The best of CES 2025

CES 2025 is coming to a detailed — right now is the ultimate day of the present — and staff Engadget is able to go away Las Vegas. Our reporters and editors have scoured infinite carpeted conference halls of the CES present ground, braved strains of chain people who smoke, overcome nasty colds and sore ankles and fielded hundreds of emails a day to seek out the perfect and most credible merchandise on the present.

As anticipated, the overwhelming majority of issues we noticed this CES had an AI part, with a noticeable uptick in AR glasses, listening to help earbuds, solar-powered tech, emotional assist robots and robotic vacuums. Apparently individuals actually like robovacs that may decide up socks. Our staff was inspired to see extra development in tech constructed to enhance the lives of these with disabilities and mobility points, too. And we had been pleasantly stunned to see quite a lot of of those just-announced CES 2025 merchandise really accessible on the market or preorder already.

Our record of CES 2025 winners covers a wide range of classes, starting from typical areas like residence leisure, transportation and good residence to theme-based subjects like sustainability and accessibility. After our staff shortlisted nominees and voted on the perfect for varied classes, we then performed one other spherical of voting to resolve on the perfect product of the present.

That stated, right here’s the total record of our picks for the Better of CES 2025.

ASUS Zenbook A14

The ASUS Zenbook A14 feels impossibly gentle, weighing between 2.2 and a couple of.4 kilos, and it has a stunning 14-inch OLED display screen and a good array of ports (USB-C, USB-A and HDMI)! What else ccould you need in a MacBook Air competitor? After years of mainly copying Apple’s MacBooks, ASUS proves it may well out-innovate Apple with out resorting to gimmicks like twin screens or flashy lights. The Zenbook A14 is solely a tiny laptop computer that feels nice in your fingers, thanks largely to ASUS’s distinctive Ceraluminum case materials. ASUS claims it may well last as long as 32 hours whereas enjoying video, nicely above the 18 hours Apple estimates for the MacBook Air. It might appear odd that the least flashy laptop computer of CES 2025 is certainly one of our favorites, however typically pure practicality is plain. — Devindra Hardawar, Senior reporter, opinions

BioLite Backup

We’re at all times in search of model new, never-seen-before stuff at CES, however typically it’s the intelligent reinterpretation of current tech that catches our consideration. That’s the case with Backup by Biolite. It’s basically a cross between a common energy provide (UPS) and a whole-home backup battery, however improves on each.

The skinny, 40-pound 1.5 kWh battery lives between a wall outlet and your fridge (or another plug-in machine) and retains these issues working within the occasion of an influence outage. It doesn’t require skilled set up, only a user-installed wall mount, and it’s skinny sufficient to cover behind your fridge or tuck below a counter. Although if it had been on show, the matte-silver end wouldn’t spoil any aesthetic.

The Backup Full consists of two items that offer as much as 3 kWh, which is sufficient to energy a fridge, microwave, lights, in addition to refill telephones and a laptop computer. The three kWh capability and the truth that it’s an put in battery at the moment qualifies it for a 30 p.c federal tax credit score, which might carry the price right down to $2,100 for the Full. The one-unit Backup Core packs 1.5 kWh and goes for $2,000. Each can be found for pre-order now and may ship this summer season. — Amy Skorheim, Reporter, shopping for recommendation

Jackery Photo voltaic Roof

Jackery is already a longtime title in home photo voltaic generator programs, and its newest product fills a wavy hole in its product lineup. Jackery’s XBC curved photo voltaic roof shingles mimic a few of the commonest home kinds within the nation, they usually are available terracotta or obsidian colorways for optimum HOA appeasement. These are the primary curved photo voltaic tiles to hit america market they usually ship a cell conversion effectivity of greater than 25 p.c. They’ll face up to excessive climate circumstances, together with temperatures between -40 levels F and 185 levels F, they usually’re designed in step with conventional roofing set up practices, that includes a modular setup that enables for versatile upkeep. Jackery’s new wavy photo voltaic tiles join with the corporate’s current photo voltaic technology and storage merchandise, making them an accessible and engaging choice for whole-home sustainability. — Jessica Conditt, Senior reporter

Lenovo Legion Go S

The plight of the trendy handheld-PC gamer is making an attempt to resolve which OS to make use of. There are a ton of Home windows 11-based gadgets that provide unparalleled compatibility and robust graphics assist. However all that comes on a platform that isn’t optimized for smaller devices with hooked up controllers. Alternatively, SteamOS gives a way more cohesive expertise with a greater UI and fewer efficiency overhead. The issue is that Valve’s working system was mainly solely accessible on a single machine — the Steam Deck. That modifications now with the Lenovo Legion Go S, which might be accessible in two flavors: a Home windows model and for the primary time on any handheld not made by Valve, a mannequin powered by SteamOS.

