TechRadar Choice Awards 2025 winners: meet the best tech of the last year

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

In our review, we said that this is "the best iPhone we've ever tested" – and it looks like TechRadar's readers agree, voting this as the #1 against the most popular products of the last 12 months. Great improvements to both the front and rear cameras are key elements to love here, but everything about this feels fantastic – from the tweaked design, to the astonishingly power processor, to the fantastic battery life. It's a big, beautiful beast, and is your winner for the year.

Read our full iPhone 17 Pro Max review

Apple iPhone Air

There were many great phones this year, but the Apple iPhone Air is the phone that will influence future mobiles for years to come. Don't believe the hype, go check out this phone for yourself and you'll be blown away by how different it feels compared to the lead weight currently in your pocket. You didn't know your fingers were so fatigued until you spend days flitting the iPhone Air between your digits like a feather in the breeze, and then you'd be sad to go back. Don't worry, the industry isn't coming back from Air, everything is going to get much thinner, just like laptops after the MacBook Air. The iPhone Air may not have the best battery life, or the best cameras, but it's the phone that your friends will ask to hold and your enemies will try to copy, and that makes it our phone of the year.

Read our full Apple iPhone Air review

Nikon Z5 II

By utilizing its latest processor in the Z5 II, Nikon has created a powerful all-rounder with mid-range capabilities, at entry-level pricing. The full-frame mirrorless camera shoots 24.5MP stills with Nikon's uploadable creative color profiles, 4K 60fps video, 12fps burst shooting and Nikon's best autofocus system – these are flagship features that blurs the line between entry-level and mid-range performance, for a price that undercuts rivals. It might not be the most exciting camera of the year, but the Z5 II is the most effective.

Read our Nikon Z5 II review

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

After losing out to arch rival Microsoft in last year's awards, Apple is back, with its MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) being crowned as the laptop of the year. Featuring a stylish and modern design that's thin and light enough to carry around with you, a lovely-looking screen and comfortable keyboard, this is a premium-feeling laptop without quite the premium price tag. Apple even lowered the launch price in some markets, making the latest MacBook Air even better value for money. The M4 chip (which until just a few days ago was Apple's most recent computing chip), offers excellent performance for day-to-day tasks, and even more demanding workloads like video editing. Thanks to the M4 being so power efficient, we got it to hit over 14 hours of web browsing in our review, so it can last over two work days on a single charge, depending on what you're using it for. No other laptop at the same price can offer what the MacBook Air does, which is why it's a deserved winner of this award.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review

Nintendo Switch 2

The Switch 2 is a giant, much-needed improvement over the original hardware. Support for 4K resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate are certainly better late than never, but speedy load times via microSD Express and an already strong exclusives lineup from now into next year secures a promising future for this new hardware.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 review

Samsung S95F

The Samsung S95F’s picture quality competes well with any other flagship TV that came out over the past year, but it’s the extra things that this Samsung OLED brings to the table that put it over the top. The first is a new QD-OLED display panel that pushes OLED TV brightness levels to new heights. It also has a second-gen Glare Free screen that effectively eliminates screen reflections when viewing in bright lighting conditions while maintaining solid black levels. Beyond that, it has useful AI-enhanced features to improve upscaling and motion handling, extensive gaming support, and a drop-dead gorgeous design with an external connections box. The Samsung S95F easily earns its TV of the Year award designation.

Read our Samsung S95F review

Netflix

It’s been a phenomenal year for streaming, with every platform vying to deliver the best of the best in TV, but Netflix has once again proven why it’s the service to beat. Dominating the awards circuit, Netflix took home 30 Emmys this year, with Adolescence unsurprisingly leading the charge. The series has left an undeniable mark, both on and off the screen, sparking conversations and setting new standards for TV dramas. And it hasn’t stopped there; acclaimed titles like KPop Demon Hunters, Arcane season 2, Bridgerton season 3, Rebel Ridge, Love, Death + Robots Vol 2 have all been celebrated for their exceptional storytelling and production. With its catalog unmatched and proven ability to shape cultural moments, Netflix remains the ultimate destination for streaming.

Oura Ring 4

We chose the Oura Ring 4 because it continues to push the boundaries of wellness technology, minimizing device sizes and maximizing accuracy. At the forefront of the still-evolving smart ring category, the Oura Ring 4 improved in key ways; creating a medical-grade heart rate sensor, leveraging the power of AI to create actionable insights using your health information, gaining validation against strict scientific standards, and looking understated and cool to boot. While there have many stellar smartwatches this year, the Oura Ring 4 represents part of a movement changing how we see wearable technology.

Read our full Oura Ring 4 review

Jura J10

The Jura J10 is a premium espresso machine that's the closest you'll get to having a barista on-call in your kitchen, and is the device we'd most love to have in our own homes this year. It can make 42 types of hot and cold drinks at the press of a button (even infusing them with syrup if you like), and with its smart grind and temperature settings, it's a fine choice for espresso purists and novelty drink fans alike (no matter how complicated your regular order).

Read our full Jura J10 review

Meta Ray-Ban Display

The promise of AR glasses that can put crucial information right in your eye line, when you want it, is finally becoming real. With a subtle screen in the right lens that only you can see, an AI assistant, and a 12MP camera you can use to ask it about what you're seeing, these are a huge leap forward for wearables. When we tested it, it showed that it's far more than a novelty, enabling deaf people to read captions of what people are saying around them, for example. There's more work to do to polish the experience, but this takes AR glasses from a 'One day, maybe' technology to an 'It's happening right now' technology.

Read our eyes-on Meta Ray-Ban Display experience

Nvidia

Nvidia has been the center of several of the biggest tech stories of the year, and the way it's become arguably the single most important hardware maker in world is why we've chosen it for this award. The AI revolution is built on its technology hidden in the background, and it's the giant on whose shoulders firms such as OpenAI are flourishing. Its partnership with Intel could be seismic for the future of PC hardware. It powers the Nintendo Switch 2, which had a wildly successful launch. And it launched its new line of RTX 5000-series GPUs this year, on top of all that. Increasingly, everywhere you look, you'll find Nvidia's name in the background, and that's peaked in 2025 – and that's why it earns this award.

Samsung

If you bought a Samsung this year, you bought a good phone. Every phone maker had at least one good phone, but Samsung didn't launch a single dud, a feat no other phone maker could match. Every Samsung phones ranks among the best you can buy in its category – the best foldable is the Galaxy Z Fold 7; the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the best camera phone for many photographers – and there isn't a single Samsung phone I would tell you that you shouldn't buy.

