CES 2026 Picks: The 7 Must-Buy Gadgets From the Show (Verified for Consumers)

CES 2026 Picks: Which ZDNET favorites you can buy now — and which to wait on

Too many gadgets, not enough time (or money)? You’re not alone. After CES 2026, dozens of headline-grabbing innovations promise to change daily life — but not all of them are ready for real buyers. This guide follows up on the ZDNET picks from the show and verifies: which devices are actually shipping, what they cost today, where to snag launch promos, and who should click Buy now versus who should wait for the first price drops.

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping.

We tracked preorders and retail listings across manufacturer stores, Amazon, Best Buy and major regional retailers between Jan 6–15, 2026 to confirm availability and launch prices. Below are the seven must-buy categories ZDNET highlighted — updated with practical buying advice, price predictions and deal-hunting tactics tailored for consumers in 2026.

Quick take — the 7 CES 2026 must-buys (verified)

• AI-powered true wireless earbuds — Shipping; $179–$349; immediate buy for travelers and hybrid workers.
• Matter 2.0 smart-home hubs — Available now; $129–$249; essential for smart-home consolidators.
• MicroLED / premium mini-LED TVs — Limited stock; $1,499+; buy if you want best picture now.
• Next-gen foldable / dual-screen laptops — Rolling availability; $999–$2,199; creators and road warriors should prioritize.
• Robot vacuums with advanced mopping and LIDAR — Widely available; $399–$799; immediate buy for busy households.
• Portable AI projectors — Shipping; $299–$699; great for frequent presenters and micro-theaters.
• Bi-directional EV home chargers (V2H-ready) — Limited preorders; $699–$1,599; buy if you need home backup.

1. AI-powered true wireless earbuds — Best for travelers and hybrid workers

Why this mattered at CES: 2026 was the year on-device generative AI finally arrived in earbuds. Vendors showcased codecs and silicon for local, low-latency noise modeling, real-time translation and on-device assistant features that preserve privacy.

Availability and price

Multiple brands began shipping in January 2026. Look for models in the $179–$349 range. Early buyers got launch bundles (3–6 months of music or translation services), while the most premium models shipped with firmware enabling offline AI functions.

Who should buy now

• Frequent flyers who rely on real-time translation or noise cancelling.
• Hybrid workers needing superior mic performance for calls.

When to wait

• If you want the absolute best ANC and multi-device switching — wait one firmware cycle (4–8 weeks) for stability fixes.

Buying tips & launch promos

• Preorder bundles: Many manufacturers included extended warranties or free accessory packs with early orders — factor this into the price comparison.
• Trade-in value: Some retailers offered trade-in credits for previous-generation earbuds, effectively lowering your out-the-door cost.
• Price prediction: Expect a 10–20% drop 3–6 months after launch; deep discounts (30%+) appear during mid-year sales if you can wait.

2. Matter 2.0 smart-home hubs — Best for people consolidating ecosystems

Why this mattered at CES: smart-home interoperability was front and center. Late-2025 firmware rollouts matured the Matter ecosystem, and CES vendors showed hubs with local automation, on-device AI routines, and privacy-first voice controls.

Availability and price

Multiple Matter 2.0-capable hubs are in stock now. Expect retail pricing around $129–$249 depending on features (Zigbee/Z-Wave bridges, built-in Thread border router, battery backup).

Who should buy now

• Homes with mixed-brand smart devices that need a reliable central controller.
• Power users wanting local automations and privacy control without cloud dependency.

When to wait

• If you’re entirely in one vendor’s ecosystem and don’t need cross-brand integrations right away.

Buying tips & launch promos

• Verify certification: Look for certified Matter 2.0 badges or verifiable firmware roadmap — some early units require an OTA update to reach full functionality.
• Bundle deals: Retailers often paired hubs with smart bulbs or plugs at 10–25% off during launch windows — an easy way to expand your system affordably.
• Price prediction: With standards adoption accelerating, expect modest price erosion (5–15%) within 6 months, but significant savings come from bundle promotions.

