The best TV of CES 2020
There are a lot of impressive 8K TVs at this year's CES, but no new display has managed to stand out from the crowd quite like Samsung's virtually bezel-less Q950TS. While borders around TV panels have been getting thinner and thinner every year, Samsung has now taken this premium design element to a new level. With an impressive screen-to-body ratio of nearly 99%, you're presented with a TV that's nearly all display, creating a gorgeous "Infinity Screen" effect. This almost borderless style is then further complemented by an incredibly thin profile that measures just 15 millimeters.
Of course, style is only one element that makes the Q950TS a showstopper. Across the board, the display features all of the high-end picture quality and smart connectivity features you'd expect from a leading flagship TV. The 8K QLED LCD panel offers some of the brightest performance we've ever seen on a consumer TV, resulting in stunning HDR playback. Black levels are also deep and inky, thanks to a full-array local dimming backlight.
Unlike many other TVs with very basic speakers, the Q950TS also includes a unique audio system with built-in drivers on the top, sides, bottom, and rear of the display. Special AI-powered technologies have also been employed to help the TV intelligently adapt its sound and image based on the room it's in, making this one of the smartest smart TVs there is.
Yes, it's true that native 8K content is still a ways off, but with advanced upscaling technology, the Q950TS is able to enhance all the 4K and Full HD videos you can watch right now. It also features support for the AV1 codec, which will ensure you can stream native 8K videos when they eventually start popping up on various services. Samsung has not revealed how much the Q950TS will cost when it launches later this year, but models will be available in 65, 75, and 85 inches. — Steven Cohen, technology editor
The best laptop of CES 2020
Way back in May 2019, Lenovo made a lofty promise while showing off a prototype device: that it would release the first-ever laptop with a foldable display, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold, in 2020. Now, Lenovo has clearly made good on that promise.
The tested, stylized version of the product shown off almost a year ago — with literal support tape on it and without a name — easily sells the idea of what foldable screen technology could accomplish in a mobile computing device.
Magazines could look fantastic on the ThinkPad X1 Fold, and with the bundled Bluetooth keyboard, people could work on that document while watching the latest episode of "The Witcher" on Netflix above. These are quaint scenarios, and barely business-related as the "ThinkPad" name would suggest, but these are the first ideas that come to mind.
The $2,499.00 price tag essentially shrinks the audience for this first foldable outing to just well-off executives and other financially fortunate technology enthusiasts — including some creative pros despite the suit-like ThinkPad branding. Regardless, the ThinkPad X1 Fold captures our imaginations, which makes it all the more exciting to be releasing in 2020. — Joe Osborne, senior technology editor
The best phone of CES 2020
Samsung unveiled a number of new smartphones at CES 2020, but its Galaxy Note 10 Lite and Galaxy S10 Lite are the standouts. They have most (though not all) of the same features as their more-expensive counterparts, but when using the phones myself, I can't feel any sort of difference.
The phones run the same Android operating system as their respective flagships. The Note 10 Lite also works with Samsung's signature S Pen stylus. The most significant compromises were made in design; the phones aren't water-resistant, and they don't support wireless charging or power sharing.
The Note 10 Lite and S10 Lite have slightly worse displays and older processors than the Note 10 and S10 respectively, but using them feels just like using the real thing. They also have slightly different camera arrays, which Samsung tells me aren't necessarily better or worse than those of their predecessors — just different. If you're trying to decide which phone to buy, keep an eye out for reviews of these devices where you can check out the photos side by side.
Overall, we'll have to wait for the prices to come out before we can determine for sure whether these are good value. But, if the prices are decently lower than those of Samsung's flagships, they could be a big step towards bringing the Galaxy lineup to a demographic of users that currently find the flagships inaccessible. (Maybe I'll actually be able to afford one, for once!)
Both phones will hit shelves in early 2020. — Monica Chin, senior reporter
The best wearable of CES 2020
Suunto unveiled its first bonafide smartwatch at CES 2020 this year dubbed the Suunto 7. Outfit with the Google-powered operating system, WearOS, and packed with more multi-sport compatibility than most people will know what to do with, the Suunto 7 looks primed to go toe-to-toe with Garmin's similar jack-of-all-trades Fenix series — for a fraction of the cost, at that.