Google Pixel 9a

Forget the iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy S25 FE – the (much) cheaper Google Pixel 9a is this year’s real smartphone bargain. Save for its characterless design, Google’s latest affordable Pixel delivers a whole lot of phone for its modest $499 / £499 / AU$849 asking price. Its 6.3-inch display is bright and responsive, its 48MP main camera rivals that of the Pixel 9 Pro, and Google continues to offer some of the best AI features around. Oh, and the Pixel 9a will continue to receive software updates for a whopping seven years. Where value is concerned, it’s this year’s winner.

Read our full Google Pixel 9a review

Apple iPhone 17

Apple’s iPhone 17 sits at the top end of the mid-range category, but it’s indisputably the best iPhone for most people and possibly even the best-value iPhone Apple has ever released. Chief among the iPhone 17’s features is its flagship-level ProMotion display, but Apple has also equipped this year’s base model with the same 256GB starting storage capacity, the same 18MP selfie camera, the same customizable Action button, the same Camera Control button, and the same scratch-resistant Ceramic Shield 2 protection as the iPhone 17 Pro. As mid-rangers go, the iPhone 17 takes the cake.

Read our full Apple iPhone 17 review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 reworks everything great about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 into a phone that’s both slimmer and more powerful. Taking inspiration from rivals Honor and Oppo, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 sets itself apart with Samsung’s powerful software, tons of deeply-integrated AI, and a truly flagship-grade camera system, as well as much wider availability. It’s our pick for the best folding phone, and naturally also the best of 2025.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review

Motorola Razr Ultra 2025

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a mightily impressive flip phone, but as you can read in our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 vs Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 comparison, Motorola’s latest flip is still the outright best device in its category. The Moto boasts a more powerful chipset, more RAM, more megapixels in some of its cameras, a bigger, faster-charging battery, and brighter, higher-resolution screens than the Z Flip 7, and for our money, it’s also one of the coolest-looking phones money can buy.

Read our full Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 review

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple’s latest top-end iPhone doesn’t have the biggest main camera nor the longest telephoto lens, but as an overall photography package, it’s the best camera phone on the market. As we noted in our iPhone 17 Pro Max review, “Apple uses its remarkable image pipeline to deliver fantastic photos with true-life colors and exquisite detail,” while the new Center Stage selfie camera “brings what might be the biggest overhaul to selfie photography since the introduction of selfie cameras.” The phone is also excellent at portrait photography and can capture 4K video at up to 120fps. It’s a photography powerhouse.

Read our full Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro

Our pick for the best gaming phone, The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro was at the cutting edge of phone performance when it released at the very end of 2024, and close to a year later it’s still one of the most powerful handsets on the market. As well as being one of the first phones to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is equipped with shoulder buttons, two USB ports, and a bundled cooling fan to tackle any game with ease. It also boasts a screaming-fast 185Hz refresh rate, so you won’t miss any of the action.

Read our full Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro review

UAG Metropolis MagSafe Kevlar Wallet

Want to keep your cards safe? Like, really safe? How about a MagSafe wallet made of body armor material? The UAG Metropolis MagSafe Kevlar Wallet wins the title of best phone accessory thanks to its blend of form and function. Unlike some other MagSafe card holders, the Metropolis actually folds over like a conventional wallet, offering more space for bank cards, ID, or whatever else you may need to carry with you. It’s still slim, though, measuring 13mm thick when empty. It also doubles as a kickstand – neat!

Apple iPad 11-inch (2025)

Apple really nailed it with this year’s base-model iPad. Rather than go for a drastic redesign, the tech giant gave its cheapest tablet a more powerful processor and a bit more RAM and called it a day before things got more expensive. That was, without a doubt, the right call – the iPad remains a people’s champion thanks to its entirely reasonable starting price and surprisingly capable performance. Now equipped with the A16 chip and 6GB of RAM, the iPad is a great choice for web browsing, social media, watching videos and movies, and even digital art thanks to Apple Pencil with USB-C compatibility. It's much more performant than any Android tablet of its price.

Read our full iPad 11-inch (2025) review

Google Pixel 10 Pro

The Pixel 10 Pro is the panacea to your AI woes. Every device today uses AI, but the Pixel 10 Pro is the only device that is truly better with AI. It does more than just answer your phone calls or take sterling dictation. Google's AI now teaches you how to take better photos, with step-by-step instructions that help you use the camera app. It uses your screenshots as a knowledge bank to answer questions in a flash. It can make complicated photo edits from a simple instruction. It's about time an AI device helped you become a better creator, instead of stealing your creativity away. Best of all, the future looks bright, with years of updates and new AI features promised. If you want to see how AI can make your device – and maybe your life – better, check out the Pixel 10 Pro.

Read our full Google Pixel 10 Pro review

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft

Once you've seen a Kindle in color, it's impossible to go back to gray and white. The Kindle has always been a great e-reader choice with its sharp E Ink display and vast Amazon book library – especially great for voracious readers who tear through the Kindle Unlimited offerings – so the Kindle Colorsoft comes from good stock. Once you load your favorite graphic novels, or flip through your best cookbooks, or just admire the covers of all the books you've read – now in full color! – you'll wonder how you survived without all those hues. And the future looks even more colorful now that Amazon has announced Kindle Scribes in full color. The Kindle Colorsoft is the trendsetter, and in the future we'll remember it was the start of something big.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature review

reMarkable Paper Pro Move review

We've been huge fans of reMarkable's elegant writing tablets since we picked up the reMarkable 2, but we always wished for a reMarkable that could fit in your pocket. The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is the tablet we always hoped reMarkable would make, and more. It isn't just a sleek, elegant slate for writing and gathering ideas – it's also a fast, full-color writing tablet, with all of the newest features and templates that we loved on the reMarkable Paper Pro. With a gorgeous folio cover, it still fits nicely in the back of my jeans or slipped inside a jacket pocket, and now I can take notes, and keep track of my to-do list, and journal incessantly without worrying about how I'd carry my reMarkable around. If you're ready for a premium writing experience wherever you go, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move is the writing tablet to choose.

Read our full reMarkable Paper Pro Move review

Nikon

Scooping two key awards below only tells half the story for Nikon in 2025. Following its surprising acquisition of RED Digital in 2024, Nikon has wasted no time in improving existing products this year with new video features, developing new products such as its first cinema camera, the Nikon ZR, and setting about making RED Digital cinema cameras better value. And on the value front, Nikon is unmatched – its latest cameras consistently offer similar bang for much less buck than rivals.

Nikon Z50 II

Updating Nikon's original APS-C mirrorless camera, the Z50 II is a versatile successor with a secret weapon: Nikon's latest Expeed 7 processor for flagship performance, superb subject recognition autofocus, and improved video features. Its tidy dimensions and excellent ergonomics, complete with a vari-angle touchscreen, make it an easy camera to travel and shoot with. The unchanged 20.9MP sensor, which still lacks in-body image stabilization, is bettered by other APS-C rivals, but you won't find a more complete mirrorless camera at this price point – it is an excellent value camera to learn and grow with.

