CNET Readers Love Tech Products: Here Are Their Top 100 for 2025

2025 is slowly coming to an end and it’s been a year packed with loads of new tech. We saw more intelligent smart home gear, all kinds of AI-powered gadgets and more. While we can point to impressive new laptops and TVs with incredibly good screens, what did people actually buy? The CNET Readers’ Choice Top 100 of 2025 highlights what people who come to us for advice every day believe are the best and most popular products across tech, home and lifestyle categories that you chose with your wallet this year.

No matter what you’re looking for, from the sharpest noise-canceling headphones to the most powerful robot vacuum or a laptop that can actually keep up with your workflow, we’ve got it. We brought you tons of new and returning products this year that we thought were spectacular. These are your favorite 100.

We went ahead and rounded up the gear worth your money. Plus, a lot of these items make great holiday gifts for loved ones, too. Here’s what made the cut.

Headphones and earbuds

From wireless earbuds to over-ear headphones, 2025’s audio scene delivered serious upgrades. These buds have better battery life, clearer ANC and comfort you can wear all day.

Top headphones and earbuds, according to CNET readers:

1. AirPods Pro 2: $249. Now the previous-gen option, but still a super high-performing pair of buds.
2. AirPods 4 with ANC: $119 (save $10). These earbuds were a game-changer with their ANC capabilities.
3. Beats Fit Pro headphones: $149 (save $51). Even though these buds are a few years old, they’re great for those who want a sportier pair of AirPods.

4. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth earbuds: $249. A go-to workout companion for some of our editors at CNET.

5. Bose QuietComfort Ultra over-the-ear headphones: $449. These headphones have better noise-canceling capabilities than the last-gen.

6. Bose QuietComfort Ultra true wireless earbuds: $303. CustomTune technology analyzes your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape — talk about comfort.

7. EarFun Air Pro 4 Adaptive noise-canceling earbuds: $63 (save $17). You really can’t beat the price and quality combo on these.

8. EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus wireless earbuds: $80 (save $40). Use the on-page 20% coupon to get the full discount.

9. EarFun Wave Pro: $53 (save $27). These headphones use AI to give you clear call quality.

10. QCY H3 Pro Adaptive ANC headphones: $66. Our 2025 pick for overall best budget noise-canceling headphones.

11. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI earbuds: $200 (save $50). These Samsung earbuds offer excellent sound and voice calling qualities.

12. Shokz OpenFit Pro 2 open-ear earbuds: $200. The ultimate runner’s and biker’s choice for earbuds.
13. Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds: $130. We ranked these as the best-sounding noise-canceling earbuds.

14. Sony WF1000XM5 True Wireless noise-canceling earbuds: $228. These were awarded the title of best Sony noise-canceling earbuds.

15. Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones: $458. The new QN3 chip is seven times as powerful as the QN1 chip in the XM5.
16. Sony WH-CH720N headphones: $98 (save $10). These headphones easily earned a spot on our list of the best wireless headphones of 2025.

17. Anker Soundcore P40i noise-canceling earbuds: $48 (save $42). Anker is known for making great quality yet affordable earbuds, and these are no exception.

Tech accessories

We saw tons of new accessories in 2025 that helped make the biggest difference, from magnetic chargers to item trackers we can’t go without.

Top tech accessories, according to CNET readers:

1. Anker iPhone charger, 2-pack: $16 (save $2). You can never have too many chargers, and this set comes with two charger blocks and two wires.

2. Anker Soundcore Boom 2 speaker: $120 (save $20). This Anker speaker packs a lot of power for its fairly compact size.

3. Samsung SmartTag 2: $22 (save $8). For those who are more keen on Samsung and Android products than Apple ones.
4. Brother Work Smart 1360 printer: $110. Sometimes you need a physical copy of something, and this printer is all you need.

5. TP-Link Wi-Fi extender with Ethernet port: $17. This was given the title of our favorite budget Wi-Fi extender.

6. Speck Clear iPhone case: $33 (save $17). As pretty as a naked iPhone looks, having a case is needed to keep it protected.

7. Tripp Lite 12-outlet surge protector power strip: $51. Long gone are the days of running out of space with this 12-outlet power strip.

8. TP-Link Deco X55 Pro Wi-Fi router: $100. This is our favorite budget router of 2025.

9. HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Wireless AI printer: $210 (save $100). This is the best printer you can get this year.

10. Energizer Max AA batteries, 20-pack: $18 (save $3). These Energizer batteries are the best AA batteries you can buy.

11. TP-Link Wi-Fi 6E tri-band AXE5400 mesh system: $200 (save $20). This mesh system comes in a pack of two, so your whole home is covered.

