LAS VEGAS — CES is an overwhelming, dazzling show, full of promises for the future. No problem is too large. Everything will be solved, thanks to tech. But don’t expect everything to be on the market immediately. Oftentimes, the coolest products on display are more conceptual than items you’ll have in your house anytime soon.
So when I hit the expansive event that spanned several convention centers, ballrooms and expo halls, I had one goal in mind: Find products that are actually available for the modern consumer. Don’t spend too much time on items that are too cool and particular that you can’t touch. These can be in your hands in just a couple of days.
Hottest CES gadgets actually available for purchase
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
With a rugged build and an option for solar charging, it’s perfect for the true outdoorsperson. It comes in different colors and is at a more affordable price point than some of the higher-end Garmin smartwatches (like the Fenix 8, which allows for music storage and has TopoActive maps).
What you will get with the Instinct 3: An incredible battery life that’s basically unlimited if you’re in a sunny environment, GPS navigation, allowing you to “drop breadcrumbs” so you can always find your way back, and a flashlight in case you get caught outside after dark.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
With groceries getting more and more expensive and with questions about the quality of the food system abound, interest in growing your own produce has gained in popularity over the last couple of years. Enter the Gardyn 4.0, which is the smartest vertical home-gardening system on the market.
It’s super simple to set up. And the positioning of the lights ensures that there’s adequate spacing and that all of the crops can flourish at the same time — addressing an issue with other hydroponic systems that have the light above the plants. It also has two cameras on the pillars that are powered by artificial intelligence to detect diseases, pests or many other common issues. It’s a user-friendly design that allows beginners to hit the ground running.
The 4.0 model is large and will have an output a couple or smaller family might find difficult to keep up with. For that scenario, or for smaller spaces, check out the cheaper Studio model, which has one light pillar and one camera.
For parents, imagine a world where you can grow your own berries and cut down significantly on your grocery bill.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
Brisk It Origin 940 A.I. Powered Grill
The grill is oftentimes a place for chefs of varying ability to show off. The Brisk It series of grills makes it easy for everyone.
Their app will help you put together a meal based off of what you have in the fridge and pantry, tell you exactly how to cook it and even initiate the grill to get the job done. All you have to do is make sure there are wood pellets in there and that the meat or vegetables are properly placed. The app will alert you when it’s ready.
Their products make the otherwise intimidating world of smoking meats seem much more approachable.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
The concept of walking while you work is another vestige from the pandemic lockdowns that appears here to stay.
I was able to handle their most popular unit (they’ve sold more than 200,000 models in the last month), and with their patented folding technology, it’s remarkable how easy it is to move around and put away. With research out that walking can be almost as effective as running for burning calories, it seems like a good investment — especially in January, when they’re offering a $100-off coupon.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
Neakasa Magic 1 Vacuum Steamer
Neakasa’s cofounder Minming Gu told me that she doesn’t understand why there hasn’t been more innovation in the world of steam irons or handheld clothes steamers, which is why she was inspired to bring the Magic 1 Vacuum Steamer to market. It’s a steamer that utilizes an in-unit vacuum to make sure no steam is wasted, and the process goes as fast as possible.
It’s perfect for pet owners or for anyone who wants to give their clothes a proper smoothing before leaving the house (or to kill germs upon returning home). Neakasa launched the product at CES on Tuesday.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
Uneekor Eye XO2 Golf Launch Monitor
The Uneekor suite of products is, simply put, amazing. It took the previously unattainably expensive world of high-end launch monitors and brought down the price significantly. They have an option for everyone on their website, starting as low as $2,479. On Amazon, you can find their higher-end option on sale, and it’s a great choice for both commercial and consumer markets.
Two things struck me about their products: 1) How fast everything worked. There was no pause at all after you hit the ball; you simply saw it fly as if you were really on the course. And 2) how much data it gives you despite being on the more affordable side of the price spectrum. Due to the fact that it’s camera-based (as opposed to radar), you have all of the information you need to get better (club-path, where you’re contacting the ball on the face, and the obvious, like carry distance, ball speed, spin rate, etc.)
I’m very excited about this brand that made its name in South Korea and continues to expand out and launch new products, with more to come at the PGA Show later this month in Florida.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
The Eyeris 1 was a darling in the BestReviews Testing Lab. It makes it easy to unplug and relax after a long day, and it’s smart in terms of how it distributes heat and massages your temple areas.
The Eyeris 3 is an improvement on that and is still reasonably priced at $99. It’s voice-activated, which is useful because your eyes are covered. And comes with a cold-therapy insert that you can put in the freezer beforehand and then place over your eyes, which is supposed to reduce puffiness and be especially useful if you’re hungover, or at least that’s what TikTok tells us.
It’s the perfect gift for the person who has everything and they are the best in terms of eye massagers that we’ve used. Which is all great considering how often their products are discounted.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
Any dad of young children will tell you how hard it is to be able to get some screen time for themselves. With the One X Player X1 Pro, they can have three uses in one, it’s a really sharp and slick gaming console (running all Steam games with a 2.5k graphic chip) and also works as a tablet or PC with a keyboard attachment.
Running Windows OS, it would definitely work as a personal computer and would be perfect for those tasks that are too difficult for the phone but not appropriate to be done on your work computer.
At just $1,200, it’s fairly priced as well, considering many tablets can cost that much themselves.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
Yaber was a major winner of CES, introducing their newest short-throw projector that is affordable but super powerful. But before the K300s, there was the T2 Outdoor Projector, which was hugely popular over the holidays.
It boasts 2.5 hours of battery life if you’re watching a movie and can work as a speaker as well. It’s highly versatile and extremely popular with its users, thanks to their partnership with JBL, ensuring they have incredible sound.
It costs less than $300 and is easy to see why it’s so popular with people with RVs and younger people who want options in how they consume their favorite shows and movies.
Jacob Palmer/BestReviews
Smart bird feeders were a huge hit this holiday season. And now the makers of this suddenly thriving product space are jockeying for position. Birdfy rolled out an improved camera with smarter species-recognition software.
It’s marked down $50 already, and you can apply another $50 off with the coupon they’re running through at least the end of CES.
Anker Prime Charging Docking Station
The Anker Prime Docking Station is a powerhouse of functionality and versatility, and it comes from a brand that BestReviews has long regarded as a hidden-gem brand for how affordable and effective it is.
It has 14 ports and a 160W max output. This docking station is the ultimate solution for anyone who needs to streamline their workspace. And anyone who has outfitted their own office will tell you how expensive and confusing that process can be. It works whether you’re a creative professional or a gamer.
A winner of BestReviews’ Best of the Best of CES Award, the Govee Mini Panel Lights are an innovative way to transform any space with vibrant, customizable lighting. Highlighted during CES for their cutting-edge design and smart functionality, these compact panel lights pack a punch with their vivid colors, seamless connectivity, and endless creative possibilities.
Gamers and the younger generation, in general, love Govee because of how much personal flair it can add to their space. It’s totally customizable and the technology behind them pops every time.
More CES Coverage:
- Is RadioShack back? Brand attempts return to relevance with consumer products
- Smart bird feeders shine at CES: A top gift that’s just getting started
- Projector makers aim to create affordable models that minimize footprint, maximize performance
- Pizza ovens are getting smarter — and CES shows there will soon be a model for everyone
Jacob Palmer is the Senior Director of Content Operations for BestReviews. He has covered CES for the company for several years and is an expert at finding products that will make the consumer’s heart sing.