CNET’s 2025 Readers' Choice highlights the year's best tech products, making holiday shopping easier. From headphones to smart home gadgets, find the most-loved items for every tech lover on your list.
Check best tech picks
Top audio gear for music lovers
Must-have tech accessories
Powerful laptops for work
Smart security solutions
Innovative vacuums and cleaning tech
CNET’s Readers’ Choice for 2025 showcases the top tech products, including beloved gadgets and gear readers purchased this year. As holiday shopping approaches, get ready for Black Friday with this ultimate gift guide featuring sound, tech accessories, smart home gadgets, and more.
Audio Picks: Headphones and Earbuds
The audio landscape in 2025 saw significant improvements, particularly in headphones and earbuds. Enhanced battery life and sound quality make them a must-have. Among the favorites are the AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF1000XM5, offering remarkable noise cancellation and comfort.
Here are some highlights of the top audio gear:
AirPods Pro 2, $169: Now a previous-gen option, still a favorite for noise cancellation.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, $249: Ideal for workouts, they remain a popular choice.
Sony WH-1000XM6, $428: Offers exceptional sound quality and comfort.
Top Tech Accessories for Everyday Needs
This year introduced many handy accessories, ranging from chargers to smart tracking tags. Readers love the Anker iPhone chargers and Apple AirTag, which help keep track of belongings easily.
Check out these top-rated accessories:
Anker iPhone charger (2-pack), $13: A necessity for anyone with multiple devices.
Samsung SmartTag 2, $22: Perfect for tracking items you can’t afford to lose.
TP-Link Wi-Fi extender, $17: Affordable solution to improve internet coverage.
Modern Laptops and Smarter Security Solutions
2025 laptops feature faster chips and longer battery life, making them perfect for students and professionals alike. The M4 MacBook Air remains a popular choice for its performance.
Security upgrades this year included top smart locks like the August Home Smart Lock, ensuring home protection.
Explore these valuable options:
M4 MacBook Air, $750: A stellar choice for students or mobile work.
Google Nest Doorbell, $180: Offers reliable home security with modern features.
Arlo Pro 5S, $90: A camera that provides excellent protection with zoom and night vision.
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. L. Fischer earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.
CNET is a media website that publishes news, reviews, and videos about technology and consumer electronics.
It is a global site that provides information on a wide range of products and services, including gadgets, software, and streaming services, and also offers how-to guides and deal information.