12. Bose SoundLink Flex portable Bluetooth speaker: $169 . Bring this Bose speaker with you anywhere you go and turn any adventure into a party.

13. TP-Link RE605X AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 range extender: $100. This high-performing booster is the best of the year and a great choice for gamers.

14. Cable Matters HDMI cables, 3-pack: $24. These cables are HDMI 2.1-certified. Don’t spend more than this!

15. Arzopa 16-inch 2.5K portable monitor: $130 (save $40). This Arzopa Z1RC portable monitor lets you take your second screen anywhere, and at a low price.

16. Amazon Eero 6 Plus mesh Wi-Fi system: $300. This mesh system comes with a free month of Eero Plus and is the best mesh system you can get for larger spaces.

17. Monoprice HDMI cable, 6 feet: $5 (save $6). This ultra-slim cable won’t look bulky or ruin your work desk setup.

18. Shanling M0S MP3 player: $90. Who said MP3 players were dead? This one from Shanling is the best one you can buy in 2025.

19. Logitech MX Brio Ultra HD 4K Collaboration streaming webcam: $200. Whether you’re playing games with your buddies or taking calls with coworkers, this webcam uses AI to enhance image quality and auto-adjust things like lighting.

Laptops

This year’s best laptops are equipped with lightning-fast chips, all-day battery life, and ultra-bright displays that help us get through the work or school day a little easier.

Top laptops, according to CNET readers:

1. M4 MacBook Air, 13-inch: $750 (save $249). The 13-inch version makes a great choice for students.
2. Microsoft Surface Copilot Plus touchscreen laptop: $1,450 (save $550). This is our top Windows laptop pick of the year.
3. M4 Mac Mini, 256GB: $499 (save $100). This M4 Mac Mini supports up to three displays and delivers strong performance.

4. Lenovo Yoga 7 Gen 10 touchscreen laptop: $800. This two-in-one laptop works as a tablet too, for the best of both worlds.

TV and streaming

TVs in 2025 saw big upgrades, from OLED brilliance to smarter streaming interfaces and more.

Top TV and streaming picks, according to CNET readers:

1. 2023 Gesobyte Amplified HD Digital TV antenna: $64. This device supports full HD picture and quality sound.

2. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max streaming device: $40 (save $20). Of all the streaming devices that Amazon makes, this is by far the best.

3. Channel Master Flatenna: $35. This indoor antenna captures HD and digital signals within a 35-mile radius.

4. Hisense 55-inch Class U8 mini-LED TV: $798 (save $200): This TV has superb quality and was named the best overall 55-inch TV.

5. LG 65-inch Class G5 OLED TV: $2,000 (save $1,400). This super-bright OLED screen makes this a great TV for games and this price point includes the wall mount.

6. LG 65-inch Class C4 OLED TV: $1,297 (save $700). This TV has been one of our favorites for years now, and each year it gets a better upgrade.

7. Nebula Mars 3 outdoor portable projector: $1,000. This projector boasts a beautiful design and surprisingly good sound.
8. Samsung 50-inch Class Crystal UHD 4K DU7200 TV: $230 (save $70). This is the best 4K TV you’re going to find for under $500.

9. Samsung 77-inch Class OLED 4K S95D TV: $4,600. And if budget isn’t an issue, this is the best 4K TV in terms of picture quality.

10. Samsung 65-inch Class S95F OLED TV: $2,300 (save $1,000). The Samsung S95F OLED’s ability to banish reflections helps it produce the best TV image quality yet.

11. SofaBaton U2 universal remote: $70. This remote even has a backlight for those late-night binge sessions.

12. TCL 65-inch QM6K QLED TV: $650 (save $350). This TCL TV really is an incredible value.

Home and kitchen

From new air fryers to kitchen essentials, there were many home and kitchen products we loved in 2025.

Top home and kitchen picks, according to CNET readers:

1. Ecobee Enhanced smart thermostat bundle: $340. This bundle also includes SmartSensors for your doors and windows.

2. First Alert CO615 dual-power plug-in carbon monoxide detector: $36. Everyone should have a CO2 detector in their home, and this one is the best one overall.

3. Fluance RT82 Reference record player: $350. This is one of the best record players of the year, and it adds a nice touch to any room in your house.

4. Green Gobbler Ultimate main drain opener: $25. It won’t damage your pipes, so you don’t have to worry.

5. Honeywell QuietSet tower fan: $54. This super quiet tower fan is the best of its kind.

6. Kahawa 1893 dark roast Coffee K-Cup pods: $21. If you like a strong cup of coffee, this is definitely for you.

7. Kidde Smart smoke detector: $44. This smoke detector features a voice alarm that alerts you when smoke or fire is detected.