Read our Nikon Z50 II review

Nikon Z5 II

Yes, it's a complete podium for Nikon, which also scoops the best mid-range camera with its stellar Z5 II, which redefines what entry-level full-frame cameras can do. Despite shooting 24.5MP stills like the original Z5, overall performance is boosted by the same Expeed 7 processor that's in recent high-end Z-series bodies, plus Nikon's best subject-detection autofocus performance with super-sticky 3D tracking. Burst shooting tops out at 12fps in RAW or 30fps JPEGs, while video features enjoy a significant boost over the original Z5, too, even if some of the video specs possibly come up short versus rivals. It's a pricier package than the Z5, but even still the Z5 II blurs the line between affordability and performance – it's a mid-range model with entry-level pricing.

Read our Nikon Z5 II review

Canon EOS R1

Announced at the same time as the EOS R5 Mark II (which took our overall Camera of the Year 2024 award), the EOS R1 launched a little later with a string of unmatched features for high-speed photography, including sports. The stacked 24MP sensor and twin processors deliver incredible burst shooting performance, ably supported by intelligent and complex tracking autofocus modes (that can be people- and sport-specific), plus clever in-camera AI enhancements such as a 400% upscale feature. The EOS R1's viewfinder is amazing too; highly detailed and with smart eye tracking skills. The R1 isn't for everyone – it's rugged body is large and heavy, plus it's pricey – but for high-speed performance in challenging scenarios, it's our top pro pick for 2025.

Read our Canon EOS R1 review

Panasonic Lumix S1 II

The Lumix S1 II further elevated Panasonic's video camera-making credentials, improving on the Lumix S5 II (last year's best video camera winner) in every way. Its 24MP full-frame sensor is partially stacked for improved video performance and 70fps burst shooting, while its 6K open gate video is supported by possibly the broadest range of video codecs for the money, plus dual-gain ISO and a dynamic range boost mode. Panasonic's autofocus now fares much better against rivals, while its incredible image stabilization for video leads the pack. The S1 II is also great in the hand, especially its dual-axis vari-angle screen. Competition is greater now – the much cheaper Nikon Z6 III runs the uncharacteristically pricey Lumix model close, but overall the S1 II is the better of the two for video.

Read our Panasonic Lumix S1 II review

Polaroid Flip

Polaroid's Flip was easily the most memorable instant camera for 2025, thanks to its unique flip design, retro charm (that orange / white colorway is just the best) and all the fun quirks that come with traditional Polaroid film. Years in the making, the point-and-shoot Flip is great for beginners and an unusually a streamlined package, while its flip lid protects the lens and viewfinder. It may lack the manual controls of the pricier premium Polaroid I-2, but the Flip wins for simplicity, and keeps the soul that makes Polaroid so appealing for analog instant photography fans.

Read our Polaroid Flip review

GoPro Max 2

After multiple delays spanning years, GoPro finally delivered the Max 2, its accomplished portable 360 camera. During the six years between the original Max and the Max 2, Insta360 has come to dominate the market and indeed its rival X5 also released this year is the more rounded of the two 8K-shooting 360 cameras. However, the Max 2 boasts class-leading 8K video quality in favorable light, tool-free replaceable lenses and of course GoPro's superb stabilization, together with a wide range of supporting accessories. It may have had an otherwise challenging year, but GoPro's Max 2 was certainly worth the wait and a highlight for the action camera giant.

Read our GoPro Max 2 review

Garmin Dash Cam X310

Garmin's 5-star X310 is its best dash cam yet, boasting detail-rich 4K video with HDR, built-in GPS, a responsive 2.4-inch touchscreen, handy voice control and USB-C charging, while a neat new polarized lens reduces reflections for clear recordings. It's not the biggest update compared to Garmin's already capable previous flagship dash cam, the 67W, while cloud storage is only unlocked through an ongoing subscription. For such a premium product, it feels a little stingy on Garmin's half that it doesn't include a microSD card in the box. However, if you like your dash cams simple, small, powerful and accomplished, there are few that can match the X310.

Read our Garmin Dash Cam X310 review

Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM

2025 has arguably been a better year for exciting new lenses than it has cameras, and our pick of the bunch along with TechRadar readers is the incredible Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM. It follows Sony's FE 28-70mm F2 GM as a weighty pro zoom with versatile maximum f/2 aperture across the entire zoom range, and likewise delivers prime lens-quality at any setting. Following rigorous testing, we dubbed Sony's 50-150mm the ultimate high-quality pro zoom for events, and a formidable pairing with a camera like the new A1 II. So good is this five-star lens, like the 28-70mm before it, that it could be a reason to switch systems to Sony.

Read our Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM review

Leica Q3 43

We're fans of Leica's Q-series of premium compact cameras, which peaked this year with the Q3 43. It's identical to the Q3 in all but one way – the lens, which as its name suggests is a stunningly sharp 43mm f/2. That tighter focal length (versus the 28mm f/1.7 in the Q3), paired with the high resolution 61MP full-frame sensor combine for a surprisingly versatile premium compact that's a joy to use. Yes it's pricey (though much less than a Leica M11), but the Q3 43 feels like the ultimate every day carry.

Read our Leica Q3 43 review

DJI Mic 3

It's déjà vu as DJI scoops best accessory again with its wireless Mic 3, the follow up to last year's winner, the Mic 2. The previous version already set the standard for compact wireless mics, being a top pick among content creators. Yet somehow, just 18 months later, DJI delivered a comprehensive upgrade with the Mic 3, building on the 32-bit float audio recording skills with improved battery life, more effective noise cancelling, extra storage space and extended transmission range. Timecode support, voice tone presets and lossless recording debut too, all squeezed into a smaller and lighter mic design. DJI dropping the launch price versus the Mic 2 further sweetens the deal.

Read our DJI Mic 3 review

DJI Mavic 4 Pro

Of course, DJI bags best consumer drone again – no other brand comes close. It was a close call between the Mavic 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro but, ultimately, the larger Mavic 4 Pro came out on top. It succeeds the Mavic 3 pro and once again sets the benchmark for camera drones, with it's triple gimbal-mounted camera and unmatched roll-rotation range for creative shots. There's 6K video up to 60fps using the main camera, which gains a brighter f/2 aperture that beats the Mavic 3 Pro in low light. Put simply, no other consumer drone can match the Mavic 4 Pro's camera skills, and it's competitively priced too.

Read our DJI Mavic 4 Pro review

Apple

This past year was a fantastic one for Apple's computing line-up, thanks to new Apple M4-powered Mac products like the MacBook Air 13-inch, as well as new innovations such as Apple Intelligence and Apple macOS Tahoe. Apple was always going to be a tough brand to beat, regardless of the year, but it was an even easier pick this year than we thought it would be at the start.

