Introduction
If 2024 was the year AI moved from novelty to necessity, 2025 was the year it became truly invisible—embedded into the fabric of every device, every application, and every experience.
This was the year of the “AI agent,” when your smartphone stopped waiting for commands and started anticipating needs. When your earbuds monitored your heart rate during workouts and translated conversations in real time. When your laptop felt less like a tool and more like a collaborative partner. When the line between the digital and physical worlds blurred beyond recognition.
The numbers tell the story of an astonishing year in technology. PCMag alone tested more than 1,200 products, yet reserved its coveted 5-star “exemplary” rating for just 17 . The prestigious PCMag Technical Excellence Awards returned after a decades-long hiatus to celebrate 26 breakthrough products redefining computing and connectivity . Meanwhile, TIME magazine published its largest-ever “Best Inventions” list, featuring 300 groundbreaking innovations spanning everything from smartphones to electric vehicles to consumer 3D printers .
This guide is your definitive resource on the best tech products of 2025. Drawing on verified awards and expert reviews from the world’s most trusted technology publications—including PCMag, TIME, Gizmodo, and MIT Technology Review—we’ve curated the absolute best across every major category.
You will learn:
- The most awarded products of 2025 and why they dominated
- Category winners: smartphones, laptops, headphones, wearables, gaming, and more
- Breakthrough innovations in AI, computing, and future technologies
- Real-world use cases for each top pick
- Step-by-step guidance for choosing the right tech
- Common buying mistakes and how to avoid them
- Expert tips and best practices
Whether you’re shopping for yourself, hunting for the perfect gift, or simply marveling at a remarkable year in technology, this guide provides the comprehensive, authoritative analysis you need.
H2: The Most Awarded Products of 2025
Before diving into category-by-category breakdowns, let’s look at the products that swept multiple awards across publications—the true standouts of the year.
H3: Apple AirPods Pro 3
Awards Won:
- PCMag 5-Star “Exemplary” Rating
- TIME Best Invention (Consumer Electronics)
- Gizmodo Readers’ Choice Best Audio
Why It Won: Apple’s third-generation AirPods Pro didn’t just iterate—they redefined what wireless earbuds can do. The redesigned earbuds offer a more comfortable fit with foam-reinforced eartips that create a secure seal in your ear canal . Paired with retuned drivers and improved internal airflow, they deliver exceptional sound quality.
But the real breakthroughs lie beneath the surface. The new eartips enhance active noise cancellation to unprecedented levels—some of the most effective PCMag has ever tested . Apple has also extended battery life, added a built-in heart rate monitor for workouts, and introduced live, in-call language translation . The heart sensor alone transforms these earbuds into fitness companions, while real-time translation makes them indispensable for travelers.
H3: iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
Awards Won:
Why It Won: According to Gizmodo’s readers, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max simply max out every feature. They offer the longest battery life, best cameras, brightest screens, and the most powerful performance that Apple offers—arguably overkill for most people, but exactly what power users demand .
Powered by the revolutionary Apple Intelligence ecosystem and the A19 Pro chip, the iPhone 17 Pro once again defines the smartphone experience . It seamlessly blends cutting-edge hardware with iOS and localized AI, setting the standard for performance, privacy, and usability.
H3: Nvidia DLSS 4
Awards Won:
Why It Won: DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) has radically changed the computer graphics landscape. With DLSS 4, Nvidia isn’t just raising the bar for visuals—it’s lowering the barrier to entry for incredible gaming. GPUs render graphics at a lower resolution to improve performance, then use machine-learning techniques to increase sharpness for superior image quality .
DLSS 4 also arms Nvidia’s latest GPUs with multi-frame generation (MFG), inserting multiple AI-generated frames between rendered ones to boost effective frame rates. While enthusiasts benefit from sharper resolutions with ray tracing, the real impact is broader: even a gamer with an entry-level GeForce RTX 5050 can now enjoy smooth frame rates and ray tracing across more than 100 modern titles .
H2: Best Smartphones of 2025
The smartphone category in 2025 was defined by the convergence of AI, imaging, and foldable innovation. Here are the devices that rose to the top.
H3: Best Overall Smartphone
Winner: iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
The iPhone 17 Pro series represents the pinnacle of smartphone design. With its revolutionary Apple Intelligence ecosystem and A19 Pro chip, it seamlessly integrates hardware, software, and AI to deliver an experience greater than the sum of its parts.
