The Verge’s CES 2026 awards were not a contest for the most extravagant AI demo. LEGO’s SMART Brick won Best in Show, Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro was the standout car technology, and the remaining picks ranged from a $2,899 folding phone to experimental robots, rollable laptops, and a solid-state battery that still has to prove it can reach production.
The Verge’s CES 2026 awards favored products that felt tangible, useful, or unusually fun over vague artificial-intelligence concepts. LEGO’s SMART Brick took Best in Show, while Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro was the most important selection for car technology. Other notable picks included the Aqara Smart Lock U400, Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, Withings Body Scan 2, 8BitDo Ultimate 3E controller, and a stair-climbing Roborock vacuum prototype.
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The roundup, published by The Verge on January 9, 2026, is an editorial awards list—not the official CES Innovation Awards or CTA Best of CES program. Some winners are available products, some were announced or demonstrated at CES, and others remain concepts or promises that need further proof.
What The Verge’s CES 2026 awards represent
CES mixes finished consumer products with ambitious prototypes, early demonstrations, and concepts that may never reach stores. The Verge’s selections were based on products that improved an existing category, rethought how a category worked, or were simply delightful or strange enough to deserve attention.
#1 Best Overall
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
A useful way to interpret this year’s list is as a preference for physical execution over generic AI positioning. That is an interpretation of the winners rather than an official Verge slogan, but it fits the slate: a transforming LEGO system, a phone with two hinges, a controller with extensive physical customization, a lock that can recognize a compatible device nearby, and a driver-assistance system experienced in an actual vehicle.
Best in Show: LEGO SMART Brick
The LEGO SMART Brick won The Verge’s top CES 2026 award because it was presented as a real, priced product that was enjoyable to use—not merely a futuristic demonstration. It adds responsive digital behavior to ordinary LEGO construction without making AI the central attraction.
The brick works with nearby SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures. Depending on the pieces and how the model is moved, it can trigger sounds, lights, and other play behaviors. LEGO’s SMART Play documentation describes the SMART Brick as a 2×4 brick with motion, color, sound, range, and SMART Tag-related sensing. The important design choice is that it can be incorporated into normal LEGO builds rather than requiring children to abandon traditional bricks for a separate electronic toy.
There is an important buying distinction. LEGO’s US site currently presents SMART Bricks as part of SMART Play all-in-one sets rather than assuming that the award-winning brick is sold separately. A LEGO SMART Play set may include the brick, charger, tags, and, depending on the set, SMART Minifigures. Current examples include SMART Play Pokémon and Star Wars sets. A compatible set may include tags or minifigures without including the brick, so checking the box contents matters.
Best car technology: Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro
For car readers, Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro is the most consequential award in the roundup. The Verge selected it partly because it was one of the few CES automotive technologies the reporter could experience directly in a real test ride rather than only watch in a presentation.
The system is described as Level 2 driver assistance for city and highway use. It combines radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and Nvidia computing hardware to help the vehicle perceive its surroundings and assist with driving tasks.
What Level 2 means in practice
Level 2 does not mean autonomous driving. The vehicle can assist with steering, acceleration, braking, and—depending on the vehicle and operating environment—other driving tasks, but the driver remains responsible for supervising the road and taking over when required.
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- You cannot treat the system as a chauffeur or leave the driver’s seat.
- You must continue watching the road and monitoring the vehicle’s behavior.
- Sensor performance and permitted functions can vary by Mercedes model, market, software version, weather, road markings, and operating conditions.
- The existence of Nvidia computing hardware does not turn a Level 2 system into a fully autonomous vehicle.
The award is therefore best understood as recognition of a driver-assistance system that appeared more credible and usable in a real vehicle than many CES autonomy claims—not as evidence that Mercedes has solved hands-off, eyes-off driving.
Other practical CES 2026 winners
Best smart-home device: Aqara Smart Lock U400
The Aqara Smart Lock U400 uses ultra-wideband, or UWB, to support hands-free unlocking with Apple Home Key on compatible iPhones and Apple Watches. The Verge also highlighted its Matter-over-Thread interoperability with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Home Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings.
The lock offers more than one entry method: UWB unlocking, Apple Home Key, fingerprint access, passcodes, NFC, and a mechanical-key backup. Aqara’s product information also identifies Matter-over-Thread support, but the compatibility list should not be read as a promise that every phone, watch, operating system, or smart-home hub supports every function.
