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CES 2026 Wishlist: 7 Products We’d Buy Now (And Where to Find the Early Deals)

sscandeals

2026-01-27

10 min read

The best CES 2026 picks from ZDNET, matched to expected launch prices and retailer preorder playbooks — when to preorder and when to wait for discounts.

CES 2026 Wishlist: 7 Products We’d Buy Now (And Where to Find the Early Deals)

Hook: You want the best CES 2026 picks without wasting hours hunting coupons, guessing launch prices, or regretting an impulsive preorder. We took ZDNET’s standout list from CES, matched each pick to real-world retailer playbooks and expected launch pricing in early 2026, and gave clear, actionable advice on when to preorder — and when to sit tight for discounts.

Deals shoppers: this is written for you. You’ll get quick-read buy-or-wait calls, typical preorder promos to watch for, and proven tactics to capture early-adopter perks while avoiding price regret. For a wider set of tactics, see the smart shopping playbook for 2026 that collects alerting, stacking and trial strategies.

Why this matters now (2026 trends that change the rules)

CES 2026 was dominated by generative-AI features, modular repairability, and subscription-linked experiences. That means two things for your wallet:

AI features drive early demand — devices with compelling LLM features often sell out on launch, pushing retailers to attach preorder bundles. If you want to craft better prompts for those LLM features, check a short prompt template roundup to get day-one value from on-device LLMs.
Subscription add-ons are everywhere — expect discounted hardware prices at launch but with optional paid cloud or AI subscriptions that add recurring cost. Be careful: subscription fine print and consent terms are increasingly important in 2026; see resources on responsible data and consent.
Sustainability and repairability influence price — modular designs can have higher MSRPs but lower long-run ownership cost through repair credits or replacement-part programs. If repairability matters, compare CES picks against modern home- and living-focused field reviews like the Resilient Smart‑Living Kit.

Plan purchases around those forces: buy if the hardware and included software are core to you; wait if the device leans heavily on future paid services.

How to use this guide

We list ZDNET’s seven must-buy CES 2026 picks, an expected launch price range, the most common retailer preorder promos, and a clear buy-or-wait recommendation. Use it as a one-page decision tool and action checklist.

Quick tactics before we start

Set price alerts on CamelCamelCamel, Keepa (Amazon), and PriceSpy (UK/EU). If you want a broader alerting playbook, check the smart shopping playbook.
Join manufacturer and retailer newsletters — many reveal preorder bundles or discount codes to subscribers first.
Use cashback portals (TopCashback, Quidco) and browser coupon extensions — they stack with many preorders; learn affiliate and stacking tactics from guides on creating deal posts and stacking offers.
Check trade-in programs at launch — many retailers offer extra trade-in credit for preorders.

1) AI-first earbuds with adaptive conversation-mode (ZDNET pick)

Why ZDNET loved it: industry-grade noise cancelling plus on-device LLM for real-time transcription and conversation translation — great for travel and hybrid work.

Expected launch price: £199–£279 / $199–$299. Higher tiers (with charging dock or extended ANC) may push to £329/$349.

Typical preorder promos:

Free accessory bundle (case, ear tips) or discounted wireless charging pad.
Limited-time trade-in credit for old earbuds through Amazon/Best Buy/Currys.
3–6 months of premium audio or transcription service included with hardware (be careful — that service may auto-renew).

Buy or wait? Preorder if you need the LLM features day-one (frequent traveler or remote worker). If saving money is priority, wait 30–90 days — early buyers often get bundled subscriptions and accessories, but prices typically dip after the initial run and during spring sales.

Where to look: Amazon, Best Buy, Currys, John Lewis. Set alerts for manufacturer pages and Amazon pre-order listings, and check if retailers offer 0% finance on higher-priced SKUs.

2) Rollable/rollable-like OLED TV — the space-saving cinema upgrade

Why ZDNET loved it: massive, bezel-free visuals in a small footprint for apartment dwellers and design-conscious buyers.

Expected launch price: £2,000–£5,000 for entry rollable models; premium microLED variants could start north of £8,000.

Typical preorder promos:

Delivery & installation credits; free calibration by a certified installer if you preorder from big retailers.
Bundle discounts: soundbar or subwoofer at reduced price.
Premium credit-card offers or extended warranty incentives from department stores.

Buy or wait? Wait unless you need one immediately. TVs that big usually land better discounts after inventory stabilizes — watch for early-spring clearance or summer sales. Preorder only if the launch bundle includes a meaningful installation or audio package you’d otherwise pay full price for. For liquidation and post-launch drop strategies, sources like liquidation intelligence explain typical price pressures after launch.

Where to look: Currys, Richer Sounds, Amazon, specialist installers. For big-ticket buys, ask for a written price-match/return policy on launch-day purchases — it makes holding out for early discounts safer.

3) A consumer LLM home hub (ZDNET pick) — tethered AI for privacy-first homes

Why ZDNET loved it: On-device reasoning for smart-home control and personal productivity without dumping all data in the cloud.

Expected launch price: £149–£249 / $149–$249 plus optional subscription for expanded cloud capabilities.

Typical preorder promos:

Introductory subscription discounts (3–12 months free) — read auto-renew terms carefully.
Smart-home bundles (smart plugs, sensors) at reduced prices when bought together at launch retailers.
Trade-up discounts for older home hubs in some stores.

