Digital Tendencies’ Greatest of CES 2025 Awards

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Digital Tendencies’ Greatest of CES 2025 Awards

Desk of Contents

Desk of Contents

Computing

Audio/Video

Cellular

Gaming

Automobiles

Good house

Las Vegas is overrun. Each billboard on the town is shouting about AI, lodge bar tops now sport a sea of laptops, and after hours The Strip is elbow to elbow with engineers toting yard-long beers.

Meaning CES, the 12 months’s largest tech bacchanalia, has approach to city, and Digital Tendencies editors enjoy spent the final four days frolicking amongst subsequent 12 months’s crop of unimaginable TVs, computer systems, tablets, and EVs. We’re in heaven.

With 4,500 exhibitors, there’s no manner for anyone particular person to see all of it, however our crew of editors has performed its greatest to discover each backwater and annex of the Las Vegas Conference Heart. We’re assured we’ve dug up one of the best of one of the best for our Greatest of CES 2025 awards. From displays to sensible gardens, desktop audio system to a extremely killer Steam Deck competitor, there’s one thing for everybody to collect enthusiastic about right here.

Computing

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

Wacky issues enjoy been performed within the title of decreasing bezels through the years. Repulsive notches. Nosecams. Hidden or removable cameras. Maybe the worst answer is eradicating the webcam fully. The most recent model of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i, although, makes an attempt an audacious technological leap to create an invisible webcam that may fully disappear from sight.

The answer is an unimaginable feat. When the digicam is engaged, the OLED show turns off a small circle of pixels to permit the 32-megapixel digicam positioned behind the display screen to shoot via the panel and generate a picture on the opposite aspect. Toss in a sprinkle of AI, and you’ve a half-decent digicam feed for video calls. Is it a bit over-engineered? Possibly. However if you’re not bothering along with your digicam and also you collect to bask in a bountiful sea of display screen unencumbered by bezels and webcams, I don’t consider you’ll thoughts.

– Luke Larsen

ASUS PG27AQNR Pulsar gaming monitor

Asus PG27AQNR Pulsar gaming monitor

Within the period of refresh charges above 500Hz, you’d consider that the movement readability situation for aggressive avid gamers enjoy been solved, however Asus’ PG27AQNR proves in any other case. It’s 360Hz and 1440p, however that’s not what’s particular about it. The monitor is among the many first to debut Nvidia’s G-Sync Pulsar tech.

It’s a spacious deal if you happen to’re into aggressive video games. Basically, Pulsar allows dynamic backlight strobing in a show, blanking out the picture between refreshes primarily based on what’s really occurring in your recreation. The consequence? You see a static picture on every refresh, locking the goal that you simply’re monitoring into site for movement readability that even one of the best OLED gaming displays can’t match.

Though Pulsar isn’t angled towards each PC gamer, it’s an enormous step ahead for aggressive avid gamers, and Asus is placing that on full show with the PG27AQNR.

– Jacob Roach

Samsung Odyssey 3D Gaming Monitor

Samsung Odyssey 3D

You’ve gotten each correct on the earth to be skeptical of a 3D gaming monitor. I do know I used to be. However I’m telling you — as somebody who’s tried out a number of generations of this know-how through the years, the Samsung Odyssey 3D gaming monitor lastly nails it.

The demo of The First Berserker I performed appears like a large development over the prototype know-how we noticed final 12 months. Having your head within the “candy spot” is not any longer an element, getting the total 3D impact in a a lot wider vary of viewing angles and distances. Sure, there’s nonetheless a number of work to be performed to carry builders on board in time for launch, or maybe develop a 2D-to-3D conversion that truly works in video games.

However the know-how itself? It’s prepared for showtime. As soon as avid gamers collect a probability to see it for themselves, I enjoy a sense they received’t wish to depart again to the boring world of two dimensions.

– Luke Larsen

Asus Zenbook A14

Asus Zenbook A14

A can of soup. A small pineapple. A pair of heavy socks. Google says these are a number of home goods that weigh about as a lot because the Asus Zenbook A14. At simply 2.18 kilos, it’s the lightest laptop computer in current reminiscence — not less than for a machine that doesn’t fully sacrifice a serious function alongside the best way. In any case, in terms of laptops, nobody needs to sacrifice options, sturdiness, ports, or performance for lightness. The Zenbook A14 proves you may enjoy one of the best of each worlds. Once I picked this laptop computer up for the primary time, I couldn’t imagine how mild it felt in my hand.

The complete laptop computer is constructed from Asus’ “high-tech ceramic” materials — in any other case referred to as Ceraluminum — which supplies its distinctive texture and its unimaginable lightness. All that, as is frequent with Asus, begins at below $1,000. That’s a successful mixture, and it simply would possibly gain for the last word laptop computer to journey with.

