The Wild World of CES 2026: Quirky Gadgets That’ll Make You Say “What?!”

Every January, tech enthusiasts flock to Las Vegas for CES—one of the biggest showcases of cutting-edge technology. While large corporations unveil groundbreaking innovations, it’s the oddball gadgets that often steal the show, making you wonder who thought these up in the first place. This year’s CES 2026 is packed with the unexpected, from AI-driven robots to musical lollipops. Let’s dive into the strangest—and perhaps most intriguing—products that have surfaced so far.

Meet Your New AI Anime Desk Buddy

One of the most captivating entries at CES is Razer’s Project AVA, a 5.5-inch animated holographic desk companion. Last year, it was introduced as an AI coach for competitive gamers; now, it’s morphed into a digital assistant that can help you with everything from gaming strategies to organizing your daily tasks.

Choosing from characters like Kira, the animated anime girl, or Zane, the muscular buddy, adds a personal touch. But let’s address the elephant in the room: this device includes a built-in camera that tracks your movements while you work, creating a somewhat unsettling feeling of being watched. Is it helpful or invasive? For now, it’s merely a concept, leaving us to wonder what the future holds for this tech.

An Adorable AI Companion for Older Adults

In a move that combines technology with compassion, Mind with Heart Robotics has introduced An’An—the AI baby panda designed specifically to support elderly care. No ordinary robot, An’An responds to touch and remembers individual interactions, adapting its behavior to the user over time.

Imagine this fluffy little panda providing emotional support to combat loneliness. An’An offers reminders for daily tasks and keeps loved ones informed about the well-being of older adults. With high-tech sensors covering its body, it reacts naturally, giving a sense of companionship that many seniors may find comforting. The question is, can a robot truly fill the emotional void left by human interaction? As we embrace tech solutions for caregiving, this remains a poignant conversation.

The $500 AI Ice Cube Maker: Chill and Quiet

For those who love perfectly chilled drinks, GoveeLife’s Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro might catch your attention. Priced at $499.99, this countertop appliance employs its patented AI NoiseGuard technology to minimize noise. That’s right—no more annoying ice-making racket.

This smart device churns out fresh nugget ice in just six minutes and can produce up to 60 pounds per day. Its bucket holds 3.5 pounds, ensuring you’ll always have ice on hand for parties or just a quiet night in. But at nearly $500, the investment raises a question: is the quiet worth it?

A Vibrating Chef’s Knife That Makes Cooking Easier

This might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but the ultrasonic chef’s knife from Seattle Ultrasonics is a reality. With a blade that vibrates over 30,000 times per second, this knife claims to slice through food with ease—so much so that you might even forget you’re using a knife.

Imagine effortlessly cutting through tough ingredients without the usual resistance. According to the manufacturer, the vibrations are so subtle that you won’t even notice the blade moving. Currently available for preorder at $399, this knife begs the question: will it revolutionize the culinary world or become just another gimmick?

Lollipop Star: Your Treat with a Beat

If you ever thought lollipops were missing a musical touch, Lollipop Star has the answer. Their candy plays tunes right in your mouth via bone conduction technology. That’s correct—while enjoying fruity flavors like peach, blueberry, and lime, you can also jam out to artists like Ice Spice.

Imagine the thrill for kids (and adults alike) to unwrap candy that doubles as a music player. It’s a wild concept, but it raises significant questions: Are we blurring the line between treats and technology?

Meet W1: Your Robot Sidekick

Resembling something straight out of WALL-E, Zeroth Robotics introduced the W1—a programmable home companion. Priced at $4,999, this robot serves multiple purposes. It’s designed as a security guardian, providing 360-degree surveillance and smoke detection alerts.

But wait, there’s more. It can also accompany you on camping trips, hauling gear and snapping family photos. The question is, will families opt for this high-tech helper, or do we still prefer traditional forms of companionship and care?

Egg-citing Hormone Tracking at Home

For those seeking insights into reproductive health, the Mira Ultra4 Hormone Monitor might be the tool you didn’t know you needed. This egg-shaped device simplifies hormone tracking by analyzing urine samples to monitor your reproductive hormones, from follicle-stimulating hormone to luteinizing hormone.

With at-home testing like this, monitoring fertility and reproductive health becomes much more accessible. Priced at $249, it allows users to track vital health insights conveniently. After all, staying informed about our bodies is crucial—who wouldn’t want to understand their hormonal fluctuations better?

Closing Thoughts: What Does This All Mean?

CES 2026 is a whirlwind of innovative ideas, some outlandish and others remarkably practical. As we witness the fusion of technology with everyday life, we also encounter deeper questions about companionship, privacy, and well-being.

From an AI panda that embraces the loneliness of the elderly to a disco lollipop that plays your favorite songs, this year’s CES challenges our preconceptions of technology. As we welcome these quirky gadgets into our lives, we must also reflect on how they’ll shape our interactions and everyday experiences. So, which of these wild inventions would you bring home?