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

Apple probably isn't a brand everyone associates with the word 'value' – it's usually best known for making premium, and pricey, products – but the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is genuinely one of the best-value laptops we've tested. While it's certainly not the cheapest, and we wouldn't call it a budget laptop, it offers excellent performance, design and build quality, for an extremely competitive price. Starting at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, you'd be hard-pushed to find a rival Windows 11 laptop at that price offering a similar level of features and performance. In an age where it seems prices for everything are going up, it has also been refreshing to see that with its latest MacBook Air, Apple didn't increase the price – in fact, for buyers in the US, the M4 model is actually cheaper than the previous M3 model. The fact you're getting boosted performance for less is another great example of why the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is this year's best value laptop.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360

It's one of the least powerful devices on this list, but the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 wins the title of best Chromebook this year, largely due to it simply being a very well-designed device. Considering that Chromebooks are more commonly considered to be budget-friendly – and therefore often quite basic – laptops, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 manages to buck the trend with surprisingly premium-feeling build quality and an excellent display; a 12.4-inch 1600p touch panel with great maximum brightness compared to other Chromebooks we've reviewed. Despite its incredibly compact size (something increasingly rare in laptops), it still manages to fit in full-size keys with good spacing and a generally comfortable typing experience for such a small laptop. With a sturdy hinge, it can also double up as a tablet, making it ideal for younger users – especially once you factor in the range of parental control features found in ChromeOS.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

What a year it's been for the M4 MacBook Air! Scooping up another award, this time for best AI laptop. This might come as a surprise to some people, because until recently, Apple didn't seem to be going as all-in on AI as rivals like Microsoft, Google and Samsung. However, it's actually been shipping MacBooks that come with chips with built-in NPUs (Neural Processing Units), which are used for on-device AI tasks, since the M1-powered MacBook back in 2020 – a long time before the current AI hype kicked off – and Apple has been making improvements with each generation of M-class chip. So, the MacBook Air with M4 might not make a big song and dance about it, but it's got a very capable AI chip. And with Apple Intelligence, Apple's term for its various AI-powered features, catching up with the competition on laptops, the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) has ended up being an excellent AI laptop that isn't obnoxious about forcing those AI features on you (something rivals such as Microsoft are guilty of).

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review

MSI Titan 18 HX

This portable battle station packs desktop-level power into a laptop form factor, and while it certainly isn't the thinnest or lightest gaming laptop on the market, it's far and away one of the most performant. Equipped with a laptop RTX 5090 GPU (the very best Nvidia has to offer), up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 200HX series processor, and complete with an 18-inch UHD display, MSI's Titan 18 HX is the perfect pick for those who want to play their favorite titles on the pinnacle of gaming laptops. Plus, it has more than just horsepower; it features a clean black and gray design with customizable RGB accents on the MSI logo and trackpad, and the built-in keyboard features Cherry mechanical key switches, giving it a very nice, springy typing feel to match its incredibly snappy performance.

Read our full MSI Titan 18 HX review

Asus ROG NUC (2025)

Good things come in small packages with the latest NUC mini gaming PC from Asus. Packing a next-gen Intel Core Ultra CPU and up to an Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics card into an ultra-compact chassis smaller than a modern home games console, this might just be the best tiny gaming PC we've ever seen; indeed, the NUC product line has flourished since Asus took it over from Intel in 2023, renaming it ROG NUC and giving in a fresh focus on high-end gaming performance. While the 2025 model isn't the most upgradable device due to its extremely cramped chassis interior, the performance speaks for itself, and it also offers a solid selection of physical ports and surprisingly good thermal management considering the hardware specs crammed into this little wonder. With prices starting at $2,099 / £1,999 / AU$4,314 it's also actually quite reasonably priced for an RTX 5000-series desktop – outside of Australia, at least…

Read more about the Asus ROG NUC (2025)

Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)

The Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS handheld finally brings the power and performance of a modern PC gaming handheld with the crisp and simplified SteamOS interface that had previously only been found on the Valve Steam Deck. With enhanced performance over the handheld that launched a PC gaming revolution, the Legion Go S SteamOS edition is finally the contender to take the crown from Valve, which is no small thing.

Read the full Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) review

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D easily pick up the title here as it delivers the incredible gaming performance of an AMD Ryzen X3D chip while maintaining its performance lead on non-gaming tasks. This makes it something of a super chip that no other processor on the market can really compete with. If you want a chip that can do it all, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the chip you want this year.

Read the full AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D review

Nintendo

Nintendo hasn't been quite as quiet as we're used to this year, with the monumental launch of the Switch 2 back in June being easily the biggest gaming moment of 2025 so far. The new console seriously impressed us, and it's great to see its first-party roster in full swing again with upcoming releases from The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, Fire Emblem, Metroid, Tomodachi Life, Rhythm Heaven, and more.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 review

Backbone Pro

Just when we thought mobile controllers couldn't get any better, Backbone surprised us all with its first entirely new model since the hugely popular Backbone One. The more premium Backbone Pro is an ergonomic delight, with unparalleled material quality and a suite of forward facing cloud gaming features. Is this the future of playing on the go? Backbone had made a pretty compelling case.

Read our full Backbone Pro review

MSI Claw 8 AI+

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ had some very tough competition this year for the best PC gaming handheld, but its superior performance put it over the top in 2025. A lot of new handhelds are on the market right now, but the Claw 8 AI+ is still very competitive even against the likes of the ROG Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2.

Read our MSI Claw 8 AI+ hands-on review

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds

We could make this incredibly short and just say: the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the best gaming earbuds money can buy. That's it, that'd be accurate. However, it is worth noting the features which have made these earbuds one of the best products we've ever tested, let alone tested over the past year. Immense audio, right out of the box, wireless charging, and awesome battery life, superb connectivity and flexibility, and a fantastic complementary app that unleashes more versatility all combine to make for a top, top set of gaming earbuds that no other brand can hold a candle to.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review

Nvidia GeForce Now

This year Nvidia took one of the best cloud gaming services around to a whole new level, offering all the performance of a shiny new RTX 5080 gaming rig without the costly hardware. With up to 5K 120fps HDR visuals, it cements GeForce Now as the cloud platform of choice for high-end graphics lovers.

Read our full Nvidia GeForce Now review

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

The original Pro Controller is one of our favorite gamepads ever. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller improves upon it in pretty much every way. Luxurious build quality, liquid-smooth thumbsticks, and titanic battery life make it our pick for the best gaming controller of 2025. Hopefully, it'll get PC/Steam support soon enough, like its predecessor.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review

Logitech Pro X TKL Rapid

The Logitech Pro X TKL Rapid shines as a compact analog keyboard for gamers, thanks to its versatile actuation tuning that lets you tailor key response for different games and tasks, delivering snappy, reliable input. The tenkeyless layout frees up mouse space, while the sturdy chassis feels ready for travel and tournaments.

