{"id":13558,"date":"2026-01-08T11:04:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T11:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/best-ces-2026-winners\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T11:04:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T11:04:38","slug":"best-ces-2026-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/best-ces-2026-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Best of CES 2026 Awards: Official List of Winners &#8211; CNET"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<h2>Lead<\/h2>\n<p>At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, a panel of more than 40 experts from CNET Group and partner outlets spent six and a half hours deliberating to select the show\u2019s standout products. From thousands of exhibits, the judges narrowed the field to 63 finalists across 22 award categories and named a single Best Overall winner. The panel evaluated entries for originality, consumer value and engineering quality before announcing the official Best of CES 2026 list. The choices highlight advances across AI, robotics, energy and consumer devices that will shape the year ahead.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>CNET Group and partner outlets evaluated thousands of products and produced 63 finalists after a six-and-a-half-hour deliberation session in Las Vegas.<\/li>\n<li>The awards cover 22 categories plus one Best Overall winner; Samsung\u2019s Galaxy Z TriFold earned Best Overall honors.<\/li>\n<li>Notable category winners include Nvidia Rubin for Best AI, Boston Dynamics Atlas for Best Robot, and Samsung Music Studio 5 for Best Audio.<\/li>\n<li>Breakthroughs highlighted this year include Willo\u2019s over-the-air wireless power demo and Donut Labs\u2019 early solid-state battery integration in an EV partner vehicle.<\/li>\n<li>Several winners emphasize accessibility and caregiving: iGuard (age tech), WheelMove (travel mobility) and Roborock Saros Rover (smart home).<\/li>\n<li>CES 2026 featured both polished consumer products and concept-stage innovations\u2014some promising, some still unproven for mass market release.<\/li>\n<li>Startups and legacy brands both made the winners\u2019 list, from returning names like Pebble to first-time concepts such as Lego\u2019s Smart Play System.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>CES remains the world\u2019s largest technology exhibition, transforming Las Vegas into an annual showcase for consumer and industrial innovation. Exhibitors range from multinational corporations to early-stage startups; organizers require entrants to be official CES 2026 exhibitors to be eligible for Best of CES consideration. That eligibility, combined with criteria that emphasize novel concepts, clear consumer benefits or step-change performance, frames the judges\u2019 review.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s judging convened in a ballroom at the Venetian hotel, away from the busiest corridors and demos, to allow focused, side-by-side evaluation. The CNET Group assembled journalists and product specialists from CNET, PCMag, Mashable, ZDNET, Lifehacker, IGN and other outlets, ensuring cross-disciplinary perspectives on hardware, software and services. The result is a curated snapshot intended to signal which products matter most for consumers, enterprise buyers and industry watchers in 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>The summit of the awards was the Best Overall win for Samsung\u2019s Galaxy Z TriFold, recognized by judges for combining striking industrial design with practical versatility as a phone\u2013tablet hybrid. Reviewers praised its pocketable form that unfolds into a full-size device without sacrificing usability\u2014an embodiment of the foldable category\u2019s most ambitious promise so far at CES.<\/p>\n<p>In AI, Nvidia\u2019s Rubin platform drew attention as the marquee announcement: the Rubin family of chips is designed to lower token processing costs across AI workloads, a technical shift that judges flagged as important given the growing compute demands of modern models. Other AI winners included Lenovo\u2019s Motorola Qira assistant and the Pebble Index 01 wearable, each reflecting different approaches to on-device and cloud-enabled intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>Robotics and energy innovations dominated other categories. Boston Dynamics\u2019 Atlas prototype impressed judges with a near-natural walking gait and an announced production path into Hyundai manufacturing facilities. In energy tech, Willo\u2019s demonstration of multi-device, alignment-free wireless power was singled out as a potential watershed for how devices receive energy, while Jackery\u2019s Solar Mars Bot and Donut Labs\u2019 solid-state battery integration showcased alternative approaches to mobility and energy density.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>The winners from CES 2026 underline three concurrent trends: commoditization of advanced compute, a push for practical robotics, and rapid experimentation in energy systems. Chips and local AI platforms\u2014exemplified by AMD\u2019s Ryzen AI Max Plus and Intel\u2019s Core Ultra 300\u2014are bringing workstation-class compute and AI inference to thinner, more affordable devices, shifting where and how AI experiences are delivered to end users.<\/p>\n<p>Robotics at CES has matured from novelty demos to useful automation and assistive devices. Boston Dynamics\u2019 Atlas and the Roborock Saros Rover point toward commercially relevant humanoid and multi-floor cleaning solutions, respectively. If manufacturers can translate prototypes into safe, cost-effective products, these robots could alter labor patterns in manufacturing, facilities maintenance and home care.<\/p>\n<p>Energy and charging breakthroughs carry broad downstream effects. Over-the-air power and solid-state cells promise new product form factors and faster charging cycles\u2014but commercialization and regulatory approval will determine near-term impact. Winners showcased both near-term consumer products and longer-term platform bets; the market will distinguish which ideas scale quickly and which need additional development.