5 best smart home products we saw at CES 2026

Tech nuts around the world look forward to gadgets unveiled at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. And members of our editorial team attend to decide which take the cake, and CES 2026 has some impressive smart home tools that go beyond what we’ve seen in other years.

Previously, the term “smart home” meant integrations like Alexa and thermostats we could control from our phones. Now? Security cameras don’t need Wi-Fi, smart locks are understanding our intentions, and solar panels are part of our outdoor living spaces. Learn more about the five smart home products from CES 2026 that we think will change life as we know it.

1. Birdfy Hum Bloom

You’ve heard of the Bird Buddy and other smart bird feeders, but Birdfy is showing love for hummingbirds with the Hum Bloom. Other feeders simply catch other birds feeding on a tray, but a whole new design is needed to capture these buzzing birds as they suck nectar.

Hum Bloom’s camera leaves just the nectar bulb and bird in view, using high-speed imaging to capture beautiful shots in sharp 4K detail or dramatic slow motion, revealing movements that are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. Birdfy also:

• Alerts you when birds arrive

• Identifies species with intelligent AI

• Lets you know when nectar should be replaced

Available January 2026 on Birdfy

2. Aqara Smart Lock

What if your front door could tell when you’re actually coming home, and not unlock when you’re just walking past it? That’s the idea behind the Aqara Smart Lock U400, one of the first smart locks to use Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to understand a user’s movement and intent. By tracking proximity and direction, the lock can unlock only when you’re approaching the door, eliminating accidental unlocks and the need for keys, apps, or voice commands.

The U400 also supports Apple home key and is Matter-certified, allowing it to work across major smart home platforms. It’s a strong signal of where smart home access is headed, as devices become more aware of how people actually move through their spaces.

Available now at Amazon

3. Jackery Solar Gazebo

Jackery built its reputation on portable power stations, but at CES 2026, the company made it clear it’s thinking much bigger. The Jackery Solar Gazebo reimagines solar power as part of everyday living, turning a familiar backyard structure into a quiet, always-on energy source for the home.

At a glance, it looks like a modern outdoor retreat complete with shade, seating, and room to relax. Hidden in that structure, though, are high-efficiency solar panels capable of generating enough power to feed Jackery’s home backup batteries throughout the day. As you spend time outside, the gazebo is capturing energy in the background, storing it for use later during outages, peak energy hours, or when the grid simply isn’t cooperating.

Instead of rooftop-only solar or bulky standalone panels, Jackery is suggesting we can treat our actual living spaces as part of the home’s power ecosystem. It’s a shift toward more flexible, lifestyle-friendly renewable energy.

Available in 2026

4. Tactacam Defend 360

Defend came to CES 2026 debuting a new app for its security camera. The Defend 360 has been on the market for a few years, and unlike other models, you don’t need to deal with Wi-Fi, power outlets, or a frustrating installation.

The Defend 360 is a fully cellular security camera with 360º coverage, pan-tilt-zoom control, and live viewing. Since it runs on a built-in solar panel, you don’t need to install power cords, worry about recharging, or buy batteries on a regular basis.

Now, the Tactacam app lets users get full panoramic visibility and live controls on their phone. You’ll also get motion-activated alerts and video options to always be aware of what’s going on in your yard, even if you live rurally.

Available now at Amazon

5. Govee Ceiling Light Ultra

Govee has never been shy about bold outdoor and indoor lighting, but we got extra curious when they unveiled something for the ceiling.

Everyone already has a plain ceiling light, so it’s not necessarily anything that you absolutely need, but it can transform an entire room from the top down. It could brighten a space with clean white light during the day, then fill it with multiple colorways at night while you wind down and watch a show or play games. It also has the option to display slow-moving color waves, geometric designs, or custom animations using Govee's multi-layer DIY tools and AI Lighting Bot. Simply put, it makes life a bit more fun.

Available in 2026