GearBrain Editor’s Choice Awards: Best of CES 2026
CES 2026 made one thing abundantly clear: the smart technology industry has entered a new phase. This year’s show wasn’t just about flashy gadgets or incremental upgrades — it was about systems, ecosystems, AI, and platforms that work together across the home, car, entertainment stack, and even robotics.
GearBrain’s Editor’s Choice Awards for Best of CES 2026 reflect that shift. Instead of focusing solely on spectacle, our picks highlight real-world usefulness, interoperability, AI-driven intelligence, and future-proof design. The result is an impressive cross-section of smart home, AI, energy, entertainment, mobility, wearables, and robotics — and a list that looks very different from many traditional “Best of CES” roundups.
Below are GearBrain’s top selections from CES 2026, along with why each device or platform earned its place.
GearBrain’s Best of CES 2026 Picks:
EcoFlow Alliance with Homey (LG)
The partnership between EcoFlow and Homey stood out as one of the most important ecosystem announcements at CES 2026. By integrating smart energy management with Homey’s universal controller approach, this alliance brings whole-home energy monitoring, automation, and optimization into a single, intelligent system. It’s a strong example of how energy, AI, and smart home platforms are converging.
▲Reolink Omni x16 PoE Camera
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Reolink Omni x16 PoE Camera
The Reolink Omni x16 PoE camera impressed with enterprise-grade reliability packaged for residential and small-business users. Featuring Power-over-Ethernet connectivity, advanced AI detection, and wide-area coverage, it reflects the growing demand for robust, always-on security solutions that don’t rely solely on Wi-Fi.
▲Lockin AuraCharge with Mortese Smart Lock
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Lockin AuraCharge with Mortese Smart Lock
This innovative combination pairs Lockin’s AuraCharge power solution with the Mortese Smart Lock, blending secure access control with integrated power and connectivity. It’s a forward-thinking take on entry systems, especially for smart homes and multi-device environments where power and access increasingly intersect.
▲Cearvol Lyra Audio Glasses with Built-In Hearing Aids
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Cearvol Lyra Audio Glasses with Built-In Hearing Aids
Cearvol Lyra blends stylish eyewear with AI-powered hearing aids built directly into the frame, making assistive hearing discreet, wearable, and mainstream. With adaptive AI noise reduction, Bluetooth streaming, and all-day comfort, Lyra delivers clear sound without the medical look of traditional hearing devices.
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▲Hisense XR10 Laser Projection
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Hisense XR10 Laser Projection
The Hisense XR10 laser projector showcased how large-format entertainment is moving beyond traditional TVs. With ultra-short-throw laser projection, high brightness, and immersive image quality, it delivers a premium cinematic experience without dominating the living room design.
▲LG AI-Powered In-Vehicle Solution
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LG AI-Powered In-Vehicle Solution
LG demonstrated how AI is transforming mobility with its AI-powered in-vehicle platform. The system integrates contextual intelligence, voice interaction, and adaptive interfaces to create a smarter, safer, and more personalized driving experience — reinforcing the idea that cars are becoming extensions of the smart home ecosystem.
▲Samsung Vision AI Companion
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Samsung Vision AI Companion
The Samsung Vision AI Companion exemplifies ambient, on-device intelligence. Designed to understand user behavior and context, this platform goes beyond voice commands to proactively assist with daily routines, content discovery, and smart home interactions.
▲LG OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV
LG’s OLED evo W6 continues to push the boundaries of display design. Ultra-thin, wall-hugging, and powered by AI image processing, it proves that cutting-edge technology can be both visually stunning and seamlessly integrated into modern living spaces.
▲Samsung 130-inch Micro RGB TV
The Worlds First 130-Inch Micro RGB TV (R95H)
Samsung’s massive Micro RGB TV was one of the most talked-about displays at CES 2026. Beyond its sheer size, it showcased modular design, extreme brightness, and color precision — offering a glimpse into the future of premium home entertainment.
▲LEGO Smart Brick System
Lego
LEGO Smart Brick System
The LEGO Smart Brick System blended physical play with digital intelligence. By embedding sensors and connectivity into classic bricks, LEGO created a platform that encourages creativity, learning, and interactive experiences across generations.
▲Dreame NAVO ELITE 1 OutCam
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Dreame NAVO ELITE 1 OutCam
Dreame’s NAVO ELITE 1 OutCam brought AI-powered security outdoors with advanced object recognition, weather resistance, and smart alerts. It’s a strong example of how smart cameras are evolving into proactive safety systems.
