The Stuff Gadget Awards 2025: our residence tech of the 12 months

Domestic tech made some large leaps (or ought to we are saying climbed some large steps?) in 2025, with robotic vacuums lastly cracking issues that plagued them for years. Stair-climbing expertise emerged as a breakthrough improvement, with Eufy’s S2 introducing its MarsWalker accent.

Mopping capabilities improved dramatically too – Dreame’s Aqua 10 Ultra Roller Complete ditched dragging damp pads for correct curler mopping, while iRobot’s Roomba Max 705 Combo launched intelligent carpet-protecting covers that robotically slide over its mops.

Smart residence tech continued its Matter-driven evolution. Ikea doubled down with over 20 new Matter-over-Thread units arriving all year long, bringing genuinely inexpensive good lighting and sensors that work throughout Apple, Google and Amazon ecosystems with out ecosystem lock-in complications. Haier’s Naturally Connected strategy demonstrated how AI may quietly enhance each day routines – linking fridges, ovens and washing machines by means of the hOn app while connecting to photo voltaic panels for vitality optimisation.

Grooming devices embraced premium supplies and intelligent performance. Kitchen counters grew to become smarter too, with Ooni’s iconic Volt indoor pizza oven getting an excellent smaller version and De’Longhi’s newest linked espresso machine realizing not solely what your favorite brew is, however your favorite time to drink it.

Time to see which residence tech impressed us most this 12 months.

---

Smart residence tech of the 12 months: Dreame X50 Ultra Complete

Robot vacuums have lengthy promised autonomous cleansing, however they’ve all the time had an Achilles heel: getting caught. Door thresholds, thick rugs, and furnishings had been all potential roadblocks that meant you’d inevitably discover your vac sulking in a nook. The Dreame X50 Ultra Complete solves this with retractable robotic legs that elevate it over obstacles. It’s a genuinely transformative function which means this cleaner really cleans your total residence – not simply the straightforward components.

Those intelligent legs are simply the beginning. With 20,000Pa suction, an anti-tangle brush system and wonderful mopping capabilities, it cleans to the same commonplace as a human. The self-maintenance is equally spectacular: sizzling water mop cleansing, UV micro organism remedy and computerized cleansing answer refilling imply you’ll barely contact it between classes.

Over two months of testing, it by no means obtained caught as soon as and dealt with every little thing from deep-pile rugs to espresso spills with ease. Expensive? Absolutely. Worth it for busy households? Without query.

Highly counseled

Segway Navimow X350E

Lawn so huge you genuinely lose observe of the cat? The Segway Navimow X350E robotic lawnmower is your new finest pal. Thanks to its six blades and significantly spectacular effectivity, this beast will cheerfully mow 5000m2 in 24 hours or cowl 1200m2 on a single cost, with speedy 30-minute top-ups maintaining issues shifting.

Meanwhile, its upgraded EFLS 3.0 navigation system combines GPS, visible mapping and twin antennas for exact positioning even in tough spots like tree-covered areas. Three cameras and a 300º area of view assist it determine and keep away from over 200 varieties of obstacles, from swings to wandering pets. No boundary wires wanted, both – setup is completely wi-fi. It handles slopes as much as 50% gradient, runs whisper-quiet, and works with voice assistants.

It’s a severe funding, however the sheer functionality and hands-off comfort make it price contemplating in the event you’ve obtained acres to take care of.

Nanoleaf Blocks

Nanoleaf has spent years perfecting ornamental good lighting, however the Blocks system lastly makes these glowing panels correctly helpful. This mix-and-match setup combines illuminated sq. panels with genuinely purposeful equipment: light-up pegboards for displaying keyboards, controllers or headphones, plus slim cabinets to assist declutter your desk. It’s the primary time Nanoleaf has moved past pure aesthetics into precise practicality.

The squares themselves (which are available in two sizes) have a thicker, sturdier kind issue than earlier generations, providing edge-to-edge RGB illumination throughout 16 million colors. A bodily controller on the primary panel permits you to alter brightness and cycle by means of scenes with out reaching in your cellphone, although full good residence integration with Apple Home, Google Assistant, Alexa and SmartIssues is of course included. Installation requires drilling for the pegboards and cabinets fairly than easy adhesive mounting, however that’s a good commerce for equipment that may really maintain vital weight.

Also shortlisted

Starlink Mini, Philips Hue Signe Gradient, Huaqvarna Aspire LC24-P4a

---

Small residence equipment of the 12 months: Ninja Woodfire Pro XL

Yearn for these yummy charcoal BBQ outcomes with out the effort of post-cookout clean-up? Ninja’s game-changing Woodfire XL grill is your cheat code. Purists may fear that it’s electrical fairly than authentically smoky, however the outcomes from this outside grill-smoker-roaster-air fryer combo will idiot anybody however probably the most seasoned of pit-masters.

Are your sausages lagging not on time? Flip it to air-frying mode for some speedy rescue. Scared of burnt hen that’s nonetheless pink inside? The cooking right here is all the time even, and you’ll sear on the plate if you would like some color. The actual occasion trick is a pellet hopper that smokes ribs and burgers with correct flavour. Standing there trying competent has by no means been simpler.