– Luke Larsen

Audio/Video

HISENSE 116UX TriChroma
LED TV

Hisense 116UX TriChroma LED TV

The Hisense 116UX does mini-LED in a fresh manner. As an alternative of blue or white LED backlights shining via a coloration filter, the TriChroma LED TV makes use of tens of hundreds of RGB Native Dimming optical lenses that every include particular person pink, inexperienced, and blue LEDs. The lenses are then managed in clusters, with dimming performed at each the cluster and lens ranges.

The particular person RGB LEDs — and not using a coloration filter — permit the 116UX to realize, in keeping with Hisense, 97% of the BT.2020 coloration house. The RGB clusters are additionally extra environment friendly, decreasing energy consumption.

We’re persevering with to study the intricacies about how the know-how works, nevertheless it’s an apparent dynamic change to LED TV know-how.

– John Higgins

PANASONIC 
Z95B OLED TV

Panasonic Z95B OLED TV

It was distinguished to see Panasonic return to the U.S. market in 2024, and CES 2025 has proven that it’s again in earnest. Whereas it has three fresh TVs for 2025, the flagship Z95B OLED caught our eye probably the most because of its unimaginable enhance in brightness over final 12 months’s Z95A.

Panasonic revealed that it’s utilizing Major RGB Tandem Panel know-how — a fresh four-layer panel construction consisting of pink, inexperienced, and blue (really two blue) layers that permits for a greater separation and purity of coloration and greater brightness, all with out MLA (Micro Lens Array) know-how. As well as, Panasonic engineers designed the ThermalFlow cooling system, impressed by aerodynamic race automobile design, to enhance warmth dissipation.

It’s a step ahead in OLED panel design that we’ve been speculating about, and Panasonic has delivered it and proven us what it’s all about.

– John Higgins

TCL QM7K
Mini-LED TV

TCL QM7K Mini-LED TV

There’s a number of wonderful TV tech at CES 2025, and the TCL QM7K positively has its share. TCL has developed a number of enhancements in its backlight know-how, and the 2025 collection of QM televisions (the QM7K included) are a share of the Exact Dimming Collection. With a fresh chip, lens construction, lower within the optical distance — from the backlight to the diffuser plate — and a few processing enhancements to nearly get rid of lag from enter sign to backlight response, all facets of the backlight efficiency on the QM7K seems to be to be improved over final 12 months’s QM7.

Greatest of all, although, is that, in contrast to a few of the different flashy TV tech on show, the QM7K can be a TV that matches inside most individuals’s budgets. Even with the entire enhancements, the QM7K is anticipated to be comparable in value to final 12 months’s mannequin (which began at $1,100) and we should always see it someday round midyear.

– John Higgins

Technics
 EAH-AZ100

Technics EAH-AZ100

If we had been to offer this award a sub-category, it may be “most improved wi-fi earbuds.” That’s as a result of the Technics EAH-AZ100 are filled with enhancements over their predecessors, the EAH-AZ80. Smaller, lighter, higher ANC, higher name high quality, and manner higher battery life — all are sturdy causes to acknowledge these fresh buds. They’ve even bought spatial audio with head monitoring and Auracast compatibility by way of Bluetooth LE Audio — two options the AZ80 lacked. However the kicker is their sound.

For the AZ100, Technics tailored its modern Magnetic Fluid driver know-how from its $1,100 wired IEMs, which supplies the AZ100 ultra-low distortion and glorious sound high quality.

Taken collectively, these modifications gain the Technics EAH-AZ100 one of the best wi-fi earbuds of CES 2025.

– Simon Cohen

Onkyo GX-30ARC desktop speakers

Onkyo GX-30ARC

On the floor, Onkyo’s $299 powered desktop GX-30ARC audio system leer like, nicely, audio system. However it is a case of profitable issues coming in small packages. Onkyo’s a long time of amplification heritage shines via in these audio system — they’re bi-amped, which suggests every driver will get a discrete supply of energy — and we suspect that’s a spacious purpose for his or her highly effective sound, which impresses with each its readability and low-end authority.

They’re additionally loaded with enter choices, together with USB-C, Bluetooth (with LE Audio and Auracast), optical, stereo RCA (with selectable line-in and phono settings), and an HDMI-ARC port, which supplies the GX-30ARC share of its title.

Add to this package deal a magnetically connected grille, your selection of two colours, an included set of angled woodgrain stands, and a distant, and also you’ve bought a compelling set of powered audio system whether or not you’re a creator or simply an avid listener.

