Best of Show: Ambient’s Best CES 2025 Smart Home Picks
CES 2025: What impressed us at the Las Vas technology exhibition
The Consumer Electronics Show, better known as CES, is the traditional start to the tech year, with the who’s who of the tech world showing off what they have in store for the coming months.
Taking place in Las Vegas, the smart home has once again been a key theme of CES 2025, with an army of brands eager to show off the latest devices they want you to connect to your smart home setup.
Matter, automation and artificial intelligence were definitely three of the buzzwords of CES 2025 and you will see them mentioned a lot in our selection of Best in Show products…
Roborock Saros Z70
Roborock used CES 2025 to unveil a flood of new technology, the most notable of which is undoubtedly the Roborock Saros Z70, which features a robotic arm.
The technical term for that robo-claw is OmniGrip, and it’s a five-axis folding robotic arm that uses the Z70’s built-in AI to determine if there are things that need to be picked up and put away.
He won’t put your furniture back in its place or anything like that, but he will be available to pick up things like tissues, used paper, socks, and even light shoes.
Dreame also showed off a robotic arm in Las Vegas, but it was a prototype, so Roborock has gotten ahead on the claw-grabbing front, at least.
Govee Gaming Pixel Light
Govee revealed a trio of next-generation smart lighting products, aimed at enhancing your entertainment and gaming spaces.
It was the Govee Gaming Pixel Light that caught our attention the most; It’s a sleek looking device we’ve never seen before… Govee tells us it’s the industry’s first AI-powered pixel light.
It lets you create pixel art with enhanced AI lighting technology and there are also real-time graphics for things like weather updates, NBA schedules, or Bitcoin tracking.
Its immersive 8-bit AIGC visuals can also be combined with music and will offer a fun and dynamic addition to gaming setups.
Mova V50 Ultra
Mova is a new name in the world of smart robot vacuums, but it caused quite a stir at CES by becoming the biggest sucker in the show.
A multitude of new cleaning robots that achieved suction of 20,000 Pa or more were launched at CES 2025, including Roborock, Dreame, and Eureka.
But it was Chinese brand Mova that stole the crown, with a staggering 24,000 Pa suction power in its new flagship, the Mova V50 Ultra.
The V50 Ultra not only features an incredible suction motor, but also a lot of high-end technology that we’ve seen as standout features from other CES launches.
Without a doubt a brand to take into account.
SwitchBot K20+ Pro Multitasking Home Robot
SwitchBot used CES 2025 to introduce one of the most talked about devices at the show.
The K20+ Pro is a home robot that performs more tasks than you think are possible (or even necessary).
Vacuuming, air purifying, home security, delivering snacks, and even modifying it yourself – this modular wonder wants to do it all.
Whether patrolling the house for security, performing air purification tasks, or bringing drinks to the couch, the K20+ Pro wants to replace an entire line of single-purpose devices with one shape-shifting machine.
Ultraloq Bolt UWB+NFC Mission
Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB+NFC was on display at the booth of its parent company, Xthings, and is the first smart lock to support ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.
Ultra-wideband is a wireless protocol that operates at high frequencies, allowing devices to communicate and track precise location over short distances.
Like the technology found in car keys, UWB offers a more reliable hands-free unlocking experience compared to existing methods that rely on Bluetooth, GPS or Wi-Fi.
This means that the lock can accurately detect when an authorized user approaches, unlocking automatically.
Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni
With so many robotic vacuums unveiled at CES 2025, the new entries had to have something compelling to stand out from the crowd.
With Ecovacs and its latest Deebot flagship, the X8 Pro Omni, that something was a new mopping system whereby the robot cleans its own mopping pads, even while cleaning your house.
The new Ozmo Roller Mop technology uses improved pressure and speed, combined with instant self-cleaning mop technology, to ensure the mop roller is continually cleaned during operation for streak-free, contamination-free floors.
Eco Flow Oasis
EcoFlow used CES 2025 to take the covers off the EcoFlow Oasis; an AI-powered energy management system designed to redefine how users approach energy use, storage and sustainability.
By leveraging real-time data and using artificial intelligence, the Ecoflow Oasis system promises to provide users with personalized recommendations to optimize energy storage, prepare for power outages, and reduce electricity costs.
The system integrates with EcoFlow’s portfolio of power backup devices, both portable and whole home, and, using data such as historical energy consumption, local utility rates, solar energy production and weather forecasts, offers actionable insights and automations, such as ensuring batteries are charged before inclement weather or switching the use of high-energy appliances to stored solar energy during peak pricing hours.