Rank #2
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Before buying the Aqara Smart Lock U400, check the door’s physical compatibility, the supported phone or watch model, the operating-system requirements, and whether the home has the Thread infrastructure needed for the desired smart-home setup. A lock can support Matter while still requiring a compatible Matter controller and Thread border router for a particular installation.
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The Verge called the Withings Body Scan 2 a longevity station rather than merely a smart scale. Its appeal is the attempt to place weight alongside a broader set of cardiovascular and metabolic measurements. The article cited more than 60 biomarkers and foot-sweat measurements for some metrics.
Withings’ US CES material listed a price of $599.95 and said that the release of selected metrics was pending FDA clearance, with planned availability in the second quarter of 2026 through Withings, Amazon, and selected retailers. Those regulatory and release details can change, so health-related specifications and purchase claims should be checked again before publication or purchase.
Even if every planned feature becomes available, a connected scale is not a medical diagnosis. Its readings may help users monitor trends or decide what to discuss with a healthcare professional, but they should not replace clinical testing or medical evaluation.
Best wearable: L’Oréal LED Face Mask
The L’Oréal LED Face Mask won because its sheet-mask-inspired form looked more practical to wear than the rigid designs common in the LED-mask category. The award reflects The Verge’s CES impression of the form factor and wearability.
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Best gaming product: 8BitDo Ultimate 3E controller
The 8BitDo Ultimate 3E stood out for offering an unusually broad set of physical controls and adjustment options. The Verge highlighted remappable controls, adjustable trigger and stick sensitivity, interchangeable button modules, optional stick replacements, Hall-effect triggers, haptic feedback, Bluetooth, USB-C, and a 2.4GHz dongle for recent Xbox consoles.
That combination makes it more interesting than a conventional replacement gamepad, particularly for players who want to tune trigger travel, stick behavior, or button layout. The CES article establishes the feature set and editorial appeal, but it does not by itself establish the final retail model, price, Amazon inventory, or compatibility with every Xbox, PC, or mobile configuration.
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold folds twice, changing from a conventional phone into a device with a much larger tablet-like workspace. The Verge described a 6.5-inch outer screen and a 10-inch inner display, along with Samsung DeX support.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe design is experimental even by foldable-phone standards. Two hinges create more opportunities for a large display while also increasing the importance of thickness, durability, repairability, and software adaptation. Samsung’s official US information later confirmed availability beginning January 30, 2026, through Samsung Experience Stores and Samsung.com, starting at $2,899 for a 512GB Crafted Black model. Samsung also lists an IP48 rating and the 10-inch unfolded display.
Rank #3
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
That price and the specialized form factor make the TriFold a showcase device rather than an obvious upgrade for every phone buyer. Stock, regional availability, warranty terms, and pricing remain worth verifying because they can change quickly.
Best audio product: Fender Mix headphones
The Verge praised Fender Mix headphones for their tuning and construction, as well as a replaceable rechargeable battery, long claimed listening time, active noise cancellation, a USB-C Auracast dongle, high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz support, and passive listening through a 3.5mm connection.
The distinction between claimed features and tested performance matters here. These observations came from CES hands-on reporting, not an independent long-term headphone test. Battery life, comfort, microphone quality, noise cancellation, and sound preferences should be independently evaluated before turning the headphones into a definitive buying recommendation.
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The monitor award went to LG Display’s 27-inch 4K RGB-stripe OLED panel after The Verge compared it with competing Samsung Display technology. The key improvement was text clarity. Earlier OLED subpixel layouts could produce distracting color fringing around text, especially on desktop interfaces.
The panel also supports two dramatically different operating modes: 4K at 240Hz or 1080p at 480Hz. The first favors sharpness and high-refresh-rate PC gaming; the second sacrifices resolution for extremely fast motion performance.
This award refers to display-panel technology demonstrated at CES, not necessarily to one universally available retail monitor. A finished monitor sold under a consumer brand should not be described as the exact award-winning product without confirming its panel model and specifications.
Concepts, promises, and products that may not be ready to buy
CES coverage often blurs the line between what exists and what is merely being shown. The Verge’s categories make that distinction unusually clear.
