths. The add-on is affixed to the entrance bars of the wheelchair and may raise the small caster wheels off the bottom, along with offering energy help with 5 pace choices. It is moveable, has a good vary of about 15 miles — with the choice to swap out its battery on the go — and will give wheelchair customers higher entry to areas that may in any other case be troublesome to maneuver about in. It will probably additionally hold the wheelchair from rushing up when an individual is touring on a downward slope.

This feels very very similar to a product that can truly see the sunshine of day, and could possibly be genuinely useful. It builds upon an present class of wheelchair equipment to handle an actual challenge in a approach that does not overcomplicate issues, and would work with the wheelchairs individuals already use. — Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend editor

Finest TV: LG Wallpaper TV (OLED Evo W6)

I’ve seen loads of TVs at CES this 12 months, however few stopped me in my tracks like LG’s OLED Evo W6. It’s the resurrection of the corporate’s “Wallpaper TV,” however this time it’s even thinner (in regards to the depth of a pencil), and it’s now not tied to a soundbar. It additionally makes use of LG’s wi-fi management field to cut back cabling — the one wire it is advisable to cover is the one for energy.

And better of all, the OLED Evo W6 options LG’s newest OLED know-how, which guarantees to be about 20 p.c brighter than earlier generations. Video demos appeared completely beautiful, with the entire great distinction and black ranges we’ve come to like from OLED. However it’s additionally a murals when it’s turned off, one which virtually disappears when seen from an angle. — Devindra Hardawar, Senior reporter

Finest AI {hardware}: Refined Voicebuds

Subtle’s Voicebuds are earbuds with a twist: They characteristic an AI mannequin that’s educated to transcribe your voice precisely in very noisy environments, or when it is beneath a whisper in quiet areas. We’ve seen this stuff in motion on the bustling CES present flooring, the place they managed to transcribe a number of sentences amid the chaos. The one downsides is that the Voicebuds require web entry to make use of the very best transcription fashions, and it is advisable to subscribe to the Refined app to make use of it. With out the app, it depends on a smaller native mannequin for transcription.

Whereas we nonetheless must put the Voicebuds by their paces, they’re intriguing as a result of we haven’t seen many genuinely helpful AI {hardware} merchandise. Plus, it’s been some time since we’ve seen a tiny startup ship {hardware} attempting to tackle the likes of Apple. — Devindra Hardawar, Senior reporter

Finest sensible residence: IKEA Matter-compatible sensible residence

One of the best sensible residence units I noticed at CES had nothing to do with AI or robots. It appears each different firm, from Bosch to LG to Samsung, had one or each of the buzzy applied sciences baked into their new sensible residence choices. However IKEA got here to its first CES with a easy lineup of fundamental, Matter-enabled sensible plugs, sensors, lamps and remotes at screamingly good costs. Perform paired with accessible pricing is type of what IKEA is understood for, so the lineup didn’t precisely shock me as a lot as make me respect that somebody is lastly simplifying and democratizing sensible residence stuff.

There are 21 Matter-compatible units in all. They embody a $6 sensible bulb, an $8 sensible plug, a $6 sensible distant and a slew of residence sensors. A barely pricier ($15) globe bulb appears to be like very pretty. Lastly, there’s a wise bulb you’d truly need to take a look at — one which doesn’t value $50. One other standout is the BILREA distant management. Not solely is it an intuitive controller for IKEA’s sensible units and new sensible lamps, it additionally has a magnetic mount so that you don’t lose the factor. Matter units require a hub to perform. Right here, you’ll be able to both go for IKEA’s personal DIRIGERA or use a Matter hub you already personal. The brand new lineup ought to land at IKEA’s web site and shops someday in January. — Amy Skorheim, Senior reporter

Finest residence theater: Samsung HW-QS90H

Many firms declare their soundbars have sufficient bass that you simply don’t want a separate subwoofer. These guarantees not often pan out, even when the corporate devises new technology to unravel the issue. With the HW-QS90H, Samsung is pledging to do the identical with its Quad Bass woofer system. These woofers transfer in two instructions, producing much more low-end tone than most soundbars are able to on their very own. What’s extra, Samsung included its Convertible Match Design tech that debuted final 12 months, so you’ll be able to lay this speaker flat or mount it on a wall and the built-in sensors will routinely modify the driving force output accordingly. So, in the event you’ve longed for deep bass on a soundbar with out a big or ugly sub within the nook, chances are you’ll lastly get your want later this 12 months. — Billy Steele, Deputy editor

