Windows Central’s Best of CES 2026 awards

It’s that exciting time of the year for tech-heads of all kinds, as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) once again threw open its doors and invited the public to see the latest devices in a massive range of categories. Naturally, the Windows Central team was some of the first on the floor in Las Vegas, Nevada, to meet representatives from our favorite manufacturers and see the best of what they had to offer.

There was plenty to see, and much of it (unsurprisingly) involved AI in one way or another. Nevertheless, our top picks of each category stood out with individual strengths and come with a strong sense of excitement for their release, whether current or far off in the future. 2026 looks especially exciting, with new components inside redesigned hardware, and these are our 13 favorites.

Mini PCs have seen an increase in popularity over the last few years, as reliable hardware is now small enough to fit in compact form factors. HP took the idea of a small computer and turned it on its head by creating the EliteBoard G1a, a mini PC that doubles as a keyboard. Just add a monitor and mouse, and you’re good to go.