Read our full Logitech Pro X TKL Rapid review

Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro

Cherry’s XTRFY M68 Pro is a featherweight, full-size gaming mouse with a contour-enhanced grip and feedback. On the performance front, it’s a rocket, and esports players will appreciate the blistering 8,000Hz polling. There's no companion software, but for a lot of users, that's also going to be a plus, as this is a much more plug-and-play experience than the competition.

Read our full Cherry XTRFY M68 Pro review

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro

Enhancing the already excellent BlackShark line of headsets, adding active noise cancellation means the BlackShark V3 Pro is even more luxurious and even more brilliant. Add this on top of exquisite build quality and comfort levels, superb thumping sound no matter the game, and a crisp, clear mic, and you have a world-beater. A super, five-star headset.

Read our full Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review

Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF

One of the most impressive 27-inch gaming monitors to be released this year, the G81SF delivers an incredible visual experience with ultra-crisp 4K resolution, which also features great fluid motion and wonderful color accuracy. Combine this with a sleek design and super thermal management, and it's a no-brainer for monitor for the year, and perfect for everyone from competitive gamers to creative designers.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G81SF review

Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition

Built upon the chassis of a modern classic, the excellent NanoGen Edition somehow made the Titan Evo even more comfortable. The new leatherette covering and foam inside combine to make one of the softest gaming chairs we've ever placed our posterior on, and the impact is tangible over the 'regular' Titan Evo. It's a superb variation of a winning theme, and adds a genuine extra string to Secretlab's bow in terms of the range of Titan Evos on offer. A must-consider for anyone looking for a high-end chair this year.

Read our full Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition review

Hisense

Some people might not consider Hisense to be in the top tier of TV brands, but the company distinguished itself over the past year by introducing a wide array of innovative AV products. These were led by the Hisense 116UX, the first RGB mini-LED TV to hit the market, and an impressive execution of this cutting-edge display tech. The also-impressive Hisense U8QG led the company’s regular mini-LED TV lineup, and we were introduced to its first wireless Dolby Atmos speaker system, the HT Saturn. If all that weren’t enough, Hisense owned the ultra short throw and portable projector categories, respectively, with two spectacular introductions: the Hisense L9Q, a triple-laser UST model with a specified 5,000 lumens brightness, and the Hisense C2 Ultra triple-laser portable. Is there anything Hisense doesn’t do well?

Samsung QN90F

The best Samsung TVs are right at the front of the pack when it comes to gaming features and performance, and our choice for the best gaming of 2025 also happens to be the best mini-LED TV, the Samsung QN90F. Along with presenting a bright, refined-looking picture, the QN90F has a Glare Free screen that makes it perfect for gaming in brightly lit rooms. Its four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K at 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, HGiG, and the QN90F also has Samsung’s Gaming Hub, which features apps such as Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now, Boosteroid, and Luna. Samsung’s best mini-LED is also available in a wide range of sizes, including a 43-inch model for smaller spaces like a bedroom, so whatever your environment, this is the perfect gaming TV for you.

Read our Samsung QN90F review

Sony Bravia 8 II

The audio tech in Sony’s flagship OLED sounds great, and remains unique among the TV brands. This TV uses a QD-OLED display panel with actuators positioned behind it that turn the entire screen into a speaker. Sony’s speaker design works extremely well for such a slim TV, with dialogue sounding full and accurately positioned, and Dolby Atmos effects getting a good degree of spaciousness. A Voice Zoom 3 feature uses AI to help elevate dialogue levels in noisy action movies and Acoustic Center Sync lets you use the TV itself as a center channel speaker when paired with an external Sony speaker system or soundbar.

Read our Sony Bravia 8 II review

Samsung S95F

Samsung’s S95F uses a next-gen QD-OLED display panel to deliver the brightest picture yet from a Samsung OLED TV. But brightness is only part of the picture here: the S95’s NQ4 AI Gen 3 processor brings AI-based enhancements such as Real Depth Enhancer, 4K AI Upscaling Pro, and Auto HDR Remastering Pro that have a tangible effect on picture quality, making most everything look good no matter the source. Movies look fantastic on the S95F, but it’s also a great TV for sports and gaming. An OLED Glare Free 2.0 screen virtually eliminates screen reflections in bright rooms while maintaining solid black levels, and an AI Motion Enhancer Pro feature ensures that fast-motion sports look solid. For gaming, it has four HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 165Hz and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support, and there’s also Samsung’s Gaming Hub for cloud-based gaming from Xbox and other apps. In a year that saw the launch of several amazing OLED TVs, the S95F stood out as an overachiever.

Read our Samsung S95F review

Samsung QN90F

Samsung’s flagship mini-LED for 2025 costs more than the competition, but it also gives you more. Along with a bright picture with refined local dimming for detailed, uniform blacks, it has a Glare Free screen that lets its picture look great in a range of room lighting conditions by eliminating mirror-like reflections. Slick design touches abound, including an ultra-slim bezel-less screen and Samsung’s rechargeable SolarCell remote control. The QN90F is also our choice for best gaming TV of 2025, and it features an improved Tizen smart interface that now incorporates the same Samsung Art Store portal found in the company’s The Frame TVs.

Read our Samsung QN90F review

Hisense U8QG

The U8QG is Hisense’s flagship mini-LED TV series for 2025, but is priced at a mid-range level. For the money, you’re getting a lot: a super-bright picture with precise local dimming thanks to a backlight with up to 5,000 local dimming zones, an effective anti-reflection screen, and both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range support. Google TV is used for a smart TV system in the US, and Hisense’s own VIDAA platform in the UK and elsewhere. Gaming support is impressive, with 4K 165Hz support on three HDMI 2.1 ports, and an impressively low 9.9ms input lag in Game mode. You could spend much more on a TV, but the U8QG is solid proof that you don’t need to.

Read our Hisense U8QG review

Roku Pro Series (2025)

Roku’s Pro Series TVs provide many of the features found in higher-cost TVs – a mini-LED backlight, 4K 120Hz support for gaming, front-facing built-in speakers – at a budget price. For 2025, the company released a next-gen version of the Pro Series that boosts its brightness potential to twice that of the original Pro Series TVs. Aside from this, the new Pro Series carries many of the same features that made the original appealing, including a shadowbox design that’s optimized for wall-mounting, effective cable management, and, of course, Roku’s easy-to-navigate smart TV interface. Go Pro Series!