Buy or wait? Preorder if privacy and offline AI are critical to you and you’ll use included services. Wait if the device’s core value relies on future subscription services — you often get a better hardware-only price a few months post-launch, once the subscription model solidifies. Also note EU regulation and guidance around on-device voice and synthetic media; see the regulatory watch.

Where to look: Amazon, Google Store/Manufacturer direct, Currys. If privacy is a selling point, manufacturers sometimes run limited test programs or beta invites — sign up early.

4) EV home charger with bi-directional (V2H) capability

Why ZDNET loved it: Enables vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid features that reduce bills and provide backup power — increasingly relevant as home energy costs and smart-grid incentives grow in 2026.

Expected launch price: £700–£1,500 installed; grants and incentives can reduce out-of-pocket costs in some regions. For planning backup and portable power strategies that complement V2H, see tips on scoring portable power bundles like the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus bundle.

Typical preorder promos:

Free or discounted installation for early buyers through select retailers.
Government or utility rebates stacked with retailer promotions — always check eligibility first.
Deferred payment plans or 0% APR financing for installs from national chains.

Buy or wait? Buy if you have an EV and face frequent high off-peak rates or power-availability concerns — bi-directional chargers can pay back over time. If you don’t need V2H now, wait: hardware matures and prices tend to drop once the tech sees broader adoption and standards settle.

Where to look: Specialist installers, Tesla/EV manufacturer stores (if branded), National installers and Currys/John Lewis partnerships. Check local government and utility websites for current incentives.

5) Wearable sleep pod / smart mattress

Why ZDNET loved it: Clinical-grade sleep tracking, temperature control, and integrated coaching — a major step up for people with sleep issues who want one device to manage everything.

Expected launch price: £799–£2,499 depending on size and tech (single zone vs multi-zone temperature control).

Typical preorder promos:

Extended trial periods (90–120 nights) — make sure returns are easy and fully refunded.
Financing options for mattress purchases; bundled pillows or sheets at discount.
Intro subscription discounts for sleep coaching apps.

Buy or wait? If you’ve tried standard approaches and are ready for a medically oriented upgrade, preorder during launch windows that include long sleep trials — the risk is lower. If you’re price-sensitive, wait 60–120 days: mattress makers frequently add steep discounts or bundled coupons after initial launch waves. Use the smart shopping playbook tactics (alerts + cashback) to protect yourself.

Where to look: Manufacturer direct (often best trial terms), Amazon, John Lewis, high-street mattress specialists that offer in-store demos.

6) Home robot assistant with manipulation arm

Why ZDNET loved it: A robot that can carry small items, deliver coffee, tidy up, and — importantly — integrate with home ecosystems using LLM-powered routines.

Expected launch price: £1,200–£3,500 depending on capabilities and included subscription services.

Typical preorder promos:

Accessory or docking station included for early adopters.
Beta-access to advanced features or priority firmware updates.
Trade-in/upgrade credit for older robot platforms in some specialist stores.

Buy or wait? Preorder only if you want to be an early adopter and can tolerate incremental feature rollouts and potential software subscription costs. Wait if you want a polished, bug-reduced product — robotics benefits from a year of field testing. Consider whether the bundle includes installation or accessories that justify preordering, and compare with post-launch field reviews and accessory pricing trends described in the liquidation & post-launch intelligence.

Where to look: Manufacturer direct, Amazon, specialty robotics resellers, and CES partner retailers who often receive initial inventory.

7) Laptop with modular upgradability (ZDNET pick)

Why ZDNET loved it: A mainstream laptop that lets users swap GPU modules, upgrade storage and memory easily — aligns with 2026’s right-to-repair momentum and reduces long-term costs.

Expected launch price: £899–£1,899 depending on CPU and module options.

Typical preorder promos:

Discounted upgrade modules if you preorder — often the best way to save on a future GPU bump.
Education or student discounts at launch through university stores or retailer programs.
Extended warranty and accidental damage protection offered at reduced launch price.

Buy or wait? Buy if you value the future-proofing and plan to upgrade modules (e.g., gamers, creators). If you’re a casual user, wait: non-modular competitors will undercut price points after initial hype. Also, wait for benchmarks once reviewers get hands-on access — check buyer guides and monitor reviews like monitor and accessory roundups for comparative testing.

Where to look: Manufacturer store (best for modules), Amazon, Currys, and specialty PC retailers. Preorder module discounts can be the deciding factor.

Cross-cutting deal strategies for CES 2026 launches

These tactics apply across all seven picks — they’re the difference between overpaying and getting a real early-adopter value.

Stack offers: Use retailer preorder bundles + cashback portals + credit card rewards. They often all apply together; see tactics in the affiliate and deal stacking guide.
Check subscription fine print: Many CES demo units come with 3–12 months free — but auto-renew rates can be high. Note the cancellation window and set calendar reminders; regulations and consent guidance (see responsible web data bridges) are relevant if voice/AI data is involved.
Leverage price-protection windows: Some stores will credit the difference if the price drops within 14–30 days of purchase. Ask before you buy.
Use trade-in timing: Trade-in promos are stronger at launch; if you’ve got old gear, use it to reduce net cost of a preorder.
Prefer refundable preorders: Manufacturer direct often provides more flexible returns and longer trials than third-party sellers.

When to preorder — a quick decision matrix

Preorder now — You need the device day one, the preorder includes a meaningful bundle (install, accessories, subscription credit), and reviews confirm core functionality.
Wait 30–90 days — