The TechRadar crew is present in Las Vegas at CES 2025 (and occasionally soaring above the ground in demo rooms atop Vegas hotels) to explore the latest gadgets and technological advancements unveiled at this year’s exhibition.
CES always introduces new breakthroughs across virtually every technology sector, particularly in TV, smart home, health technology, and computing – and this year is no exception. We have significant advancements in display technology, Nvidia’s upcoming GPUs, robotic vacuums that can gather socks, along with a wealth of exciting gadgets in-between.
CES also showcases numerous aspirational announcements, but our focus at TechRadar is on practical innovations and devices you can actually utilize soon, thus our awards center on usable experiences and products we could test at the exhibition.
These are our favorite discoveries from the show, selected by our writers and editors on-location.
Best TV
Samsung S95F
The successor to our Television of the Year, the Samsung S95D, appears to be another massive success, due to several essential advancements. First, it promises to be brighter than ever, with Samsung claiming it can reach 4,000 nits of brightness in a compact HDR peak window (though only briefly) or 2,000 nits of brightness sustainably in a standard HDR peak window. Second, it incorporates a new generation of Samsung’s Glare Free coating, which minimizes reflections better than any other option available while still maintaining OLED’s profound black levels and vibrant colors. Additionally, it’s offered in an 83-inch size for the first time.
In person, it’s an impressive TV – its handling of reflections is evidently superior to that of last year’s model, especially under the harsh exhibition lights, and the brightness and colors are breathtaking. We encountered several great TVs at CES and deliberated over this award extensively, but when the best TV on the market improves, attention must be paid.
Read more: I experienced Samsung’s new OLED TV featuring Glare Free 2.0 technology, which resolves the Samsung S95D’s primary issue
TV innovation
Hisense 116UX RGB mini-LED TV
You are witnessing the forthcoming groundbreaking development in TV technology. Typically, mini-LED TVs utilize a sole color of LED in their backlighting, with a color-filtering layer (like quantum dots) altering that light into various hues. However, RGB backlighting features full-color pixels, meaning the illumination they emit is already close to the desired color, allowing for a minimized or eliminated color-filtering layer within the pixels. This results in TVs appearing brighter (as less energy is expended on the color-filtering process), while simultaneously enlarging and enhancing the color spectrum.
This innovation was also revealed by Samsung and TCL at CES, but those brands only displayed prototypes that are not the models they intend to introduce first – Hisense presented the actual television it plans to launch later in 2025, earning it this accolade. At 116 inches, it’s clearly targeted at a niche market, but it also serves as the largest mini-LED display we encountered at CES (by a single inch, yet still significant).
Most crucially, it looks fantastic in reality. The colors are so vibrant and rich, marking a significant advancement over current technology – but it still offers the deep black levels expected from a premium mini-LED, with no noticeable blooming during our observation. We eagerly await more TVs featuring this technology.
Read more: I witnessed Hisense’s RGB mini-LED TV, and this vividly colorful screen represents the future of television
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Best projector
Hisense L9Q Laser TV
As a ‘laser TV’, this essentially functions as an ultra-short throw projector equipped with television features such as Google TV streaming integrated, accompanied by a compatible ambient light rejection projection screen to deliver brighter and more vivid images. With an initial brightness of 5,000 lumens and screen sizes ranging from 100 inches to 150 inches, ‘bright and bold’ aptly describes this television.
It significantly elevates the image quality beyond that of the Hisense PX3-Pro, which we already recognize as the leading ultra-short throw projector, and the improvement was evident even on the CES exhibit floor. The integrated 6.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos sound system is intriguing as well, but it is the image quality that captures our primary interest, and this appears to be the projector to surpass in 2025.
Top AV Audio
Samsung QS700F
The mid-range ‘convertible’ soundbar from Samsung is not a fresh idea in the market, yet there aren’t numerous comparable models that aren’t high-end. Essentially, the soundbar can be placed flat on a surface like any conventional soundbar, or it can be mounted to the wall, but you rotate it 90 degrees so it aligns flat against the wall rather than protruding from it. The internal speaker configuration is tailored for this purpose – it features identical drivers on both the left and right at the front, as well as on the top – complemented by an angled central driver in the middle. The concept is that it recognizes its orientation, adjusting which drivers produce the left and right surround channels and which supply the Dolby Atmos height channels.