Read our Roku Pro Series (2025) review

Sony Bravia Projector 8

Sony doesn’t release new projectors every year, so the arrival of new models is something of an event. The most affordable model in the company’s latest lineup is the Bravia Projector 8, and it’s an impressive contender by any measure. Equipped with Sony’s new XR for Projector processor, the Projector 8 delivers clean, crisp-looking pictures via its native 4K SXRD light engine. Its 2,700 lumens brightness is higher than previous entry-level Sony projectors, and its XR Dynamic Tone Mapping delivers all the highlight and shadow detail in HDR images. Sony’s Bravia Projector also proved to be a great gaming projector when we tested it, with 4K 120Hz support and Auto Low Latency Mode.

Read our Sony Bravia Projector 8 review

Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus

Epson upped its portable projector game in 2025 with the release of the Lifestudio Flex Plus. This affordable model delivers 1,000 lumens brightness and uses the Google TV smart platform for streaming. It features a built-in Sound by Bose speaker system, and has a fancy smart light on the bottom to set a mood, even when it’s not being used to project an up to 150-inch image. The Epson’s combination of design and features makes it a compelling portable option.

Read our Epson Lifestudio Flex Plus review

Hisense PX3-Pro

Hisense’s PX2-Pro was an impressive ultra short throw projector, but the newer PX3-Pro takes things to the next level with improved brightness, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, and a built-in Dolby Atmos speaker system. It even supports 3D (optional active glasses required). We found the picture put out by the PX3-Pro’s triple-laser projection system to have strong contrast and rich color when we tested it. It’s also a good option for gaming, with the ability to go up to 240Hz at 1080p resolution. It’s more costly than its PX2-Pro predecessor, but in our opinion, it's absolutely worth it.

Read our Hisense PX3-Pro review

Epson QB1000

Should you buy a home theater projector or a gaming projector? How about a projector that’s equally adept for both? The QB1000 delivers a bright 3,300 lumens picture and supports HDR10+ high dynamic range. It also has HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz support and very low input lag, making it a great option for gamers. In our review, we appreciated its handling of HDR images, which resulted in a “rich and nuanced image with plenty of visual pop.” The QB1000 isn’t the cheapest projector you can buy, but it’s a great choice if you want one that can do double duty for movies and gaming.

Read our Epson QB1000 review

Samsung HW-Q990F

Soundbars don’t get much more immersive than the Samsung HW-Q990F. With 11.1.4 channels and a new compact dual-driver subwoofer that looks and performs more like a home theater sub than one you’d get with a typical soundbar system, the Q990F is dressed to impress. It has two HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz support for gaming, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, and is Q Symphony-compatible, which lets its sound be augmented the the built-in speakers on a Samsung TV. The Q990F is hardly a budget-priced soundbar system, but if you want one that can take the place of a home theater audio system, and do it in a confident manner, this is the one to get.

Read our Samsung HW-Q990F review

Prime Video

Prime Video has once again defended its crown as the streamer with the strongest draw for movies in 2025. The service continues to secure major deals for blockbuster hits and beloved classics like the iconic James Bond franchise, making it a go-to destination for film lovers. This year’s lineup has been bolstered by standout Prime Video Originals, such as Preparation for the Next Life, The Accountant 2 and the highly anticipated Hedda. With its unrivaled library and growing slate of originals, Prime Video's movie dominance is showing no signs of slowing down.

Netflix

The power of documentaries to shine a light on extraordinary true stories is undeniable, and Netflix has proven that the genre can captivate audiences just as much as prestige drama. With gripping true crime hits like Grenfell: Uncovered and the viral anthology series Trainwreck, Netflix’s expanding library of documentaries has emerged as one of its defining strengths. By combining powerful storytelling with cinematic production values, Netflix continues to turn real-life stories into unmissable TV.

Apple TV

A studio’s ability to consistently deliver gripping TV shows is no small feat, and in 2025, Apple TV has done exactly that. While its slate may be leaner than most of its rivals, the streamer has once again proved that quality can outshine quantity. With acclaimed hits like Severance, The Studio and Slow Horses, Apple TV has built a reputation for curating premium series that resonate with both audiences and critics alike. Its focused approach to TV has truly paid off.

Netflix

Netflix is by no means the cheapest streaming service, but few can match the sheer breadth of what it offers. With an extensive library spanning every genre, robust features for subscribers and its continued expansion into live events, sports and gaming, Netflix has proven that it’s committed to delivering a best-in-class streaming experience. From a value perspective, you get a lot for your money, making Netflix one of the most well-rounded entertainment services available.

Pluto TV

At a time when subscription fatigue is at an all-time high, the best free streaming services have emerged as a surprisingly compelling option, and one name stands out above the rest: Pluto TV. Owned by Paramount, the service offers a robust catalog of on-demand and live TV content, which is consistently updated every month. With wide accessibility, Pluto TV proves that premium entertainment doesn’t always have to come with a price tag.

Sky Go

Even in the era of on-demand, live broadcasting still holds a valued place in many households and remains one of the most popular ways to tune in. As one of the UK’s largest broadcasters, Sky delivers a diverse mix of channels featuring some of the nation’s most-watched programs, and tons of niche and hobby channels to delve into. Particularly celebrated for its sports coverage, Sky Go is a fantastic way to watch just about every key UK channel as it happens.

Bose

2025 has been a bumper year for Bose's audio output, and this award is well deserved. Oh, you need proof? Allow us to point you towards the company's five-star June-release Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), the excellent (and also June-issue) SoundLink Plus Bluetooth speaker, a fantastic debut in a new area with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, and, more recently, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen, just for starters. The originator of active noise cancellation is back with a vengeance, and absolutely nailed it this year.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Regular readers – and in fact anyone who notices and loves headphones – will know that the iconic, August 2020-release WH-1000XM4 were incredibly difficult to topple from their perch as the best over-ear cans for most people. In fact, they were so good that the next-gen 2022-issue WH-1000XM5s couldn't do it, talented though they were. So, Sony took its sweet time and three years later, in May 2025, the tech giant unveiled these headphones. We're heaped praise on them for their more natural sound signature, best-in-class active noise cancellation, and excellent design. Ultimately, you need to just know this: it took five long years, but finally, Sony outdid itself with the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Zealous audio quality, top-of-the-class noise cancellation, excellent mics for call-handling, tailored immersive profiles and excellent device agnostic spatial audio with head tracking. If all of this sounds good to you and your budget can stretch to them, these are emphatically the earbuds for you. Simply put, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 better all their rivals in these key areas. We knew Bose's second-gen Ultra earbuds were going to be incredibly tough to beat in 2025, especially if noise-nixing is your chief concern, and here we are. Bose QCUE (2nd Gen), you're a winner baby!

Read our in-depth Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Bose's showed just how rich the audio quality of open earbuds can be with this effort, and delivered this sound in a comfortable design that stays put even when exercising, despite a chunkier design than the competition. The Immersive Audio particularly impressed with the scale of its soundstage, and that's despite the design not cutting you off from the outside world. An exceptional pair of earbuds, for exercise or general use.