Key Specifications:
- A19 Pro chip
- Apple Intelligence ecosystem with local AI processing
- Longest battery life in iPhone history
- Pro-grade camera system with computational photography advances
Pros:
- Seamless ecosystem integration
- Industry-leading performance
- Exceptional camera capabilities
- Strong privacy features
Cons:
H3: Best Android Smartphone
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro (and 10 Pro XL) offers the cleanest, most stock version of Android available. Google pushed forward by adding Gemini in more places with “agentic” features like Magic Cue, which helps surface information from your apps at the right time and place, and generative actions like enhancing 100x zoom photos .
H3: Best Imaging Smartphone
The vivo X300 Pro earned widespread recognition for its extraordinary camera system. It features a Zeiss 200MP APO Super Telephoto lens and a 50MP gimbal main camera, constructing a full-focal-length imaging system .
The V3+ and VS1 dual chips work in tandem, supporting 4K 120fps Dolby Vision video recording. Powered by the Dimensity 9500 flagship chip and a massive 6510mAh battery, it delivers top-tier imaging and robust battery life—making it the “flagship for photography enthusiasts” .
H3: Best Chinese Smartphone
Winner: Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max
Huawei’s Mate 80 Pro Max showcases the company’s remarkable comeback. It features the “Lingxi Screen” with an 8,000-nit peak brightness, the Kirin 9030 Pro chip, and HarmonyOS 6.0 with local AI models .
The second-generation “Red Maple” imaging system includes dual periscope telephoto lenses, dramatically improving color reproduction. The all-metal “Xuanwu” architecture, dual-satellite communication, and 14-day extreme battery life solve outdoor anxiety once and for all .
H3: Best Foldable Phone
Winners: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Galaxy Z TriFold
Samsung dominated the foldable category in 2025. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 earned Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice for best foldable, representing a “massive leap” from its predecessor by slimming down and feeling like a regular phone when folded .
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z TriFold—Samsung’s first dual-hinge tri-fold phone—achieved a seamless 10-inch unfolded display with G-type folding zero-crease technology . Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, it enables true multitasking.
H3: Best Flip-Style Foldable
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
Samsung stretched the cover screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to wrap around the dual cameras, letting you see more at a glance without opening it up .
H3: Best Innovation in Smartphones
Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max introduced the “Smart Back Screen”—a rear display that breaks conventional design while being both stylish and functional. The M10 light-emitting system, paired with domestically produced red light-emitting materials, achieves ultra-high brightness with ultra-low power consumption .
The Leica Summilux imaging system meets all creative needs, while the 7500mAh “Jinshajiang” battery features 16% silicon content and shaped cell technology for improved space utilization. The “Starship” communication system supports global bands .
H2: Best Laptops of 2025
The laptop category in 2025 saw extraordinary advances in performance, design, and repairability.
H3: Best Overall Laptop
Winner: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition
Lenovo’s ThinkPad Carbon line has consistently earned awards for years. Why? Lenovo inherited and refined IBM’s winning ThinkPad design to the point of near perfection. It reconsidered every aspect, from its durable carbon fiber frame to its class-leading keyboard and fiery performance inside .
This year, Lenovo managed to make the Carbon even lighter than the previous version, solidifying its claim to the laptop throne .
H3: Best MacBook
Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip was a no-brainer for Gizmodo’s readers. With a tried-and-true design, plenty of ports, a great mini-LED display, and more powerful performance from the M5 silicon, it’s a reliable laptop that “just works” .
H3: Best Gaming Laptop
If you want to game on your laptop, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is the way to go. This 16-inch beast features an Intel Core i9 CPU, Nvidia RTX 5070 or 5080 GPU, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a plethora of ports ensuring you won’t need any dongles .
H3: Most Innovative Laptop
Winner: Asus Back to the Future (BTF) 2.5 Ecosystem
PC aesthetics reached their apex in 2025. It’s now possible to eliminate almost all visible cables inside your case. Asus’s BTF ecosystem, alongside MSI’s Project Zero, has rewired the build playbook by hiding all that messy component cabling behind your motherboard .
BTF 2.5 represents the first complete bridge between traditional and “cable-free” builds. New compliant graphics cards, like the Asus ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 BTF Edition, come with a power module that pops on or off, allowing use in either setup .
H3: Best Chinese Laptop
Tecno’s Megabook S14 earned recognition on TIME’s Best Inventions list for its ultra-lightweight design, proving that innovation in computing extends far beyond traditional players .
H2: Best Audio of 2025
From revolutionary earbuds to noise-cancelling legends, 2025 was an extraordinary year for audio.
