CES is a time to showcase the future of consumer technology, and this year was no different. From smart rings to ProArt GoPro edition laptops, sustainability tech and a fridge with a barcode scanner, there was a lot in the CES 2026 lineup. We’ve put together a list of some of the standout tech from the event — but not just predictable announcements, things that have the ability to rethink how we interact with technology in our everyday workflows.
Cool Tech from CES 2026
1. A Computer in a Keyboard (HP EliteBoard G1a)
Portable computers usually come in a single form: a laptop. But if your goal is to take your computer everywhere, but want to use it like a desktop, a laptop can be suboptimal. To get a true desktop experience, you’ll likely need an external mouse and keyboard anyway, and if your goal is to use a bigger display, you’ll be wasting the built-in screen.
Instead, what if you could just bring a mouse and keyboard and be done with it? Well, now you can.
The EliteBoard G1a crams an entire computer inside the keyboard. Considering how thin and light laptops are, this might not seem like that much of a feat, but it’s all about the ergonomics. No bulky laptop, extra screen you won’t use and being relegated to a touchpad.
You can plug your keyboard straight into a monitor and you’re done. For desktops needing ultralight portability, this is pretty much as best as you can get. You can even opt to include a 32WH battery so you don’t have to shut it down while moving between workstations.
2. A Wheelchair that Drives You (Strutt EV1)
Motorised wheelchairs are not a new concept; they’ve been around in some shape or form for decades. What makes this one different is everything else added on. On display at CES 2026 was the Strutt EV1; equipped with LiDAR and the ability to drive itself, the EV1 can be the one to take you places. You can save locations and ask to be taken back, or just tap on the map on the screen to automatically drive there. It makes mobility far more accessible.
It is also a capable device with all four wheels powered, the ability to go (slightly) off-road, and safety features to stop you from crashing.
With all of these features packed in, you might expect the price to be enormous, but starting at US$7,499, it might not be too far out of reach. If you’re eager, there is an pre-order offer for US$5,299 — 30% off.
3. LEGO that’s Almost Alive (LEGO SMART Play)
Traditionally, LEGO bricks have been just that ... bricks. You could build whatever you want, but when it came to playing with those sets, it has traditionally been up to kids’ imaginations to fill in the gaps. This aspect is key to LEGO — it has become a medium for imagination — but the new LEGO Smart Play system unveiled at CES 2026 look to bring a new era of play.
There are three components to the SMART systems:
- The key to the system is the SMART Brick, which contains a bunch of sensors and a speaker so it can measure and react to it’s environment.
- The brick can do some basic things by itself, but the SMART Tag bring it alive. These tags tell the brick what to become, like a car, plane or rocket. It helps the brick contextualise it’s movements, like to make danger sounds if a plane turns upside down.
- Finally, there’s the SMART Minifigures which can show off their personality. Contextualised with the tag, and spoken through the brick, these minifigures can be more alive than ever before.
4. A Robot Vacuum with Legs (Dreame Cyber X)
While the Dreame Cyber X was announced prior to CES 2026, it was on the show floor, and caught people’s attention. This four-legged spider-looking enclosure acts as a transporter for a more-normal-looking robot vacuum inside, which can move it upstairs and downstairs as needed.
The only downside is, because the enclosure is required for transport, the Cyber X still can’t vacuum stairs. There is also the concern about looks, with some reactions half-joking about the less-than-soothing appearance.
This won’t help my toddlers fear of the Dreame L20. No, not at all.
– NinjaTovar on Reddit
5. Fold your Phone in Half? Try Thirds (Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold)
The promise of Folding Phones was to be able to carry around your phone which, at a moment’s notice, can transform into a tablet. Up to this point, this has materialised in phones that fold in half (like the Galaxy Z Fold or Pixel Fold), which had larger internal screens, but not exactly tablet-size.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Trifold fixes this. Once again, while not announced at CES 2026, it was demo’d and gave people the chance to experience an even larger foldable. With three phone-sized thirds, the new Galaxy phone can unfold to a 10” screen, a significant increase to the 7.3” of the Galaxy Z Fold series. Now, you can actually take a tablet with you on the go.
CES 2026 Wrap Up
Another year, another CES packed with interesting and cool tech. While CES 2026 featured products that seemed to just be trying to jump on the AI bandwagon, it did still feature some genuinely cool tech that we hope to see become a reality some day soon.
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