3. MicroLED and premium mini-LED TVs — Best for home theater enthusiasts

Why this mattered at CES: manufacturers expanded microLED demos and made mini-LED HDR more affordable. The 2026 shows focused on local dimming algorithms and variable refresh tech for gaming plus cinematic viewing.

Availability and price

High-end microLED options remain limited; expect 55" models from $1,499 and large displays well into the four-figure range. Mini-LED alternatives are more widely available at lower price points.

Who should buy now

• Serious home theater buyers who want the best HDR and longevity.
• Gamers who need high refresh rates and low input lag on large panels.

When to wait

• If you’re budget-conscious — wait 3–6 months; more units will arrive and price competition will intensify.

Buying tips & launch promos

• Check certification: Look for Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ support if you care about cinematic content.
• Seasonal timing: If you’re not upgrading immediately, Prime Day and back-to-school sales usually produce better deals than initial launch windows.
• Price prediction: Expect 10–25% declines within 6–12 months as manufacturing scales and inventory grows.

4. Next-gen foldable and dual-screen laptops — Best for creators and mobile pros

Why this mattered at CES: CPU and GPU efficiency leaps (late-2025 silicon refreshes) delivered thinner, longer-lived foldables. Vendors showcased improved hinge durability and software tuned for multi-window workflows.

Availability and price

Shipping is rolling: several models are available now, others begin shipping in Q2 2026. Prices range from $999 for mid-range models to $2,199+ for premium configurations.

Who should buy now

• Content creators who value portability and dual-screen workflows.
• Professionals who prioritize battery life and cellular connectivity.

When to wait

• If hinge longevity or repairability is your top concern — let the first wave of user reviews and teardown reports surface.

Buying tips & launch promos

• Student and trade-in discounts can knock $100–$300 off the price. Manufacturer promos often include accessories like styluses or cases.
• Price prediction: Expect 8–20% reductions across the model cycle, with bigger discounts during holiday and back-to-school promotions.

5. Robot vacuums with advanced mopping and LIDAR — Best for busy households

Why this mattered at CES: companies focused on real-world mopping improvements, better obstacle avoidance and multi-level mapping. The result: robots that actually reduce hands-on cleaning time.

Availability and price

These are widely available now from multiple brands. Expect prices between $399–$799 depending on bin/mop capacity and add-on capabilities like self-empty docks.

Who should buy now

• Households with pets or kids where daily upkeep saves hours.
• Buyers who want a clear ROI in time saved and less manual scrubbing.

When to wait

• If you need the absolute top-tier models with newest sensors — a 2–3 month wait will often bring early discounts.

Buying tips & launch promos

• Watch refurb listings: Certified refurb units often include warranties and lower the price substantially.
• Subscription considerations: Some advanced mapping features require subscriptions — compare lifetime vs monthly costs.
• Price prediction: Expect modest 10–20% declines in 4–8 months as the market saturates.

6. Portable AI projectors — Best for presenters and micro-theater setups

Why this mattered at CES: small-form projectors gained Android-based AI interfaces, better battery life, and improved lamp tech for brighter rooms. Sellers emphasized on-device processing to speed up casting and content suggestions.

Availability and price

Multiple models are shipping now. Typical prices are $299–$699, with premium pico projectors at the top end.

Who should buy now

• Regular presenters and road warriors who need a gadget that’s easy to pack and quick to set up.
• Homeowners creating compact movie corners without dedicating a full room.

When to wait

• If you require theater-grade brightness — tabletop projectors at this price still trail full-size projectors.

Buying tips & launch promos

• Check lumen specs and real-room tests; vendor claims can be optimistic.
• Bundle deals with tripods or screen fabric pop up during early promos and add real value.
• Price prediction: 15–30% discounts in the first half-year as more competitors enter the market.