Available in five different colorways and starting at $500 (as opposed to $700 for the new Fenix 6 Pro), the Suunto 7 is perfect for anyone who likes to keep active. It has built-in GPS and a heart-rate monitor, is water-resistant up to 50 meters, and even offers the ability to download offline outdoor maps for free (a first for any Suunto watch). This means it's not only designed for the gym or running through the park but also as a suitable companion for exploring the backcountry.
The watch also comes standard with Google's suite of WearOS features like Google Pay, Google Assistant, and Google Fit, as well as access to the Google Play store. For sport-tracking, the Suunto 7 offers compatibility with more than 70 different activities like biking, swimming, and running, and also allows wearers to sync their headphones to their watch to control their tunes while they workout. Amassed activity stats are able to be viewed via Suunto's companion app, or easily transferred to apps like Strava or Endomondo. There's even Suunto Heatmap compatibility which shows wearers the most popular training routes for running or biking in their area.
Suunto's long made reliable fitness trackers but the Suunto 7 represents an impressive foray into smartwatches. With a clean design, long list of available features and uses, and WearOS functionality, it should likely be a strong competitor to the Garmin Fenix or Apple Watch when it releases on January 31. — Rick Stella, fitness editor
The best gaming tech of CES 2020
It's definitely too easy to dismiss this concept device as Nintendo Switch knock-off, and you wouldn't necessarily be wrong, but we are in love with the Alienware UFO's goal to bring PC gaming to a Switch-like concept.
Using Windows 10 as its operating system with access to Valve's Steam PC game service, the UFO can detach its controllers for single-player tabletop play, making PC games more portable than they've ever been before.
We're 100% for mobile and portable gaming here, and seeing PC games on even more mobile devices is incredibly exciting. Plus, the UFO has a sharper, 1,920 x 1,200-pixel display and Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connectivity, so it's aiming to be a bit more premium than even Nintendo's portable marvel. Here's to hoping this sees store shelves before the end of 2020. — Joe Osborne, senior technology editor
The best smart home tech of CES 2020
There are dozens of high-quality smart locks on the market, but almost all reviewers agree that the August Smart Lock Pro is the best one you can buy. We've been waiting for August's next move since 2017, and it's finally here. The company showed off its new Wi-Fi Smart Lock at CES, and it's a straightforward upgrade that solves some of the most common problems smart locks run into.
First off, it's small and good looking. The lock is 40% smaller than the previous version, which was 3.4 x 2.2 inches. The Pro was a big lock, and it took up a lot of space on the a door frame — the Wi-Fi blends in noticeably better.
Second, it connects directly to your router, which is huge for a smart lock. Previous August locks (and most other smart locks) require a smart-home hub (like the Amazon Echo Plus, or August's Connect Bridge) to connect with voice assistants, or to access advanced automation features. This lock connects directly, removing a huge portion of its already-intimidating installation process.
A number of excellent smart locks launched at CES 2020, but August's gets our top award because it comes from a brand with a proven track record of exceptional products, and because its upgrades, while simple, are exactly the ones we wanted to see. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock will be available later this year at around $229. — Monica Chin, senior reporter
The best kitchen appliance of CES 2020
Juno is like a microwave, but for quickly chilling rather than heating up your drinks. If you want a refreshing soda, juice, tea, coffee, or glass of wine, it usually takes hours to reach an ice-cold temperature in the fridge, and sticking the beverage in the freezer can lead to messy results. Juno's thermoelectric cooling technology brings temperatures down within minutes (e.g. a 12 oz. can of beer to 39°F in just two minutes, or a 750 ml bottle of wine to 49°F in just five minutes).
The appliance is easy to use — just insert your beverage, click a preset temperature or customize your own, and wait a few minutes as it spins your bottle or can around inside. Surprisingly, when I opened a soda can that got the Juno treatment, it didn't explode, and its fizzy contents were perfectly chilled. — Connie Chen, senior reporter
The best personal care tool of CES 2020
This electric toothbrush, Colgate's most advanced (not to mention most expensive at around $300), will be the first in the market to detect bio film buildup on your teeth. We're all used to following built-in two-minute timers in most electric brushes, but with the Plaqless Pro, the amount of time you spend brushing your teeth all depends on how much buildup there is to remove.