▲Lymow One Plus
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Lymow One Plus
The Lymow One Plus robotic mower showed how automation is expanding beyond indoor cleaning. With intelligent navigation, obstacle avoidance, and app-based control, it addresses a traditionally manual chore with precision and efficiency.
▲Tineco Floor One S9 Master
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Tineco Floor One S9 Master
The **Tineco Floor One S9 Master elevated floor care with real-time sensing, adaptive suction, and smart water management. It’s a reminder that everyday appliances are becoming smarter, not just connected.
▲Eufy Video Doorbell S4
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Eufy Video Doorbell S4
Eufy’s Video Doorbell S4 stood out for combining high-resolution video, AI-based detection, and local processing. It offers strong privacy controls while delivering the intelligent features consumers expect from modern doorbells.
▲Dreame Cyber X Adaptive Stair-Climbing Robot Vacuum
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Dreame Cyber X Adaptive Stair-Climbing Robot Vacuum
The Cyber X drew attention for its ability to climb stairs — a long-standing limitation of robotic vacuums. This breakthrough expands autonomous cleaning into multi-level homes and highlights rapid innovation in domestic robotics.
▲Shokz OpenFit Pro Earbuds
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Shokz OpenFit Pro Earbuds
Shokz continued to lead in open-ear audio with the OpenFit Pro earbuds. Designed for comfort, awareness, and long wear, they’re ideal for users who want high-quality sound without isolation.
▲JLab JBuds Mini ANC Earbuds
JLab’s JBuds Mini ANC earbuds delivered active noise cancellation in an ultra-compact, affordable package. They prove that advanced audio features are no longer limited to premium price points.
▲Pioneer Sphera Display with Dolby Atmos
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Pioneer Sphera Display with Dolby Atmos
The Pioneer Sphera Display combined immersive visuals with spatial audio powered by Dolby Atmos. It represents a new category of entertainment displays that treat sound and image as a unified experience. It can make your normal car speakers sound like a premium system.
▲LG CLOiD Home Robot
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LG CLOiD Home Robot
LG’s CLOiD Home Robot was one of the most compelling examples of practical home robotics. Designed to assist with tasks, interact with appliances, and act as a mobile smart home interface, it embodies the “zero-labor home” vision.
▲Atlas Humanoid Robot by Boston Dynamics (Hyundai Motor Group)
Hyundai
Atlas Humanoid Robot by Boston Dynamics (Hyundai Motor Group)
The next-generation Atlas by Boston Dynamics marks a major leap in physical AI and humanoid robotics. With autonomous learning, human-like dexterity, and industrial-grade strength, Atlas is designed for real-world manufacturing and logistics — signaling that humanoid robots are moving from research labs to large-scale deployment, backed by Hyundai Motor Group.
▲Kwikset Aura Reach Smart Lock
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Kwikset Aura Reach Smart Lock
The Kwikset Aura Reach Smart Lock stood out as one of the best examples of Matter done right. With Matter and Bluetooth connectivity, guided DIY installation, geofencing, and trusted mechanical security, it demonstrates how smart home standards are finally becoming consumer-friendly.
▲Lenovo AI-Powered Personalized Display Concept
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Lenovo AI-Powered Personalized Display Concept
Lenovo’s concept display represents a new class of ambient computing. Using AI, sensors, and adaptive interfaces, it personalizes information based on context and user behavior — acting as a platform rather than a single-purpose screen.
▲Why This List Matters — And How It’s Different
Most “Best of CES” lists lean heavily toward spectacle: massive TVs, experimental gadgets, or products that look impressive on a show floor but may never scale. GearBrain’s Editor’s Choice Awards take a different approach.
This year’s list stands out because it:
- Spans multiple categories — smart home, energy, entertainment, mobility, wearables, and robotics
- Emphasizes ecosystems and platforms, not isolated devices
- Highlights interoperability through standards like Matter and AI-driven integration
- Balances future concepts with near-term, real-world products
Rather than asking “What’s the flashiest device at CES 2026?”, GearBrain asked a more important question:
Which technologies best represent where connected living is actually heading?
The answer is a diverse, thoughtful lineup that reflects the industry’s transition from smart gadgets to intelligent, connected systems — and that’s why GearBrain’s Best of CES 2026 list looks different from the rest.
Check out The GearBrain, our smart home product find engine, to see other compatible products that work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, or any other smart-connected device you have in your home.
Note: GearBrain may earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases. Our editorial selections are based on hands-on evaluation, ecosystem impact, and long-term value for consumers navigating the connected world.
