Tech EventsT3’s Best of CES 2022 Awards: all the top tech from this year’s showFrom elite new TV tech, to game-changing health ideas, to genius home security, to a bath that fills itself perfect… here are our top picks from the big gadget showWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Tech EventsT3’s Best of CES 2022 Awards: all the top tech from this year’s showFrom elite new TV tech, to game-changing health ideas, to genius home security, to a bath that fills itself perfect… here are our top picks from the big gadget showWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
From elite new TV tech, to game-changing health ideas, to genius home security, to a bath that fills itself perfect… here are our top picks from the big gadget show
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: CTA)
(Image credit: CTA)
It’s that time of year:CES2022 is where the world’s tech creators and innovators show off the awesome gadgets we’ll be drooling over throughout this year – and we’re honouring the best of them in our CES 2022 Awards.
CES 2022 wasn’t as much of a spectacle as the huge tech show usually is, with many big-name companies pulling out for safety reasons, but it still went ahead and didn’t lack for innovation and mind-blowing new technologies.
As is always the case when picking favourites from such a strong selection of gadgets, there’s a huge amount of stuff that onlyjustmissed our list. There’s no shade on those products here, it’s that the products we’ve picked below stood out to use that little bit extra.
Some of what we’ve chosen is wildly creative, some of it’s impossibly cool, and some just looks really damnuseful… but crucially, it all looks like it’ll genuinely improve our lives, and we can’t wait to try it all out.
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
(Image credit: Samsung)
(Image credit: Samsung)
The fan edition of the Galaxy S21 features some of the best bits of one of thebest smartphonesof the last year, for an affordable price. While this does mean some features are trimmed back, the S21 FE provides an impressive feature set that will please most users.
Firstly, it features the same Snapdragon 888 5G processor as the original S21, but with a larger 6.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, and a bigger 4500mAh battery to power it. There’s still 8GB of RAM (though a 6GB version is also available) and a choice of 128GB or 256GB storage.
While the rear cameras aren’t as high resolution, you still get a 12MP wide angle and main camera, plus a 8MP telephoto with a 3x zoom. Plus the front camera is a more resolute 32MP.
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The latest Galaxy S22 offering is potentially just weeks away from release but if you want to save some cash, the S21 FE is better value than the regular S21and you can pre-order it right now.
Best laptop: Dell XPS 13 Plus
(Image credit: Dell)
(Image credit: Dell)
Brave is a term that many have uttered with regards the new look Dell XPS Plus. The XPS was already a great-looking machine (and absolutely one of thebest laptopson the planet) but this radical new look, in our opinion, is a huge success.
It’s a stripped-back design, the type that you wouldn’t expect from a mainstream PC manufacturer, but it looks gorgeous. The spaceless keys stretch the full width of the shell and the touchpad blends seamlessly into the top plate. It also introduces a touch bar in place of the function keys with a range of useful ways to use it.
Inside it not only uses the very latest 12th-gen Intel processors, but it runs them at the higher 28W power for even greater performance. Some will miss the headphone jack and MicroSD slot, and if you need to attach lots of peripherals this isn’t the model for you. However, the clean and simple look is destined for big things.
Best gaming laptop: Alienware X14
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The new X14 model reduces the size further, offering a laptop that is truly portable. Due to the smaller size, it only uses two fans and while still capable of impressive performance, this is more of an entry-level model than the larger X-series and M-series laptops.
There’s a smaller power pack and USB-C charging too, so it really does take up much less space in your bag. For those looking to game and travel light or take their first steps into a dedicated gaming machine, the X14 looks like a winner.
Best health tech: BCool
(Image credit: BCool)
(Image credit: BCool)
The readings are stored on the actual BCool thermometer to, and they don’t get erased when you change battery or anything like that… because you’ll never change the battery! You just juice it up with a jiggle when it’s needed.
This is exactly the kind of innovation we like to see in health technology: it makes it more reliable and easier to get the information you need. In this age of viruses that bring fevers, the BCool is an ideal tool.
Best headphones: Mark Levinson No 5909
(Image credit: Harman)
(Image credit: Harman)
Bluetooth headphones and active noise cancellation are not exactly new inventions, but the technology has often been overlooked at the higher end of things – there are some ultra-premium options among thebest wireless headphones, but you can count them on one hand. But now audiophile hi-fi company Mark Levinson is seriously cranking up the quality of cordless cans with the No 5909 headphones, which will cost $999.
These really are designed to bring out all the subtle nuances and hidden detail that audiophiles crave from their setups, but can do it without requiring a rack of equipment. We’re so excited to see big hi-fi names taking us into a new era of wireless sound quality.