There's a light ring around the toothbrush that shines a blue light on areas that require more attention, and you should only move on once it switches to a white light. The brush pairs with the Colgate Connect App, which provides instant feedback, personalized data, and tips so you can enter your next dentist's appointment with confidence. We're working on getting a sample of this new toothbrush to see if and how it really works. — Connie Chen, senior reporter
The best small home appliance of CES 2020
Dipping its toes into mini fridges for the first time, Samsung introduced three models of its new Cube Refrigerator: Wine, Beer, and Beauty. The small and sleek appliances are made for enthusiasts who want to keep their products in the best shape.
If you need to maintain your bottle of wine, can of beer, or nightly serum at a specific temperature, use this compact fridge. It also works with Samsung SmartThings so you can integrate it seamlessly into the rest of your connected home setup. — Connie Chen, senior reporter
The best fitness tech of CES 2020
Poor running technique has the ability to affect you in a variety of ways but the most important of which is unnecessary muscle soreness and injury. What may typically be chalked up to normal workout wear-and-tear could actually just be improper form. At CES 2020, a company called NURVV showed off an innovative wearable technology designed to fix flawed running styles called the NURVV Run.
The tech consists of two parts: A personalized smartphone app that offers real-time coaching feedback and a pair of lightweight insoles. Each insole features 32 embedded sensors capable of capturing a wide range of running data such as stride length, pronation, cadence, and foot strike, among others. After a run, either outside or on a treadmill, the amassed data then transmits to the app for analysis.
The data compiled after a run creates a unique running profile for the user, as well as a foundation for critique. By analyzing each metric, the app figures out where and how a runner can improve their form and running style. This feedback consists of easy tweaks like how to shorten stride length or how to fix pronation. Improving the areas the app suggests helps users avoid injuries and become stronger runners, thus improving their run times and distances.
The NURVV Run launches on January 20 for $299.95 and is available in six different sizes. All packages include two insoles and two GPS trackers, as well as access to the NURVV Run Coaching app via the Apple Store or Google Play. — Rick Stella, fitness editor
The best soundbar of CES 2020
After making quite a name for itself in the 4K TV market, TCL is now turning its attention to soundbars. Though the company already released a few models in 2019, the new Alto 9+ 3.1-Channel Soundbar is shaping up to be its most advanced effort so far.
In addition to a dedicated center channel for crisp dialogue and a separate wireless subwoofer for bass, the soundbar also includes integrated side speakers with a backward tilted design and special acoustic reflectors. This unique feature, called Ray-Danz technology, allows the Alto 9+ to produce an especially wide soundstage. You'll also get a larger "sweet spot," which means you can enjoy great audio quality even if you're not sitting right in the center of the couch. Dolby Atmos support is included as well for virtual height effects, allowing the soundbar to make it seem as if audio is coming from above your head.
We got to listen to the TCL Alto 9+ for ourselves during CES, and it did not disappoint. With its deep bass and engaging surround presence, it was hard to believe that all the effects dispersing throughout the room were coming from a single soundbar. Beyond great audio performance, the TCL Alto 9+ also comes complete with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for music streaming, and it's the first soundbar model to be certified as "Roku TV Ready" for seamless control through Roku TV models and Roku TV remotes.
An exact release date for the TCL Alto 9+ has not been announced yet, but the soundbar is expected to debut in early 2020 for around $400, making it one of the most affordable Atmos soundbars you can buy. — Steven Cohen, technology editor
The best speaker of CES 2020
Have you ever wanted a Hi-Fi Google Assistant speaker that also doubles as a wireless smartphone charging pad? Well, that's exactly what Belkin has revealed at CES, and though speakers with mobile charging aren't exactly new, the execution and smart features here are a step above previous models. While mostly known for its various tech accessories, Belkin has decided to team up with high-end audio brand Devialet to develop the unique Soundform Elite Speaker, and this partnership appears to have paid off.
First and foremost, the Soundform Elite is designed to be a great sounding wireless speaker with hi-fi acoustics rated for up to 90dB SPL of max volume. The speaker offers Devialet's patented Speaker Active Matching technology and "Push-Push" dual woofer design. Together, these features help to produce faithful sound without unwanted vibrations. Though the loud CES convention floor isn't the best place to listen to a speaker, the Soundform Elite impressed with big sound and clear vocals. Performance doesn't seem to be quite on par with more expensive premium speakers, but for the price, it does a good job filling a room.
