CES has never believed in doing things quietly, and the 2026 edition fully embraced that tradition. The sprawling Las Vegas tech spectacle once again delivered a mix of meaningful previews into the future of consumer tech and delightfully over-the-top creations that exist simply because someone proved they could be built.
Over the course of the week, reporters navigated crowded show floors, closed-door demos, and off-site showcases to separate real innovation from flashy noise. The result was a lineup that ranged from brain-reading headphones with measurable benefits to bold, almost theatrical hardware concepts from brands like Lenovo. CES 2026 had no shortage of gadgets worth a closer look.
If you skipped the chaos, flashing lights, and sensory overload, here’s a roundup of the most impressive, strangest, and most unforgettable moments from CES 2026.
1. Neurable’s brain-sensing headphones
Among countless “future of the mind” demos, Neurable’s EEG-driven gaming headset actually delivered results you could feel. While testing the PRIME system, reaction times noticeably improved - even in the less-than-ideal conditions of a busy expo hall.
PRIME works like a brief guided mental reset, using live brain data to show focus levels and cognitive load in real time. Neurable described it as training your brain the way athletes train muscle memory. It’s not a miracle cure, but in a show packed with vague claims, the improvement felt refreshingly real.
2. Lenovo’s rollable, extendable laptops
Lenovo’s latest laptop concepts weren’t trying to be practical - they were trying to prove a point. With displays that physically roll or expand upward and outward at the press of a button, these machines transform from standard laptops into something closer to portable desktop monitors.
The idea centers on “adaptive screen real estate,” but the real magic was watching the mechanisms work smoothly in person. Though still labeled as concepts, they felt surprisingly refined - almost too polished to stay imaginary for long.
3. Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold was easily one of the boldest devices on the show floor. The foldable phone expands into a tablet-sized screen, yet still collapses into a pocketable form factor - pushing foldable design closer to science fiction than everyday practicality.
With a rumored price hovering around $2,500 and availability limited to select markets, Samsung framed it as a statement piece rather than a mainstream device. And that’s exactly what it felt like: a deliberate flex showing how far foldables can go.
4. ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses
The unreleased ROG Xreal R1 gaming glasses hit a rare CES sweet spot - feeling futuristic but not ridiculous. As the world’s first AR glasses with a 240 Hz display, they’re the result of a collaboration between Xreal and Asus ROG.
Compared to earlier attempts at wearable displays, these glasses were lighter, sharper, and far more comfortable. They still cater to a niche audience, but unlike past AR demos, these didn’t feel exhausting or gimmicky after just a few minutes.
5. TDM Neo Headphones
TDM’s Neo headphones perfectly captured classic CES energy. With a twist of the earcups, they transform from standard headphones into outward-facing portable speakers - a feature no one asked for, but many couldn’t stop watching.
They’re equal parts unnecessary and charming, with sound quality that exceeds expectations for the price. You probably don’t need them, but the transformation alone is undeniably entertaining.
6. Lego Smart Brick
Lego unveiling something genuinely new at CES wasn’t expected - but it happened. The new Lego Smart Play system integrates sensors, lights, and sound into otherwise familiar-looking bricks that respond to movement, color, and placement in real time.
In demos, vehicles revved when pushed, ducks quacked when flipped, and entire builds reacted without any screens involved. Lego calls it the biggest evolution of the brick since the minifigure - and watching kids race smart Lego cars toward a trophy that automatically knows the winner, it’s hard to disagree.
7. Lollipop Star
No CES is complete without a product that makes you stop and ask, “Why does this exist?” Lollipop Star delivers exactly that. It’s a literal lollipop that plays music via bone conduction while you eat it.
The electronics live in the stick, sending vibrations through your jaw directly to your inner ear. At $8.99, it’s clearly novelty-first, but the company’s partnerships with pop artists - each flavor tied to a song - somehow make it even more wonderfully absurd.
8. Lepro’s AI soulmate, Ami
AI companions aren’t new, but Lepro’s Ami stood out by fully committing to the idea. Marketed unapologetically as an “AI soulmate,” Ami is aimed at lonely remote workers seeking connection.
The device is a curved OLED cylinder with eye-tracking cameras and depth sensors, designed to make its animated avatar feel physically present. Skepticism aside, the number of people lingering at the booth - even amid CES chaos - made its appeal obvious. Unlike chatbots buried in apps, Ami demands desk space and attention, making it one of the most honest takes on AI companionship yet.
9. Jackery Solar Mars Bot
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, power station brand Jackery unveiled the Solar Mars Bot - an autonomous, mobile power station that actively seeks sunlight to recharge itself.
The robot roamed the busy convention floor, following editors while extending and retracting its solar panels as needed. It’s part utility, part spectacle, and a surprisingly compelling glimpse at what off-grid power solutions might look like in motion.
CES 2026 once again proved that the show thrives at the intersection of genuine innovation and unapologetic weirdness. Not everything here will change your life - but every one of these products reminded us why CES remains impossible to ignore.
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