CES 2025: Unveiling the Top Gadget of the Year and 28 Game-Changing Innovations You Can’t Miss!

CES 2025 has arrived, the yearly exhibition in Las Vegas for innovations designed to transform our existence. This year, that may not be an exaggeration — the CNET Group has designated a particular AI technology as Best Overall victor, with the capability to influence all the additional items you encounter.

Discover more: The Official Best of CES 2025 Recipients, Declared by CNET Group

There’s a lot more to reveal this week, so remain tuned to these and other selections we’ve uncovered.

In a presentation filled with practical items, the highlight — and overall Best of CES Winner — is an AI model. CNET Group, consisting of CNET, ZDNET, PCMag, Mashable and Lifehacker, serves as the official awards partner for CES, so when we assert that Nvidia Cosmos has the potential to reshape the core of AI, we truly mean it.

Not due to companies pushing AI into all their products, but because Nvidia’s Cosmos pledges to be the foundational technology that could propel all of them into the future. Robotics producers and automotive manufacturers might utilize Cosmos to intelligently manage real-time scenarios ranging from navigating uneven or cluttered spaces to unforeseen barriers. Upcoming smart eyewear could analyze visuals and speech as you explore a new city or engage with others. As CNET’s Imad Khan states, Nvidia possesses the “power to transform society” through Cosmos.

It wouldn’t be CES without car concepts and prototypes. Honda introduced prototypes of the Honda 0 Series of electric vehicles (last year’s displays featured purely concept vehicles), intending to launch them in 2026. The Honda 0 Saloon reflects elements of European sports vehicles, while the Honda 0 SUV showcases a more conventional SUV form. You may recognize the name of the software powering these latest vehicles: Asimo OS, originating from the ground-breaking Asimo humanoid robot.

Feline enthusiasts know that cats will ascend onto whatever they desire, so why not create a bed or perch that offers more functionality? That’s the concept behind the LG AeroCatTower, a scoop-shaped bed that rests atop an air purifier. It can also covertly weigh the cat and monitor the statistics, along with tracking how much sleep the pet gets. It’s unclear how the bed will respond in a household with multiple cats — if they all gather on the platform does the owner receive a notification of significant cat weight gain? We suspect these kinds of inquiries will be irrelevant: Be sure to keep the packaging it came in, for that’s what the cat will prefer anyway.

We’ve witnessed numerous household robots over the years at CES, including toys created for children. The TCL Ai Mi (pronounced “Amy”) concept appears to be one of the more ambitious regarding connectivity to other facets of your home and lifestyle. Ai Mi itself is an orb with charming arms and penguin-like flippers — and an array of cameras and sensors that integrate with other TCL home fixtures. The robot is primarily stationary by itself, which is why it fits into a small smart vehicle allowing it to move around. There’s even a tiny camera-enabled pin you can wear to capture moments away from Ai Mi that are then incorporated into the child’s engagement with it.

Disregard for a moment that this indoor garden resembles the final sight of an unfortunate crew member in space before they’re engulfed by whatever entity is in the pod. The lighting and mist aren’t merely for show: They assist in cultivating herbs and vegetables within your home. Plantaform’s Smart Indoor Garden can nurture up to 15 plants concurrently using “fogponics,” a fusion of mist and nutrients, and features self-cleaning and self-watering capabilities. And, of course, an app is available to monitor growth progress and inventory levels. It is also presently accessible for $500.

Capturing pictures of birds, insects, and other natural…marvels in your garden frequently involves a significant challenge — you. We are not judging your skills, but rather your human-scale presence. The Petal camera from Wonder, featuring its stem-like design and solar leaf, is crafted to capture images of your garden in its unaltered condition. The 12-megapixel camera employs AI to recognize what it observes and can inform you of its findings.

