Review

CES 2025 is in its final throws, so we thought we would touch down to celebrate our personal favorite reveals from Las Vegas this year. We have already rounded up a massive list of the coolest new gear from the show, but this is our very favorite, our very own CES best of awards if you will. There has been some sweet new reveals outside of CES this week, including the new Midnight collection PlayStation 5 accessories as well as an epic new official LEGO Game Boy set, but for now we are focused on our favorite gear that was showcase at CES 2025.

All of the best and most interesting to new gear from CES 2025 is being collected for you right here. The latest in smart home advancements and display tech to the suite of AI features seemingly getting injected into just about all of it, and everything in between, we will be rounding up the most intriguing new reveals and prototypes as well as products you’ll actually be able to get your hands-on this year down below.

Well, this is a not brand I was familiar before giving it a shot for review, nor had I ever tested out a case with a digital canvas on the back of it, but here goes. The Tizag Digital Canvas iPhone case did exist during the series 15 release, but the newer iPhone 16 model also arrived and I’m to see if it’s all gimmick or if there’s actually a good case carrying that display.

It has become an annual tradition around here to look back across the year and reminisce on our personal favorite releases, the best gear we had a chance to go hands-on with for review, and share some of the gear we purchased for ourselves. Head below for a closer look at the staff’s favorite gear of 2024 – Find My gear, pizza ovens, pool robots, Bose headphones, smart home upgrades, our favorite e-bike release, battlestation gear, and more.

Welcome to the 2024 9to5Toys iPhone 16 case awards. We have gone hands-on with a massive selection of new cases for Apple’s iPhone 16 and, as is tradition around here, now that we have had a chance to truly test them out for a good four months, we are here to weigh in before the year ends on our absolute favorites across various categories.

Time is winding down to secure everything you need for your work from home setup and still write it all off against your 2024 return. With so many folks permanently transitioned to a WFH situation of some kind or other, be it everyday or just some of the time, even more of the gear you need to make this happen is tax deductible and you only have five days left. 

We’re back with another tech review of vital office components. Today’s Toys Tested subject is the ProtoArc KM100-A keyboard and mouse combo. This Apple-friendly desktop combo is slim and sleek and compatible with several different devices, whether you’re working at home or in an office.

Over the fall, I was invited to attend a media preview where I got my first chance to see the Easy SideCar 3 e-bike from MOD Bikes in person. After a night of browsing some of the hottest new tech to grace the market, I was offered the chance to take the e-bike home to get a first-hand experience of what this model could do. Of course, I gladly accepted, as I’ve been in love with it since I first started covering the brand’s sales long before – captivated by its unique motorcycle-inspired design and its quality parts. I was a little worried upon first hopping aboard the saddle that my hopes for this e-bike might be in for some surprise and rude awakenings, but it’s quickly turned into my favorite way to cruise around NYC during my days off, even if it isn’t necessarily built for the congestion of the Big Apple. Continue reading below to get my hands-on impressions of this e-bike and its capabilities.

We’re back with another product review to help you create an ideal workspace that meets all your comfort and utility needs. This time, we tested the EC100 ergonomic desk chair from ProtoArc. This chair combines ample seating space with stable support.

A dependable and durable keyboard is important when configuring your workspace. But what about those instances where you want to continue your work on the go and only want to bring your phone or tablet? The ProtoArc XK01 TP foldable keyboard is a perfect combination of form and function, whether it’s in your home office or traveling with you on the road.

Still on the hunt for a sweet gift they will actually like? Forget to score something awesome for a colleague or your cousin you didn’t know was going to show up for the big day? We have put together some last minute gift ideas to get your creative juices flowing and maybe even save the day. All of the items you’ll find below are shipping in time for the big day at the time of writing, but you’ll want to jump in ASAP to ensure everything arrives in time. From amazing LEGO sets and miniature board games everyone will love right through to desktop accessories for the techie in your life, some fashionable wardrobe add-ons, smart lighting and speakers, charging gear, and more, head below for the best last minute gifts you can pickup right now.

With just eight more days until Christmas, it’s now game time to finish your holiday shopping lists. Throughout this gift guide you will score ideas for every type of man in your life. Today you can find ideas for men that they’re sure to love including gifts for the outdoorsmen, golfer, or sneaker fanatic, we have a gift idea for everyone on your list including budget friendly options. We also put together a guide for the best stocking stuffers you will want to check out here.