Other than the selection of platforms and totally different coloured shells, we respect that the 2 variants function virtually similar specs together with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, as much as 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and a decently giant 55.5Whr battery. Its 8-inch touchscreen seems to be nice too, because it gives a 120Hz refresh fee with assist for VRR, 500 nits of brightness and a 1,920 x 1,200 decision. And with costs beginning at $600 (or $500 for the SteamOS mannequin), it’s slightly reasonably priced too. Maybe the most important draw back is that whereas the Home windows mannequin might be out later this month, we’re going to have to attend till Could for the one powered by SteamOS. However with the latter form of lastly making good on the almost decade-old promise of Valve’s Steam Machines, holding out for a number of additional months doesn’t appear so lengthy. — Sam Rutherford, Senior reporter, opinions

LG OLED evo M5

LG’s Better of CES crown is protected for one more 12 months. The corporate is persistently on the high of the perfect TVs we see every year in Las Vegas, and it steadily comes out the winner. For this 12 months’s OLED evo M5, the corporate managed to additional enhance its most premium shows, including the newest α (Alpha) 11 AI processor Gen2 to enhance the look of lower-resolution content material and energy superior options.

For avid gamers, there’s a 165Hz refresh fee, alongside each NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium certifications. This could clean issues out and maintain lag to a minimal. The corporate’s new Brightness Booster Final can obtain ranges which might be 3 times brighter than “standard OLED” fashions, in keeping with the corporate. Plus, the function contributes to a UL Options’ “Excellent Black” and “Excellent Coloration” verification on the M5. It’s really beautiful image high quality.

Lastly, LG’s Zero Join Field that’s been accessible on the M-series for some time now’s lastly accessible on screens under 77 inches. This machine means that you can join your whole consoles and streaming gear with out working a number of HDMI cables to the TV. LG now says it doesn’t want line-of-sight clearance both, and that it may be hidden in a wood cupboard close to the M5. — Billy Steele, Senior reporter, opinions

Moonbird Moonbuddy

Devices made for leisure shouldn’t be sophisticated. Moonbuddy has one objective — to make guided breathwork accessible and interesting to kids — and it nails the execution with no pointless frills. The corporate behind it first made an identical stress aid machine for adults, and Moonbuddy simplifies that have and places it right into a cuter package deal. Moonbuddy is an egg-shaped machine with a mushy space that expands and contracts in set rhythms, so youngsters can observe alongside and sync up their very own respiratory. It matches into an animal themed sleeve, so it seems to be like a toy. There are 4 totally different respiratory modes, every lasting a couple of minutes and designed to advertise a state of calmness.

The entire thing is tactile and screen-free, which is particularly good contemplating many mother and father could need to incorporate it into the nighttime routine. And as a lot as I like the little animal outfits as an individual who gravitates towards cute issues, I additionally like that in case your child will get to that stage the place they reject every little thing babyish, they will take the sleeve off and maintain utilizing it in its extra nondescript type. — Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend editor

OhSnap MCON

The MCON by OhSnap mainly transforms any smartphone into a contemporary Xperia Play, full with fashionable conveniences like Corridor impact analog sticks, silent buttons, flip-out grips, and a full bumper and set off format. It’s a cellular gamepad that may slide into your pocket with out the sticks or handles getting caught on something, and it really works with just about each smartphone in the marketplace right now. The MCON makes use of MagSafe to snap onto the again of any current iPhone and it comes with an adapter for Android gadgets to hitch in on the enjoyable. It even works with the Galaxy Z Fold, and its creator, Josh King, is engaged on an answer for the Z Flip, too.

The mockup that King delivered to CES 2025 felt light-weight but stable and comfy to carry, and the phone-snapping motion was supremely satisfying. After gaining a little bit of viral fame together with his thought, King partnered with established MagSafe accent producer OhSnap to push the MCON into full manufacturing, and it’s because of hit the market in August for $150. — Jessica Conditt, Senior reporter

Roborock Saros Z70

Robotic vacuums received a bunch of latest — and typically unusual — powers at CES 2025. However none made a much bigger impression than Roborock’s Saros Z70, which comes with a mechanical arm that may decide up socks, carry cords and seize different objects.

The OmniGrip arm can decide up objects as much as 300 grams (somewhat greater than half a pound) with the intention to clear below them or deposit them within the location of your selection. Performance of the arm is managed by way of Roborock’s app and is extraordinarily customizable so you’ll be able to program it to choose up free trash and cat toys, however carry up cords to wash beneath.

After we noticed it in motion at CES, it deftly picked up socks and positioned them in a basket. However Roborock guarantees it may well do rather more. The vacuum will robotically acknowledge 108 totally different objects — sure, like seemingly each different gadget we noticed at CES, it makes use of AI — however it’s also possible to train it to detect as much as 50 extra objects so it’ll know the right way to deal with obstacles it’s most certainly to come across in your house.