Best speaker: Victrola ME1
(Image credit: Victrola)
(Image credit: Victrola)
Victrola will be a familiar name to vinyl fans, having been associated with record players for over 100 years (and the company has some new models for that at CES 2022 too), but it’s the company’s new Music Edition Bluetooth speakers that we’ve fallen for this year.
The ME1 in particular caught T3’s eye, thanks to its resemblance to that great icon of portable music: the Walkman. The big flat sides and rounded corners; the line of buttons down the side; the funky colours… it just feelsrightto play music on this on the go.
It comes in black, silver, blue, red and green finishes, and you can actually get leather carrying cases for it too. It offers 12 hours of battery life per charge, which isn’t bad at all. The two-inch speaker driver and bass radiator promise full and rich sound quality.
It’ll cost $99.99 when it releases in spring 2022 – we can’t wait to try it, or its larger ME2 sibling.
Best TV innovation: Sony A95K
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
This the first TV announced that includes the new QD-OLED panel type (whichSonyis called ‘New OLED’), which is a groundbreaking new way of making TV screens. It uses the self-illuminating pixels of OLED (which is what gives thebest OLED TVstheir incredibly precise HDR performance) paired with the Quantum Dot colour-changing technology that gives QLED TVs their gorgeous colour and brightness. It’s the best of both worlds!
As a result, this TV should offer higher brightness levels than other OLED TVs, but with the same darkness performance, while also providing more vibrant and rich colours than basically anything we’ve seen before.
Sony won’t be the only company using this technology –Samsungwill release a TV using it too – but itisthe only one with an actual product to announce at CES, giving it a head start on the competition. We absolutely cannot wait to get this TV into our testing chambers, because it could redefine what we expect from movies at home.
Best TV: LG 42-inch C2
(Image credit: LG)
(Image credit: LG)
When new fancy screen technology appears to up-end our list of thebest TVs, it tends to first arrive in larger sizes, filtering down to more compact sets over the next year or two. But OLED technology has taken much longer than that to come in smaller sizes, which is a huge shame, because those with less space for a TV should be able to enjoy its fantastic HDR performance too.
That’s why we’ve chosen the first ever 42-inch OLED TV, part of the the LG C2 range, as our TV pick from CES 2022. This is going to be a fantastic upgrade for people looking for an excellent TV for watching movies in bed, or for a gaming room, or just for a compact living space.
The LG C2 includes LG’s most advanced image processing yet to make everything look great on its 4K screen, and the range features a bright panel than last year’sLG C1, so HDR video will be even more effective. And its HDMI 2.1. ports mean it’s totally future-proofed for gaming and connectivity – and though we don’t have prices for the LG C2 yet, we expect it to stay as competitive as previous models, making this 42-inch model a serious competitor for movie lovers with small rooms.
Best TV accessory: Samsung Eco Remote
(Image credit: Samsung)
(Image credit: Samsung)
It’s such a clever idea to harness existing ‘waste’ energy this year, and though it won’t save anything meaningful on your power bills, it’s great that you just won’t have to think about juice for your remote again. The new Eco Remote will be included with Samsung’s 2022 QLED TVs, so will be a part of the package with most of thebest Samsung TVsnext year.
Best soundbar: LG S95QR
(Image credit: LG)
(Image credit: LG)
Best smart home device: Arlo Security System
(Image credit: Arlo)
(Image credit: Arlo)
It was inevitable that Arlo would eventually get around to a full security system, given that its products already dominate our guide to thebest security cameras. But we didn’t expect the new system to be quite so innovative – though perhaps that was foolish.
At the centre of the Arlo Security System is a hub with a keypad, as is usually the case for these kinds of things. You can arm and disarm on the unit, or using the Arlo app. The hub will tie into Arlo’s security cameras, naturally, making use of their speakers and motion detection. The hub itself also has a siren, plus motion and smoke/CO alarm sensors.
Best connected home device: Linksys Hydra Pro 6
(Image credit: Linksys)
(Image credit: Linksys)
In some ways the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is a step back from last year’s incredible Wi-Fi Hydra Pro 6E model, but this new model takes the best of that router and puts it into something far more affordable, bringing the speeds of Wi-Fi 6 to more people.
The Hydra Pro 6 is a seriously powerful router. It has a range of 2,700 sq ft and can deliver download speeds of up to 5.4Gbps – basically more than any ISP is likely to deliver. It can support more than 30 devices at a time and should you need even more coverage for your home it can be linked up with other Linksys units to form one of thebest mesh networks.
It doesn’t offer the new 6GHz band that’s part of Wi-Fi 6E, but it does offer the best possible connection you can get using the 5GHz and 2.4GHz channels. And right now very few devices support Wi-Fi 6E anyway. The best part is that this speedy home router costs under $300 /£170.