If you have a child on your list this year and are still looking for the perfect present, look no further than right here. We’ve done the shopping for you and found the perfect gifts for kids that still have shipping to arrive in time for Christmas as well. Whether you’re looking to splurge or still grabbing a stocking stuffer, this guide will be sure to help navigate your Christmas shopping. Find all of our top picks this year below and be sure to check out our latest guide to thoughtful and useful presents to treat mom and dad this holiday season from $15.

9to5Toys’ holiday coverage is brought to you by Dreame. Get up to 57% off cleaning devices ranging from AI-powered robots to wet/dry vacuums with an extra 5% using code DM9to5XM for a limited time. Shop now.

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and expressing gratitude to the people we cherish most. For many of us, our parents are at the top of that list. As we prepare to celebrate the holidays, it’s the perfect opportunity to show our appreciation with thoughtful and meaningful gifts. Whether your parents are tech-savvy, outdoorsy, or simply enjoy the finer things in life, you’ll find plenty of items here that would bring a smile to their faces. From practical gifts like a user-friendly streaming device to simplify their entertainment experience to a more personalized and thoughtful item like a cocktail smoker to elevate their annual New Year’s Eve gatherings, you’ll find a crafty curation of thoughtful gifts here that are sure to please your parents.

9to5Toys’ holiday coverage is brought to you by Dreame. Get up to 57% off cleaning devices ranging from AI-powered robots to wet/dry vacuums with an extra 5% using code DM9to5XM for a limited time. Shop now.

If you’re still looking for practical gifts for your loved ones this holiday season and are still unsure how you can go about crossing those final names off your list, today we’ve put together this collection of some of our favorite home goods that would make excellent Christmas gifts. Whether you may have noticed a need for a multi-purpose cleaner to tackle the unexpected messes from pets and children, a cordless screwdriver for everyday DIY projects, or even some added décor to bring some new life to staled ambiances, you’ll find a variety of devices here that will refresh anyone’s home life. Head below to check out a few of our favorite picks for practical gifts to upgrade your loved one’s lives this holiday season.

We have already reviewed the new 4th Gen Scarlett lineup’s smaller and more entry-level models, so we just wanted to touch down here today with some thoughts on the pro-grade and more mid-range home studio variants that debuted earlier this year. Scope out our hands-on impressions down below.

Here are some of our favorite stocking stuffers to check out this year. I’m not sure very many people still stuff actual stockings anymore, but some do and either way, you can just think of these as some relatively affordable, thoughtful, useful, and compact gift ideas to spark some creativity. We have showcased gear we use ourselves, feature around here on a regular basis, and would love to see stuffed inside of an oversized sock on Christmas morning (or whatever you celebrate) at our houses.

When it comes to home entertainment, the XGIMI Aura 2 ultra short throw projector is one of those gadgets that makes you rethink what a home theater can be. I’ve spent the last two weeks with this powerhouse, and spoiler alert: it’s been an incredible experience. Whether you’re a movie buff, a sports fan, or just love having friends over for Netflix nights, the Aura 2 is something special. Let’s dive into why this might just be the next big thing for your living room.

I recently had the opportunity to test out the P7 Plus Standing Desk from Flexispot. I have been working from a stranding desk setup for years now and prefer it, so I was excited for the opportunity to set up my new office with a shiny new desk and see what Flexispot brings in terms of function and utility. As one of Fleixspot’s top-tier standing desks currently offered, the P7 Plus is rock solid and versatile, with a few added bonuses I haven’t had in the past. I just had some trouble putting it all together and have shared my thoughts below.

The holiday season is fast approaching, meaning it’s that time of the year when we put together some gift guides to help you pick the best for your friends and family. We already have a few guides in place for Apple lovers, musicians, and the like, and today, we’re looking at some of our favorite PC gaming upgrades to enhance your battlestation. From must-have accessories to deck out someone’s existing gaming setup to new gaming PCs and laptops to help set up a new battlestation this holiday season, we got you covered with recommendations and deals for all the PC gamers in your life. Head below to find a curated list of the absolute best gifts for those who enjoy playing video games.

