
Best Tech Gadgets of 2025: Editor’s Picks by Category
Zero fluff, just the gear that’s actually worth buying this year—across charging, audio, Wi-Fi 7 mesh, robot vacuums, AR glasses, handheld gaming, e-ink tablets and more. For a deeper dive into every category of innovation this year, explore our complete guide to the best tech gadgets where we cover everything from AI wearables to future-proof smart home gear.
Best Wireless Charger (Qi2)
Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand
Why it wins: True 15W Qi2 magnetic charging for compatible iPhone and Android Qi2 phones, plus simultaneous Apple Watch fast charge and a second Qi pad for earbuds. The stable upright phone mount doubles as a nightstand clock/StandBy mode dock.
- Great for: Desk/nightstand “one-dock” charging; mixed ecosystems.
- Alternatives: Anker MagGo (Qi2) 3-in-1 Foldable, Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe (magnetic triple-charger).
Check Price → Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Qi2
Related reading: If you’re new to wireless charging, see our evergreen gadget hub for basics and compatibility.
Best GaN Wall Charger (USB-C PD 3.1)
UGREEN Nexode 140W GaN
Why it wins: Delivers up to 140W USB-C PD 3.1 for fast laptop charging (MacBook Pro/Windows ultrabooks), with smart power distribution across multiple ports for phone + tablet + notebook at once. Compact, cool-running GaN efficiency.
- Great for: One-brick travel; creators with power-hungry laptops.
- Alternatives: Anker 737 Charger (120W), Satechi 145W 4-port GaN.
Best Power Bank
Anker MagGo 10K (Qi2) Power Bank with Stand
Why it wins: True 15W magnetic Qi2 wireless out + USB-C wired fast charge, an integrated kickstand for desk/flight tray use, and size that still pockets easily. A perfect “single-carry” for phones and earbuds.
- Great for: Travel, commuting, coffee-shop work.
- Alternatives: Baseus 20,000mAh 140W PD (for laptops), Anker Prime 20K 200W (multi-device power monster).
Best Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router
Winner: eero Max 7 (Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7)
Why it wins: Multi-gig backhaul, easy app setup, top-tier stability, and wide ISP compatibility. It’s the “buy once, forget about it” pick for whole-home speed and low latency—especially in smart homes with dozens of devices. As Wi-Fi 7 spreads into homes, it’s also powering emerging experiences like augmented reality and spatial streaming, making stable multi-gig connections more important than ever.
- Great for: 1–5Gbps plans, large/complex homes, gaming + streaming.
- Alternatives: TP-Link Deco BE85 (excellent value), ASUS ZenWiFi BQ16 (power-user controls).
Best Matter + Thread Hub
Winner: Apple TV 4K (3rd gen, 128GB) — with Thread Border Router
Why it wins: It’s a fast streaming box that also acts as a Matter controller and Thread border router for ultra-responsive smart home accessories. One device, two jobs done right.
- Great for: iPhone households moving to Matter/Thread.
- Alternatives: Google Nest Hub (2nd gen, Matter controller), Amazon Echo (4th gen) + Eero (Thread).
Best Robot Vacuum & Mop
Winner: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra
Why it wins: Outstanding suction, object-avoidance AI, and a fully-automated dock that self-empties, washes, dries and refills. It’s the least “babysitting” we’ve had to do with a robovac/mop in 2025.
- Great for: Mixed floors; pet homes; “set it and forget it.”
- Alternatives: ECOVACS Deebot X2 Omni (square body reaches edges), Dreame L20 Ultra (smart edge mopping), iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ (US support + mapping reliability).
If you love tinkering with tech, the same attention to calibration that improves a robot vacuum’s mapping also helps when learning how to use a 3D printer effectively.
Best ANC Earbuds
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Why it wins: Class-leading noise cancelation, rich yet clean tuning, and reliable call quality. “Put them in and the plane disappears” hasn’t been this true before.
- Great for: Flights, open offices, subway commutes.
- Alternatives: Sony WF-1000XM5 (more customizable EQ), Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen USB-C) for seamless iOS use.
Best Over-Ear ANC Headphones
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5
Why it wins: Balanced sound, top-tier ANC, light comfort, stellar battery life, and the best app controls in the category.
- Great for: Work + travel all-day wear.
- Alternatives: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (even stronger ANC), Bowers & Wilkins PX8 (luxury build + sound).
Best AR Glasses for Media
Winner: XREAL Air 2 Pro (+ Beam Pro if you want apps)
Why it wins: The most comfortable “big-screen anywhere” experience we’ve tested: sharp micro-OLEDs, adjustable dimming, and broad device support. Add the Beam Pro for native apps and better compatibility. Once you’re set up with AR glasses, try some of the best free mobile VR games to experience how mixed-reality entertainment is evolving.
- Great for: Flights, hotel rooms, gaming on the go.
- Alternatives: Rokid Max Pro, VITURE One (strong gaming UX).
Best Handheld Gaming
Winner: Steam Deck OLED (1TB)
Why it wins: Best-in-class game library and developer support, gorgeous OLED, great battery life vs the LCD model, and a thriving accessory ecosystem.
- Great for: PC library on the couch or plane.
- Alternatives: ASUS ROG Ally X (Windows, stronger CPU for some titles), Lenovo Legion Go (big screen + detachable controllers).
Best E-Ink Tablet / Notetaker
Winner: Kobo Elipsa 2E
Why it wins: Excellent writing feel out of the box, native EPUB/PDF flexibility, OverDrive library support, and lighter eco-materials. Great balance of reading + handwriting without subscriptions. Designers who sketch product concepts on e-ink tablets often turn those drawings into physical prototypes, so it’s worth reviewing the most common 3D printing mistakes before you start printing.
- Great for: Students, researchers, long-form readers.
- Alternatives: Kindle Scribe (tight Kindle store integration), reMarkable 2 (best paper-like feel, fewer reader features), BOOX Note Air 3 (Android flexibility).
Best Bluetooth Tracker
Winner: Apple AirTag (iOS)
Why they win: Pick the tracker that uses your phone’s native crowd network: AirTag for iPhone (Precision Finding + vast Find My network)
Buying Tips & FAQ (2025)
- Qi2 vs MagSafe: Qi2 brings 15W magnetic charging to more phones. If your Android is Qi2-certified, you’ll finally get real MagSafe-style speed + alignment.
- Wi-Fi 7 worth it? If you have (or plan) 1–5Gbps internet, a multi-gig NAS, or many smart devices, yes—especially for mesh backhaul and lower latency.
- Matter + Thread: Look for a Matter controller and Thread border router in the same device (e.g., Apple TV 4K 3rd-gen 128GB) for a responsive smart home.
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