Revisiting the Future: A Look Back at CES 2025’s Standouts
As the tech world gears up for CES 2026, with its promise of groundbreaking innovations and next-generation gadgets, it’s easy to get swept away by the hype of what’s new. But before we dive headfirst into the latest announcements, we at Engadget believe it’s crucial to cast a reflective eye on the past. A year ago, at CES 2025, we meticulously scoured the show floor to identify the products that truly stood out, bestowing upon them our coveted ‘Best of Show’ accolades. CES, after all, has a notorious reputation for showcasing ‘vaporware’ – brilliant concepts that rarely materialize. The good news? Our team has a keen nose for distinguishing genuine innovation from fleeting fantasy.
Of the devices we celebrated at CES 2025, the vast majority that haven’t yet reached consumers are slated for release this year. For the remaining few, consider it our mission to track them down on the CES 2026 show floor. Join us as we uncover the triumphs, delays, and evolving stories of last year’s most promising tech.
ASUS Zenbook A14: A Featherweight with a Heavy Price Tag
When the ASUS Zenbook A14 first graced our eyes at CES 2025, its elegant, lightweight chassis, stunning OLED display, and comprehensive port selection left an indelible impression. It seemed poised to challenge the dominance of the MacBook Air in the Windows ecosystem. However, extended time with the device revealed its Achilles’ heel. Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar, in his review, awarded the ultraportable a respectable 78, but noted its underwhelming performance and premium price point as significant drawbacks. Ultimately, it didn’t quite achieve the ‘Windows MacBook Air killer’ status we initially hoped for.
BioLite Backup: Powering Tomorrow, Today (Eventually)
BioLite was already generating buzz at CES 2025, accepting pre-orders for its innovative automatic home backup power supply. While the BioLite Backup didn’t make its market debut in 2025 as anticipated, hope is not lost. Prospective buyers can still reserve a unit on the company’s website for a $100 deposit, with final pricing expected to commence at $2,000. BioLite has confirmed that units are now scheduled to begin shipping later this year, promising a robust solution for home power resilience.
Jackery Solar Roof: Shining Light on Sustainable Power’s Progress
Jackery, an established leader in the domestic solar power sector, captivated us at CES 2025 with its XBC curved solar shingles. Designed to mimic traditional roof shingles while boasting a cell conversion efficiency exceeding 25 percent, they represented a significant leap in integrated solar technology. Though the journey has been longer than initially projected, Jackery now anticipates the shingles will go on sale in the U.S. “very soon.” Pricing is expected to range between $1,100 and $1,300 per square meter, influenced by design specifications and purchase method. Furthermore, Jackery has hinted at several exciting announcements for CES 2026, including updates on ongoing projects like their intriguing Solar Mars Robot.
Lenovo Legion Go S: The Handheld That Found Its OS
Lenovo’s Legion Go S arrived at CES 2025 with an ambitious promise: two distinct handheld versions, one running Windows 11 and the other Valve’s SteamOS. The Windows variant was the first to market, launching shortly after CES, and performed largely as expected. However, the true gem proved to be the SteamOS model, whose delayed arrival was ultimately worth the wait. Engadget’s Sam Rutherford, reviewing it over the summer, lauded its blistering performance, vibrant display, and, crucially, the intuitive user experience afforded by SteamOS, solidifying its place as a formidable portable gaming contender.
LG OLED evo M5: The Pinnacle of Visual Excellence Continues
LG’s OLED televisions are a perennial highlight at CES, and their 2025 lineup, particularly the flagship evo M5, was no exception. This model impressed with its blazing 165Hz refresh rate for gaming, enhanced image processing for lower-resolution content, and a sophisticated wireless transmission system for both video and audio. While its $4,300 price tag places it in the premium segment, LG has a commendable track record of cascading advanced features down to its more accessible models. We fully expect the company to continue refining its industry-leading OLED technology in the coming year, pushing the boundaries of visual immersion.
Moonbird Moonbuddy: A Gentle Guide to Calm for Kids
The Moonbuddy was one of two endearingly ‘cute’ gadgets to earn a spot on Engadget’s ‘Best of CES 2025’ list. We applauded Moonbird’s thoughtful approach to creating a screenless meditation and sleep aid specifically designed for children. The good news for parents is that the Moonbuddy is available for purchase right now, currently discounted to $110.42 as part of Moonbird’s year-end sale. Unfortunately, our attempts to glean information about Moonbird’s CES 2026 plans were met with an automated response from ‘Luna,’ their AI agent, directing us back to the same email address for human contact – a minor hiccup in an otherwise positive story.
OhSnap MCON: Transforming Smartphones into Gaming Powerhouses
The OhSnap MCON captivated us at CES 2025 with its compellingly simple premise: to effectively transform any smartphone into a gaming device akin to the Xperia Play. However, achieving this ambitious feat proved to be more intricate than initially imagined. The integration of advanced components, such as Hall effect joysticks for enhanced durability and precision, added layers of complexity to its development and production. While the initial vision was clear, the journey to bring such a sophisticated mobile gaming accessory to market has undoubtedly presented its challenges, a testament to the intricate engineering required to bridge the gap between concept and consumer reality.
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