The greatest, worst, and weirdest devices I noticed at CES 2026

It’s been a few weeks for the reason that pleasure of CES in Las Vegas, and I’ve thought rather a lot in regards to the many extraordinary devices on present.

Of every thing I noticed at CES 2026, these have been the most effective, the worst, and the weirdest devices from one of many greatest client tech exhibits on earth.

The Best

Lego Smart Play System

Lego is touting this as the largest replace to the Lego system of play for the reason that Nineteen Seventies. At first, I used to be sceptical about that large declare, however the extra I work together with it, the extra I can see that this can be a big shift in how youngsters work together with Lego.

I really like that it doesn’t have any means to connect with a display or app, so there’s not going to be any begging to make use of mum’s telephone. It’s nearly constructing and taking part in with Lego, and that’s such a wise transfer for the model. I can’t wait to see what youngsters make with it.

Reolink’s subscription-free residence safety ecosystem

I’m so sick of each single factor requiring a subscription, and so many safety cameras importing footage to the cloud. Reolink’s complete deal is about not doing any of that. It’s obtained old-school options (like a field that’s in your house which may document your footage, no web connection requirement, and no subscription charges) with fashionable options like AI individuals detection, the choice to have wired or wi-fi cameras, and non-obligatory photo voltaic panels.

It’s a bit dearer to get began since you’re shopping for every thing up entrance, and so they’re not promoting your knowledge for promoting functions. But for those who like the concept of shopping for safety cameras as soon as and proudly owning them eternally, that is the model to observe.

Samsung’s massive TV

I really like a giant TV. I really like a fairly TV. Samsung launched an enormous 130-inch Micro RGB TV at CES, and whereas there’s no universe wherein I will afford it, I simply get pleasure from dwelling concurrently a TV that massive, which appears that good. It appears proper.

I can’t watch for 2040 when each residence has a 100-inch display.

Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp with nebula impact

Sure, that is only a lamp, nevertheless it appears so stunning that I couldn’t not characteristic it.

By day, it’s only a very nice lamp, however by night time, it’s a really nice lamp that also projects a nebula effect on the ceiling. I’m right here for the aesthetic, the whimsy, and the practicality. It’s the mullet of lamps, and it’s already on my birthday want record.

Espresso Displays’ extra reasonably priced moveable monitor

I really like Espresso Displays. It’s thrilling to see a small Aussie {hardware} firm do effectively on the worldwide stage, and it helps that they make a rattling good product.

However, for individuals who balk on the concept of spending $669+ on a transportable show, they’ve simply introduced the brand new Espresso Lite 15. It’s nonetheless skinny, gentle and Full HD, whereas omitting a number of of the top-tier fashions’ premium options to promote for US$249 (which interprets to round AU$360).

I can’t wait to get my arms on the brand new display to place it by way of its paces.

xTool

I’ve been watching xTool movies for ages and at all times needed to attempt a machine in particular person. There was one at CES, and it didn’t disappoint.

xTool makes a variety of crafting instruments, and I attempted the F2 Ultra UV, which has a ridiculously tiny laser for engraving. I watched it engrave a reputation on a pendant in lower than three seconds. It additionally did an in depth engraving on a big cork coaster in beneath three minutes.

Because it has such a tiny laser dot, it’s able to doing small, detailed work in addition to (for those who’re affected person) bigger photos. It’s capable of laser engrave merchandise with writing or photos so small it might probably solely be seen with a microscope.

It was extraordinarily spectacular for a pastime product. The purposes are fascinating, and hopefully, I’ll get to go hands-on with extra of xTool’s vary this yr.

Second-generation LG Xboom Speakers

Look, I’ll admit that when LG first introduced the Xboom audio system, I didn’t suppose they have been value taking note of. I nonetheless hate the AI radio station aspect, however having now sat down with will.i.am and had him take me by way of what he appears for when tuning the audio system, and listening to his ardour for them (and the way good they sound), I’m eager to get my arms on them.

They’re such a great-sounding speaker for the scale and value. Keep an eye fixed out for that interview coming quickly, and a evaluate later within the yr.

Corsair Galleon 100 SD

This keyboard was certainly one of my highlights of the present. There are simply so many makes use of for a exact keyboard with an Elgato Stream Deck+ in-built. It’s going to be wonderful for avid gamers, streamers, editors, and individuals who need to work with loads of shortcuts. Also, individuals who similar to shiny issues.

We’re going to have a evaluate of this developing actually quickly, in order that’s one thing to sit up for.

The Worst

Generative AI every thing

Fun reality: for those who made a consuming recreation out of taking a sip each time somebody talked about AI at CES, you’ll die. I’m not even speaking about alcohol poisoning; you’d overdose on water.

I’ve talked about quite a few instances why I dislike generative AI a lot, however what actually obtained me at CES was how irresponsibly the expertise is getting used. We’ve had it round for lengthy sufficient now that we all know the potential dangers and harms, and as an alternative of constructing towards that, the pattern of desktop anime waifu holograms with ChatGPT or Grok powering them appears designed to make people lonelier and worsen their mental health.

Not to say all of the AI glasses and AI headsets which might be a privateness nightmare. Having all these bulletins occur concurrently the scandal of Grok’s new picture creation device getting used for precisely what you’d anticipate (making disturbing deepfake images) was simply such a disconnect.

Seeing the businesses hoping to make a fast buck off a fad simply ignoring the real-world harms of child sexual abuse material being created at an alarming fee by the applied sciences they have been touting was simply completely shameful.

The Weirdest

Hydrogenated water bottles

How a lot would you pay for a water bottle that, in keeping with the girl main the demonstration, removes a number of the oxygen and hydrogen out of your water, after which solely places again the hydrogen?

Before you reply, what if I additionally instructed you that it’s touted to presumably remedy COVID-19, provide help to heal from most cancers, scale back ache, scale back irritation, enhance flexibility and cognitive efficiency, scale back allergy severity, increase mitochondrial well being, gradual getting old, velocity up wound therapeutic, make your pores and skin glow, enhance your intestine well being, enhance your immunity and provide help to shed pounds (all issues talked about by individuals engaged on the sales space)?

If the reply is “$440”, then I’ve excellent news for you! Echo Water makes such a bottle.

So far, there’s no firm evidence that hydrogen water is something greater than a placebo for people. But it sounds fancy, it’ll give some individuals hope of unimaginable cures or enhancements, and it’s very costly. So, there’s most likely a marketplace for it in the event that they promote it with Ivermectin.

The lady on the sales space assured me that the water isn’t modified in any means, that it’s nonetheless the identical water, simply with extra hydrogen. I drank some, and it tasted a bit gassy however in any other case effective.

Hago Bago sperm microscope

If you ever needed to know your sperm depend and the way your swimmers are doing, you can go to a fertility specialist to get it professionally examined. Or you should purchase a US$20 package on Amazon and use an app to take a photograph of it and analyse it for you. Korean health tech company Intin has simply the factor.

Is it correct? Who can say? I’ve my doubts about my iPhone’s skill to moonlight as a microscope. But it looks as if place to start out if individuals are having bother with their fertility.

Vivoo urine check package

Did you already know that there’s an app to analyse your nutrition through your pee? What a world.

Alice Clarke attended CES 2026 in Las Vegas as a visitor of Lego and Intel.