Aqara Panel Hub S1 Plus
Aqara, as it always does, used CES to officially announce a slew of new kits; including some stylish new additions to compete for your wall space.
The most notable of which was the Aqara Panel Hub S1 Plus. The S1 Plus is a 6.9-inch touchscreen smart home hub that works with your existing light switch wiring.
It is capable of controlling a couple of dumb lights that are connected to the switch wires and supports MARS Tech’s smart charging mode, which means wireless control of Aqara smart lights, with constant power to the light circuit.
With dual-band WiFi and functioning as a Zigbee hub and Matter bridge, it can handle everything from live camera feeds to thermostat settings, and users can customize themes, dashboards and widgets, or upload family photos to display.
Flic Duo
The Flic Duo is the latest smart controller from Shortcut Labs and features, as you might have guessed from the name, a pair of smart buttons in a single form factor.
But it’s not just about duplicating a normal Flic button. By detaching it from its magnetic holder, you can unlock a whole new world of possibilities.
Swipes, rotations and other gestures transform it into a complete remote control for your smart home.
SwitchBot Ultra Lock
Also on display at the SwitchBot booth, alongside the crazy K20+ Pro, was the SwitchBot Lock Ultra; An update to last year’s Lock Pro with an even more tenant-friendly design to fit almost any existing lock.
With a FastUnlock system, users will be able to unlock using one of 16 methods, including fingerprint recognition, app control, and voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
It features a six-layer security system, including AES-128 encryption, and there’s Matter support if you also add a SwitchBot hub to the mix.
Shelly Gen4
Shelly took advantage of the big tech expo in Las Vegas to announce the debut of its Gen4 series; a new collection of devices that could be a nifty solution for anyone looking to build or upgrade their home automation setup.
The updated Shelly devices mean that users can switch between protocols on the fly, meaning they can use the devices in the way that works best for their home, while ensuring secure and seamless connectivity.
The new Gen4 line covers a wide area of connected devices with plug-and-play relays, sensors and modules that help you automate power, lighting, heating, security, energy management and more.
The Gen4 products, as with much of the Shelly range, also work very well with major platforms such as Google Home and Alexa and, with Matter compatibility, Apple HomeKit integration is now also available.
Dreame X50 Ultra
Yes, it’s another robot vacuum cleaner (and a warning, there are still two to come) but we couldn’t not include Dreame’s latest flagship.
The Dreame X50 Ultra is the finished product of the ProLeap prototype that we first saw in September, at IFA 2024.
The ProLeap system uses retractable robotic legs, allowing it to climb obstacles up to 4.2cm or multi-level steps, such as patio doors up to 6cm; So if you have a multi-level floor in your house, this could be the answer.
Yes, there were other similar systems on display in Las Vegas, so Dreame no longer has a monopoly in the floor-climbing heists space, but this high-end Dreame also features a lot of cutting-edge cleaning technology, as well as compatibility with Matter.
Xgimi Ascend
Xgimi used CES 2025 to show off an interesting new concept that could well be a vision of what our TV setups will look like in the near future.
Dubbed the Xgimi Ascend, it’s part projector, part TV, part sound system, and part virtual fireplace all in one.
Basically, it’s an ultra-short throw Xgimi Aura 2 projector providing the visuals, with a 100-inch motorized ambient light rejection (ALR) screen and a pair of premium Harman Kardon sound bars thrown into the mix.
The result is a stunning home theater solution that can also be used as a screen to enhance the ambiance.
Reolink Duo WiFi
Reolink used CES 2025 to introduce the Duo 3 WiFi camera and also a new Altas series.
The new Duo 3 WiFi looks identical to the Ethernet version already available and offers 16MP UHD resolution and a 180° panoramic view, thanks to its dual 4K sensors and an advanced image stitching algorithm.
Equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi 6, the Duo 3 WiFi supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies for smooth live streaming and faster data transfer.
Its Motion Track feature condenses motion events into a single 15-second image for quick review and everything can be stored locally to an SD card or directly to a Reolink Home Hub, so no additional subscription plan is necessary.
TCL D1 Ultra smart lock
The third and final smart lock on our list may not have the UWB capabilities of Ultraloq or the update features of SwitchBot, but it is, according to its makers, at least “the world’s first 4-in-1 smart lock.”
That 4-in-1 claim refers to the different features of the Smart Lock D1 Ultra.
Its name doesn’t really do it justice, because it’s not just a smart lock, it’s also a security camera, video doorbell, and digital display all in one.
The idea is that you hit it at the front door and it can perform the tasks of several devices at the same time.