We all know how difficult it can be to reliably tackle last-minute Christmas shopping, so here at 9to5Toys we are kicking off our first list of recommended gifts roughly one month in advance. Instead of going after big-ticket items, this selection is focused on affordable items that folks can benefit from each and every day. If this type of product is right up your alley, you should swing by our new Steals page and subscribe to our daily newsletter. In many regards, you can think of Steals as already-affordable everyday gear that’s now discounted even further. But enough about Steals, let’s dive in to our gift guide of everyday essentials priced from $7.

If you’re looking for some unique gifts for the special people in your life and unsure how to cross those names off your holiday shopping list, today we’ve got some of our favorite smart lighting gear that make perfect Christmas gifts. Nothing sets a mood like smart lights that can switch between a massive multitude of colors and effects, and with this lineup from popular brands like Philips Hue, Govee, Nanoleaf, and more – the enjoyment has near limitless possibilities for year-round usage. Head below to see some of our favorite picks and recommendations on how to upgrade your loved one’s lives with quality ambient smart lighting.

While we are still one week out from Thanksgiving 2024 and Black Friday proper, Amazon and other major retailers have jumped well ahead of schedule to launch massive Black Friday sales starting today. From new all-time lows across the latest lineup of M4 Macs, Apple Watch models, and AirPods, to thousands in savings on power stations, deals on the best e-bikes brands, the now live Anker Black Friday sale, and some of the most sought-after smart gear out there, the early Black Friday are now flying and you’ll find running list of favorites across all of these product categories and more waiting down below.

This is it folks, the official 2024 Amazon Black Friday Week deals are going live today. This year Amazon has decided it is kicking things off well ahead of Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday proper to launch a massive selection of price drops starting today, just as we previously reported – all of the deals will be live at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:00 a.m. ET on November 21 (today). It looks like this year we will be working around the clock for over a full week to ensure the best deals are front and center for everyone leading up to what, at least used to be, the main event. 

With so many retailers and brands kicking things off so early for the biggest shopping season of the year, we are touching down today with the best early Black Friday deals to shop right now. Best Buy has launched early doorbusters this week, we are tracking the best prices of all-time on Amazon’s popular 4K streaming sticks, we have MacBooks at up to $550 off, and the list goes on. Add in a massive $1,200 price drop on Samsung’s epic 55-inch 4K Odyssey gaming monitor, an all-time low on the latest GoPro, hundreds in savings on some of the best e-bikes in the game, and new lows on Anker power stations, and you’re looking at one of the best slates of early deals we have seen in recent memory. Head below to scope out our favorite early Black Friday deals you can score right now. 

Black Friday is one of the best times to upgrade your battlestation with huge savings on gaming laptops, desktops, and other gear from brands like Alienware, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So for our next round of Best of Black Friday features, we’re diving into the most notable PC gaming gear. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are already running early Black Friday discounts and deals on pretty much everything from gaming monitors to smaller peripherals like SSDs, keyboards, and more. Today, we’re giving you a curated one-stop shopping list of our favorite PC gaming deals during the holiday shopping season, highlighting both the deals that are live right now along some insights on what to expect over the next few weeks. Head below for more details on the best Black Friday PC gaming deals.

We’re continuing our Best of Black Friday posts today with a look at the best current deals on power stations and their respective bundle options. Folks across the country and beyond have been steadily investing more and more in the industry for a variety of reasons – whether it’s for on-the-go travel needs, short-term off-grid support, or home backup when emergencies rear their ugly heads. Regardless of your needs, it’s a great time to get in on your starting or continuing investments with the major brands on the market offering some of the best deals of the year. On top of the massive discounts we’re seeing across the board, we’re also seeing plenty of bonus savings in the form of flash sales, additional savings after reaching certain purchase thresholds, and even free gifted gear. Today, we’re giving you a curated one-stop shopping list of our favorite deals during the savings season, with units from Anker SOLIX, Bluetti, EcoFlow, and Jackery. Head below to check out our favorite picks and also get links to the full sales.

Update 11/13: Google has now officially detailed its upcoming Black Friday prices – deals start November 21: Pixel 9, Pixel Watch 3, Nest, Fitbit, and more. Scope out the details right here.

For our next round of Best of Black Friday features, we are diving into the most notable gear in the Google ecosystem. While we will certainly being seeing deals across the Googleverse, including its latest Pixel tablets and Chromecast devices, this post is focusing in on its big-ticket latest releases, many of which are already seeing seriously notable price drops as Google attempts to get ahead of the Black Friday curve. Massive price drops are now already live on the Pixel 9 handsets, Pixel Watch 3, and the latest Pixel Buds Pro 2, not to mention its smart home gear, as we look ahead to hopefully seeing the first deal on the latest Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen). Head below for more details on the best Black Friday Google deals and more.