– Simon Cohen

Cellular

Belkin Stage PowerGrip

Belkin Stage PowerGrip

Belkin is at all times a robust power at CES, however at CES 2025, it introduced certainly one of its most unusual iPhone equipment so far: the Stage PowerGrip. What precisely is the Stage PowerGrip? Effectively, it’s a number of issues.

Think about a 10,000mAh battery pack that attaches to your iPhone by way of MagSafe. And it has an built-in USB-C cable to cost different gadgets. And it acts as a stand to prop up your cellphone on a desk. And it has a digicam grip. And it has a digicam shutter button. And it is available in some actually beautiful colours. That’s the Belkin Stage PowerGrip.

It’s actually thrilling to see this stage of creativity from Belkin, and I hope we see much more of it within the years to approach.

– Joe Maring

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3

The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 isn’t an Android pill I anticipated to see once more in 2025. Nearly each producer looked as if it would enjoy given up on compact Android tablets with flagship-level specs, however that’s exactly what you collect with the fresh Legion Tab.

The iPad mini monopolizes the compact pill market. Google’s Nexus 7 tablets was glorious options, however we haven’t had a fresh mannequin since 2013 — and it didn’t look like anybody had any curiosity in throwing their hat within the tiny-tablet ring.

However Lenovo has, and the Legion Tab Gen 3 seems to be like a legitimately distinguished revitalization of the area of interest.

– Joe Maring

Amazfit Active 2

Amazfit Energetic 2

Smartwatches are all over the place in 2025. As such, standing out in the gang is a spacious request. However I consider the Amazfit Energetic 2 has what it takes to execute that.

Hold one leer on the Energetic 2’s spec sheet or function checklist, and it’s bought nearly every part you possibly can request for — together with exercise and sleep monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, automated exercise detection, and extra. What’s spectacular is you collect all of that with as much as 10 days of battery life, a high-quality AMOLED show, and a compact physique. What’s much more spectacular is that the watch begins at simply $100.

The worth proposition right here is the most effective I’ve seen shortly, and my early impressions of the Amazfit Energetic 2 are actually promising. It feels unreal that a smartwatch of this high quality exists at this value, however someway, Amazfit pulled it off.

– Joe Maring

Anker 165W Power Bank

Anker 165W Energy Financial institution

When you’ve seen one energy financial institution, you’ve seen all of them — correct? That’s what I assumed till Anker introduced its fresh 165W Energy Financial institution. In contrast to most energy banks, which provide you with a few 10,000mAh battery capability and name it a day, Anker’s newest one crams in an enormous 25,000mAh capability, plus a number of further options which might be equally ridiculous and sensible.

One in all these options is built-in USB-C cables. The Anker Energy Financial institution has two of them, which means if you happen to’re touring with two gadgets, you may simply carry the 165W Energy Financial institution with you and never enjoy to fuss with bringing cables.

Is the Anker 165W Energy Financial institution overkill? Possibly. However does it additionally enjoy the makings of some of the full energy banks we’ve ever seen? Completely.

– Joe Maring

Gaming

Lenovo
 Legion Go S

Lenovo Legion Depart S

On its floor, the Lenovo Legion Depart S could leer like one more Steam Deck imitation that’s seeking to re-create Valve’s success. It’s that to a point, nevertheless it’s a vital growth in the present handheld PC arms race. Reasonably than making an attempt to outplay Valve by loading its Legion Depart variant with further bells and whistles, Lenovo lastly understands that one of the best technique to beat the competitors is to be a part of it.

And thus, we enjoy our first moveable PC not made by Valve to consume SteamOS, the streamlined working system that’s helped the Steam Deck keep its dominance towards experimental Home windows-based rivals. With the Legion Depart S, we lastly enjoy a viable different to the Steam Deck that also capabilities like an easy-to-use handheld. Not solely that nevertheless it’s a robust handheld that’s each extra comfy and cheaper than its predecessor. All of that creates a good recipe for fulfillment.

– Giovanni Colantonio

MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wireless

MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wi-fi

What number of extra methods are you able to innovate a gaming keyboard in 2025? MSI’s Forge GK600 TKL Wi-fi proves that there’s nonetheless loads of room to good one thing that’s been performed to dying. It is a mechanical keyboard with a hot-swappable printed circuit board that comes with some stable KTT HiFi linear switches. It comes loaded with spectacular options, from its twin connectivity to its 4,000mAh battery.

Which may all sound a petite par for the course, however what’s particularly spectacular is the value tag. All of this solely prices $80, which is extraordinary for a gaming keyboard as function wealthy as this. Whereas there’s a premium trade-off or two to perform that, like an all-plastic design, the GK600 TKL places fierce rivals like ROG Azoth (a former Digital Tendencies Greatest of CES decide) to disgrace. Anticipate it to turn out to be the mechanical gaming keyboard to personal.