Surprisingly, the Saros Z70 wasn’t the one robotic vacuum with an arm we noticed at CES, however it will likely be the primary that you would be able to really purchase. — Karissa Bell, Senior reporter

Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds

Technics’ new Magnetic Fluid drivers have garnered quite a lot of headlines this week, however all you really want to know in regards to the EAH-AZ100 earbuds is that the sound high quality is massively improved. Powered by these new parts, there’s extra readability, element and bass, all of that are upgrades from the already spectacular AZ80. Technics revised its earbud form for the AZ100 within the title of consolation and match, whereas additionally making the buds smaller and lighter. Options like contact controls, multipoint connectivity for 3 gadgets, spatial Dolby Atmos audio and LDAC assist are right here as nicely. And in contrast to most of what we see at CES, these new earbuds are already accessible to buy. — Billy Steele, Senior reporter, opinions

Urtopia Titanium Zero

Because the pandemic, e-bikes, not electrical vehicles, have been on the forefront of the EV revolution, and it’s straightforward to see why: Electrical bikes are much more reasonably priced than their four-wheeled counterparts. Plus, right here at Engadget, we’re all for gadgets that promote more healthy dwelling, and for a lot of, getting an e-bike could be transformational.

So when Urtopia confirmed up at CES 2025 with an idea e-bike that incorporates a novel motor design, I used to be excited. As my colleague Daniel Cooper notes in his writeup, e-bike motors have historically are available two type elements, every with their very own set of concerns. The custom-designed Quark DMI.2 mid-drive motor Urtopia confirmed off alongside its Titanium Zero e-bike gives a 3rd path. It’s not as highly effective as conventional mid-drive motors, but it surely nonetheless options extra energy output than even the perfect hub motors. Better of all, the motor is sufficiently small to suit inside a backside bracket and weighs simply 2.6 kilos.

Urtopia hasn’t stated when it’ll begin manufacturing the Titanium Zero, but it surely’s straightforward to see a state of affairs the place the design of the Quark DMI.2 conjures up different bike makers and pushes the trade ahead. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior reporter

WeWalk Good Cane 2

Of all of the merchandise at CES 2025 that had AI stuffed into them, WeWalk’s Good Cane 2 stood out. The good cane for individuals with visible impairments received an replace this 12 months that not solely provides AI, but additionally addresses the unique’s shortcomings. It brings extra superior sensors, and better of all, nonetheless works as a standard folding cane when these technological options aren’t engaged. The Good Cane 2 can detect obstacles and provide turn-by-turn navigation, and it has a ChatGPT-powered assistant that may present solutions to questions whereas somebody is strolling, with out the necessity to attain for a smartphone. WeWalk additionally refined the precise cane by making its deal with slimmer, changing the unique’s touchpad with tactile buttons and shaving a little bit of weight off.

Positive, you may not be capable of belief ChatGPT to offer you right solutions to each query conceivable but, however no less than on this implementation, the product isn’t prone to hurt customers even when the AI fails. Plus, it has helpful {hardware}, together with time-of-flight and movement sensors to enhance navigation, audio system to offer solutions and suggestions, in addition to a flashlight to make the visually impaired extra noticeable at night time. And once more, if the battery dies, you’ll be able to nonetheless use this as a conventional, albeit pricier, cane. — Cherlynn Low, Deputy editor, opinions

Yukai Engineering Mirumi

One of the memorable robots at CES this 12 months was the one which arguably does the least. We discovered ourselves powerless towards the heart-melting appeal of Mirumi, a tiny, fluffy robotic made by Yukai Engineering that actually simply stares at individuals and appears round like a child discovering the skin world. It’s sufficiently small to slot in the palm of your hand, however even higher than that, it has lengthy posable arms that enable it to hold onto objects. So if you happen to put it in your bag strap, it’ll stare down everybody you encounter, and possibly turn into somewhat shy after they return the eye.

Mirumi has no objective aside from to unfold pleasure, and I like it for that. Yukai beforehand introduced us the bizarre Qoobo pillow (the one with the tail) and the cat that nibbles your finger, and that is one other case wherein it didn’t miss with certainly one of its odd creations. — Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend editor

Greatest in present: WeWalk Good Cane 2

At CES this 12 months, AI was unsurprisingly all over the place, usually in locations it didn’t actually look like it wanted to be. However the WeWalk Good Cane 2, a high-tech model of the mobility cane for people who find themselves blind, struck me as an utility the place it might really be actually useful. With a brand new voice assistant that’s powered by GPT, customers can converse on to the cane to get detailed navigation steerage and on-demand info, like public transportation choices and menu objects. The good cane can also be full of sensors that enable it to alert the customers of upcoming obstacles. It does this with haptic suggestions within the deal with and by calling out a verbal warning.

WeWalk co-founder Kursat Ceylan, who’s blind, gave an indication of the cane within the chaotic surroundings of the Las Vegas Conference Heart, and it was spectacular. The voice assistant responded rapidly and precisely to his prompts, and the impediment detection alert was loud sufficient to be heard over the excitement of the CES crowd. It will probably additionally pair with headphones or earbuds by way of Bluetooth. Because the cane can deal with issues like turn-by-turn navigation, customers don’t have to fret about additionally holding a smartphone whereas they’re making an attempt to get round.

The good cane takes an current instrument that individuals are already conversant in and enhances it. Importantly, it additionally looks like the corporate heard the suggestions of customers who had the primary model of the cane and improved the design to higher meet their wants. It has a slimmer deal with than the primary mannequin and tactile buttons, and weighs about the identical as a conventional white cane. — Cheyenne MacDonald, Weekend editor