When your hands are occupied, a smart lock can feel as inviting as the interior of your residence. With a verbal command or a gadget like a phone or watch within Bluetooth range, you can disengage the lock – as soon as you arrive. The Schlage Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt adopts a more advanced strategy. It incorporates an Ultra Wideband radio that senses the speed, path, and movement of your linked phone. The lock unlocks precisely as you reach the entrance. This is the identical technology that can guide you directly to an AirTag, for instance.

Desire to leverage solar power without the expenses and infrastructure of roof-mounted panels? The Zoltux Instant Solar Kit is a fascinating Kickstarter initiative that may enable you to position solar panels on your property – such as in a yard or balcony – and lessen your dependence on the regional power grid. The 800-watt Instant Solar Pod is priced at merely $1,200 for a plug-and-play setup. However, make sure to read Ajay Kumar’s comprehensive article outlining some of the regulatory matters that might arise.

Even when not in use, a projection TV still has a presence, whether it’s a blank wall or a pull-down screen reminiscent of high school biology classes. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make it disappear, and with flair? If the aspiration of a high-end roll-up OLED screen involves too many financial hurdles, the Xgimi Ascend might provide the answer. When not in use, the Ascend appears as a long, slender box. But once activated, a 100-inch diagonal screen unfurls vertically — and that box houses an array of Harman Kardon speakers. If you’re just seeking atmosphere, the screen can be partially raised alongside a long roaring fire displayed.

With numerous companies at CES 2025 integrating AI into their offerings, it’s the right time to reflect on what fuels it all. Recently, much of it traces back to Nvidia, whether on personal computers or massive cloud servers. The firm unveiled its highly anticipated RTX 50-Series graphics cards built on its Blackwell microarchitecture. The GeForce RTX 5090, for instance, is reportedly twice as efficient as its forerunner and contains 92 billion transistors capable of exceeding 3,352 trillion AI operations per second. This processing power also enhances Nvidia’s other primary sector, gaming. The initial GPUs are slated to commence shipping at the end of January.

To enjoy your favorite tunes, would you rather have a portable Bluetooth speaker that resembles, well, a multitude of other speakers? Or one that not only sounds fantastic but also vibrates with color in synchronization to the music? Govee showcased its latest Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL, which syncs with the music projected from its built-in JBL speakers. The lava lamps of yesteryear only wished they could be this impressive.

You can purchase footwear to assist you in running quicker or jumping higher, but that isn’t the case here. These astronaut-suit-inspired boots are actually for when you’re doing nothing — specifically during recovery after a workout or performance. The Nike + Hyperice recovery shoes deliver adjustable compression and heat to your feet and calves, while allowing you to stay mobile instead of being confined. Despite their futuristic design, they aren’t from the future — some athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games utilized prototypes to facilitate quicker recovery between competitions.

Once you’ve relished the experience of working on multiple displays, it’s challenging to revert to just one. Nonetheless, we typically lack much option when journeying or away from our usual setup with a laptop. One alternative is to carry and arrange add-on displays, but this results in added bulk and extra effort. Lenovo proposes a different concept utilizing flexible screen technology. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable laptop’s display extends from 14 to 16.7 inches, enlarging the screen area and providing you some additional room — or space to watch a movie underneath that spreadsheet you’re required to focus on. You can observe it in action here.

Forget the gas station — in fact, forget the plug. This solar-powered electric vehicle can travel up to 40 milesof daily commuting in a single day. The Aptera solar automobile resembles a dolphin and accommodates just two individuals, but did you grasp the aspect of being fueled by sunlight? Every component of it is fine-tuned for effectiveness, from its mass — roughly 50% lighter than an average EV — to its carbon fiber frame and streamlined wheels. For extended journeys, simply plug it in and achieve up to 400 miles from a complete charge.

