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

Over 4,000 exhibitors flocked to Las Vegas, Nevada this week to showcase their wares at CES 2026. The Engadget staff, as standard, was out in full force overlaying the present. The week started with press conferences from large corporations on the present, principally full of AI buzzwords, obscure guarantees and fairly little in the way in which of exhausting information.

A couple of 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 client expertise. It is acceptable, I suppose, that as we’re starting to really feel the knock-on price results of the AI trade’s insatiable urge for food for compute assets — increased utility payments and gadget costs — corporations would fairly use their flashy conferences to strengthen AI’s supposedly must-have attributes fairly than truly inform the general public about their new merchandise.

We’re not at all AI luddites at Engadget, however it’s honest to say that our staff is extra excited by tangible merchandise that enrich our lives than iterative enhancements to massive language fashions. So, away from all the bombast of NVIDIA’s marathon keynote and Lenovo’s by some means concurrently gaudy and uninteresting Sphere present, it has been a pleasure to guage the group 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 staff has whittled down the a whole bunch of merchandise we noticed to choose our favorites. Beginning with an preliminary shortlist of round 50 candidates throughout a various vary of product classes, we ultimately landed on 15 winners and our singular greatest in present.

Should you’ve been with us all week, keep tuned for lots extra to come back — regardless of publishing nearly 200 articles from the present already, there’s nonetheless lots we now 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 plenty of robots exhibiting off intriguing and helpful capabilities at CES 2026. Whereas plenty of robots impressed us, there have been fewer corporations prepared to commit to truly making them obtainable. 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 yr.

The demo we noticed was restricted, however Switchbot claims it might probably assist with an array of family chores (even when it’d do them extra slowly than a human). It is also form of cute. The corporate hasn’t mentioned how a lot Onero will price, although it guarantees the droid will probably be lower than $10,000. A virtually five-figure price ticket continues to be out of attain for many, however 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 provides a easy improve for handbook 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 might carry the small caster wheels off the bottom, along with offering energy help with 5 pace choices. It is moveable, has an honest vary of about 15 miles — with the choice to swap out its battery on the go — and will give wheelchair customers better entry to areas that will in any other case be tough to maneuver about in. It may well additionally preserve the wheelchair from dashing up when an individual is touring on a downward slope.

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

Finest TV: LG Wallpaper TV (OLED Evo W6)

I’ve seen loads of TVs at CES this yr, 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 (concerning the depth of a pencil), and it’s not tied to a soundbar. It additionally makes use of LG’s wi-fi management field to scale back cabling — the one wire it is advisable to conceal is the one for energy.

And better of all, the OLED Evo W6 options LG’s newest OLED expertise, which guarantees to be about 20 p.c brighter than earlier generations. Video demos seemed completely gorgeous, with all the 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 function an AI mannequin that’s educated to transcribe your voice precisely in very noisy environments, or when it is under a whisper in quiet areas. We’ve seen this stuff in motion on the bustling CES present ground, 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 most effective 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 have to put the Voicebuds by means of 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 dwelling: IKEA Matter-compatible sensible dwelling

One of the best sensible dwelling 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 dwelling choices. However IKEA got here to its first CES with a easy lineup of primary, Matter-enabled sensible plugs, sensors, lamps and remotes at screamingly good costs. Operate paired with accessible pricing is form of what IKEA is thought for, so the lineup didn’t precisely shock me as a lot as make me admire that somebody is lastly simplifying and democratizing sensible dwelling 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 dwelling sensors. A barely pricier ($15) globe bulb seems to be very beautiful. Lastly, there’s a sensible bulb you’d truly need to have a look at — one which doesn’t price $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 operate. 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 dwelling theater: Samsung HW-QS90H

Many corporations declare their soundbars have sufficient bass that you simply don’t want a separate subwoofer. These guarantees hardly ever pan out, even when the corporate devises new technology to resolve 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 yr, so you’ll be able to lay this speaker flat or mount it on a wall and the built-in sensors will mechanically regulate the motive force output accordingly. So, for those who’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 yr. — Billy Steele, Deputy editor

Finest audio: Shokz OpenFit Professional

In the case of open match earbuds, corporations that declare to supply energetic noise cancellation (ANC) normally don’t ship; It’s tough to successfully block exterior sound when your ears aren’t utterly sealed off. Shokz is without doubt one of the few that has cracked the code with its OpenFit Pro. The over-the-ear hook design permits the earbuds to take a seat outdoors of your ear for a transparent line to your environment. Whenever you want a bit extra quiet, the corporate’s noise discount tech does nicely to silence average sounds in a restaurant, workplace and extra. It’s severely 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 comfy 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 outside tech: Tone Open air T1

Outside software corporations have more and more proven up at CES, particularly those that supply a spread of battery-powered gear. Tone Open air isn’t your standard energy software outfit although; it’s a spin-off of the aerospace engineering firm Whisper Aero. By way of its improvement of quieter electrical airplane engines, Whisper Aero realized its expertise had different makes use of. Enter the T1 leaf blower.