8. McCafé Premium Roast K-Cups, 48-count: $28. Our expert reviewers surprisingly loved this one — it’s pretty rich.

9. SoundAsleep Dream series air mattress: $150. This air mattress is especially great if you have friends and family staying with you this holiday season.
10. OXO Good Grips cast iron brush: $12 (save $2). Using this brush is by far the best way to clean your cast-iron pans.

Home security

Keep eyes on your home no matter where you are. This year’s home security gadgets have tons of useful, upgraded features.

Top home security picks, according to CNET readers:

1. TP-Link C120 indoor/outdoor camera: $36. This is one of the best security cameras out there, especially since you don’t need a subscription to use it.
2. Ring Battery Doorbell Pro: $130 (save $70). This is one of Ring’s top video doorbells, now in down by $70.

3. Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight camera: $90 (save $10). This camera supports 12x zoom, two-way audio and color night vision.

4. Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight camera, 4-pack: $250 (save $13). And if you want to put them all around your house, grab this bundle.

5. Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras, 2-pack: $180. The best all-purpose security camera that can be used in any home.
6. Google Nest wired video Doorbell, 3rd Gen: $180. CNET’s security editor uses this doorbell in his own home, so you know it’s the real deal.
7. August Home Smart Lock and Connect: $200. This August Home lock requires two-factor authentication, giving you a solid barrier of protection against hacking.

8. Arlo Essential Security Camera, 3-pack: $110 (save $24). This camera works just as well, if not better, than other more expensive options.

9. Arlo Video Doorbell 2K: $60 (save $70). This is the top video doorbell of this year.

10. Aqara Smart Lock U100: $60 (save $55). The Aqara smart lock U100 offers a winning deadbolt replacement.

11. ReoLink First 4K solar security camera: $150. This security camera has a solar panel, so it doesn’t need batteries.

Vacuums

If you haven’t upgraded your vacuum in a few years, you’re in for a treat. This year brought longer runtimes, self-emptying bases and robot vacs that don’t knock into things.

Top vacuums, according to CNET readers:

1. Black and Decker Dustbuster Blast cordless handheld vacuum: $39 (save $6). Our top pick budget handheld vac is perfect for your car or those smaller, hard-to-reach areas in your home.

2. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus automatic robotic pool vacuum cleaner: $898. Our editors swear by this pool cleaner and always use this one.

3. WORX WX030L 20V power-share cordless cube vacuum: $100 (save $20). It has a flexible 4-foot hose so you can reach every nook and corner.

VPNs and online services

Online privacy matters more than ever, and this year’s best virtual private networks make it effortless to stay secure.

Top VPN and online services, according to CNET readers:

1. NordVPN: $3 per month (save $9 per month). This VPN will give you supersonic internet speeds.

2. Surfshark VPN: From $2 a month (save $5 per month). This VPN will give you the best value for your money.
3. SoFi Active Invest: This tool is one of the best strategies you can use to save your money.

4. T-Mobile Essentials phone plan: Starting at $60. This is the best T-Mobile plan for multiple lines.

5. T-Mobile Essentials Saver phone plan: If it’s just you, this is the best T-Mobile plan for a single line.

Health and wellness

These items make it easier to track your progress, stay consistent with your goals and start the New Year super healthy.

Top health and wellness picks, according to CNET readers:

1. Colgate Optic White Pro Series whitening toothpaste: $9 (save $4). The best whitening toothpaste of the year, plus it has 5% hydrogen peroxide, which whitens intrinsically and extrinsically.

2. iVizia Micellar eyelid cleanser: $16 (save $1). Especially great for those with sensitive eyelids.

3. Omron Evolv wireless blood pressure monitor: $100. If you suffer from hypertension, having a blood pressure monitor in your home should be a must.

4. Oral-B Pro 1000 rechargeable electric toothbrush: $40 (save $30). The best electric toothbrush of the year with a two-minute timer, low battery alert and a pressure sensor.

5. Systane Complete preservative-free dry eye drops, 10ml: $18 (save $2). According to eye doctors, these are the best over-the-counter eye drops.
6. Wyze Smart Scale X: $40 (save $10). This smart scale is able to connect to your Fitbit, Apple and Google health apps for in-depth readings.

7. The Ridge wallet: $95. This is our favorite overall minimalist wallet of 2025, and makes a great gift for dad this holiday season.

Travel

Whether you’re traveling for the holidays or making next year’s travel plans, these essentials can help make the journey easier.

Top travel picks, according to CNET readers:

1. Dinictis travel backpack: $21 (save $8). The perfect backpack to take on a trip with you. Not too bulky yet fits a ton.

2. Ozlo Sleepbuds: $299 (save $50). Perfect to help you catch some sleep on the plane without being distracted by other sounds.

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