We have started our step in 2026. Now that it is February, our reviews The team is flush with new devices to test, which means you have a lot to catch up on if you haven’t been following along. Read on for a roundup of the most impressive new gear we’ve tried recently from gaming, PC, camera and more.

Nex Playground

Nex

Nex Playground brings motion-tracked games to the whole family. Think of it as the best of Xbox Kinect in a tiny box.

Pros

• Fun core titles
• Solid motion-tracking
• Well designed hardware and UI
• Huge library of games
• Works offline

Cons

• Requires ongoing subscription to access most games
• Needs a large open space for play

If you still like the Xbox Kinect, the Nex Playground it might be right up your alley. Senior reporter Devindra Hardawar recently put the little box through its paces and found an active gaming experience that’s fun for the whole family. “While I have some concerns about the company’s subscription model, Nex has achieved a remarkable feat: It has created a simple box that makes it easy for your whole family to jump into truly new games and experiences,” he wrote.

MSI’s Prestige 14 Flip AI+

MSI

MSI’s Prestige 14 Flip AI+ is an incredibly powerful ultraportable, thanks to Intel’s Panther Lake chips. But it’s held back by a clunky trackpad and weak keyboard.

Pros

• Excellent CPU performance
• Solid game support
• Bold OLED screen
• Tons of ports
• Relatively cheap

Cons

• Terrible mechanical trackpad
• Soft-feeling keyboard
• The display is limited to 60Hz

Devindra also tested MSI’s latest laptop, the mighty Prestige 14 Flip AI+. While the machine gets high marks for its performance, display and connectivity, he notes that the overall experience is hampered by the subpar keyboard and truly awful trackpad. “As one of the first Panther Lake laptops on the market, the $1,299 Prestige 14 Flip AI+ is a solid machine, if you’re willing to overlook the touchpad’s flaws,” he explained. “More than anything else, the Prestige 14 makes me excited to see what other PC makers have to offer with Intel’s new chips.”

Shokz OpenFit Pro

Shokz/Engadget

Finally, a set of open earbuds that actually sound great and provide noticeable reduction in ambient noise.

Pros

• Effective noise reduction
• cozy
• Great sound for open earbuds
• Dolby Atmos support

Cons

• Sound quality varies with ear shape
• Over ear hooks are not for everyone
• Noise reduction is not as effective as ANC

Fresh from it Best of CES selection, I conducted a thorough review of OpenFit Pro earbuds from Shokz. I continue to be impressed by the earbuds’ ability to reduce ambient noise while keeping your ears open. And the overall sound quality is pretty good for a product that goes outside your ears.

Sony A7 V

Sony/Engadget

With an innovative partially-stacked 33MP sensor, Sony’s A7 V offers speed, autofocus accuracy and the best image quality in its class.

Pros

• Fast shooting speeds
• Quick and accurate autofocus
• Amazing picture quality
• Good video stabilization

Cons

• The video is behind the opponents
• It is not comfortable to hold for a long time

Contributing reporter Steve Dent has been busy testing cameras to start the year. This week he added the Sony A7 V in the list, excellent photo quality and accurate autofocus are noted. “The A7 V is an outstanding camera for photography, with speed, autofocus accuracy and image quality that surpass rivals, including the Canon R6 III, Panasonic S1 II and Nikon Z6 III,” he said. “However, Sony does not follow models for video.”

Apple AirTag (2026)

Apple/Engadget

Apple has improved its Bluetooth tracker in almost every way, making it more powerful and expanding its detection range.

Pros

• Precise Search is very useful
• Louder and easier to listen to
• Same price as the original AirTag

Cons

• It still lacks a keyring hole
• Apple’s AirTag accessories are very expensive

Our first Editor’s Choice device of 2026 is Apple’s updated one AirTag. All the upgrades lead to a better overall item tracker, according to UK bureau chief Mat Smith. “There is no doubt that the second generation AirTags are improved, and thankfully, upgrading to new capabilities does not come at a high cost,” he concluded.