The time for give a gift it’s over. Now, all that’s left is a few days until the New Year’s festivities and the resulting hangover. So while we’re all spending time with friends and family, the folks at Gizmodo’s consumer tech desk also have a chance to reminisce about best of the yearwackiest, wildest, and worst tech products. Fortunately, there are some standout products that keep things interesting even as the new year slides on.

Long-promised gadgets, including pop-out mobile controllers and 360-camera dronefinally saw the light of day in December. That same month, we went hands-on with some great, affordable earbuds and even a home face device. December’s gadgets also proved that you can’t trust everything companies tell you, especially about new AI devices. Senior consumer tech reporter James Pero tests a supposed “AI translator” that proved to be very bogusthe company that makes the device asked us not to review it.

Next year will be a standout for gadgets. Come January, CES 2026 will release many technological products in our heads. Companies like LG, Samsung, etc. are already promising new TVs and monitors to show your SHOWS, work of artand even the occasional little oddity 3D game content. We hope to see more laptops, speakers, AR glasses, bird feederand so many gadgets that promise that AI will change everything. At the same time, the ongoing shortage of RAM caused by the proliferation of AI data centers will inevitably increase the prices of all computer products, from desktops on laptops on game consoles. We can already say that 2026 — at any rate — will be even more chaotic than 2025.

Shark’s facial device is designed so you don’t have to spend extra money at the salon for something you can easily do at home. The device includes several attachments that help exfoliate your skin, tighten pores, and improve circulation. There are a few too many moving parts to make it work, but actually using the device is pretty easy and fun.

Check out Shark FacialPro Glow on Amazon

The Soundpeats Air5 Pro+ proves that you don’t need to spend more than $200 to get great portable audio. The $130 earbuds have a comfortable fit and an incredibly clear, even sound considering the price. The earbuds’ ANC is also surprisingly strong, partially helped by the tight, comfortable fit.

Check out the Soundpeats Air5 Pro+ at Amazon

There is no drone like the Antigravity A1. It’s awesome, sometimes unwieldy, and easily the newest drone to come along in years. Instead of a gimbal-mount lens, the drone uses a 360 camera. Combined with the AR headset, it allows you to experience the sky like the good witch Glinda came from The Wizard of Ozfloating in a giant bubble in the sky. The drone also uses a unique aim-and-fly controller that is easier to understand for any drone novice.

Check out the Antigravity A1 at Best Buy

Mobile controllers are better when they’re—well—mobile. MCON takes that idea and makes it work thanks to the MagSafe disc that connects to your phone. A button press opens to reveal a full suite of game controls, TMR joysticks and analog triggers included. Sure, it doesn’t feel as ergonomic as a regular controller or something Like the backbone mobile controllerbut it’s definitely the most portable of the bunch.

There are a few big reasons you might not want the Boox Note Air 5C e-notetaker. The color of this E Ink display does not look as sharp as a regular iPad screen with a limit of only 4,096 colors. It’s not as fast as other, non-E Ink devices, either. But for reading and taking notes with a wider range of colors available, you won’t find many cheaper devices, even one with E Ink. It helps that the Boox Note Air 5C feels great in the hand and has an amazing stylus.

Check out the Boox Note Air 5C on Amazon

The same company that brought us the excellent GB Operator now has a new way to let you play physical Super Nintendo or Super Famicom cartridges on your PC, Macor Steam Deck. Like same $50 device built for Game Boy games, the $60 SN Operator hooks up to your PC and then uses software emulation to let you play your retro titles. The device allows you to rip your game files to PC, and it supports your save on console or PC. In addition, SN Operator has additional benefits, such as checking the authenticity of your cart. The connected app also supports RetroAchievements.

MP3 players will have their day in the sun once again, judging by how much audio nostalgia became so later. The Snowsky Disc is an MP3 player with some modern conveniences, including a circular touchscreen for controls. Otherwise, the digital audio player has ports for a 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jack along with USB-C. It supports up to a 2TB microSD card, so there’s no shortage of songs you can pack into this pint-sized audio device. The MP3 player is finally coming to the US, and we hope it’s soon so we can finally escape the hell that is Spotify.

There’s one big reason to pay attention to JLab’s latest ANC earbuds: battery life. The Epic Pod costs $100 and promises about 13 hours of battery life without the case. When charging the case regularly, JLab promises you’ll get a total of 50 hours of run time without having to plug in the pod. However, for longevity, the Epic Pods have a lot of beats for that price.

Check out JLab Epic Pods on Amazon

Stone maker Eric Migicovsky’s first non-watch product for his resurgent brand was bound to be controversial. Index 01 is a very simple product with a simple introduction. It is a stainless steel ring built for offering users the opportunity to record thoughts when traveling. A small button activates the microphone, and thankfully no internet connection or subscription is required. There’s also no sign of unnecessary AI integration like many other smart wearables. The reason is that the device does not have any rechargeable battery. When you’re done, Pebble expects users to send it back to the company for recycling.

Since Robosen’s first debut Transformers self-transforming kit with it Optimus Prime figurewe wonder how long it will be before we get the fan-favorite communications lieutenant for the dastardly Decepticons. Finally Robosen shows its Soundwave figure that automatically collapses onto the tape deck. Here’s the important part: it won’t play your old cassettes, but it will work as a Bluetooth speaker. The figure will cost an astronomical $1,400, so know that there are cheaper speaker options available elsewhere that – unfortunately – won’t turn into a cool robot.