Finest audio: Shokz OpenFit Professional

On the subject of open match earbuds, firms that declare to supply lively noise cancellation (ANC) often don’t ship; It’s troublesome to successfully block exterior sound when your ears aren’t utterly sealed off. Shokz is among the few that has cracked the code with its OpenFit Pro. The over-the-ear hook design permits the earbuds to sit down outdoors of your ear for a transparent line to your environment. Once you want a bit extra quiet, the corporate’s noise discount tech does effectively to silence average sounds in a restaurant, workplace and extra. It’s critically spectacular how a lot noise discount you’ll get right here, and the truth that nothing is caught in your ear canals makes them very snug to put on. Plus, Shokz improved total sound high quality with new drivers, and tacked on Dolby Atmos for good measure. — Billy Steele, Deputy editor

Finest out of doors tech: Tone Open air T1

Out of doors instrument firms have more and more proven up at CES, particularly those that provide a spread of battery-powered gear. Tone Open air isn’t your ordinary energy instrument outfit although; it’s a spin-off of the aerospace engineering firm Whisper Aero. Via its growth of quieter electrical airplane engines, Whisper Aero realized its know-how had different makes use of. Enter the T1 leaf blower.

The T1 is considerably quieter than most handheld fuel fashions, clocking in at simply 52 decibels of peak noise on common. It’s additionally extra highly effective than most of them with 880 CFM of airflow quantity. The T1 can run longer too, and an upcoming backpack will prolong run time for a number of hours. However a very powerful development right here is just not annoying your neighbors — or your self — when it’s time to do some yard work. — Billy Steele, Deputy editor

Finest toy: Lego Sensible Play

Lego is continually evolving, however not often does it make as huge a transfer because it did with Smart Play. The system is designed to take customary Lego units and make them extra interactive because of a tech-packed Sensible Brick. These bricks have a tiny chip the scale of a Lego stud that permits issues like movement, coloration and proximity sensing. Additionally they have a tiny speaker that additional helps carry Lego builds to life.

The Sensible Brick is generally a clean slate, however pairing it with Lego’s Sensible Tags and Sensible Minifigures is what permits these new play eventualities. Unsurprisingly, Lego launched the Sensible Play system alongside Star Wars units that make these new immersive parts extra apparent. An X-Wing piloted by Luke Skywalker can get right into a dogfight with Darth Vader’s TIE fighter, and you may hear the engines roar to life, the characters exclaim as they arrive beneath hearth and the spaceship explodes if it will get hit too many occasions. And Sensible Play requires no setup, that means that the know-how packed into the Sensible Brick fades away and lets children (and children at coronary heart) get all the way down to the enterprise of enjoying. You need not know the way it works — it simply does. — Nathan Ingraham, Deputy editor

Finest PC or laptop computer: Dell XPS 14 + 16

In a approach, this award is for Dell’s newest flagship laptops but additionally the corporate itself. Final 12 months, Dell confirmed up with a new naming scheme for all of its hardware that included changing the enduring XPS line with the phrase “Premium.” And despite our objections, the corporate adopted by with the rebrand. However now at CES 2026, not solely has Dell admitted its mistake, it’s righting wrongs with two new members of the XPS family which might be precisely what we wished all alongside.

On the XPS 14 and XPS 16, we’re getting model new chassis that includes the newest chips from Intel, beautiful tandem OLED shows and precision engineering that embodies every little thing we beloved about XPS laptops from earlier years. Dell additionally streamlined its designs with the bigger XPS 16 dropping a complete pound in comparison with the earlier technology. The corporate even addressed quite a few our earlier critiques by switching from capacitive contact controls again to a basic row of perform keys and reverting to segmented touchpads as a substitute of seamless glass ones that made it onerous to maintain observe of your cursor.

However maybe the very best half is that Dell isn’t stopping right here, as a result of the corporate additionally teased a brand new model of its legendary XPS 13 slated for later this 12 months, the thinnest and lightest member of the household but. There are additionally placeholders for 2 extra XPS fashions slated to reach within the not too distant future. — Sam Rutherford, Senior reporter

Finest well being tech: Eyebot imaginative and prescient take a look at sales space

Wouldn’t it’s good if getting an up to date eyeglasses prescription wasn’t as prolonged a course of as it’s proper now? Eyebot’s new kiosk is designed to automate the method of visiting a physician’s workplace to a few minutes rocking as much as a machine. It makes use of a mix of analog and digital wizardry to determine what it is advisable to see correctly very quickly in any respect. Even higher is that the prescriptions need to be signed off by a licensed eye physician, so you’ll be able to nonetheless depend on a level {of professional} rigor. We like Eyebot as a result of it proved itself in our checks: its temporary examination matched my professionally accomplished prescription from final 12 months. However its capability to make efficient eye care accessible and reasonably priced in a approach that it isn’t at current is much more compelling than the tech itself. — Daniel Cooper, Senior reporter