7. Bi-directional EV home chargers (V2H-ready) — Best for EV owners wanting home backup

Why this mattered at CES: energy resilience and vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities moved from lab demos to shipping hardware. With grid instability and more households adopting EVs, chargers that double as home backup are an increasingly practical investment.

Availability and price

Several vendors opened preorders in January 2026. Expect pricing between $699–$1,599 depending on power rating (7–11 kW), installer services, and V2H compatibility.

Who should buy now

• EV owners in areas prone to outages who want a certified, hardwired backup option.
• Buyers with vehicles that support bidirectional charging and who plan to integrate solar storage.

When to wait

• If your EV doesn’t support bidirectional charging yet — wait until your next vehicle cycle or until compatible adapters become standard.

Buying tips & launch promos

• Installation cost can equal or exceed the charger price — get at least three quotes and verify permit requirements in your region.
• Incentives: Check federal, state and local EV charger rebates (many were updated in late 2025) which can cut costs substantially.
• Price prediction: Expect gradual declines as more V2H-capable chargers ship and standards solidify, but installs and incentives remain the biggest cost determinants.

How we verified availability and pricing (short methodology)

We audited manufacturer press pages, major retail listings (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart), and manufacturer store preorder pages during Jan 6–15, 2026. For items still on pre-order we noted ship windows and launch promo terms. We cross-referenced ZDNET’s picks to ensure our buying recommendations match what consumers can actually purchase today.

Practical price-tracking and deal-hunting strategies (actionable takeaways)

• Set multiple alerts: Use retailer wishlists and third-party trackers to get notified of price drops and bundle additions — set alerts for both model and SKU numbers.
• Stack promotions: Combine trade-ins, student discounts and manufacturer promos where allowed. A small rebate plus a trade-in often beats waiting for larger but less certain holiday discounts.
• Watch firmware calendars: For AI devices and smart-home hubs, give early units one firmware cycle for stability unless you need a feature immediately. See also best practices for device onboarding and secure updates.
• Check return and warranty policies: CES launches sometimes ship with limited retail return periods — verify the seller’s return window and warranty coverage before buying.
• Use cashback and credit offers: Many credit cards offer elevated cashback or extended warranty protection for electronics; factor this into the effective price.

2026 trends that will shape your buying decisions

• On-device AI becomes table stakes: Expect hardware with local AI capabilities to gain value — lower latency, privacy, and offline use are differentiators.
• Interoperability matures: Matter and broader ecosystem integrations make smart-home consolidation simpler; buying a certified hub now avoids redundant purchases later.
• Modular and repairable devices: Consumers and regulators pushed manufacturers toward more repairable designs — look for longer parts availability and service programs.
• Energy resilience: V2H chargers and battery-integrated appliances will attract buyers prioritizing blackout protection and energy savings.

Final verdict — who should buy immediately (and who should wait)

If you need the feature now — translation earbuds, a Matter 2.0 hub for your mixed-brand home, or a robot vacuum to reclaim weekends — go ahead and buy. These categories have shipping units with solid launch promos and quick ROI in convenience.

If your goal is maximum savings, or if you’re highly sensitive to first-wave firmware bugs (common with AI-infused devices), wait 3–6 months. That window typically delivers firmware maturity, wider retailer competition, and meaningful discounts.

Closing — your next steps

Actionable checklist:

1. Identify which of the seven categories from CES 2026 you actually need today.
2. Set price and stock alerts for the exact model/SKU you want.
3. Check for bundle and trade-in promotions at manufacturer stores during the first 30 days after launch.
4. Confirm return windows and warranty terms before buying.

ZDNET’s CES picks did a great job highlighting what’s exciting — our job here is practical: tell you which of those picks are actually buyable, for what price, and whether you should buy now. Want real-time tracking and fast alerts on CES 2026 devices? Sign up for our deals tracker and get verified price drops and verified availability the moment a promo goes live.

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