Long-promised gadgets, including pop-out mobile controllers and 360-camera drones, finally saw the light of day in December. In the same month, we got our hands on some great, affordable earbuds and even an at-home facial device. December’s gadgets also proved that you can’t trust everything companies tell you, especially regarding newfangled AI tools. Senior consumer technology reporter James Perrow tested a purported “AI translator” that turned out to be so fake that the company that made the device asked us not to review it.
Next year will be special for gadgets. Come January, CES 2026 will bombard us with tech products. LG, Samsung and other companies are already promising brand new TVs and monitors to display your shows, artwork, and even the occasional 3D gaming content. We expect to see more laptops, speakers, AR glasses, bird feeders, and lots of gadgets that promise AI will change everything. Additionally, the ongoing RAM shortage caused by the proliferation of AI data centers will inevitably drive up prices for all computing products, from desktops to laptops and game consoles. We can already tell that 2026 will, in some way, be even more chaotic than 2025.
Shark’s facial device is designed to save you from spending extra money at the salon which you can easily do at home too. The device includes several attachments that will help exfoliate your skin, tighten pores, and boost circulation. There are a lot of moving parts to make it work, but actually using the device is relatively easy and fun.
Check out Shark FacialPro Glow on Amazon
The Soundpit’s Air5 Pro+ proves that you don’t need to spend over $200 to get excellent portable audio. Considering the price, the $130 earbuds have a comfortable fit and incredibly clear, even sound. ANC on the earbuds was also surprisingly strong, partly aided by the tight, comfortable fit.
Check out Soundpit’s Air5 Pro+ on Amazon
There is no drone like the Antigravity A1. It’s weird, sometimes chaotic, and easily the most innovative drone to come out in years. Instead of a single gimbal-mounted lens, the drone uses a 360 camera. Combined with an AR headset, it lets you experience the skies like the good witch Glinda the Wizard of OzFloating in a giant bubble in the sky. The drone also uses a unique aim-and-fly controller that is easy to understand for any drone novice.
Check out the AntiGravity A1 at Best Buy
Mobile controllers are better when they are mobile. MCON takes that idea and runs with it thanks to its MagSafe Disk that attaches to your phone. The press of a button reveals the full set of game controls, the TMR joystick and analog triggers. Sure, it won’t feel as ergonomic as a regular controller or other Backbone-like mobile controllers, but it’s definitely the most portable of the group.
There are some big reasons why you might not want a Boox Note Air 5C e-notetaker. Its color E Ink display won’t look as sharp as a regular iPad screen, with a range of only 4,096 colors. It’s not as fast as other, non-E Ink devices. But for reading and taking notes with the widest color spectrum available, you won’t find many devices for that cheap, at least not one with E Ink. It helps that the Boox Note Air 5C feels good in the hand and comes with a great stylus.
Check out the Boox Note Air 5C on Amazon
The same company that brought us the excellent GB Operator now has a new way to let you play physical Super Nintendo or Super Famicom cartridges on your PC, Mac, or Steam deck. Like a similar $50 device made for Game Boy games, the $60 SN Operator connects to your PC and then uses software emulation to let you play your retro titles. The device will let you rip your game files to PC, and it will support your saves on console or PC. In addition, SN Operator has additional benefits, such as checking the authenticity of your cart. The connected app also supports retroachievements.
Considering how big audio nostalgia has become recently, MP3 players will once again have their day in the sun. The Snowsky Disc is an MP3 player with some modern features, including a circular touchscreen for controls. Otherwise, the digital audio player has ports for 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks along with USB-C. It supports microSD cards up to 2TB, so there’s no shortage of songs you can potentially pack into this pint-sized audio device. The MP3 player may finally be coming to the US, and we’re hoping it comes soon so we can finally escape the hell of Spotify.
There’s one big reason to pay attention to JLab’s latest ANC earbuds: battery life. The Epic Pods cost $100 and promise about 13 hours of battery life with the case out. On regular charging with the case, JLab promises that you can get a total of 50 hours of run time without having to plug the pod in. The sound quality may not be peak, and there are plenty of solid earbuds that come at affordable prices. Still, for long-term longevity, the Epic Pods are much better at that price.
Check out JLab Epic Pods on Amazon
Pebble creator Eric Migicovsky’s first non-watch product for his revived brand was destined to be controversial. Index 01 is a very simple product with a simple base. It is a stainless steel ring designed to give users the opportunity to record thoughts while on the go. The small button activates the microphone, and thankfully no internet connection or subscription is required. There’s no sign of unnecessary AI integration like many other smart wearables. The problem is that the device has no rechargeable battery. When you’re done, Pebble expects users to send it back to the company for recycling.
Since Robosen made his debut transformer With his Optimus Prime figure self-transforming kit, we wondered how long it would take to get the fan-favorite communications lieutenant to the dastardly Decepticon. Robosen eventually showed his soundwave diagram that would automatically collapse into a tape deck. Here’s the important part: It won’t play your old cassettes, but it will function as a Bluetooth speaker. This figure will cost a hefty $1,400, so just know that there are much cheaper speaker options available elsewhere, which unfortunately don’t translate into a good robot.
<a href