When new smartwatches are unveiled, companies emphasize the screen luminosity. For valid reasons: Even high-nit displays can struggle against brilliant sunlight — particularly in Las Vegas — while simultaneously being bright enough for visibility in dim environments at night. Samsung Display showcased a Micro LED smartwatch prototype that reaches nearly 4,000 nits in comparison to 3,200 nits on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or the 2,000 nits on the Pixel Watch 3. So far, this remains a proof of concept, but since Micro LEDs are already utilized in televisions, it might be time to incorporate them into smartwatches.

Even as battery longevity enhances in our smartphones, there comes a time when we must set it aside to recharge. Even the newest rapid-charging technologies demand numerous minutes to elevate the power level to functioning. If you’re in a rush or need to dash out immediately, how does a few seconds for a renewed battery boost sound? The Swippitt is a device resembling a toaster into which you place your phone with a specific Swippitt case. After a few moments, the apparatus replaces the exhausted battery in the case with a new one that’s charged and ready. It is compatible with the iPhone 14 and subsequent models, with Android compatibility on the horizon. The whole system isn’t inexpensive at approximately $700 for the hub and one case, but it could be beneficial for a small business or family on the move.

You can never forget the odor — or taste, if you were on the receiving end — of unexpectedly spoiled milk. If your refrigerator fails, whether due to a malfunction or, more frequently, a power disruption, sooner or later its contents will spoil. BioLite offers a backup battery solution for the fridge or any other appliance that requires a constant power source. Instead of setting up a massive whole-home battery system, the BioLite battery is connected to the appliance that requires it. Consider it as a portable power station that remains stationary. With two battery units, it stores 3 kilowatt-hours of energy — sufficient to operate a standard refrigerator for several days.

After the film Avatar transformed the cinematic experience with exceptional 3D projection, the television sector expended considerable sums introducing 3D to home TVs. Unfortunately for them, few individuals brought those televisions home. Yet the 3D vision is not dead, as demonstrated by Samsung Display’s astonishing stretchable display concept. Rather than simulating a scene in three dimensions, the display actually extends like some kind of pixelated soufflé, depending on the visuals being shown. It is too early to ascertain whether this notion will evolve into a usable product, but we wager that “warp the actual screen” was not on most people’s minds when enjoying 3D films.

Microwave ovens were designed to simplify culinary tasks in the kitchen, and to some extent, the LG Signature Smart Instaview microwave concept attempts to achieve that. With intelligent cooking sensors and a variety of foods it can prepare automatically, this microwave is theoretically your personal chef.

Then there’s the 27-inch display alongside several cameras. Follow your food as it cooks; obtain a top-down view of what’s bubbling on the stove below; heck, transform it into your personal culinary show. Excessive? Maybe — we will discover how the chicken nuggets turn out in 2026 when LG aims to launch it.

You may not need a snowy parking area to perform donuts with tomorrow’s EVs. Donut Lab unveiled the latest iteration of its Donut Motor, a wheel-shaped propulsion unit that drives the wheels of an electric vehicle. Instead of a central motor activating each wheel, this form of in-wheel electric motor provides the power. By integrating several of these around the vehicle, you are no longer constrained by the spatial and weight limitations of a central motor.

So what makes this second-generation Donut Motor remarkable? It’s more compact and lighter than other comparable devices — the 21-inch version is reportedly 88 pounds (40 kg), approximately one-third of a traditional electric drive unit. Reduced weight translates to fewer components and enhanced range. Be sure to read all of Antuan Goodwin’s comprehensive analysis to grasp just how intriguing this method of future EVs is.

Televisions usually remain stationary, especially as they have expanded in size. You might have even arranged your family room around the positioning of the TV. But imagine if you could move that TV anywhere? The Displace TV is constructed to be extremely portable. We’re not referring to “small enough to carry on a trip.” This television, available in 27-inch and 55-inch formats, comes with built-in batteries, making it free from all cords. However, the true essence of this “anywhere TV” concept becomes apparent when you mount the Pro model to…any smooth plane via enormous suction cups. The software assists you in balancing the apparatus and activates the suction to guarantee a firm seal.

