> At a Glance
> – 63 finalists chosen from thousands of CES 2026 exhibits
> – Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold wins Best Overall for foldable tablet-phone hybrid
> – 22 category winners span AI, robotics, sustainability, wellness
> – Why it matters: These picks forecast the tech hitting shelves in 2026
CNET Group journalists whittled a convention center’s worth of gadgets to a tight list of standouts after a six-and-a-half-hour judging session at CES 2026.
How the Awards Work
More than 40 editors from CNET, PCMag, Mashable, ZDNET, Everyday Health, IGN and Lifehacker judged entries against three criteria:
- New concept or idea
- Solves a major consumer problem
- Sets a new bar in performance or quality
Products had to be official CES exhibitors to qualify.
Best Overall Winner
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold took top honors. The slim, pocket-size device unfolds into a full-size tablet while maintaining phone functionality.
Category Highlights
AI & Computing
- Nvidia Rubin platform lowers AI processing costs with six new chips
- Lenovo Motorola Qira hybrid assistant roams across phones, laptops, tablets
- Intel Core Ultra 300 (Panther Lake) delivers up-to 12 Xe3 cores for gaming laptops
Smart Home & Robotics
- Roborock Saros Rover climbs stairs using bendable legs
- Jackery Solar Mars Bot follows the sun with retractable 300-watt panels
- Lockin V7 Max smart lock recharges via light beam from across the room
Sustainability & Energy
- Clear Drop Soft Plastic Compactor turns waste into recyclable bricks
- Superheat water heater mines bitcoin and uses waste heat to cut utility costs
- Willo shows alignment-free wireless power for multiple devices
Health & Wellness
- Peri wearable tracks perimenopause symptoms
- OhmBody neurostimulation wearable eases menstrual pain
- Allergen Alert $200 pocket lab tests food for allergens in minutes
TVs & Audio
- Samsung S95H OLED hits 35% higher brightness, supports wireless art display
- LG W6 wallpaper TV measures 9 mm thick and pairs with FlexConnect sound
- xMEMS Sycamore-N 1 mm chip enables thinner smart-glasses audio
Key Takeaways
- Foldables dominate mobile: Samsung TriFold and Motorola Razr Fold both win
- AI chips focus on cost per token as models grow hungrier
- Autonomous mobility expands beyond cars to scooters and luggage
- Right-to-repair moves mainstream with Cambridge Consultants’ modular watch
- Environmental tech scores wins in recycling, energy harvesting and wildlife monitoring
The 63 finalists signal what shoppers can expect on shelves later this year.