And it truly performs! It delivers a powerful, rich, and expansive sound for TV audio, and the compact cube subwoofer ensures that you experience a substantial bass response when movies call for it. We were genuinely impressed with the magnitude of its sound during use, and its switchable design did not seem to impose any limitations. This will certainly be a model to keep an eye on, especially since you can also incorporate wireless rear speakers using Samsung’s innovative modular wireless speaker addition system.
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Top earbuds
Technics EAH-AZ100
You need not rely solely on our assessment from the exhibit floor – we were granted early access to these well ahead of the CES reveal, and we’ve finalized our complete review of the Technics EAH-AZ100, which is exceptionally favorable. They sound remarkable, provide 10 hours of battery life with ANC engaged, are packed with outstanding features, and all this is priced quite typically for premium earbuds.
The most intriguing aspect may be the Magnetic Fluid drivers, which literally incorporate liquid containing magnetic material as part of the driver mechanism, utilizing an aluminum diaphragm for enhanced precision and clarity. This technology was previously employed in Technics’ high-end wired earbuds, and is now available in a model priced at around £259/$299. These are the successors to what we deemed the finest earbuds available last year, and they elevate the experience to a new standard.
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Top turntable
Victrola Wave
Victrola consistently arrives at CES with impressive new wireless turntables, and we are particularly fond of the new Wave model as it introduces Bluetooth Auracast to a turntable – a first of its kind. Auracast is a method to transmit audio to an almost limitless number of speakers from a transmitting device – enabling Auracast to serve as a substitute for a multi-room setup by sending sound to numerous compatible Bluetooth speakers, or compatible headphones (or even both simultaneously).
Additionally, it supports aptX Adaptive and aptX HD Bluetooth, ensuring you have options for higher-quality wireless transmission. Naturally, it also includes wired output with a switchable phono stage, offering versatility for future connections. This is precisely why we’ve selected it for this accolade – it upholds Victrola’s high standards while being prepared for numerous connection possibilities you may require.
Read more: Victrola’s latest turntable with Auracast and aptX might be the most future-ready deck on the market
Top party speaker
LG xboom Stage 301
We admit, we were skeptical about LG collaborating with will.i.am for its latest speakers – celebrity tech partnerships don’t usually yield great outcomes – but we were completely mistaken. The acoustic profile of LG’s new speakers is warm, engaging, and expressive – the entire collection produces impressively robust bass while still allowing ample space for convincing and layered mid-range, alongside clear treble that doesn’t get lost in the mix.
This was exceptionally evident in the large LG xboom Stage 301 speaker, which is designed like a stage unit, capable of sitting level on a surface, being mounted on a tripod, or tilted back for elevated sound. It features connections for a microphone or instrument, as well as streaming capabilities for music. As a party speaker, it performed excellently, and depending on the pricing, we believe LG may have hit a home run with this one.
Read more: I experienced LG’s new speakers designed in collaboration with will.i.am, and I’ve grown quite fond of them
Top desktop speakers
Kanto UKI
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Kanto is thriving, crafting some of the finest-value active stereo speakers available currently – and the Kanto UKI are yet another success. Although they are compact, they aim to provide exceptional, balanced audio so you can genuinely appreciate your music in an expansive stereo experience.
They come equipped with a USB-C for straightforward high-resolution connectivity to your laptop or PC, Bluetooth for streaming from your smartphone, and RCA for linking a turntable or various wired audio alternatives. And all this for just $199 / £199 – they could well be the audio steal of the year.
Read more: Check out the quirky Kanto UKI: Kanto’s new compact speaker adds distinctive design to your desktop or shelf
Best laptop
Razer Blade 16
Any laptop featuring the Razer Blade 16’s specifications – a 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz OLED display, up to an RTX 5090 with 24GB of GDDR7 VRAM, up to 64 LPDDR5X-8000 memory, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU – would be remarkable, but Razer’s device also provides this performance in a sleek profile that’s just 0.59 inches at its thinnest edge.