Read our full Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

We tested these against a library of mid-range and budget headphones, and when it comes to balancing highly effective noise cancellation with great sound and a comfortable fit, no other headphones hit the target so often for such a good price. The quality of the active noise cancellation is the really stand-out element, especially in conjunction with the best-in-class 65 hours of battery life – these cut out the noise at a high level, and will just keep going and going. But they really do sound good as well, and even look pretty stylish on the head. They're the complete headphones package, but without the high-end price.

Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

Cambridge is a venerable hi-fi great that not only made a seamless transition to the wireless era, it's managed to bring its enviable sound quality to more and more affordable devices too. The A100 are the latest demonstration of that skill, delivering the most enjoyable and expressive sound you can get for their low price, but still managing to pair that with very strong active noise cancellation and a smart-looking design. They're simply the best bang for your budget audiophile buck this year.

Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 review

Huawei FreeArc

It's easy to see why these won out here: they're some of the best-sounding open earbuds you can buy right now, yet they're also some of the most affordable. The sound is broad and enveloping (especially by open earbuds standards), finely tuned, detailed, and energetic and utterly engrossing. Android users will have to deal with the need to sideload the app, annoyingly, if you want to tweak advanced functions. But you don't particularly need to: they pure enjoyment of the sound here is all you need to be delighted with them.

Read our full Huawei FreeArc review

Sennheiser HD 505

Sennheiser's latest entry to its revered 'HD' range of wired headphones are designed to be 'transparent', meaning they aim to let you hear all the detail and subtleties in a recording – but they do this for a far lower price than most wired audiophile headphones. And they're incredibly successful at this: in our review, we said they give you "a taste of the high end at a real-world price". They're very comfortable, they're very insightful and revealing with your music despite being easy to drive from portable devices, and they're great value – they're a perfect entry into the world of head-fi.

Read our full Sennheiser HD 505 review

Campfire Audio Clara

Yet to make their acquaintance? That's fine, we're all friends here: back in mid January, gloriously oddball Portland Oregon IEM specialist Campfire Audio and Alessandro Cortini – yep, the celebrated Nine Inch Nails synth player/guitarist/bassist – announced an in-ear monitor collaboration called Clara. And apparently, it was actually Cortini humbly sniffing around the Campfire, if you will, not the other way around.
Never one to (ahem) bite the hand that feeds, we got hold of a set soon after their release. And long story short, despite having tested many, many in-ear monitors over the years, we found listening to Nine Inch Nails' With Teeth on Campfire x Cortini's Clara an unparalleled joy.

Read our ears-on Campfire Audio Clara experience

JBL Flip 7

When we tested this speaker, we immediately crowned it as the new king of Bluetooth speakers – and now it's official. Like all JBL Flip speakers, it's tough, it's a great portable size, it's got genuinely useful extra features, and it sounds punchy and full despite its small size. This latest version delivered an impressive upgrade to the sound, while maintaining the strong battery life. The Flip 7 isn't a revolution; it's a winning formula made even better and more irresistible.

Read our full JBL Flip 7 review

Cambridge Audio Evo One

The ultimate all-in-one modern speaker? A mind-boggling array of drivers delivers super-powerful, super, expansive, super-rich sound with high-end amplification, and a best-in-class streaming system on-board. The built-in phono stage is the icing on the cake, ensuring that you can get the best from analog as well as digital sources. It's hi-fi sound for the streaming age, and absolutely nails every part of that.

Read our full Cambridge Audio Evo One review

Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000

Nobody said it had to be the most affordable player, just the best. And despite the quite breathtaking four-figure asking fee, this A&K hi-res DAP is the best of 2025, no question. Astell & Kern's A&ultima SP4000 is a remarkably gifted digital audio player, able to relish the finer details of a subtle recording just as happily as it’s able to bash through a disco banger. Which, as your mind inevitably wanders back to the price, is just as well, really…

See our full Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 review

Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 3000c

B&O lovingly reclaimed and refurbished 100 of its classic 1985 Beogram 3000 turntables to create the strictly limited and gorgeous-looking Beosystem 3000c. As with the firm's two previous Classic (re)releases – the 1996 vertical CD player and the similarly reclaimed Beogram 4000c turntable initially made in the 1970s – the series champions the company's admirable and eco-friendly 'cradle to cradle' approach (ie. everything that goes into a product should be both removable and reusable, in a new product) and you love to see it. A beautiful turntable with old-school construction and modern tech? The best of all worlds.

Read our feature on Bang & Olufsen's Beosystem 3000c

Garmin

This was the year everything got a refresh. The Garmin Fenix 8. The Garmin Instinct 3. The Garmin Venu 4. The Garmin Forerunner 570 & 970. The Garmin Lily 2. Almost all Garmin's devices got a do-over, clearing up its complicated range (somewhat) and preparing the brand for the next few years. It debuted a load of new features, furthered satellite communications for outdoors enthusiasts, launched the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor, and of course, unveiled its somewhat controversial Connect+ subscription service. Whichever way you slice it, it's been a landmark year for the brand.

Samsung Galaxy Watch8

The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 has redesigned Samsung's mainline watch to create a distinctive, sleek visual language. Slimmer than Samsung's boxy Classic and Ultra models, the Watch8 sits flush on your wrist, improving the accuracy of its heart rate tracking and offering a smörgåsbord of health features, including almost everything you get on the more expensive Ultra watch. Samsung Health remains a terrific companion app, so much so that the watch shines even without a Samsung phone.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch8 review

Garmin Fenix 8

It was unlikely anything else was going to win this. After a shaky start due to bricking in cold temperatures (criticized by everyone from us to, er, Joe Rogan) Garmin fixed the watch's only flaw, leaving a five-star device we called "rugged, expensive perfection". Great battery life, powerful features, a sumptuous display capable of producing outstanding full-color maps, a dive mode and everything else you could want from a Garmin watch. A do-it-all staple.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 review

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3

In an era in which Fitbit Charge 6 hasn't soared as well as its predecessors (we gave it just 3.5 stars in our review) Samsung stepped up to the plate with the Galaxy Fit 3, an easy and simple entry point into the Samsung Health ecosystem. Track your steps, health, sleep, blood oxygen levels... we called it "simply brilliant value" in our review, an ideal fitness tracker for entry-level exercisers.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 review

Oura Ring 4

We covered the Oura Ring 4 in our Health & Fitness Device of the Year section, but in a year without a Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 or new Ultrahuman, the Oura Ring 4 really had a chance to shine. The Amazfit Helio Ring and Circular Ring 2 couldn't keep up with Oura in terms of quality or features, leaving Oura and Samsung at the forefront of the smart ring revolution. Its a premium product requiring a subscription, but its continual updates, constant churn of new features and new Ceramic options make the Oura a winner.