Our Best of Black Friday posts are continuing today with a focus on EVs. For many folks across the country, money is far too tight to justify buying a car for travel around town, while others are looking to specifically lessen their carbon footprint and find alternative commuting options – especially in areas that may not have robust public transport. Luckily, right now is the best time to shop as many popular brands have opened their seasonal savings events on e-bikes and e-scooters, some of them in full at the same time that others are gradually dropping deals in short-term flash sales leading up to November 29. We’ve got massive savings across many of the most popular brands, including Lectric, Aventon, MOD Bikes, Tenways, ENGWE, Heybike, and so much more – all collected together and curated for your one-stop shopping pleasure.

Our Best of Black Friday posts continue today with the prime time Apple gear. Just about all of the latest Apple gear will be on sale for Black Friday this year, in fact much of it already is. But we are touching down this afternoon to take stock of the best prices live right now, the deals we already know are about to go live starting next week, and where we expect prices to land. We are already seeing deals on AirPods 4 as well as AirPods Pro 2 at within $1 of the best price ever, but this post is going to focus in on the big-ticket Apple Black Friday deals – M4 MacBook Pro, M4 Mac mini, M4 iMac, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the iPad lineup. Scope it all out down below.

Black Friday is just around the corner, and we’re excited to help you navigate the sea of deals to find the best gaming monitor for your battlestation. Alongside loads of early deals now live down below, we are also here to provide some insight on what’s to come based on past trends and our coverage of 2024 Prime Day and the like. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the latest offers from major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and more, and we’ll also pay close attention to the offers directly from the online stores of various brands like Samsung, Dell, and more. Keep an eye on our Black Friday 2024 hub to stay updated on the best deals and avoid impulse purchases. Whether you’re looking for a high-refresh-rate monitor for competitive gaming or a wide-screen ultrawide for immersive gaming experiences, we’ll help you find the perfect monitor for your setup.

Our annual Best of Black Friday deals features are kicking off today with the upcoming Amazon offers. The 9to5Toys Best of Black Friday posts are designed to provide shoppers a better idea of what’s to come, some expert perspective on the sorts of prices you can expect to see, and to help folks avoid falling into the early deals too soon. The best prices on Amazon’s in-house tech almost always come courtesy of Amazon of course, despite being available at other retailers, so we aren’t sure exactly what the prices will be just yet, but we can offer up some insight on the sorts of discounts you can expect based our extensive coverage of the 2024 Prime Day deals and historical knowledge.

I love leather Apple Watch bands, it’s very much my thing, but I had been on the hunt for something that can provide that sort of timeless, elegant look that I can also wear for hours on end, in any condition, and during just about activity. Traditional leather bands can get a little bit cumbersome and uncomfortable for some folks after extended wearing periods, myself included and especially if its get’s hot or during workouts. So I just had put the waterproof hybrid leather and rubber Nomad Active Band Pro to the test to see if it actually was the solution I have been after. 

The growing number of 15W MagSafe charging stands out there is dizzying. It is becoming harder and harder for brands to differentiate themselves from the pack, but I think Journey has managed to pull this off, even if mostly in an aesthetic way, with its new NOVA 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Station. And now it’s time to go hands-on to see if the price of entry is worth it. 

9to5Toys Steals is a new bite-sized deal format we are launching to enhance our highly-personalized and hand-curated coverage of the best deals across the internet. The 9to5Toys content we all know and love isn’t going anywhere – it’s more motivated and successful than it ever has been. 9to5Toys Steals is just a new way to expand our reach, highlight notable price drops in product categories we don’t already feature on a regular basis, and save you even more money.

Moment has been a staple brand around for years, delivering some of the better camera lens attachments in the game while accommodating them by way of its iPhone 16 Camera Case with the built-in Drop-In Lens Mount. It has been popular among readers for good reason, and it’s time to put its new iPhone 16 model to the test to make sure it’s up to par with the Camera Control button and Apple’s latest handset design. 

