Top 12 Must-Have Gadgets That Wow-ed Us in 2023!

I’ve lost track of how many items we examined this year at Engadget. In 2024, the range of products we assessed varied from standard smartphones, laptops, and headphones, to AI wearables, robotic lawnmowers, and handheld gaming devices, along with games and shows. It can be challenging to remember everything, yet fortunately, our rating system assists in showcasing the top (and the least impressive) gadgets each year.

Our group of reviewers and editors assess gadgets based on their functionality, worth, and how they compare with rivals, with a minimum of two individuals contributing to every rating prior to publication. If a product receives a score of 80 or higher, it’s labeled as a “Recommended” item, while those achieving 90 or above earn the title “Editors’ Choice.” The latter signifies they are the best in their category, surpassing most competition.

Due to the need to be discerning about what we evaluate (there’s limited time available), most of the gadgets we source are from reputable firms with a history of manufacturing products consumers are likely to purchase. This is the primary reason why the majority of our scores fall between 80 and 90, although we occasionally review a device that ends up scoring below 70.

Reflecting on the year in gadgets, here are the 12 top-rated reviews we’ve shared. Not surprisingly, they mainly feature Apple and Google products, with a few cameras and drones thrown in. I’m also including some honorable mentions for good measure, as well as a couple of the lowest-rated gadgets of the year. Here’s hoping for a year ahead filled with only outstanding gadgets to examine, and less e-waste overall.

Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL

I’m genuinely surprised. For the first time in years, we have awarded a Google device a higher rating than an iPhone in the same year. Perhaps it pertains to Gemini AI debuting earlier than Apple Intelligence, or the appealing colors and sturdy design of the Pixel 9 Pro series. However, as I went over the ratings with our reviewer Mat Smith, several aspects became clear. The most significant benefit Google has over Apple this year is battery endurance — the Pixel 9 Pros generally sustain about two days on a single charge, while the iPhone 16 Pro series typically lasts roughly 20 hours. We’re also fond of Google’s imaging capabilities and the bright, sleek displays. The delightful array of pastel color variations is simply the cherry on top, with Gemini AI offering a delectable side treat.

DJI Avata 2

Despite concerns regarding DJI’s future in the US, the company has enjoyed a fairly prosperous 2024. This year, numerous DJI products achieved scores above 90 in our database, which is justifiable as they are arguably the leading drone manufacturer. Steve was particularly impressed with the Avata 2, owing to its exceptional video quality and agility at a lower price point than its predecessor. Moreover, it boasts better battery longevity.

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple Intelligence was not accessible at the time of the iPhone 16 series debut and has only recently been introduced; thus, our review score could still be modified. Nevertheless, as it stands, and considering months of utilizing the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in my everyday routines, I maintain my assessment. While there are numerous appealing aspects of Apple’s latest flagships, I found the relatively inadequate battery life quite disappointing, preventing me from giving it a higher rating than the Pixel 9 Pro series. This is more pronounced with the iPhone 16 Pro, as the Pro Max generally endures for a handful of extra hours compared to its smaller version. I also had hoped the generative AI features would be available for public use during my evaluation, but having spent additional time with Genmoji, Image Playground, and notification summaries, I believe my conclusion still holds. These Apple Intelligence features are entertaining but not revolutionary, and regardless of their presence or absence, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max remain the finest choices for anyone on the iOS platform.

Canon EOS R5 II

We’ve compiled numerous reviews by Steve on this list, primarily concerning cameras and drones that performed admirably in their respective categories. As a Canon enthusiast myself, I was thrilled to see the EOS R5 II achieve such a high rating, particularly as competition grows fierce. Unfortunately, the EOS R5 II also tends to overheat when capturing high-res video, but in nearly all other facets, it delivers commendably. Steve remarks that this camera “alerts Sony,” and I’m pleased to witness it.

Sony A9 III

Reviewed significantly earlier in the year, the Sony A9 III captivated Steve with its rapid global shutter, providing quick and precise autofocus. It also offered seamless, high-quality video in a body that boasts excellent maneuverability thanks to Sony’s newly designed grip. Steve appreciated the viewfinder, and while it’s priced steeply at $6,000, the A9 III is a robust offering that claims the title of “fastest full-frame camera” — at least until something swifter appears.

DJI Air 3S and DJI Neo

Which lightweight $200 drone captures satisfactory 1080p video but also howls like a banshee? That would be the DJI Neo, which, despite Steve’s vivid illustration, is an option I am contemplating purchasing for myself. Not only is it reasonably priced, but it also claims to record smooth aerial footage at a commendable resolution. Steve also noted its beginner-friendly nature, which is crucial for a poor pilot like me. And sure, perhaps I will frighten some wildlife or neighbors with its piercing wail, but maybe that’s part of the excitement?