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td>Category<\/td>\n<td>Winner<\/td>\n<td>Why it stood out<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Best Overall<\/td>\n<td>Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold<\/td>\n<td>Design + utility in a foldable phone\u2013tablet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best AI<\/td>\n<td>Nvidia Rubin<\/td>\n<td>Token-cost reduction across AI workloads<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best Robot<\/td>\n<td>Boston Dynamics Atlas<\/td>\n<td>Natural gait and production-readiness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best Energy<\/td>\n<td>Willo<\/td>\n<td>Alignment-free multi-device wireless power<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best Audio<\/td>\n<td>Samsung Music Studio 5<\/td>\n<td>Artful design and whole-home connectivity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table above samples cross-category winners and the primary rationale cited by judges. Many categories show a balance between aesthetic and functional innovation; others, particularly in energy and AI, highlight platform-level changes that could affect entire ecosystems. The judges emphasized measurable improvements\u2014battery specs, compute throughput, or autonomous capabilities\u2014when making final selections.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Judges and industry representatives reacted to the winners with a mix of enthusiasm and cautious optimism. The CNET Group highlighted products that were not only impressive on stage but demonstrably useful in everyday consumer scenarios.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;The TriFold represents a rare moment where design ambition meets practical utility on a mass-market device.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>CNET Group judging panel<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>That appraisal framed the Best Overall choice: judges wanted a device that could plausibly enter many consumers&#8217; pockets while offering genuinely new capabilities. The TriFold\u2019s ergonomics and unfolding experience were repeatedly cited during deliberations as decisive factors.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Willo\u2019s demo suggests a future where charging is ambient rather than tethered to pads or cables\u2014if it scales safely and efficiently.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Independent energy analyst (quoted at CES)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Industry observers stressed that demonstrations are only the first step; real-world deployment, efficiency over distance, safety and regulatory clearance will determine whether wireless over-the-air power becomes a mainstream utility or remains a niche convenience.<\/p>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: How Best of CES winners are chosen<\/summary>\n<p>The Best of CES process requires a product or service to be an official CES exhibitor and to meet criteria such as originality, meaningful consumer benefit, or a measurable improvement in performance or quality. Judges\u2014drawn from CNET Group outlets and partner publications\u2014evaluate demonstrations, technical specifications and likely consumer impact. Deliberations favor products that combine engineering merit, market readiness and clear user value; concept-stage entries can win in future years once they demonstrate feasibility and manufacturability.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Production timelines for some rollable and tri-fold displays remain unclear; several concepts, like the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable, had no concrete ship dates at CES.<\/li>\n<li>Willo\u2019s over-the-air power demo shows potential but lacks independent, large-scale safety and efficiency data for long-distance consumer use.<\/li>\n<li>Allergen Alert displayed mock-ups and a licensing arrangement at CES; the startup\u2019s consumer availability is expected later in the year but not yet verified.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>CES 2026 showcased a pragmatic blend of incremental product improvement and ambitious platform bets. The Best of CES winners reflect that mixture: some entries, like the Galaxy Z TriFold and Samsung Music Studio 5, are near-commercial hardware that refine user experience, while others, such as Willo and Donut Labs\u2019 solid-state batteries, represent foundational shifts that may take longer to ripple through markets.<\/p>\n<p>For consumers and industry watchers, the most actionable takeaway is which technologies are entering a phase of real-world readiness versus those that remain exploratory. The CNET Group\u2019s 22-category awards and single Best Overall pick provide a curated lens on where to direct attention and investment in 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/best-of-ces-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CNET<\/a> (Tech news \/ awards coverage)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcmag.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PCMag<\/a> (Tech news and reviews)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mashable.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mashable<\/a> (Tech and culture reporting)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ZDNET<\/a> (Technology journalism)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lifehacker<\/a> (Consumer advice and product tests)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IGN<\/a> (Gaming and entertainment coverage)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, a panel of more than 40 experts from CNET Group and partner outlets spent six and a half hours deliberating to select the show\u2019s standout products. From thousands of exhibits, the judges narrowed the field to 63 finalists across 22 award categories and named a single Best Overall &#8230; <a title=\"Best of CES 2026 Awards: Official List of Winners &#8211; CNET\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/best-ces-2026-winners\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Best of CES 2026 Awards: Official List of Winners &#8211; CNET\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Best of CES 2026 Winners \u2014 Official List | CNET Group","rank_math_description":"CNET Group\u2019s experts picked the Best of CES 2026 after six and a half hours and 63 finalists across 22 categories. Read the official winners and analysis.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"CES 2026,Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold,Best of CES,Nvidia Rubin,Boston Dynamics Atlas","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13558"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13558\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}