Read our full Oura Ring 4 review

Runna

Runna is a powerful AI-powered training tool, offering dynamic training plans, and it's gone from strength to strength over the last year. We gave it 4.5 stars in our review, even before it launched its Races by Runna find-a-race search engine. It's now been acquired by Strava, which means its integrated training plans now have the benefit of perhaps the world's biggest accumulator of workout data. We predict big things.

Read our full Runna review

Suri 2.0 Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush

Best doesn't have to mean complicated. The Suri 2.0, on the surface, is like any other simple mid-range sonic toothbrush, but this is one product making a concerted effort to change an industry rife with e-waste. A reparable handset and plant-based recyclable brush heads means this might be the last electric toothbrush you'll ever need to buy, and you simply send the used brush-heads back to Suri via its recycling scheme once you're done. A UV cleaning case is the icing on the cake.

Read our full Suri 2.0 Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush review

Amp Fitness

Amp is a really exciting front-runner in a new kind of connected home fitness machine. Described as "Peloton for strength training", magnetic resistance can replicate the movement of cables, free weights and resistance bands, along with a versatile sliding anchor and multitude of handles to create a gym's worth of workout options in a single, futuristic-looking silver beam. Amp isn't the only entrant in this space, but it is backed by enormous fitness influencers such as Kinga Strogoff, Chris Heria, Terry Crews and Larry Wheels. We tried it and loved it.

Read our full Amp Fitness hands-on experience

Specialized Vado SL2 Expert Carbon

We called the Vado SL2 Expert Carbon "perhaps the greatest e-bike ever" in our review last year. The Specialized Vado SL2 excels with responsive handling in part thanks to its lightweight carbon frame (which also integrates the battery), but also its bespoke SL 1.2 motor. It's not quite perfect – the too-short 35 miles per charge range needs a boost, exchanging weight for distance, and it's very expensive – but it's a commuter's dream.

Read our full Specialized Vado SL2 Expert Carbon review

De'Longhi

The De’Longhi La Specialista Touch won our award for best coffee maker, but it was a tough competition because the company has released one exceptional espresso machine after another. There’s something for all budgets, from the budget Dedica Duo to the luxe Primadonna Aromatic, and the Italian brand’s pedigree shows in every one, with thoughtful design touches and no corners cut, even for the lower-priced models. Ben fatto, De’Longhi.

Philips Hue Play Wall Washer

The Philips Hue Play Wall Washer is an innovative little lamp that bathes a whole wall with a smooth gradient of color, and is unlike any smart light we’ve tested before. It can sync with your TV for extra immersion during a movie, provide a wash of calming ambient color in any room, or even serve as a gentle but effective wake-up light. This versatility, combined with its compact size and ease of use, makes it our number one smart light of 2025.

Read our full Philips Hue Play Wall Washer review

Reolink Altas PT Ultra

The Reolink Altas PT Ultra is an impressive piece of hardware: solidly-made, and ready to guard your whole home 24 hours a day with no subscription fees. Unlike some big-name security cams, it stores your recordings locally so you don’t have to pay for cloud storage (unless you really want it),and none of its key features are behind a paywall. It pans and tilts to follow motion, comes with a solar panel included to boost battery life, and boasts the best image quality we’ve seen from a cam in this price bracket.

Read our full Reolink Altas PT Ultra review

SwannBuddy4K Video Doorbell

This smart doorbell blew us away with its super sharp images, excellent software that’s a breeze to use (even for novice users), and AI-enhanced features that you’d normally expect to pay a premium for, all included in the base price. Your videos are saved locally so there’s no need to pay a subscription fee to watch them later, and you even get a loud plug-in charm bundled in so you can hear callers from anywhere in your home, even when you’re phone’s in another room. It’s incredible value, and the best video doorbell we’ve tested this year.

Read our full SwannBuddy4K Video Doorbell review

Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer

Ninja is the biggest name in air fryers, and its latest five-in-one cooker proves why. It doesn’t just air fry (although it does that very well) – it also bakes, roasts dehydrates, and grills, and makes it all incredibly easy. We made succulent chicken, fluffy muffins, and delicious flatbreads, all of which turned out perfectly first time. Its stand-out feature is its temperature probe, which lets you see at a glance the moment your food is done, so everything is cooked to perfection. No more guesswork.

Read our full Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer review

Ninja Blast Max

We’ve tested a lot of personal blenders this year, but the Ninja Blast Max is the one that delivers the best balance of power, portability, and price. Unlike some rechargeable blenders, the Blast Max makes light work of even tough ingredients such as frozen berries, and makes green smoothies super silky. It’s compact enough to slip in your gym bag or your car’s cupholder, and it can be yours for under $100. We’ll drink to that.

Read our full Ninja Blast Max review

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch

De’Longhi has released a slew of excellent coffee makers this year, but the La Specialista Touch just edges out the competition thanks to its sheer versatility. This is a machine that can handle the whole brewing process for you, guide your hand to help you develop your barista skills, or let you take full manual control. It’s compact and lightweight, making it ideal for small kitchens, but doesn’t look at all cheap. This is a coffee maker that will grow with you, and will give you years of happy brewing.

Read our full De'Longhi la Specialista Touch review

Dreame X50 Ultra Complete

Competition in the robot vacuum space is fierce, but the bot that really blew us away this year is the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete. It features a number of cutting-edge innovations that mean it can clean in places that might otherwise be off-limits: there are tiny legs that raise it up to propel it over tall thresholds, and a navigation puck that can retract to allow the robot to venture under low-height furniture. On top of that, it excels at the basics, delivering impressive mopping and formidable vacuuming power, plus some of the best edge cleaning we've seen.

Read our full Dreame X50 Ultra Complete

Shark PowerDetect Cordless

The Shark PowerDetect Cordless boasts a whole plethora of features that make vacuum cleaning easy. Shark has taken automation to the next level in this vacuum – not only can it adjust power based on the kind of floor it's cleaning and how dirty it is, but it can also brighten its headlamps when heading into especially dingy spaces, and even boost suction on the relevant side of the floorhead when it reaches the edge of a room. A trump card here is that the floorhead will suck up chunky particles rather than just pushing them around, courtesy of a flap mechanism that's simple but works extremely well.

Read our full Shark PowerDetect Cordless review

Dyson Supersonic r

Dyson's Supersonic r might look weird, but that unusual shape is supremely easy to control and direct – even in awkward spots such as the back of your head. The brand has done some impressive engineering wizardry to create a tiny-but-mighty motor that'll fit into such a small space, and this dryer will get the job done with speed and accuracy – plus, attachment memory means you don't need to mess around with settings mid-style.

Read our full Dyson Supersonic r review