Samsung
It was a big year for smartphone releases, and amid all of the foldables, one of the most exciting innovations almost flew under the radar. Samsung’s display on the S26 Ultra has a built-in privacy setting that can even be toggled on for specific parts of the screen (such as a pop-up notification from the bank, for example). We got to see the display in action, and it’s as impressive as promised — the screen is legible and bright when looking directly at it but nearly invisible at an angle.
ASUS
ASUS had a big year of releases, and while a lot of the attention went to the flashy dual-screen models the brand unveiled, their traditional laptop releases were worth paying attention to as well. The Zenbook A16 has a lightweight design without sacrificing screen size, and the dazzling OLED display also features a touchscreen. You get more ports than you typically expect on a modern laptop, including two USB-C ports, a USB-A port, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader. Overall, it’s a powerful laptop that suits a range of use cases.
Google Pixel
The Pixel Watch does what few smartwatches have been able to pull off — look like an actual watch. With a domed display, the face doesn’t call attention to the fact that it’s a screen, and the latest Pixel Watch 5 packs in all of the features you need, including health tracking and sleep tracking, plus features you want but hopefully won’t need, like car-crash detection and SOS satellite communications.
TCL
Best known for their affordable TVs, TCL has been raising the bar to become one of the best all-around TV brands, with the right combination of innovation, quality, and value. Their SQD mini-LED TVs deliver greater brightness and contrast, with up to 3,000 peak nits for a vibrant display even in bright rooms.
Boox
Boox has proven that an e-reader can be more than an e-reader. The brand’s versatile e-ink gadgets run the gamut from phone-sized e-readers to large note-taking tablets. Because they run Android, you can download a versatile suite of apps. Their latest device is the itty-bitty Picco, which is roughly the size of a playing card. With support for ePub and a microSD slot, you can take a variety of file types to read on the go.
Nex Playground
Gaming consoles are dominated by a few brands, but Nex has shaken up the industry with its family-friendly gaming console. The cube-shaped device features a movement-tracking camera, so each game encourages movement and activity. To protect privacy, the camera doesn’t save or store video or audio, and there’s an added physical camera cover for additional privacy. The Playground console also comes with five games to start.
Skylight Calendar
Skylight bills itself as a family-oriented product, designed to help corral kids’ schedules and organize chores. But it’s surprisingly useful in child-free households, or even at the office. As editors who tend to find appointments and obligations sneaking up on us, the easy at-a-glance organization makes it easy to figure out what we have going on that day, and it syncs easily with a variety of calendar apps. The subscription unlocks more, but you can still do a lot with the free tier.
Switchbot
SwitchBot makes a dizzying array of smart home products, with wide support for a range of platforms. The smart locks let you use everything from fingerprints to facial recognition, while the cameras are a more affordable alternative to other tech brands. You can also build a whole-home ecosystem with accessories like smart window shades and lighting. With so much smart tech, it’s easy to forget SwitchBot started as just a Bluetooth button-pushing gizmo.
XGIMI
XGIMI makes projectors for every kind of enthusiast, from home theater pros to on-the-go gamers, and this year marked some major releases from the brand. There was the cinematic Titan Noir Max, the space-saving short-throw Aura 3 Max, and the ultra-portable battery-powered Vibe One. Across price and class, XGIMI has been delivering stylish design, excellent picture quality, and user-friendliness.
Daisy
It’s rare to see a headphone brand actually shake up the big players, but Daisy proved to be one of the buzziest if-you-know-you-know brands thanks to its stellar design. The aluminum accents set it apart from the all-plastic construction of most headphones, but they look a lot more expensive than they are. Tactile controls make for a refined experience, while solid sound and noise-canceling hold up the performance end of the equation.
PSB
PSB’s iQ bookshelf speakers are some of the most stylishly contemporary speakers we’ve seen, with a unique design that puts the bass driver on top of the tweeter. The speakers also connect to each other wirelessly, adding greater flexibility in where you can plug them in. As for listening to music, they support BluOS for multiroom audio, and they have inputs for HDMI eARC, RCA, optical, USB-C, and USB-A, making them flexible and versatile.
Q Acoustics
Year after year, Q Acoustics proves to be a hi-fi brand that enthusiasts keep coming back to. Their latest release is the 3040C floorstanding speakers, which are headed to the U.S. market soon. They’re slimmer and sleeker than most tower speakers, but they don’t compromise on sound, with clear highs and distortion-free bass. Eye-catching yet unobtrusive, they’re also a stylish addition to any living room or home theater.
Nanu
Nanu is all about taking a less-is-more approach. The brand currently offers two products, a mechanical counter and an alarm clock. We’ve been using the Arc alarm clock in our daily routine, and it might be the low-tech answer we’ve been waiting for. It has a sturdy metal build and a pleasing retro look, but the digital alarm adjustment is more precise than most analog alarm clocks. Yes, it’s pricey, but after accidentally breaking a series of cheap digital clocks (we’re not morning people), we’re glad to have something that feels built to last.