Tracked dirt? Mats of pet hair? Robotic vacuums are designed to automatically whisk them away. But if you drop a sock or a pair of undergarments on the way to the laundry room? Most vacuums either shove the fabrics around or, worse, become jammed, halting everything until a human can intervene. But that’s not the case with the Roborock Saros Z70, which deploys a typically concealed robotic arm to retrieve the rubbish and relocate it to a designated area out of the way. We believe it will not only excel at cleaning but also amuse small children (and honestly, us adults too).

The advancement of vision-focused wearables continues from both extremes of the spectrum. On one end are costly, immersive headsets like the Apple Vision Pro. Conversely, there are options like the Meta Ray-Ban spectacles that can capture audio and video while keeping the eyewear unobstructed. And in the vast middle lies a plethora of possibilities for AR. Here, CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco tests out Halliday XR smart glasses that feature a small display that places information within your line of sight. A companion ring provides some control over what you view without needing to tap the frames or a paired phone or other intelligent device.

We possess robots that clean floors and robots that mow lawns, yet what about robots that… turn to gaze at you? That’s the concept behind Mirumi, a plush robotic baby sloth that dangles off your bag as a charm and elicits joy. You might think it is merely a stuffed toy until it swivels its head to observe people or objects nearby and focuses on them. It’s adorable, not unsettling, we assure you.

We know individuals who appreciate the ease of reading books digitally but do not wish to carry an additional dedicated e-reader along with their phone or laptop. Nonetheless, those devices typically provide superior readability and certainly longer battery life due to their E Ink displays. Are those individuals left wrestling with multiple gadgets? Not if they choose the TCL 60 XE NxtPaper 5G, a $200 smartphone with a special mode that simulates an e-reader in both visual appearance and reduced power consumption.

We are accustomed to witnessing TVs mounted on walls everywhere, but when not in use, they generally appear as large black rectangles. Samsung’s Frame TVs convert the screens into art — well, art with connection cables snaking from the rear. The new Frame Pro connects wirelessly to Samsung’s Wireless One Connect box for streaming content from a set-top box. It also utilizes Samsung’s Neo QLED panels for enhanced image clarity.

If you enjoy bubbles in your beverages, you generally need to stock up on prepackaged sparkling water or remember to prep your SodaStream. Alternatively, you can bring the fizz anywhere with a Roam SodaTop. This $50 water bottle cap employs a small carbon dioxide cartridge to carbonate the contents, providing you fresh bubbles whenever desired.

We envision anyone purchasing a robotic lawnmower already has an exquisite lawn to use it on, but what if your patch of grass is more untamed than usual? The $3,000 Lymow One could be precisely what you require. Not only is it equipped with tank-like tracks — dubbed, no joke, the Savage Traverse System — it features mulching blades that are robust enough to shred leaves, fruits, pine cones, and small branches. A centrifugal fan spreads the material and prevents jamming. Your inquisitive pets should be secure, though, as the Lymow One possesses obstacle detection and evasion technology.

We would never criticize anyone for speaking to their plants. However, when the plants begin to respond, we start to raise a few eyebrows. Don’t fret, the companies at CES haven’t (as of yet?) cultivated a new breed of Audreys. Instead, LeafyPod has revealed a smart planter for your home greenery. With sensors and a sprinkle of AI, the LeafyPod planter adjusts its water intake from a reservoir to prevent overwatering and provides suggestions on sunlight needs. The planter holds enough water for up to four weeks, enabling it to care for your botanical companions while you’re away on holiday.

Not everything showcased at CES is advanced. There’s always room for unique, handmade artwork like this latte design of C|NET’s nostalgic logo, crafted by a barista at Dandelion Chocolate in Las Vegas. Although Las Vegas is bustling with CES vendors and attendees like us this week, we also acknowledge the individuals who reside and work here year-round — in this particular instance fueling us with caffeine to present even more impressive discoveries over the next few days.