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Best robot: Roborock Saros Rover
The Roborock Saros Rover demonstrated a robot vacuum that could climb and clean stairs. Instead of using tracks or another mechanism to transport a conventional robot between floors, the Rover used a leg-and-wheel system to tackle stair treads during the CES demonstration.
That is a meaningful problem to address: a robot vacuum that cannot move between floors still requires a person to carry it. But this was a debut demonstration, not proof of a finished retail product. The award article does not establish a final price, production specification, launch date, long-term reliability, or independent stair-cleaning performance.
Best promise: Donut Lab solid-state battery
Donut Lab’s solid-state battery was placed in a category that signals possibility rather than completed consumer technology. Solid-state batteries could eventually offer advantages in energy density, safety, packaging, or charging, but the industry has a long history of impressive battery announcements that never reach large-scale production.
Rank #4
- Alexa can show you more - Echo Show 5 includes a 5.5” display so you can see news and weather at a glance, make video calls, view compatible cameras, stream music and shows, and more.
- Small size, bigger sound – Stream your favorite music, shows, podcasts, and more from providers like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Prime Video—now with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Includes a 5.5" display so you can view shows, song titles, and more at a glance.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart devices like lights and thermostats, even while you're away.
- See more with the built-in camera – Check in on your family, pets, and more using the built-in camera. Drop in on your home when you're out or view the front door from your Echo Show 5 with compatible video doorbells.
- See your photos on display – When not in use, set the background to a rotating slideshow of your favorite photos. Invite family and friends to share photos to your Echo Show. Prime members also get unlimited cloud photo storage.
The Verge’s treatment was appropriately cautious: Donut Lab still needs to provide evidence that the technology is production-ready and can be deployed reliably at scale. This is not a battery a consumer can buy, nor a reason to assume that an electric vehicle using it is imminent.
Best concept: Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable
The Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable is a gaming-laptop concept that extends its display horizontally. It starts in a conventional 16-inch 16:10 format, expands through an approximately 21.5-inch mode, and reaches a 24-inch ultrawide configuration.
The attraction is easy to understand: a laptop could remain compact for transport and provide a wider workspace for gaming or productivity when opened at a desk. The Verge nevertheless framed it as something the reviewer hoped would become a real product. There is no basis for presenting the concept as available for purchase. A retail Lenovo Legion laptop may be an alternative, but it would be a separate product requiring its own review and evidence.
Thing the reviewer wanted to try most: Clicks Power Keyboard
The Clicks Power Keyboard combines a physical phone keyboard with a detachable magnetic power bank. It can be used in portrait or landscape orientation, and the keyboard can operate over Bluetooth when separated from the phone. The detachable design also aims to let users move the keyboard between phones instead of buying a phone-specific case each time.
Its usefulness depends heavily on exact phone compatibility, keyboard ergonomics, battery capacity, price, and availability. Those details should be confirmed before treating it as a broadly compatible accessory.
More notable selections
Best backpedal: Dell bringing back XPS
This category recognized a branding reversal rather than a single piece of hardware. Dell had moved away from the XPS name in favor of generic Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max branding. The Verge treated the return of XPS as an acknowledgment that a familiar product identity had value.
Best thing the staff would actually buy: Ikea Kallsup Bluetooth speakers
The Kallsup is a small Bluetooth speaker designed to look more like home décor than conventional audio equipment. The Verge reported white, pink, and lime color options, an expected April 2026 launch, an approximately $10 price, up to nine hours of battery life at half volume, user-replaceable batteries, and the ability to pair up to 100 units.
Those were launch-period expectations. Current US retail status, final pricing, battery details, and stock should be verified with Ikea or an authorized retailer before publication or purchase.
Other fun and unusual hardware
The roundup also included Haply haptic controllers among its fun picks. Haptic controllers can provide physical feedback that makes digital interactions feel more tactile; the article cited an approximate $199 price, but did not establish a current retail path.
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Ecovacs’ LilMilo concept was another notable inclusion. Like several CES concepts, it attracted attention as a product idea rather than as a confirmed purchase. Its pricing and launch prospects were uncertain.
Best Value
- Meet Echo Dot Max: Experience rich room-filling sound that automatically adapts to your space and fine-tunes playback. Features a built-in smart home hub and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Music to your ears: With nearly 3x the bass versus Echo Dot (2022 release), it fits beautifully in any space, delivering your personal sound stage with deep bass and enhanced clarity. Listen to streaming services, such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM. Encore!
