At CES 2026, the theme has shifted from “AI for AI’s sake” to practical, embodied technology. This year’s “Day Zero” and Day One briefings in Las Vegas showcased everything from a surprising smartwatch revival to robots that can finally fold your laundry.
1. Pebble Round 2
The cult-favorite smartwatch brand has officially returned. The Pebble Round 2 addresses the primary complaints of its predecessor by featuring a larger, 1.3-inch color e-paper display with a bezel-less design. While the original 2015 model struggled with battery, this 2026 version boasts a massive two-week battery life. It maintains its signature slim profile, offers IP68 water resistance, and remains compatible with both iOS and Android. At $199, it’s a refreshing alternative for those tired of the “black mirror” OLED aesthetic.
2. JBL Soundgear Clips
JBL is reimagining the “open-ear” category with the Soundgear Clips. Moving away from traditional buds, these use a flexible “ear cuff” design made of soft TPU that clips onto the side of the ear like jewelry. They utilize air-conduction technology and a SonicArc shape to direct audio into the ear canal while minimizing sound leakage. With 32 hours of total playback and a price point of $149.95, they are designed to be worn all day alongside glasses or earrings.
3. Govee Ceiling Light Ultra
Govee is bringing “pixel-level” control to home lighting. The Ceiling Light Ultra isn’t just a bulb; it features a 616-pixel LED matrix that allows for intricate animations and custom patterns. Powered by the AI Lighting Bot 2.0, it can react to your mood or music in real-time. It outputs a powerful 5,000 lumens and boasts a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 95, ensuring that while the colors are fun, your skin tones and furniture still look natural and true-to-life.
4. Seattle Ultrasonics C200 Knife
In the “tech you didn’t know you needed” category, the C200 UltraSonic Chef’s Knife is a standout. It contains vibrating crystals in the handle that oscillate the blade 30,000 times per second. This microscopic vibration allows the Japanese steel blade to glide through delicate items like tomatoes or soft bread with 50% less force than a standard knife. It charges via USB-C or a mahogany wireless charging tile and retails for $399.
5. Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
Samsung has finally moved beyond the single hinge. The Galaxy Z TriFold expands from a standard phone profile into a massive 10-inch workspace. Despite the extra screen and hinge, it remains incredibly thin at just 3.9mm when unfolded. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite and features a 200MP camera system and a unique three-cell battery for balanced weight distribution. It is arguably the most ambitious mobile hardware achievement at the show.
6. Anker Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro
These earbuds solve the “one-size-fits-all” problem with a five-level adjustable ear hook. This allows you to reposition the driver nozzle to fit your specific ear shape, enabling a tighter seal for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) or a loose fit for situational awareness. Supporting LDAC and spatial audio, the Aerofit 2 Pro offers a premium audio experience for $179.99, bridging the gap between open-ear comfort and in-ear performance.
7. LG W6 ‘Wallpaper’ TV & C6H OLED
LG has revived its ultra-thin “Wallpaper” series with the W6. At just 9mm thick, it sits completely flush against the wall and uses a Zero Connect Box to transmit 4K video and audio wirelessly. Alongside it, the C6H OLED introduces Primary RGB Tandem panel technology, which LG claims can reach up to 4,500 nits of peak brightness—nearly 4x brighter than conventional OLEDs—making it viable for even the sunniest living rooms.
8. Samsung S95H OLED & 130-inch Micro RGB TV
Samsung’s counter-punch includes the S95H OLED, which features an “art gallery” bezel and the new Vision AI Companion (VAC). VAC is a conversational AI that can find recipes based on what you’re watching or make fitness recommendations. For those with a limitless budget, Samsung also debuted a 130-inch Micro RGB TV. This “Timeless Frame” display uses microscopic diodes that produce their own light, resulting in 100% BT.2020 color gamut accuracy.
9. Withings Body Scan 2
Withings is moving from “smart scale” to “longevity station.” The Body Scan 2 features a retractable handle that allows it to measure over 60 different biomarkers. It can provide hypertension notifications, track nerve activity, and even perform a 6-lead ECG. At $599.95, it is designed to give users a hospital-grade health overview from their bathroom floor, with results synced directly to a smartphone app.
10. Clicks Power Keyboard
Following the success of their original iPhone keyboard, Clicks has introduced the Power Keyboard. It now features a slide-out design, allowing you to hide the physical keys when they aren’t needed. Beyond typing, it includes a built-in battery that supports MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, effectively acting as a battery case for your phone. It’s a nostalgic yet practical tool for power users, priced at $79 for early birds.
11. SwitchBot Onero H1 Robot
Perhaps the most “future-is-here” gadget is the SwitchBot Onero H1. Unlike previous home robots that were mostly glorified vacuums, the Onero H1 is a humanoid assistant with 22 degrees of freedom. It uses an on-device Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model to learn tasks like folding laundry, loading dishwashers, or organizing a cluttered table just by watching you. While it’s still in the early stages, it represents a massive leap toward truly autonomous home help.