The T1 is considerably quieter than most handheld gasoline 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 an important development right here will not be 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 consistently evolving, however hardly ever does it make as massive a transfer because it did with Smart Play. The system is designed to take normal Lego units and make them extra interactive due to a tech-packed Sensible Brick. These bricks have a tiny chip the scale of a Lego stud that allows issues like movement, colour and proximity sensing. In addition they have a tiny speaker that additional helps deliver 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 allows these new play situations. 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 will hear the engines roar to life, the characters exclaim as they arrive beneath fireplace and the spaceship explodes if it will get hit too many instances. And Sensible Play requires no setup, that means that the expertise packed into the Sensible Brick fades away and lets children (and youngsters at coronary heart) get all the way down to the enterprise of taking part in. You needn’t 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 yr, 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 means of 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 can be precisely what we needed 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 the whole lot we beloved about XPS laptops from earlier years. Dell additionally streamlined its designs with the bigger XPS 16 dropping a whole 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 operate keys and reverting to segmented touchpads as a substitute of seamless glass ones that made it exhausting to maintain monitor of your cursor.

However maybe the most effective 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 yr, 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 or not 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 health care provider’s workplace to 3 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 should 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 exams: its temporary examination matched my professionally accomplished prescription from final yr. However its potential to make efficient eye care accessible and inexpensive 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 massive, bizarre and probably awkward to arrange. However truthfully, what sort of gamer doesn’t need extra screens? Even for those who can’t use its second show in the course of a firefight, extra actual property means additional room for Discord, construct guides or anything you would possibly want. Moreover, ASUS included not one however two good OLED panels with as much as 1,100 nits of brightness and colour accuracy so good you gained’t have an issue enhancing pictures 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 may need introduced the newest iteration of its foldable smartphones in Korea, however CES was the primary probability for many people to see the Galaxy Z TriFold in individual. It’s a 10-inch Android pill hidden inside a 6.5-inch smartphone type issue.

The soar from the almost-square display screen ratio of Samsung’s previous foldables to roughly 4:3 is a serious enchancment. This can be a gadget that I may fortunately watch complete films on. There’s extra horizontal area to learn, extra room to sort and extra brilliant, vivid AMOLED the whole lot. 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 modern Galaxy telephone with a 200-megapixel principal digital camera and the largest battery but in a Samsung foldable.

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

Most promising idea: Lenovo Legion Professional Rollable

Idea units are exhausting to evaluate as a result of even those with a ton of potential may be too tough to make or too area of interest to deliver 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 screen that will get wider on the contact of a button.

To make the Legion Professional Rollable, Lenovo took an everyday Legion Professional 7i after which swapped its normal 16-inch show for a versatile one that may develop all the way in which as much as 23.8 inches — with a bonus cease in between. This implies you could have the choice to select from 16:10, 21:9 and even 24:9 relying on the scenario, which appears like an unimaginable technique to improve racing video games, flight sims and anything that may make the most of additional huge facet ratios. Granted, when its display screen is absolutely deployed, it does look a bit ungainly. However of all of the ideas we noticed this yr at CES, the Legion Professional Rollable is the one we hope survives to change into a correct retail product sometime. — Sam Rutherford, Senior reporter

Finest rising expertise: IXI autofocus lenses

IXI’s autofocusing glasses have been a late addition to our discussions, however we have been impressed by what could possibly be a big development in spectacle expertise — one thing that’s been largely static because the Fifties. IXI’s glasses function a chic, distinctive, cameraless eye-tracking system that makes use of ultra-low-power LEDs and photodiodes to exactly monitor the person’s eye motion and focus convergence. This knowledge drives a liquid crystal lens layer, enabling a spotlight change 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 customarily thick and clunky multifocal lenses we’re presently caught with.

IXI is now finalizing the manufacturing course of, creating manufacturing and gaining the required medical certification to promote its glasses, however it has already struck offers with lens producers in Europe. The corporate has a busy yr forward because it turns its expertise right into a client product. — Mat Smith, UK bureau chief

Finest in present: Lego Sensible Play

There’s maybe no place higher than CES to spotlight how shortly trade traits 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 traits stick, some do not.

Lego may nearly be seen because the antithesis of the standard 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 expertise 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 certain Lego has plans for a variety of licensed and unlicensed choices.

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