Heat in a slim laptop could pose a challenge, yet to maintain the new Razer Blade’s coolness, the company has equipped it with a fresh vapor chamber cooling mechanism covering a significant part of the motherboard, along with a dual-fan design and 0.05mm exhausts to keep components chilled. It appears to be a marvel of engineering and component selection, and it is our most eagerly awaited laptop for a complete review when opportunities arise.
Read more: Razer Blade 16 unveiled at CES 2025 featuring an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU – but Intel has been phased out
Best GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
CES’ least-surprising announcement was, however, its most thrilling for PC enthusiasts: the debut of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090. Introduced alongside the 5080, 5070, and 5070 Ti, the 5090 stands as the flagship variant featuring extraordinarily remarkable specifications; we’re discussing 92 billion transistors, next-generation Tensor Cores and Ray Tracing Cores, and more than double the AI processing capabilities of the 4090 – in addition, it comes with 32GB of GDDR7 VRAM.
These specifications mean you can operate native 4K games (no upscaling necessity) at the absolute highest quality settings, and this GPU can arguably be recognized as a groundbreaking 8K GPU. It’s set to launch on January 30 at $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$4,039 – a significant expense, but it seems to be quite the powerhouse.
Read more: How high do you wish your frame rates? Nvidia claims that the RTX 5090 GPU can push Valorant at over 800 fps with astonishingly low latency
PC innovation
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable
Clamshell laptops are somewhat a ‘resolved’ design challenge – with the folding mechanism promoting portability and safeguarding the display and keyboard relatively well while stored in your bag. However, if you’re after a display offering more screen real estate in a compact form, then laptops have been restrictive, until now.
This is made possible by the innovative Lenovo ThinkBook rollable, which extends the screen from a 14-inch horizontal display to a 16.7-inch vertical display by unfurling it from the laptop’s core body. It was merely a concept a few years back, but now it is a fully-fledged consumer item you’ll be able to acquire. Selfishly, it will be fantastic for working in the TechRadar CMS, as it will let us view more of each article simultaneously – more broadly, it could prove beneficial for anyone dealing with extensive documents or multitasking tasks. More space, less bulk – we adore it.
Read more: Lenovo introduces the world’s first rollable display laptop, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, at CES 2025
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Best gaming handheld
Lenovo Legion Go S
The Lenovo Legion Go was a remarkable release in 2024, but like many other handhelds, it was hindered by one factor: Windows. That limitation has been lifted from the Legion Go S, however, as it’s the first non-Steam handheld to operate on Valve’s SteamOS, making it one of our favorite gadgets featured at CES.
Combine this software triumph with the Go S’ contemporary specifications – such as 32GB of RAM, up to an AMD Radeon 780M (Z2 Go) GPU, either an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme or AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, alongside an impressive screen – and you’ve got a gaming handheld that could genuinely take the crown away from the Steam Deck.
Read more: Lenovo’s latest Legion Go S gaming handheld may finally be the contender to dethrone the Steam Deck
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Best mobile accessory
Belkin Stage Powergrip
The finest mobile accessories enhance our smartphones, enabling us to maximize their potential, and Belkin Stage PowerGrip does exactly that. Additionally, it embodies the concept of being enjoyable and practical by housing a 10,000mAh battery within a power pack shaped like a nostalgic point-and-shoot camera.
Available in numerous vibrant colors, including a particularly bright yellow, it can even serve as an ergonomic grip for photography when magnetically attached to the rear of the iPhone via MagSafe, featuring a pairable shutter button. Besides wireless charging, it includes another USB-C port and a retractable cable, all integrated seamlessly. It stands out as one of the most interesting mobile phone accessories we’ve encountered in years.
Read more: This could be the most impressive iPhone accessory at CES 2025, perfectly blending technology and style
Phone innovation
TCL 60 XE
Have you ever desired a phone that’s gentler on the eyes or one that could endure for multiple days on a charge without sacrificing essential features? Enter the TCL 60XE NXTpaper 5G Android phone, which at merely $199 delivers an immense value with a Full HD+ display powered by NXTPaper technology.
This implies you can switch it from vivid, sharp hues to a matte, paper-like finish that renders grayscale exceptionally well. The transition happens in just a few seconds and offers a genuine solution for prolonging battery life without the need for an external power supply. Furthermore, it allows the phone to double as an e-reader in a significantly more eye-friendly manner.