H3: Best Wireless Earbuds
As detailed earlier, the AirPods Pro 3 swept nearly every major award. Beyond exceptional sound and ANC, the built-in heart rate sensor transforms them into workout companions, while real-time translation makes them indispensable for travelers .
H3: Best Over-Ear Headphones
The king of over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation didn’t rest on its laurels. Proving once again that Sony does ANC wireless headphones best, the WH-1000XM6 improved with even better sound, stronger ANC, and greater comfort .
H3: Best Portable Speaker
Among the many portable wireless speakers released each year, the Bose SoundLink Plus stood out for its full and bass-heavy sound and great volume. Sleek colorways only added to its appeal .
H3: Best Innovation in Audio
Nothing’s transparent design philosophy extended to audio with the Headphone (1), earning a spot on TIME’s Best Inventions list for its distinctive aesthetic and capable performance .
H2: Best Wearables of 2025
Wearables in 2025 evolved from fitness trackers to true health companions and communication tools.
H3: Best Smartwatch
Gizmodo’s readers chose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 as the best smartwatch—the biggest, longest-lasting, and most durable smartwatch for iPhones. It adds built-in 5G and satellite connectivity for when you really have to go off-grid .
H3: Best Outdoor Adventure Watch
Winner: Huawei WATCH Ultimate 2 Exploration Edition
Huawei’s WATCH Ultimate 2 earned recognition for its groundbreaking capabilities. It’s the world’s first watch to support underwater audio communication and BeiDou satellite voice messaging, with 150-meter dive-grade protection and professional positioning navigation . Even without signal, you can communicate—a literal lifeline for outdoor adventurers.
H3: Best Smart Glasses
Winner: Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 AI Glasses
With twice the battery life and improved video recording compared to the previous model, the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 didn’t have to do much to impress. Gizmodo noted that while smart glasses with screens may be the future, perhaps we don’t need notifications in our eyes just yet—and these strike the perfect balance .
H3: Best Smart Ring
Oura continued to dominate the smart ring category, earning a spot on TIME’s Best Inventions list for its comprehensive health tracking in an elegant, unobtrusive form factor .
H3: Best Chinese Smartwatch
With 21-day ultra-long battery life leading the industry, the Huawei WATCH GT 6 balances fashion aesthetics, cycling sports, and health management—all without requiring frequent charging .
H2: Best Computing Hardware of 2025
Beyond laptops, 2025 saw extraordinary advances in processors, memory, and storage.
H3: Best Processor Innovation
Winner: AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (Strix Halo)
How often do you see the same CPU in a compact desktop, a gaming tablet, and a mobile workstation? Almost never—until AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395. This highly efficient, potent SoC allows the chip to access a sliding amount of main system memory as graphics memory—up to an impressive 96GB of a 128GB potential pool .
Based on AMD’s “Zen 5” architecture, Strix Halo features 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores in its integrated Radeon 8060S, producing true discrete-class graphics. With a neural processor rated for 50 TOPS, it’s a certified engine for Copilot+ PCs and their AI features .
H3: Best AI Computing Innovation
The highly anticipated DGX Spark is a compact PC housing tremendous AI power. At its core is Nvidia’s “Grace Blackwell” GB10 Superchip, designed to integrate data-center architecture and petascale computing into a compact, single-system solution that fits on any desk .
This dramatic reduction in size and power consumption marks a watershed moment for accessible AI infrastructure. A single GB10 box can run a 200-billion-parameter model—a feat no single consumer or workstation GPU can claim .
H3: Best Memory Technology
Winner: CUDIMM Memory Technology
The PC industry’s endless need for bandwidth met its match with CUDIMMs (Clocked Unbuffered Dual In-line Memory Modules). These have an added component—a clock driver—that regulates clock speeds to maintain stability at higher frequencies .
While overclocked UDIMMs currently max out around 8,000MT per second, CUDIMM is already pushing 9,000MT and above. JEDEC has already updated standards to support DDR5-9200 modules in the future .
H3: Best SSD
The WD Black SN8100 is an elite performer, with the best benchmark results of any SSD PCMag tested. At the same time, it minimizes power consumption, eliminating the need for an active fan or large heatsink. As a PCI Express 5.0 SSD, it will appeal most to creative professionals, DIY enthusiasts, gamers, and power users .
H3: Best 3D Printer
The Bambu Lab P2S represents a rare combination of performance, intelligence, and refinement. It delivers professional-level output in a desktop-ready design without requiring constant adjustments .