Cleaning is a dream: fats runs right into a detachable tray and the cooking pan wipes clear effortlessly. The shortish energy wire means you’ll probably want an extension lead, and it’s too hefty for tenting, however for fuss-free at-home grilling, it’s one of the best we’ve encountered.

Highly counseled

Philips NA555/09

Air fryers are a whizz at crisping frozen comfort meals, however Philips’ NA555 provides a health-conscious new ability to its locker. This fryer’s 6L right-hand basket doubles as a nutrient-retaining steam cooker, while the left basket tackles conventional air cooking. 

Steaming greens is surprisingly environment friendly right here, with minimal water required to provide completely moist outcomes. Combining air frying and steam prevents leftovers drying out throughout reheating, too – a genuinely helpful innovation. Better nonetheless, that inbuilt steam perform cleans the basket effortlessly, lifting grime earlier than you’ve barely lifted a finger.

The 9L whole capability goes a great distance in the direction of justifying the excessive pricing, however our major criticism is the truth that just one basket will get that steam performance. Dual steam functionality would broaden cooking versatility dramatically whereas simplifying upkeep. Still, merging two wholesome cooking strategies while making clean-up a cinch represents good pondering – a step past merely cooking beige stuff sooner.

Char-Broil Smart-E

Traditional BBQs imply wrestling with luggage of charcoal or fuel bottles, then going through the inevitable clean-up nightmare. The Smart-E ditches all that for a really transformative plug-and-play electrical strategy. With digital temperature management spanning 90°C to 370°C, it eliminates the dreaded burnt-outside-raw-inside situation, and Tru-Infrared expertise distributes warmth evenly throughout the grill, maintaining meals juicy whereas delivering genuine smoky flavours and people important char strains.

The actual game-changer is its computerized cleansing mode. Just hit a button and it superheats to 370°C, turning fats and residue into ash that may be merely brushed away – no scrubbing, soaking or stress required. The massive LCD show, foldable sides and under-grill storage add considerate touches that make this a pleasure to make use of. At £800 it’s a severe funding, however for anybody who needs comfort alongside wonderful cooking outcomes, this gadget turns occasional BBQing into an everyday behavior.

Also shortlisted

Weber Spirit EP-335, Ninja Artisan Electric Outdoor Oven

---

Grooming tech of the 12 months: Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x

The Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x is the styling instrument that lastly justifies ditching your present haircare arsenal. With its Hyperdymium 2 motor spinning at 150,000rpm, delivering twice the air strain of its predecessor, this 6-in-1 marvel dries, curls, waves, straightens, smooths and volumises and not using a whisper of warmth injury. The actual magic occurs with these Co-anda curling barrels: hair wraps itself robotically onto the barrel, creating voluminous curls that final two days. No singed scent, no scorched fingers – simply easy salon-worthy leads to half-hour.

RFID-enabled attachments adapt immediately whereas the MyDyson app creates personalised curling sequences tailor-made to your hair. From the luxurious construct high quality to the lighter, extra manoeuvrable design, all of it screams premium. And it’s undeniably costly, however when one instrument genuinely replaces your hairdryer, roller, heated brush and straighteners while defending your hair? That’s definitely worth the hefty funding.

Highly counseled

Therabody SmartGoggles 2

Far greater than a mere sleep masks, the SmartGoggles 2 actively coax your mind in the direction of deep, blissful slumber. Not solely does it block out all gentle, nevertheless it delivers warmth and therapeutic massage throughout your brow, brows and temples. Sleep apart, this leads to nothing in need of the simplest (non-medical) remedy we’ve discovered for complications and migraines.

The three presets every deal with a special want: SmartLoosen up is for basic unwinding, Headaches & Eye Strain is for quick reduction, and Sleep Prep is for bedtime. The app dietary supplements the masks with guided meditations and soothing vibration routines, while the cozy development stays safe even while you’re side-sleeping. 

In our checks nodding off occurred noticeably sooner than regular; winding down felt easy fairly than compelled. They’re expensive and a brief three-hour battery life means common charging. But the non-medicated migraine reduction mixed with sooner, extra restful sleep seems like actual wellness tech fairly than bedtime gimmickry.

Shark CryoGlow Mask

LED masks supply gentle remedy within the consolation of your personal residence – most likely the least irritating strategy to battle wrinkles, fight pimples and provides your pores and skin a literal glow-up. And of the fashions that crossed our reviewers’ paths this 12 months, Shark’s CryoGlow Mask was the one which balanced efficiency and worth probably the most appealingly. It’s about the identical worth as round eight salon therapies, so in the event you’re going to be an everyday consumer it’ll pay for itself in fairly brief order.

Having not solely eye however nostril and mouth holes make it much less intimidating to put on than some rivals, the adjustable headband makes getting a snug match easy and the general construct feels sturdy. Results, in the meantime, are wonderful. In testing, we discovered it de-puffed our eyes, tightened pores and skin and brightened up our complexion, leading to noticeably better-looking pores and skin in as little as every week.

---