If you’re seeking something that can evade people or barriers and deliver cinematic footage, the DJI Air 3S is an excellent choice owing to its LiDAR and larger camera sensor, both of which enhance performance and obstacle detection in low-light conditions. You’ll need to invest approximately five times the Neo’s price, naturally, but aspiring filmmakers might consider that cost worthwhile.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2024) and MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2024)

It comes as no shock that the sole laptops on this list are this year’s M4 MacBook Pros. Apple has showcased over recent years that its M-series chips provide exceptional performance and battery duration, continuing to validate its claims in 2024. This year’s iteration offers brighter displays and enhanced webcams, along with slight improvements in RAM and storage. Although I primarily use Windows, even I must acknowledge that Apple’s achievements with the MacBooks are aspects that Microsoft and its collaborators on the PC front have found challenging to fully emulate.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)

PC manufacturers excel particularly in power and creativity. When not exploring dual-screen laptops, ASUS is offering powerful gaming laptops under its Republic of Gamers (ROG) line. This year, the ROG Zephyrus G14 emerges as the top-rated product according to our reviewer, Sam Rutherford, who stated it is “the definitive 14-inch gaming laptop.” Sam has not awarded a higher score this entire year, henceit is logical that we have yet to witness a gaming laptop claim that title. The Zephyrus G14 impressed Sam with its stunning OLED display, appealing yet understated design, and ample selection of ports. While he isn’t keen on its soldered RAM and ASUS’ Armoury Crate application, Sam still discovered numerous positives, labeling it “both pound for pound and dollar for dollar the top selection available.”

There are numerous items that could have been granted the same rating as the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and iPhone 16 Pro, but we need to narrow down the options. It’s notable that other gadgets we ranked with a score of 91 consist of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, the Analogue Duo, the Fujifilm X100 VI, and the iPad Air (2024). As for those that achieved 90 points, we have the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the Apple Watch Series 10, NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 Super graphics card, the Meta Quest 3S headset, along with products like Ninja’s Creami ice-cream maker.

Nevertheless, I wanted to highlight Daniel Cooper’s evaluation of the reMarkable Paper Pro. This gadget has evoked waves of nostalgia and emotion in a period when we are all weary of being constantly connected. It stands as one of the top-rated products of its type, not solely because it serves as a competent writing tablet, but also due to the fact that it is a color e-paper tablet featuring a larger display and enhanced performance compared to its monochrome predecessor. Priced at $580 to begin, it certainly represents a considerable investment, yet one that could liberate us from feeling tethered to our laptops and smartphones.

Least favorable products we assessed this year: Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1

The Rabbit R1 first created a buzz at CES 2024, suddenly appearing and capturing our interest with its adorable design and vibrant orange hue. Its lineage from Teenage Engineering was even more enticing, and we were all eager to experience the Playdate-like scroll wheel ourselves. This square device also featured an onboard camera, dual microphones, a rotating camera, and a 2.88-inch display. However, its greatest selling point was, like everything else in 2024, centered around AI.

Unfortunately, like many things in 2024, the AI promise did not deliver. Rabbit made grand assertions about its “large action model,” but in reality, at the time of our assessment, the R1 could hardly complete tasks. Rather than easily allowing you to place orders through DoorDash, for instance, it would “frequently provide the weather when I asked for traffic,” as stated in Devindra’s review. Even worse, “at times it would hear my request and simply remain inactive.”

I had a similarly exasperating encounter while testing the much-touted Humane AI Pin. It was a glossy chrome square that you could fasten to your garments and engage with either through voice, touch, or a futuristic projector that cast a display onto your palm. You were supposed to be able to effortlessly converse with the Humane AI assistant to have it store information about you, ultimately coming to rely on it like a secondary brain.

Instead, we encountered a chaotic mess. Quite literally. The Humane AI Pin often ran so hot that it ceased functioning, with the device stating it required a cool-down period before usage could resume. When it did function, it was barely intelligent enough to respond to inquiries, and although the projector appeared visually impressive, attempting to use it for any purpose proved vexing, resulting in sore arms and strained eyesight. Not only did it fail to accomplish enough to warrant the effort required to utilize it, but the Humane AI Pin was also priced at $700 — excessively steep for a product this temperamental.

The situation worsened (or improved, based on your interpretation). Shortly after widespread criticism from reviewers in April, leaked internal documents revealed that individuals seemed to be returning the AI Pins more quickly than the company was able to sell them. By October, Humane had to issue a recall for its charging case due to overheating, with the Consumer Product Safety Commission stating it presented “a fire hazard.”

I assigned the Humane AI Pin a rating of 50 in my evaluation, primarily because of the captivating projector display. Currently, however, it seems these AI devices are, at best, finding it challenging to establish themselves. At worst, they’re on fire.