Every component, from the extruder to the airflow system, feels designed for real-world use rather than demonstration. It handles delicate models, strong functional parts, and complex multi-color jobs with equal ease—as close as the consumer market has come to a perfect all-around 3D printer .
H2: Best Gaming Hardware of 2025
H3: Best Console
Nintendo’s long-awaited follow-up to the Switch earned a spot on TIME’s Best Inventions list, proving that the magic of hybrid gaming continues to captivate audiences worldwide .
H3: Best Handheld Gaming PC
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X may not be officially made by Microsoft, but it’s proven to be quite the powerful handheld for playing most PC games and supported Xbox titles. It could be a preview of what’s to come if Microsoft does launch its own handheld in the future .
H3: Best Game of 2025
Winner: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, our long-awaited reunion with Samus Aran, is one of the best Nintendo Switch games in years. Exploring this immersive maze demands you not only blast aliens but wrap your head around mind-bending puzzle-solving abilities, from psychic bombs to energy blasts you guide using your will .
The game is a work of art, with conceptually diverse and visually stunning otherworldly environments around every corner .
H2: Best Software and Services of 2025
H3: Best Photo Editing Software
Winner: Adobe Lightroom Classic
Lightroom Classic remains the go-to photo editing software for professionals, handling importing, organizing, editing, and exporting with aplomb. Adobe continues to update it with state-of-the-art AI features, including auto-culling, auto-stacking, dust removal, and enhanced denoising .
H3: Best Video Editing Software
Winner: CyberLink PowerDirector 365
CyberLink’s PowerDirector gives enthusiasts everything they will ever need—and more. In addition to effective color tools, compelling transitions, and multitrack timeline editing, you get generative AI tools, keyframes, motion tracking, multicam support, and text-based editing .
H3: Best Educational Platform
If you want to learn language arts, math, science, or social studies online, look no further than Khan Academy. The education hub carefully sequences clear videos, in-depth readings, and interactive exercises in a way that gradually builds your knowledge. Best of all? It’s free .
H3: Best Language Learning App
No other app motivates you to learn the basics of a language as well as Duolingo. It’s completely free and doesn’t impose a limit on the number of languages you can learn. An approachable user experience, clear lesson structure, and worthwhile extras (podcasts and stories) make the experience as enjoyable as possible .
H3: Best Productivity App
Todoist is one of the top task management apps available because it expertly simplifies the process of organizing both your personal and professional lives. Highlights include an incredibly accessible interface, natural language input, offline access, and support for almost every major platform .
H3: Best Virtual Coworking Platform
Working from home doesn’t mean missing out on the focus that comes with working alongside others. Caveday puts you on a Zoom video call with other people who want to be productive and benefit from the accountability of sharing their goals .
H3: Best VPN
Proton VPN makes privacy easily accessible. Its class-leading free version doesn’t impose any data or time limits. Subscribing to the affordable premium plan gets you access to advanced security features, including multi-hop and split tunneling .
H3: Best Security Key
Winner: Yubico Security Key C NFC
Hackers and scammers can trick you into giving up your credentials in an instant, but you can keep them at bay with multi-factor authentication. Yubico’s Security Key C NFC is an affordable and easy way to authenticate your identity whenever you log in. It fits discreetly on a key ring, supports popular protocols, and stores passkeys .
H2: Best Chinese AI Applications of 2025
China’s AI ecosystem exploded in 2025, with multiple platforms earning global recognition.
H3: Best Chinese AI Model
DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning large model earned a spot on TIME’s Best Inventions list. At the beginning of 2025, DeepSeek-R1 emerged, developing models that rivaled OpenAI’s most advanced products in industry-standard tests—with a training cost of just $6 million and a fraction of the computing power required by U.S. competitors .
DeepSeek also earned recognition for its “open-source + efficient computing” dual-engine approach, with V3.2 series models performing at top-tier levels in mathematical reasoning and code generation .
H3: Best AI Assistant
Doubao achieved over 159 million monthly active users, supporting multi-platform content collaboration, intelligent summarization, and translation across office, creative, and learning scenarios .
H3: Best Vertical AI Application
Ah Fu deepened its presence in health management, reaching over 15 million monthly active users in just six months. It supports multi-modal interaction and smart device integration, providing personalized exercise plans, skincare regimens, and family health records .