Best of all, it remains a fully equipped Android smartphone with a budget-friendly price and could potentially achieve a record-setting runtime lasting weeks.
Read more: TCL’s incredibly affordable 60XE utilizes NXTpaper to possibly shatter all sorts of battery life records
Best AR glasses
Xreal One Pro
The Xreal One glasses were introduced merely months ago, yet Xreal has returned promptly with the One Pro AR eyewear for CES 2025. Boasting 700 nits of brightness, a 57-degree field of view, and Full HD visuals, the virtual display appears splendid – especially in its sleek and lightweight (87g) form.
What enhances these glasses further is their integrated X1 chip (also present in the One), which activates native spatial computing processing capabilities, along with the new modular Xreal Eye that adds a camera to both the One and One Pro for capturing images and (eventually) AI vision. It’s an extraordinarily remarkable experience, scheduled for release in March at a price of $599.
Best smartwatch
Garmin Instinct 3
The best smartwatch at CES 2025 consists of two models, yet we are particularly fond of the Instinct 3 series. One features a vibrant AMOLED display while the other offers a weeks-long battery life – no kidding, it will continuously function – as it’s solar-powered.
Both are extremely tough, rugged smartwatches always prepared for an adventure, or if you seek elite-level metrics tracked for any activity you’re engaged in. We even tested one at a bouldering wall earlier during the event. Nearly all of the health-monitoring capabilities you might desire are included here, featuring heart rate and sleep tracking.
Read more: The new Garmin Instinct 3 had me scaling a wall – in the most rewarding way possible
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Best smart ring
Circular Ring 2
Circular’s second-generation smart ring is packed with intriguing new health capabilities such as its US Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-endorsed Atrial Fibrillation detection algorithm, an upgraded ECG sensor and, according to the company, an eight-day battery life; a substantial enhancement from the initial Ring’s two-day operation.
The ring has also made strides in an area that could quickly present challenges for the smart ring sector: sizing kits. Rather than sending these out, Circular’s application can determine your ring size,
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Read more: Circular Ring 2 revealed at CES – signaling the end of plastic sizing kits for smart rings
Top health assistant
Withings Omnia
Withings’ latest smart mirror, powered by AI, provides a health evaluation, synthesizing data from its integrated sensors and other Withings devices to give you a detailed overview of your health and wellness. The mirror itself can assess your heart rate and blood pressure, while the connected base you stand on measures your weight, cardiovascular health, and metabolic health.
In addition to displaying your reflection, the mirror functions as a screen that can present health statistics and offer pertinent feedback through an AI assistant. It’s certainly challenging to assess its effectiveness just by observing it at the event, but the possibilities are evident, and it’s an incredibly impressive piece of technology that compiles a wealth of useful data.
Read more: The new Withings Omnia smart mirror vows to deliver a full-screen assessment of your health
Top workout technology
Amp Fitness Machine
The Amp fitness machine exemplifies the integration of AI functionalities with a well-designed and innovative piece of equipment. Amp features a sleek, adjustable cable-based strength-training apparatus that is mounted on a wall, with users performing a variety of workouts directly in front of it. You can modify the resistance levels at the front with a circular screen control reminiscent of the Nest Thermostat. The cable is attached to an adjustable arm that allows you to engage every muscle group.
While you carry out strength exercises using the bands, the onboard AI adapts the workouts to your proficiency level and your fitness objectives. Amp showcases a stylish, modern appearance, yet its capabilities should not be underestimated, and it’s something we are eager to explore more thoroughly soon.
Read more: This AI-enhanced strength machine could be the Peloton for fitness enthusiasts, and it boasts an amazing design
Top smart light
Govee Gaming Pixel Light
While it might not appeal to everyone in terms of aesthetics or functionality, Govee’s Gaming Pixel Light cleverly employs AI to provide a fun, imaginative accessory for your smart home. Utilizing Govee’s app, you can direct an AI chatbot to generate any visuals you desire, stacking up to 10 created images on top of each other.
Moreover, it syncs with Govee’s DreamView technology, making it an outstanding addition to any gaming setup. Just plug it in, connect, and select from one of the 40 compatible games available at launch to enjoy entertaining, contextual lighting effects on your desk or TV stand. It fuses a range of exciting ideas into a product intended to bring joy, and it succeeds.