– Giovanni Colantonio

Automobiles

Honda 0 Series Saloon

Honda 0 Collection Saloon

We’d be tempted to offer this futuristic EV a nod on its Blade Runner seems to be alone, however Honda packed it with a lot tech that we don’t enjoy to. Due to a military of sensors and a few heavy-duty silicon from Renesas, the Saloon must be able to stage three autonomy when it launches in 2026 — that’s the exact “eyes off” driving expertise Tesla nonetheless can’t ship.

In contrast to a number of the questionable AI makes use of we’ve seen at CES 2025, the Saloon will make use of it to study from human drivers and course of altering environments on the flee, therefore the necessity for all that computing energy. Honda has even resurrected its beloved Asimo robotic because the namesake for the Saloon’s Alexa-style Asimo OS. Simply forgive the cringey advertising and marketing. “It comforts me after I’m unhappy,” says a doe-eyed driver, “with Saloon I can at all times be myself.” Keep on with the chauffeuring, Asimo.

– Nick Mokey

BMW Panoramic iDrive

BMW Panoramic iDrive

For years, we’ve watched middle console screens develop greater and greater, however with the Panoramic iDrive system, BMW strikes away from bragging rights on display screen dimension and focuses on practicality. The strip of display screen nestled at the bottom of the windshield places very important data like velocity, instructions, and cost state correct in the motive force’s eyeline, and it may possibly even be augmented with an elective 3D heads-up show.

Haptic buttons on the steering wheel management every part, or you may communicate instructions which might be processed by way of giant language mannequin (LLM). After seeing a lot “tech for tech’s sake” shoveled into vehicles, we care for how Panoramic iDrive appears squarely centered on drivers, and lets drivers deal with the highway.

– Nick Mokey

Good house

Roborock
Saros Z70

Roborock Saros Z70

Robotic vacuums enjoy been round for a very long time, and I assumed I’d seen mainly all they’d to provide. The Roborock Saros Z70 proved me erroneous. This highly effective robotic vacuum is greater than only a technique to clear and mop your flooring; it has a built-in, extendable arm that’s capable of decide up socks, small towels, and even light-weight sandals. It’s one step nearer to Rosie from The Jetsons.

Think about: a robotic vacuum that may clear obstacles from its personal path. Mixed with an clever navigation system, the Saros Z70 (and the opposite entries within the Saros line) is the sort of innovation the robotic vacuum trade has so sorely wanted.

Roborock wasn’t agency with value or a launch date, so the price could possibly be a bit laborious to swallow — nevertheless it would possibly simply be value it, if the arm works like I consider it is going to.

— Patrick Hearn

Plantaform Indoor Smart Garden

Plantaform Good Backyard

Good gardens enjoy at all times felt like they got here straight from science fiction, however the Plantaform takes it to a fresh stage (particularly as a result of it makes use of NASA tech). This pod totally encloses the plant and helps it develop via fogponics, dishing out a effective mist all through the inside that doesn’t overwhelm the crop and permits the roots to extra simply entry water.

The enclosure is certainly one of my favourite facets of this sensible backyard. Just about all sensible gardens consume synthetic UV mild to speed up plant development, nevertheless it’s extremely smart. The tinted home windows of the Plantaform pod block the vast majority of that mild, making it rather more believable to sustain indoors. Different items, just like the Gardyn, are smart sufficient to mild total rooms on their very own.

The Plantaform doesn’t consume soil and is totally self-sufficient; when you build the plant in, your solely job is to sit down again and wait to reap the crop. At $500, it’s a bit costly, however competitively priced for the market.

— Patrick Hearn

Petkit Purobot Ultra Automatic Litter Box

Petkit Purobot Extremely Automated Litter Field

A litter field would possibly not appear that flashy, however because the proprietor of three cats, I recognize something that does the cleanup for me. The Purobot Extremely is notably spectacular not just for its cleansing functionality however for the 180-degree monitoring digicam on the entrance. It could possibly acknowledge every animal individually and takes an image of the deposit earlier than it sifts it.

A petite grievous? Certain — however cats are infamous for hiding medical conditions, and this litter field makes it a lot simpler to monitor your pet’s rest room habits. It additionally has quite a few security sensors that sustain your four-legged good friend protected. The Purobot Extremely can connect with different Petkit merchandise, like a water fountain and an automated feeder, to offer you a high-level overview of your cat’s habits.

This gadget is a petite area of interest, however any cat proprietor will immediately see the utility of solely emptying the field as soon as each 20 days.

— Patrick Hearn



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