CES 2025 is now over, and the world’s largest tech show has once again proven to be an eye-opening (and sometimes disturbing) look at the tech trends that will shape our near future. But it was also a place where some real, affordable devices were released, and we’ve rounded up the best ones you can buy today here.
Yes, not every CES launch was a $175,000 humanoid robot or a flagship OLED TV from Panasonic. We also saw a wave of phone accessories, from power banks to SSDs, and some promising new contenders for our guides to the best cheap wireless headphones and best cheap smartwatches.
So if you’re keeping up with our CES recap podcast and want a palate cleanser with the best technology announced at the show (and isn’t too hard on your wallet), read on for our top picks.
1. Anker 25K Power Bank
- Price: $90 / £72 (about AU$145)
One of the most curious trends we noticed at CES 2025 were power banks with retractable USB-C cables. It’s not a wildly futuristic advance, but if you’re sick of winding cables around your backup batteries while traveling, then the new Anker Power Bank 25K might be for you.
Announced at CES 2025 and now available with a 10% discount (20% in the UK) in the Anker store, this high-capacity power bank for laptops, phones and tablets has a capacity of 25,000 mAh and three USB-C ports (two of which have retractable cables).
With an additional USB-A port on top and a display to inform you of remaining charge, battery status, and more, it certainly looks like a strong contender for your next international trip.
2. Shokz OpenFit 2
- Price: $179 (UK/Australia price TBC)
TechRadar audio editor Becky Scarrott called the Shokz OpenFit Airs “my favorite sports-focused open-back headphones yet” last year, which bodes well for the OpenFit 2, which were announced at CES 2025.
Instead of using bone conduction technology, the OpenFit range uses DirectPitch technology (this time version 2.0) to send audio to your ears, leaving your ear canals open to the sounds of cars or cyclists.
We haven’t tried them yet, but we’re fans of the series (including their waterproof OpenSwim models for swimmers), and these new ones also boast a decent 11-hour battery life.
3. Amazfit Active 2
- Standard version: $99 (around £80 / AU$160)
- Premium version: $129.99 (around £105 / AU$208)
If you’re looking for a budget smartwatch with heart rate tracking and voice commands, the Amazfit Active 2 should be on your short list.
The original version impressed last year with its array of useful health-tracking features (for everything from strength training to chess), and this new model adds a redesigned heart rate sensor and (inevitably) some boosted tricks. by AI.
Whether or not you use the Zepp Flow AI voice command software to add events to your calendar or modify clock settings, its attractive design means it’s again great value for money. It’s available now in the US, but will also be available globally starting in February.
4. SanDisk Creator Phone SSD
- 1TB model: $109.99 / £92 (around AU$180)
- 2TB model: $169.99 / £136 (around AU$275)
Another mini subtheme of CES 2025 was small SSDs to increase your iPhone’s storage, and SanDisk’s idea got extra points for including MagSafe to help it magnetically attach to the back of your phone.
The clumsily named Creator Phone SSD’s main goal is to support video creators, as you can record Apple ProRes 4K footage at 60fps directly to the drive from your compatible iPhone. But the fast read and write speeds (1000MB/s and 950MB/s respectively) mean it’s a handy overall travel companion.
It also has three-meter drop protection along with IP65 water and dust resistance, and is available to purchase right now.
5. The creative Aurvana Ace Mimi
- Price: $129.99 / £109.99 / about AU$218
Our AirPods 4 review says “they’re good, but you can do better for the price,” and that was before we saw the launch of these promising new earbuds from Creative (and sound customization experts Mimi) at CES 2025 .
On paper, the Aurvana Ace Mimi have a couple of big advantages over Apple headphones. Firstly, they have an ANC (active noise cancellation) mode, despite costing the same as the non-ANC version of the AirPods 4.
They also use solid-state drivers, which can produce excellent sound quality (see our Creative Aurvana Ace 2 review). Lastly, by customizing and adjusting the audio to your needs, Creative believes they will also protect your ears by eliminating the temptation to turn up the volume.
6. Off-grid HMD
- Starting price: $199 / £169 (AU$330)
- Subscription: $14.99 / £14.99 (around AU$30) per month
I’m planning a big travel adventure in 2025 but I don’t want it to turn into a touching the voidSurvival documentary style? HMD’s satellite-powered location sharing device could be worth investing in.
OffGrid is a pocket-sized device that basically brings satellite communication to any phone, whatever operating system it’s running. You can send and receive messages through space or send an SOS distress signal using the HMD OffGrid app.
It’s a bit like a Garmin InReach, only cheaper: you can buy an OffGrid now for $199 / £169 upfront, plus an extra $14.99 / £14.99 a month for unlimited messages, logs and SOS alerts.
7. Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro
- Price: $29.99 (around £23.99 or AU$48) for early birds, or $59.99 (around £50 / AU$97) after
We may have saved the biggest CES 2025 deal for last here: If you sign up to the Soundpeats website before January 19, you can pick up the new PearlClip Pro open-back headphones for half their usual price of $59, 99.
We haven’t tried these ridiculously cheap headphones yet, but we reviewed their previous offerings, such as the Soundpeats Air 4 Pro, and found that they offer good value for money.
The PearClip Pros adopt the popular clip-on armband design of other open-back headphones and promise six hours of battery life (with an additional 18 hours from the charging case). If you need some very affordable headphones (or a spare pair), this early deal could be the highlight of CES 2025.