- Do more with device pairing: Connect compatible Echo smart speakers and smart displays in different rooms, or pair with a second Echo Dot Max to enjoy even richer sound
- Simple smart home control: Set routines, pair and control lights, locks, and thousands of smart home devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature or presence detection.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot Max doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
What is actually available?
| Product or technology | CES 2026 status | What readers should know |
|---|---|---|
| LEGO SMART Brick | Available through SMART Play sets | Do not assume the brick is sold separately; check each set’s contents. |
| Aqara Smart Lock U400 | Announced with availability in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore | Verify door fit, phone/watch support, and Thread requirements. |
| Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro | Vehicle-integrated driver assistance | It is Level 2, not fully autonomous driving. Availability depends on Mercedes model and market. |
| Withings Body Scan 2 | Planned product | US CES material listed $599.95 and planned Q2 2026 availability; selected metrics were pending FDA clearance. |
| Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold | Confirmed US launch | Samsung said US availability would begin January 30, 2026, from $2,899 for the 512GB model. |
| 8BitDo Ultimate 3E | Retail details require verification | Confirm the exact model, platform compatibility, price, and stock. |
| Fender Mix headphones | CES product selection | Feature claims were reported from CES hands-on coverage; independent testing is still relevant. |
| Roborock Saros Rover | Demonstration or product announcement | No confirmed retail launch, final price, or durability evidence was established. |
| Donut Lab solid-state battery | Technology promise | Production readiness and deployment remain to be demonstrated. |
| Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable | Concept | Not an ordinary retail laptop available to buy. |
| Ikea Kallsup | Expected April 2026 launch | Verify final price and regional availability. |
| Clicks Power Keyboard | Accessory announcement | Check exact phone compatibility, price, and retailer status. |
The real theme of The Verge’s CES 2026 awards
The strongest products on the list solve recognizable problems. LEGO makes physical play react to the way a model is moved. Aqara tries to make entering a home feel more effortless without removing backup access methods. Mercedes applies a broad sensor and computing stack to supervised driving assistance. Samsung makes a phone expand into a larger workspace.
The more speculative picks are valuable for a different reason. The Roborock Rover shows why stair-climbing matters for home robots, even if the production version is not ready. Lenovo’s rollable laptop explores whether a portable computer can provide a genuinely wide display. Donut Lab’s battery points toward a potentially important change in electric-vehicle hardware, but only future testing and manufacturing evidence can establish its value.
That separation—available product, demonstrated technology, concept, and promise—is the most important thing to carry away from the awards. CES is at its most useful when it shows where hardware may go without pretending that every prototype is already a product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are The Verge’s CES 2026 awards the official CES awards?
No. The Verge’s CES 2026 awards are an editorial selection published on January 9, 2026. They are separate from the official CES Innovation Awards and CTA Best of CES programs.
Which car technology won The Verge’s CES 2026 award?
Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro won Best Car Technology. The Verge described it as a Level 2 driver-assistance system that uses radar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and Nvidia computing hardware. The driver must continue supervising the vehicle.
Is Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro fully self-driving?
No. Drive Assist Pro is Level 2 driver assistance, not fully autonomous driving. The driver remains responsible and must stay attentive and ready to take over.
Can you buy the LEGO SMART Brick by itself?
LEGO’s US product information currently presents SMART Bricks with SMART Play all-in-one sets. Buyers should not assume that the award-winning brick is available as a standalone product.
Which CES 2026 award picks can you actually buy?
Some selections are available or have confirmed launches, including LEGO SMART Play sets, the Aqara Smart Lock U400, and Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold. Others, including the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable, Roborock Saros Rover, and Donut Lab solid-state battery, should be treated as concepts, demonstrations, or promises until official retail evidence appears.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The Verge’s CES 2026 awards were led by practical, physical hardware rather than broad AI claims. LEGO SMART Play earned Best in Show, Mercedes-Benz Drive Assist Pro was the standout car technology, and the rest of the slate ranged from available products such as the Aqara U400 and Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold to concepts and promises that still need proof. Treat availability, compatibility, regulatory status, and autonomy claims as separate questions from the awards themselves.
Quick Recap
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