With 2026 upon us, I compiled this roundup of the top 10 consumer tech products reviewed here on IMEO in 2025. I picked each of these products because they’re innovative, useful, and offer a great value to consumers.
Now’s the perfect time to upgrade your personal tech collection so you can begin the new year using some of these cutting-edge products in all aspects of your personal and professional life.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Edition eBook Reader
Price: $240
Featuring a seven-inch Colorsoft display that can be read in any lighting situation without causing eye-strain, this is one of the latest Kindle e-Book readers to offer a full-color display.
The battery life is up to eight weeks, which is also impressive. I love that the unit is waterproof, so you can take it into the bathtub or to the beach. With 32GB of internal storage, the Kindle Colorsoft Edition can hold thousands of e-books or hundreds of audiobooks. With the purchase of this e-reader, you get a three-month trial subscription to the Kindle Unlimited service, which provides unlimited access to millions of e-books and audiobooks.
Read my full product review of the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft.
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft eBook Reader
Nintendo Switch 2 Video Game System
Price: $499
When it comes to video game consoles that are suitable for the whole family, you can’t go wrong with the Nintendo Switch 2. Not only does this gaming system offer a vast library of games featuring some of the most iconic characters in video game history, it also offers three game play modes.
The Switch 2 can be used as a stand-alone handheld gaming system thanks to its stunning 7.9-inch touchscreen display. Alternatively, it can be placed on a tabletop and experienced by multiple players as they experience a competitive game. Plus, the Switch 2 can be connected directly to a television or monitor, so one or more players can experience their favorite games on the big screen.
Nintendo is known for offering family-friendly games, but you can also get your hands on some of the more popular action-oriented and violent games that older players love.
Also, check out these awesome Nintendo Switch 2 video game picks for early-2026:
Mario Kart World ($79)
Donkey Kong Bananza ($69)
Pokemon Legends: Z-A ($69)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ($69)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons ($65)
Read IMEO’s full review of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Video Game System
reMarkable Paper Pro Move Handheld Digital Notepad
Price: $499
Some people are avid notetakers: They like to write down lists, ideas, notes, and even sketches using their own handwriting on a paper-based notepad or on traditional sticky notes.
Well, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move offers a high-tech twist to note-taking. This is a handheld digital notepad that comes with a pen-shaped stylus. The stylus can simulate a variety of handheld writing instruments. Meanwhile, the digital notepad offers a 7.3-inch, full-color display. Using the Paper Pro Move, it’s easy to handwrite notes or create and maintain lists. The device can then transcribe handwriting into editable and searchable text, or users can keep their content in their own handwriting.
The Paper Pro Move can also be used to read and annotate PDF and Microsoft Word files, and be used as an e-book reader, too. It has plenty of internal storage, but what makes it extremely convenient is that it connects to the internet and can back up and sync content in the cloud. This makes notes and lists accessible from the user’s computers or other mobile devices.
Individual notes, or the content of multi-page digital notebooks, can also be shared with others via email. One of my favorite things about the Paper Pro Move is that it has dozens of virtual paper templates built in, or you can create your own. This makes it easier to structure notes and lists, while allowing the handheld digital notepad to nicely adhere to someone’s existing work habits.
Read my full review of the reMarkable Paper Pro Move.
reMarkable Paper Pro Move Digital Notepad
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds
Price: $220
The AirPods Pro 3 are currently Apple’s top-of-the-line wireless (Bluetooth) earbuds and they’re packed with features that make them a pleasure to use with your other Apple gear, including an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, or iMac.
Of course, these earbuds can also be paired with non-Apple gear, such as a smart TV. What sets the AirPods Pro 3 apart from the less expensive models is that these provide superior active noise cancellation, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, the ability to serve as over-the-counter hearing aids, and so much more.
These AirPods are also water-resistant (IP57 rated), extremely comfortable to wear, and have an impressive battery life. Ultimately, however, it’s the superior audio quality (compared to other AirPod models) that make the AirPods Pro 3 the ideal choice for people when it comes to listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, audio from TV shows, and audio from movies. These AirPods can also handle realtime language translation and have a built-in heart rate monitor.
Read my full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Earbuds
GoPro LIT Hero Action Camera
Price: $230
For people who enjoy participating in high-action activities and want to capture their experiences from a first- or third-person perspective, there’s no better action camera than GoPro’s top-of-the-line GoPro Hero 13 Black ($319). This is also a perfect travel camera to take on vacations, because it’s small, weather-resistent, and extremely durable.
However, for a bit less money, there’s the new, scaled-down GoPro LIT Hero action camera. While it doesn’t offer the same extensive collection of features, this smaller-size action camera is a bit easier to use. It’s able to capture 4K resolution video at up to 60 frames-per-second, and 12MP resolution still images. Unlike other GoPro cameras, this one has a built-in LED light on the front. There’s a full-color viewfinder/display on the back.