Finest gaming tech: ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo is huge, bizarre and doubtlessly awkward to arrange. However actually, what sort of gamer doesn’t need extra screens? Even in the event you can’t use its second show in the midst of a firefight, extra actual property means further room for Discord, construct guides or the rest you may want. Moreover, ASUS included not one however two good OLED panels with as much as 1,100 nits of brightness and coloration accuracy so good you received’t have an issue enhancing photographs or movies. You additionally get a ton of ports, and with help for as much as an NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU, the ROG Zephyrus Duo has greater than sufficient efficiency to deal with something you’ll be able to throw at it. — Sam Rutherford, Senior reporter

Finest cellular tech: Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

Samsung might need introduced the newest iteration of its foldable smartphones in Korea, however CES was the primary likelihood for many people to see the Galaxy Z TriFold in particular person. It’s a 10-inch Android pill hidden inside a 6.5-inch smartphone type issue.

The leap from the almost-square display ratio of Samsung’s previous foldables to roughly 4:3 is a significant enchancment. This can be a system that I may fortunately watch complete motion pictures on. There’s extra horizontal house to learn, extra room to kind and extra shiny, vivid AMOLED every little thing. Unfurling the perimeters is extremely satisfying and, maybe as a result of it’s thicker, it has a reassuring heft, too. The remainder of the spec sheet displays one other trendy Galaxy cellphone with a 200-megapixel essential digital camera and the largest battery but in a Samsung foldable.

It’ll doubtless be costly although. Samsung hasn’t confirmed pricing within the US, however based mostly on its launch value in Korea, it could possibly be round $2,500. — Mat Smith, UK bureau chief

Most promising idea: Lenovo Legion Professional Rollable

Idea units are onerous to guage as a result of even those with a ton of potential could be too troublesome to make or too area of interest to carry to market. However with the Legion Pro Rollable concept, Lenovo created one thing with a easy but highly effective premise: A gaming laptop computer with a display that will get wider on the contact of a button.

To make the Legion Professional Rollable, Lenovo took a daily Legion Professional 7i after which swapped its customary 16-inch show for a versatile one that may increase all the best way as much as 23.8 inches — with a bonus cease in between. This implies you’ve got the choice to select from 16:10, 21:9 and even 24:9 relying on the state of affairs, which looks like an unimaginable option to improve racing video games, flight sims and the rest that may make the most of further huge facet ratios. Granted, when its display is absolutely deployed, it does look a bit ungainly. However of all of the ideas we noticed this 12 months at CES, the Legion Professional Rollable is the one we hope survives to grow to be a correct retail product sometime. — Sam Rutherford, Senior reporter

Finest rising know-how: IXI autofocus lenses

IXI’s autofocusing glasses had been a late addition to our discussions, however we had been impressed by what could possibly be a big development in spectacle know-how — one thing that’s been largely static because the Nineteen Fifties. IXI’s glasses characteristic a sublime, distinctive, cameraless eye-tracking system that makes use of ultra-low-power LEDs and photodiodes to exactly monitor the consumer’s eye motion and focus convergence. This knowledge drives a liquid crystal lens layer, enabling a spotlight swap between close to and much distances in roughly 0.2 seconds. Focus your gaze elsewhere, and your glasses return to their regular prescription. Consider them as a high-tech tackle the usually thick and clunky multifocal lenses we’re at present caught with.

IXI is now finalizing the manufacturing course of, growing manufacturing and gaining the required medical certification to promote its glasses, nevertheless it has already struck offers with lens producers in Europe. The corporate has a busy 12 months forward because it turns its know-how right into a shopper product. — Mat Smith, UK bureau chief

Finest in present: Lego Sensible Play

There’s maybe no place higher than CES to focus on how rapidly business developments die. Through the years the present has been a driver of cornerstone applied sciences just like the VCR, DVD, flatscreen TVs, PDAs and extra. Some developments stick, some do not.

Lego may virtually be seen because the antithesis of the everyday CES product: The corporate’s core idea of artistic play has remained in place all through its lengthy historical past, boosted by a gradual and ongoing evolution of block sorts and model tie-ins.

Introduced at its first-ever CES press convention, Smart Play represents a considerate integration of know-how to the basic toy. A tiny chip the scale of a single Lego stud permits the corporate’s Sensible Bricks to sense what’s round them, opening up new methods to play. The system will debut with a trio of Star Wars units, however we’re positive Lego has plans for a variety of licensed and unlicensed choices.

Our crew immediately fell in love with Sensible Play, and Deputy editor Nathan Ingraham had the chance to each construct some units and speak with a few of the individuals behind the know-how. Amid parental anxieties about screentime, it is refreshing that Sensible Play does not require an app or a display to get began. Children can simply get constructing. — Aaron Souppouris, Editor-in-chief