Best tablet: Asus ROG Flow Z13
(Image credit: Asus)
(Image credit: Asus)
Tablets can fulfill many of the tasks that we commonly use laptops for, from browsing the web and watching movies to word processing and mobile gaming. However the processing power of most tablets mean they are better for light use and aren’t up to complex tasks.
That’s not the case with theAsusROG Flow Z13, which is designed for exactly that. In fact, this tablet is designed to compete with the toughest of laptop challenges: serious PC gaming. We’re not talking mobile friendly app games here, this is ready for full on high definition, fast frame rate action.
The Z13 runs Windows 11 Pro and underneath that innocuous exterior is a 12-gen Intel Core i9 processor, an GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. That’s a serious spec for any laptop but for a tablet, it’s mind blowing. You can even attach an external graphics card if you really need an extra boost. Oh, and that screen is a 4K 120Hz display.
Thanks to the attachable keyboard and kick stand, you can operate the Flow Z13 like a laptop but just as easily remove them and hold it in your hands. Who needs a gaming laptop when you can have a tablet this good?
Best fitness tech: Wondercise Flex Cycle and Cycle Studio
(Image credit: Wondercise)
(Image credit: Wondercise)
Most new fitness products want to be the new Peloton. After all, the brand took fitness machines and made them cool, and convinced users to pay a huge subscription on top. Wondercise, however, has a bigger chance than most.
Its new multi-position Flex Bike ties into the company’s Cycle Studio app to offer a range of training workouts, live streaming, realtime feedback and even the ability to broadcast your own cycle sessions to a wider audience. This is part workout class and part social media platform for athletic influencers.
The Flex Cycle itself has a number of benefits over the likes of the Peloton too. Firstly in can be placed in four postions, including two recumbent and two forward facing. The design folds up, so it can be easily stored when not in use and it doesn’t have a screen built in, so it keeps the cost down. Instead it suggests you place the bike in front of your home TV.
While there’s no price yet for the Flex Cycle, Wondercise Studio is currently free or just $9.99 (£7/AU$14) a month or $89.90 (£66/AU$125) per year for the VIP ad-free version. The bike and Cycle Studio are set to launch in late 2022.
Best monitor: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8
(Image credit: Samsung)
(Image credit: Samsung)
Picking thebest gaming monitorjust became a little more difficult. Or maybe it just became easy, because the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 not only boasts an incredible spec sheet but it looks fantastic too.
Bu like the G9, the Odyssey G8 features a Quantum Mini-LED display with a 4K resolution, 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. All that results in an exceptionally sharp and detailed image with phenomenal HDR performance and super smooth motion that’s perfect for gaming.
If you want to go bigger, Samsung also topped the G9 with a new Odyssey Ark which has a curved 55-inch display using the same technology. But that feels like overkill, even for us.
Best gaming accessory: JBL Quantum TWS
(Image credit: JBL)
(Image credit: JBL)
There’s no shortage of options for true wireless earbuds but the JBL Quantum TWS have some clever features that make them stand out from the crowd. These Bluetooth headphones come with a USB-C dongle to also allow them to connect to non-Bluetooth devices.
This means that as well as connecting to your phone or laptop you can hook these up to aPlayStation5, Nintendo Switch or other gaming device. And it’s not a case of either-or – you can still be connected to another Bluetooth source at the same time and receive audio from both.
As you would expect the Quantum TWS earbuds also feature active noise cancellation, six microphones for voice clarity and an eight-hour battery life (plus another 16 hours in the case). There’s 3D audio too to provide full surround sound when gaming.
While over-ear headsets are likely to remain the tool of choice for gamers, these in-ear buds are the most gamer-friendly that we’ve seen to date.
Best smartwatch: Garmin Venu 2 Plus
(Image credit: Garmin)
(Image credit: Garmin)
Garminled the way on Smartwatch updates at CES 2022, with this new Venu 2 Plus being the standout model. The new model is an update to the existing Venu 2 and Venu 2S models, adding a voice assistant and voice calling to the device.
The Venu 2 Plus is a 43mm watch – that sits halfway between the 45mm Venu 2 and the 40mm 2S. This make the device ideal for even smaller wrists without being too small for larger ones.
It features the same great AMOLED display and fitness features as we saw on the Venu 2, including 24/7 heart rate tracking, advanced sleep monitoring and more than 25 workout types to monitor. It also boasts a great nine-day battery life – though this is slightly less than the older models due to the voice features.
Best home appliance: KOHLER PerfectFill Smart Bath Filler and Drain
(Image credit: Kohler)
(Image credit: Kohler)
This isn’t the kind of thing we usually give our ‘appliance’ award too, since the bath hasn’t generally been counted as a member of the white goods family (despite usually being more white than your average washing machine). But this idea sounds so good that we just couldn’t resist giving it this gong.