On the outside you’ll find a touch panel with numbers to unlock with a code, along with a fingerprint scanner, a 2K front camera, and a doorbell button.
Inside is the unlocking bolt, along with a 3.5-inch screen to show you what’s happening on the other side.
Sylvox Cinema Pro 110-Inch Helio QLED Outdoor TV
This stunning outdoor TV was definitely one of the standout displays of the entire show.
It’s absolutely incredible, with Helio QLED technology delivering cinema-quality images even in super bright environments.
With an ultra-high brightness of 5000 nits, it will provide clear images even in direct sunlight and there is also Dolby Atmos on board for spatial sound.
Sure, it costs $60,000, but let’s be real: If you’re shopping for a 110-inch outdoor TV, you probably won’t worry too much about the price.
narwhal flow
Narwal is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the world of self-cleaning and the latest flagship really improves it.
It includes dual RGB cameras and an AI chip, and is capable of recognizing more than 200 different types of objects.
It can also step over 4cm platforms and features a track-driven mop pad that extends to the edge of walls and uses dual water tanks to keep the mop clean as it goes.
Yarbo Intelligent Modular Robot
Yarbo used CES 2025 to show off the latest revamp of the incredible modular outdoor assistant robot.
Not only can it mow the grass, but it can also blow leaves, remove snow, tow loads, and much more.
First revealed at last year’s show, Yarbo’s core and modules have undergone major updates and feature enhancements designed to make outdoor tasks simple and even enjoyable, no matter the season.
The update also includes a new “Follow Me” mode, which uses eye-tracking technology to follow you wherever you go, ideal for covering large areas, and the new Yarbo Data Center, powered by Halow technology, offers a more stable experience. and of greater scope. connection.
Crackpot? Yes. Expensive? Very. Awesome? You bet.
Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra
Beatbot has been making waves, literally, at CES 2025 with the launch of the world’s first AI-powered 5-in-1 robotic pool cleaner: the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra.
It features HybridSense AI Pool Mapping, which combines an industry-first combination of AI camera, infrared and ultrasonic sensors for complete pool coverage.
It’s not cheap, costing $3,450, but it’s possibly the most comprehensive pool cleaning robot on display at CES.
There’s also the BeatBot AquaSense 2 Pro that was revealed at the show, which is cheaper at $2,499.
Eureka J15 Max
It was a banner year for robot cleaning launches in Las Vegas, and it took something to differentiate a newcomer from the competition.
With the Eureka J15 Max Ultra, that something is its patented IntelliView AI technology, which has the ability to detect and react to clear liquids, meaning that when it sees a puddle, it instructs the robot to automatically rotate its body, prioritizing cleaning with the mop. and lift the rotating brush to prevent liquid from entering the trash can.
It also has a huge suction power of 22,000 Pa; only the Mova V50 Ultra has more.
Velonix
Speediance, a Chinese smart fitness technology brand, also introduced two new devices for home workouts at CES 2025: the VeloNix exercise bike and the Gym Monster 2.
But it was the VeloNix exercise bike that really caught our attention at the show, with motor-controlled resistance, real-time tracking of metrics like speed, power and cadence, and AI-powered virtual training.
Wonderful Petal Chamber
Wonder Petal is a small 4K, 12-megapixel biomorphic camera, designed to capture images of nature in flower beds, using artificial intelligence to power its Nature Intelligence technology.
It comes in a variety of colors and is designed to be easy to match with your plants or flowers.
The camera itself attaches to a flexible stem, so you can point it at any angle you want, and there’s also a small solar panel, designed to mimic a leaf.
It comes with a universal clip so the idea is that you can hang it, mount it or place it directly on the ground.
Segway Navimow X3
Robotic lawnmowers were one of the most saturated categories at the show with a ton of brands, both old and new, participating.
Segway’s latest flagship, the Navimow
It also includes an innovative 2-in-1 mower and trimmer solution for edge-to-edge coverage and an artificial intelligence algorithm so it won’t collide with your pets; even lazy cats that refuse to move.
Hisense L9Q
The Hisense L9Q was easily the most impressive laser TV on display in Las Vegas… in fact, we had to do a double take at first glance to see that it wasn’t actually a real TV.
It is one of, if not hethe brightest ultra-short throw projectors at 5,000 lumens, and Hisense tells us the L9Q can max out at 1,500 nits of peak brightness when running with its ambient light rejection (ALR) display.
Hisense has also modified its TriChroma triple laser light engine to increase its color space, making colors appear much richer.
More from Las Vegas
You can read more about these devices, plus many other new releases and exciting developments on our dedicated CES 2025 smart home hub page.