We’ve covered the new GoPro Hero 13 and the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, and now we’ve got the latest action camera from Insta360 – the Ace Pro 2 with 8K resolution, dual image-processing chips, and increased battery life. So, which is the best pick for moto-vlogging in 2024? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

After getting a chance to go hands-on with the latest JBL Live Beam 3 recently, we are now diving into some hands-on impressions of the higher-end JBL Tour Pro 3. They certainly come at more of a premium, but we are also talking about one of the most feature-rich wireless earbuds experiences you can buy in the price range. Let’s jump to see if the $300 sticker tag is worth it. 

We have been covering the Peak Design Everyday canvas cases around here for at least a few years now, but this year it has introduced a whole new model made of a vegan Clarino Leather. How does it stand up against the bevy of vegan leather out there? Did the brand right its wrongs from last year’s Action Button mishap? The short answers are it’s very good and yes, it very much did. Scope out our hands-on impressions below.

There’s no shortage of Qi2 chargers on the market in 2024 and we’ve tested a bunch of them here at 9to5Toys, right from Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 charging station from the first wave of these chargers to ESR’s 3-in-1 Qi2 charger more recently. While they all have different form factors and even multiple charging pads and ports for added functionality, none stand out the way UGREEN’s new Uno Qi2 2-in-1 charging station does with its unique design. I’ve been using it as my main charger over the last few weeks and it has won me over not just with its reliable charging but by adding a touch of personality to my desk.

Peak Design has built a reputation for developing photographer’s tools that translate to just about anybody, whether you’re carrying a camera or not. The company is now releasing a new series of outdoor bags specifically designed for photographers – or anybody – to get on the go with comfort, ease of use, and versatility. They have succeeded.

Atom Studios is a relatively new brand on our radar here at 9to5Toys, but after getting a chance to test out its recently-released lineup, we decided it more than deserved some limelight. While you will find some more traditional cases in its iPhone 16 collection, it is its iPhone 16 Agave Leather MagSafe Soft Snap case that really caught our eye. Head below for our exclusive discount code and our hands-on impressions. 

MUJJO, much like year’s past, was among the first leather case makers out of the gate when iPhone 16 was unveiled. I have been a fan of the brand’s leather treatments for at least a couple generations now, and with some new color options landing for iPhone 16, was excited to give them a test for 2024. While the initial run of these case had a Camera Control button that wasn’t up to the task, it has now re-issued with corrections, readied replacements for early adopters, and I am here to see if it all worked out.

Harber London, a brand well-known around here for creating gorgeous leather carriers and bags, unleashed its new All-Rounder MacBook Sleeve a couple months back, and now it’s time to weigh in after giving it a good test run. I have been and continue to be a huge fan of the brand’s bags – its Overnighter was just showcased in a recent 9to5Toys Travel Kit feature – but this time it is trading out some of the full-grain leather for a recycled fabric and we are ready to serve up our hands-on impressions. 

Today we are talking a hands-on look at the brand new Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker. The combination home and on-the-go speaker immediately caught our eye at launch with the retro chic design, and now it’s time to see if its impressive looks and sound quality are worth the price of entry. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker in the latest edition of Tested with 9to5Toys.

Today Twelve South is unleashing its brand new MagSafe charging stand, the HiRise 2 Deluxe. Trading out the 3-in-1 setup available on its wonderful HiRise 3 Deluxe for a more compact and streamlined approach, the new HiRise 2 Deluxe delivers a magnetic charging stand for your iPhone with an additional Qi pad hidden in the base for AirPods or another handset. Now available for purchase starting today from Twelve South, we will detail the new release down below alongside some early hands-on impressions. 

The Arc Pulse has been one of the most popular options this year among 9to5 readers, bumper style or otherwise. It would seem more and more folks are looking to leave the Apple design and their color of choice on display while still trying to maintain some semblance of drop protection at the same time, and the Arc Pulse very much does that. But let’s dive in with some hands-on impressions to see how everything shakes out in practice. 

The 2024 Amazon Prime Day deals are now live as part of its fall Prime Big Deal Days event. The October sale is effectively the exact same thing as what we get during the summer sale – massive price drops across a broad range of categories from Apple, Samsung, and Google gear to Amazon in-house tech, smart home products, e-bikes, power stations, just about anything you could ever want for your PC gaming battlestation, charging gear, accessories, of all kinds, and so much more. We will be updating our 2024 fall Prime Day hub with the best deals as they go live over the next 48 hours, so be sure to head back over throughout the event’s duration as we uncover all of the most notable price drops live for this year’s Prime Big Deal Days.