The GoPro LIT Hero action camera is great for capturing photo and video content in situations where you can’t use a traditional point-and-shoot camera or the cameras built into smartphones. Like all GoPro cameras, this one has a variety of optional accessories that make it easier to create content in a wide range of specialized situations.
Read my full review of the GoPro LIT Hero action camera.
GoPro LIT Action Camera
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Smartphone
Price: $1,200 and up (before trade-in or promotions)
I’ve been an avid Apple user for decades, and have owned and used every iPhone smartphone since the very first model was introduced back in 2007. The Apple iPhones have evolved and improved a lot over the years, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max is currently the company’s top-of-the-line model.
Among other features, you get a beautiful (and bright) 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR touchscreen display, a vast selection of preinstalled apps, a powerful camera system, long battery life, and the ability to run the latest iOS 26 operating system.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers the fastest processor, largest display, best camera setup, and a variety of other higher-end features compared to other iPhone models.
While a current iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16 Pro Max user might not see enough of an improvement to immediately upgrade to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, anyone using an older iPhone (or who’s switching from an Android phone) will appreciate everything this latest iPhone offers.
As always, cellular service providers, like AT&T and Verizon, not to mention retailers like Best Buy, are currently offering generous trade-in and money-saving promotional deals for the new year.
Read my full review of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Android Smartphone
Price: $699
If you’re shopping for a new Android-based smartphone, you have a ton of really great options. There are traditional, rectangular-shaped phones, flip phones, and even folding Android-based phones, all of which run the latest version of the Android operating system.
While I continue to be a huge fan of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones, for a power user looking for a traditionally-designed phone that offers some really impressive features, I suggest taking a close look at the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Not only does this phone feature a stunning 6.3-inch Actua OLED touchscreen display, fast processor, and excellent battery life, it also provides an impressive camera setup. What many people don’t realize is that because Google created the Android operating system, the company does an excellent job integrating all of the latest Android functionality into its own smartphones.
Plus, the phone comes preinstalled with an impressive collection of apps, including apps for all popular Google services (such as Google Maps, Google Docs, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Wallet, Google Photos, the Chrome web browser, and more). You also get the very latest Gemini AI features and functions integrated into this phone.
Read my full review of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL smartphone.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Smartphone
Plaud Note Digital Voice Recorder
Price: $135
The proliferation of artificial intelligence into our lives has introduced new and cutting-edge ways to use technology to streamline tasks and theoretically makes our lives easier. Here’s an example of that technology at work.
The Plaid Note digital voice recorder is about the size of a credit card. It’s able to record audio from phone calls (from a smartphone), meetings, classes, or in-person conversations, for example, and then make those recordings easily accessible for playback from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Beyond this core functionality, the Plaid Note can transcribe audio into text-based content quickly and accurately, and then create a summary of each recording. This makes it an ideal and low-cost tool for businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and students alike.
Read my full review of the Plaud Note digital voice recorder.
Plaud Note Digital Voice Recorder
Skylight Calendar and Digital Picture Frame
Price: $320
If you’re part of a family, finding time to communicate in-person can be a challenge as a result of everyone’s hectic schedules. Using the 15-inch Skylight Calendar, everyone’s calendar can automatically sync up and be displayed in one centralized location. This is just one of the core features offered by this digital calendar.
I discovered this is a great tool for helping families stay organized and better communicate. The same device can also be used to create and manage a child’s chore list, plus serve as a digital picture frame that showcases family photos and video clips on its bright and colorful touchscreen display.
First and foremost, the Skylight Calendar is a well-designed calendar and scheduling tool, as well as an interactive picture frame. It’s not meant to be a full-featured smart home hub that allows for audio and video streaming, video calls, and remotely controlling other smart home appliances. As a result, it’s easier to use and serves more as a versatile and customizable organization and time management tool.
Read my full review of the 15-inch Skylight Calendar.
The Skylight Calendar and Digital Picture Frame
HoverAir X1 Pro Max Drone
Price: $719
Drone piloting is a fun activity, and it’s not just for kids — in fact, some of the higher-end drones, like the HoverAir X1 Pro Max, are not only extremely portable and easy to fly, they’re equipped with a high resolution video and still image camera. In this case, the drone can record 8K resolution video at up to 30 frames-per-second.
What I like most about this drone is its small size and quick setup. The drone does exactly what its creators promote: I was able to capture some impressive aerial videography with minimal practice. Setting up and getting the drone ready for flight is a quick process, too.
Read my full review of the HoverAir X1 Pro Max drone.
HoverAir X1 Pro Max Drone
Keep checking back as we review the latest consumer tech products — from laptops, smartphones and smart TVs, to tablets, smartwatches, video game consoles, smart home gear, digital cameras, and more throughout 2026.