H3: Best Open AI Ecosystem
Qianwen deeply integrated with Alibaba’s ecosystem, featuring physical world perception and action capabilities. It supports travel decisions, photo-based problem-solving, and audio/video generation, quickly reaching 30 million monthly active users .
H2: Most Innovative Future Technologies of 2025
H3: The Most Iconic Technology of 2025
According to The New York Times’ “Hard Fork” podcast hosts Casey Newton and Kevin Roose, the most iconic technology of 2025 wasn’t a flashy gadget—it was the humble data center.
“It would be hard to tell the story of 2025 in technology without the humble data center,” they noted. Data centers are how we power all AI advancements—giant buildings housing supercomputers that power an increasing slice of modern life .
U.S. investments in data centers are propping up the entire global economy. This is not just the largest infrastructure project in America of the year, but maybe the largest infrastructure project in history .
H3: eVTOL Flying Vehicles
The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle space reached critical milestones in 2025. Chinese companies dominated:
- XPENG AEROHT’s “Land Aircraft Carrier” : The world’s first mass-produced modular flying car, featuring a “ground module + flying module” design. In November 2025, the world’s first flying car production line was completed .
- GAC GOVE AirCab : GAC’s first mass-produced flying car features a split land-air configuration, enabling switching between ground intelligent driving and aerial flight modes .
- AutoFlight : In July 2025, AutoFlight delivered the world’s first 2-ton eVTOL aircraft to receive “airworthiness three certificates” .
H3: Humanoid Robots
2025 was the year humanoid robots entered the mainstream:
- Unitree G1: Achieved the world’s first humanoid robot group performance in large-scale commercial entertainment, perfectly synchronized with human dancers .
- Zhiyuan Robotics Lingxi X2: With 31 degrees of freedom and emotional computing engines, it demonstrated strong adaptability in entertainment and education .
- UBTECH Walker Series: Received nearly 1.1 billion RMB in total orders for 2025, achieving group intelligence collaboration .
H2: Common Buying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
H3: Mistake 1 – Buying Based on Hype, Not Needs
The error: Purchasing the most talked-about product without considering whether it fits your actual use case.
The consequence: You pay for features you’ll never use while missing capabilities you actually need.
Avoidance: List your must-have features before researching. Let your needs guide your choice, not the headlines.
H3: Mistake 2 – Ignoring the Ecosystem
The error: Buying a device without considering how it fits with your existing tech ecosystem.
The consequence: A great product that doesn’t play well with your phone, computer, or smart home becomes frustrating.
Avoidance: Consider platform compatibility before purchasing. If you’re all-in on Apple, buy Apple. If you use Windows and Android, choose accordingly.
H3: Mistake 3 – Overlooking Total Cost of Ownership
The error: Focusing only on purchase price while ignoring accessories, subscriptions, and replacement costs.
The consequence: A “cheap” product becomes expensive when you add required accessories or subscriptions.
Avoidance: Factor in all costs before purchasing. Research whether the product requires ongoing subscriptions for full functionality.
H3: Mistake 4 – Buying Too Early in the Product Cycle
The error: Purchasing first-generation products before reading reviews.
The consequence: You become a beta tester for unproven technology.
Avoidance: Wait for comprehensive reviews from trusted sources. First-generation products often have kinks that get ironed out in later revisions.
H3: Mistake 5 – Ignoring Return Policies and Warranties
The error: Assuming you’re stuck with a purchase that doesn’t work for you.
The consequence: You keep a product that doesn’t meet your needs because you didn’t know you could return it.
Avoidance: Check return policies before buying. Understand warranty coverage. Keep receipts and packaging until you’re sure.
H2: Expert Tips and Best Practices
1. Read Multiple Reviews
No single reviewer has the perfect perspective. Read at least three reviews from trusted sources before making a major purchase. PCMag alone tested over 1,200 products in 2025—leverage their expertise .
2. Consider Long-Term Value
The cheapest product often costs more in the long run. Consider build quality, repairability, and software support alongside price.
3. Check for Compatibility
Before buying, verify that the product works with your existing devices and services. A smart home device that doesn’t work with your phone is useless.
4. Wait for Real-World Reviews
Specs sheets don’t tell the whole story. Wait for hands-on reviews that test products in real-world conditions.
5. Understand Your Return Window
If you’re buying a gift, ensure the recipient has enough time to return or exchange if needed.
6. Factor in Subscription Costs
Many products now require ongoing subscriptions for full functionality. Calculate the total cost over 2-3 years, not just the purchase price.