The PerfectFill Smart Bath does what the name implies: it’s a system where a smart drain, tap and bath combination work together so that you can use a voice command (or the Kohler app) to order a bath drawn exactly to your preferred specifications. Depth and temperature will bejusthow you like them, and you don’t have to think about it at all.
This obviously has some real practical benefits when it comes to getting the perfect bath ready for kids, as well as the luxurious benefit of meaning that you can have the most relaxing and soothing bath possible every single time.
Best sleep device: Sleepme Dock Pro Sleep System
(Image credit: Sleepme)
(Image credit: Sleepme)
Temperature controlled beds are next-level comfort. Once you’ve experienced a bed that cools and warms to your perfect temperature, you’ll never want to go back. This is one of those systems. And the beauty here is that you can use it with any mattress.
The Dock Pro Sleep System comes in a number of different parts. First, there’s the Dock Pro control unit, which provides the cooling and heating. This Wi-Fi enabled unit pumps the water over the Chillipad Pro mattress pad. This pad has a stretchy fabric to fit snugly over your existing mattress and a new tubeless design for comfort.
The Sleepme Insight sleep tracker comes separately and fits underneath the mattress pad. This provides the sleep tracking information and feeds back to the app. This subscription based app provides sleep data and can even adjust your temperature settings for better sleep.
The system isn’t cheap but it’s very customizable – you can even choose between having it for one or both sides of the bed. Paired with the right mattress this will be one bed you’ll never want to leave.
Best home appliance: Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
(Image credit: Roborock)
(Image credit: Roborock)
After robot vacuums, the real win has been robot vacuums that also mop, giving those non-carpeted areas the clean they deserve. The problem was that though many of these dual function devices could deposit the dust back in the docking station, the mop had to be manually cleaned and its water refilled. This generally took the autonomous nature away from the device – as you were forced to constantly attend to it.
The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra has a solution however that means you can once again leave your robovac to its own devices. This model comes with an ultra-dock that not only empties the trash but also cleans the mop pad and fills the reservoir for you. All of this means that you can go weeks, if not months without having to interact with it.
The robot itself also boasts all the latest technology, including its ReactiveAI 2.0 Obstacle Avoidance System and a VibraRise mop that lifts the mop when it detects a change in surface and vibrates 3000 times a minute to release ingrained dirt from the surface it’s cleaning.
Best personal EV: Okai ES800
(Image credit: Okai)
(Image credit: Okai)
Okai might not be a name you’ve heard of but it has been supplying electric scooters to ride-sharing companies such as Lime and Bird for years. Now though, it is releasing models under its own name and they look pretty impressive.
In addition to a more traditional street scooter with a swappable battery, it also revealed this off-road model. The ES800 has a dual drive 1000W with 1800W peak power. This allows it to climb up to 35% inclines and reach a top speed of 37mph.
To allow it to tackle any surface it comes with 12-inch off-road tires and shock absorbers on both front and rear. While an exact weight wasn’t given the information says that it is 30% heavier than regular scooters to add stability, though we suspect that has more to do with that giant motor and battery. Either way, this isn’t a model you’ll want to carry around.
Best electric car: Mercedes Vision EQXX
(Image credit: Mercedes Benz)
(Image credit: Mercedes Benz)
Electric vehicles played a big part in proceedings for CES 2022, with a number of new models and concepts revealed. However, Mercedes' Vision EQXX concept, which launched on the eve of CES, stood out.
Not only is this an incredible looking vehicle, it promises a range of up to 620 miles on a single charge. This isn’t just the case of it sporting a huge battery though. The car has been aerodynamically designed to minimize drag and optimise the distance it travels for every kilowatt used.
To achieve this level of optimisation the team used a game engine and collaborated with Mercedes' AMG Formula One racing specialists. There’s also solar panels in the roof to top up that charge.
While this isn’t a commercial release it is a clear statement of direction from the Mercedes electric team and makes us hugely optimistic for the EQ models that will be released in the coming years.
Broader innovation award: BMW iX Flow with E ink
(Image credit: BMW)
(Image credit: BMW)
It wouldn’t be CES without some more extreme technological advances and this year the most talked about had to be BMW’s colour-changing car. The BMW iX Flow is a concept vehicle that features a special body wrap that allows it to change colour at the touch of a button.
The technology uses E ink and the ink particles can be brought to the surface using the electrophoretic technology. The result is rather spectacular and takes just seconds to completely change from white to black or back again.
The concept has a range of uses outside of just personalisation, though being able to drive a black car one day and a white the next is likely to appeal to some. The E ink can be used to help with the thermal properties of the surface – retaining heat on cold days and reflecting it on warmer days. It can also visually show a car’s charge status, availability (for fleets) or flash to help find it.
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