Read more: I tested Govee’s new AI-driven gaming pixel light, and it gave me a compelling reason to integrate generative AI into my living space
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Top smart switch
Flic Duo
Although the Flic Duo doesn’t entirely discard the traditional design of a light switch, this characteristic enhances its appeal as a smart switch. Additionally, it offers support for Matter, Apple Home, and Amazon Alexa right out of the box, while you can also manage various functions directly through the app. True to its name, the Flic Duo is a smart switch featuring two buttons that allow you to control numerous devices – initiate a robot vacuum, switch on the lights, or even execute a multi-step routine.
The included wall mount allows you to affix the Flic Duo to the wall – quite practical for using it as a light switch – or detach it to carry around. Philips Hue has previously offered similar products, but the Duo includes technology that helps you locate it via the app if you misplace it, along with providing significantly more smart home control. The standout feature, however, is that it contains sensors which enable you to create personalized gestures for operating other devices. It truly is the quintessential smart switch.
Read more: This smart-home control button may appear to be a simple wall switch, but it offers so much more
Top smart beauty technology
Samsung micro-LED mirror
Samsung’s micro-LED mirror utilizes the brand’s remarkable display technologyin a fresh design, assessing four fundamental skin indicators (pores, pigmentation, tone, and redness) to uncover possible concerns and recommend skincare items from one of Samsung’s skincare collaborators on the initiative.
We discovered that it accurately recognized one of our writer’s known skin traits and offered valuable product suggestions, and that was merely with the prototype on display. Samsung has employed some cutting-edge design for the mirror/screen as well, making this an astonishing technological accomplishment in numerous respects.
Read more: I explored Samsung’s AI-driven micro-LED mirror and now I’m equipped for some scientifically supported looksmaxxing
Top smart cooking technology
Brisk It Zelos 450
Brisk-It has already wowed us with its AI grills – which allow the grill and its AI (named Vera) to flawlessly prepare meats for you – but a drawback of prior models has been the price, making them somewhat unattainable for numerous individuals. That has changed at CES 2025 thanks to Brisk It’s new Zelos 450 electric wood pellet smoker, which is priced at just $399 for 450 square inches of cooking area – significantly more affordable than the over $800 units we’ve encountered previously.
It also showcases the updated Vera 2.0 model, featuring new image recognition capabilities enabling it to generate recipes and cooking automations based on images, not just written prompts, making it easier than ever to access AI cooking assistance.
Read more: Brisk It’s latest wood pellet grill promises AI-assisted cooking at a more budget-friendly price
Top robot vacuum
Roborock Saros Z70
It was fierce competition among the robovacs this year, but ultimately Roborock’s Saros Z70 emerged as the champion with its robotic, sock-collecting arm.
It’s a world-first, providing the capability to grab objects weighing up to approximately 300g and remove them from its path to enhance cleaning efficiency, and unlike many of the bizarre and outrageous gadgets we encounter at the tech mega-show each year, it appears poised to launch and reach consumers’ homes before the year concludes.
Read more: Roborock’s new robovac features a mechanical arm that can pick up your socks and perhaps even entertain your cat
Top smart lock
Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB + NFC
The latest Ultraloq Bolt Mission enhances the location-sensing functionality that makes smart locks so beneficial and introduces a new degree of precision, truly infusing the term ‘smart’ into it. It’s the first smart lock to implement ultra-wideband (UWB) technology available in iPhones, to which iOS 18 has recently granted app and accessory access. This technology is what powers Apple’s AirTags for precise location tracking.
The significance of this advancement lies in its capability to enable the lock to automatically secure or open itself not merely based on your proximity, but considering your movement and intention. It can discern when you’re walking or driving away from the door, hence it should lock itself even if you’re nearby – or conversely, unlocking as you come closer. Moreover, it can recognize whether you’re inside or outside the house based on your orientation, thereby avoiding unlocking the door if you’re approaching from within, ensuring your safety. It’s a minor adjustment, yet it greatly enhances the intelligence and security of the smart lock, and we truly appreciate such innovation.
Read more: This lock is about to unveil a significant iOS 18 UWB feature