7. Consider Refurbished Options
For many products, manufacturer-refurbished units offer the same functionality at significant savings with the same warranty.
8. Buy from Reputable Sellers
Avoid counterfeit products by purchasing from authorized retailers or directly from manufacturers.
9. Check for Software Update Commitments
Products with long software support commitments (like Google’s 7-year promise for Pixel phones) offer better long-term value.
10. Think About Resale Value
Some products hold value better than others. If you upgrade frequently, consider resale value in your purchasing decision.
H2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was the best smartphone of 2025?
The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max were widely considered the best overall, winning Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice and multiple industry awards . For Android users, the Google Pixel 10 Pro offered the cleanest software experience , while the vivo X300 Pro dominated imaging categories .
2. What was the best laptop of 2025?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its near-perfect design and class-leading keyboard . The MacBook Pro (M5) won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice .
3. What were the best headphones of 2025?
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 swept nearly every major award, including PCMag 5-star, TIME Best Invention, and Gizmodo Readers’ Choice . For over-ear ANC, the Sony WH-1000XM6 remained king .
4. What was the most innovative technology of 2025?
According to PCMag’s Technical Excellence Awards, breakthrough innovations included Nvidia DLSS 4, AMD’s Strix Halo processor, and the Nvidia DGX Spark AI supercomputer . The New York Times named data centers the most iconic technology .
5. What was the best foldable phone of 2025?
Samsung dominated with both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the groundbreaking tri-fold Galaxy Z TriFold .
6. What was the best Chinese smartphone of 2025?
The Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max earned widespread recognition for its 8,000-nit display, Kirin 9030 Pro chip, and dual-satellite communication .
7. What was the best gaming console of 2025?
The Nintendo Switch 2 earned a spot on TIME’s Best Inventions list .
8. What was the best handheld gaming PC of 2025?
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice .
9. What was the best smartwatch of 2025?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice with built-in 5G and satellite connectivity . For outdoor enthusiasts, the Huawei WATCH Ultimate 2 offered groundbreaking underwater communication .
10. What was the best 3D printer of 2025?
The Bambu Lab P2S earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its professional-level output and ease of use .
11. What was the best AI model of 2025?
DeepSeek’s R1 model earned TIME Best Invention honors for achieving top-tier performance at a fraction of the cost of competitors .
12. What was the best VPN of 2025?
Proton VPN earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its class-leading free version and affordable premium plan .
13. What was the best security key of 2025?
The Yubico Security Key C NFC earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its simple, effective multi-factor authentication .
14. What was the best game of 2025?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond earned PCMag’s 5-star rating as one of the best Nintendo Switch games in years .
15. What was the best tablet of 2025?
The iPad Pro (M5) won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice with its tandem OLED display and desktop-class performance .
16. What was the best e-reader of 2025?
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice as Amazon’s first color e-reader with pen support .
17. What was the best camera of 2025?
The Canon EOS R6 Mark III won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice with its 32-megapixel sensor and professional video capabilities .
18. What was the best smart glasses of 2025?
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 AI Glasses won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice for their improved battery life and video recording .
19. What was the best router of 2025?
The TP-Link Archer BE9700 won Gizmodo’s Readers’ Choice for Wi-Fi 7 performance .
20. What was the best photo editing software of 2025?
Adobe Lightroom Classic earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its category-leading AI features .
21. What was the best video editing software of 2025?
CyberLink PowerDirector 365 earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its comprehensive feature set .
22. What was the best educational platform of 2025?
Khan Academy earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its carefully sequenced learning materials—and it’s free .
23. What was the best language learning app of 2025?
Duolingo earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its motivating, free approach .
24. What was the best productivity app of 2025?
Todoist earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its accessible interface and natural language input .
25. What was the best SSD of 2025?
The WD Black SN8100 earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its elite performance and minimal power consumption .
26. What was the best mouse of 2025?
The Logitech MX Master 4 earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for its Action Ring digital overlay and haptic feedback .
27. What was the best virtual coworking platform of 2025?
Caveday earned PCMag’s 5-star rating for bringing the focus of shared workspaces to remote workers .
H2: Conclusion – A Year of Breakthrough Innovation
2025 was a year that proved technology can still astonish us.
From the AirPods Pro 3’s heart rate sensor and real-time translation to Nvidia DLSS 4’s AI-powered graphics revolution, from AMD Strix Halo’s unified memory architecture to DeepSeek’s democratization of AI, this was a year of genuine breakthroughs.