Of course, the Soundform Elite also has a few extra features that help to increase its value further. Google Assistant support is integrated for voice control and hands-free digital assistant functionality. If that wasn't enough, the speaker also has a wireless charging pad built right on top, allowing you to easily slip a Qi-enabled smartphone in place for up to 10W charging. Now, not all buyers will need all of these functions in one device, but the combination actually make a lot of sense. Belkin's Soundform Elite Speaker will be available in spring 2020 for $299. — Steven Cohen, technology editor
The best headphones of CES 2020
Panasonic's Technics brand is celebrated for its premium audio products, and at CES 2020 the company added its first pair of true wireless earbuds to its lineup. The EAH-AZ70W headphones aim to deliver high-end audio quality and advanced noise cancellation within a convenient package. After taking a listen for ourselves, we're happy to report that the earbuds appear to live up to that promise.
Each earbud features a 10mm dynamic driver specially designed to produce great sound. The headphones also include support for Dual Hybrid Noise Cancelling technology. This feature uses both digital and analog processing to help reduce unwanted noise, and it works incredibly well. Few environments present a more demanding challenge for noise-cancelling earbuds than a crowded trade show, and the EAH-AZ70W effectively reduced the loud commotion of CES. More than that, the actual audio performance is genuinely top-notch, producing a crisp midrange and good bass. Panasonic says that battery life is rated for 6 hours of continuous use with noise cancellation on, which is a bit longer than the 4.5 hours that Apple lists for its AirPods Pro.
The Technics EAH-AZ70W are set to launch in June for $250. That's the same price Apple's flagship AirPods Pro currently go for, so it's looking like Panasonic has a real worthy competitor on its hands. If you'd like similar performance for a bit less, the company is also releasing its new RZ-S500W true wireless earbuds in June. That model doesn't feature the Technics brand, premium styling, or advanced drivers, but it does offer comparable noise cancellation for a lower price of $179. — Steven Cohen, technology editor
The best auto tech of CES 2020
To make a splash in the world of electric vehicles, an automaker either needs to manufacture a battery that doesn't exist or do something to challenge Tesla. At CES 2020 in Las Vegas, automotive designer, Henrik Fisker, attempted the latter by officially unveiling the Fisker Ocean.
A fully electric SUV, the Ocean boasts a few unique features that, if delivered upon, would catch the attention of any prospective EV buyer. The first of which is its price. Starting at just $37,499 (before any federal tax credit kicks in), it's much cheaper than Tesla's own SUV, the Model X, and more in line with Tesla's budget sedan, the Model 3. According to Fisker, leases of the Ocean will also come standard with no long-term contract, as well as all routine maintenance taken care of by the automaker itself.
But perhaps Fisker's most ambitious hurdle with the Ocean is how it hopes it can achieve the mantle of "the world's most sustainable vehicle" upon launch. To the company's credit, this wasn't said without providing a few potential receipts. First, there's its full solar panel roof capable of amassing and transmitting a very small (for now) amount of power back into the vehicle's battery.
Then there's the fact Fisker intends to manufacture the SUV's interior to be entirely vegan. Specifically, it plans to do this by only using reinforced Rayon backing and polycarbonate polyurethane surfaces, as well as recycled plastic bottles and repurposed rubber. Even its carpeting follows a similar lifestyle and will reportedly be comprised of recycled fishing nets.
Though the Ocean's under-the-hood performance statistics weren't shared, Fisker did say it's hoping for a top-out range in the ballpark of roughly 250 to 300 miles and that it plans to run on an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery. The Ocean is scheduled to go into production in 2021 with a release slated for 2022. — Rick Stella, fitness editor
The best accessory of CES 2020
Clear and accurate communication is a big challenge of traveling abroad, whether for work or pleasure. If you haven't had the chance to master at least the basics of a foreign language, you've probably defaulted to Google Translate, but found the process unwieldy and inconvenient.
To help you overcome your communication challenges, Pocketalk has created the newest model of its two-way translation device, a small and light gadget that translates verbal and written text across 74 different languages. It aggregates results from multiple sources, including Google Translate and Baidu, so you can find the best translation for deciphering public transportation signs, menus, and more. The Pocketalk does require data to work, but the newest model includes a complimentary two-year data plan. — Connie Chen, senior reporter
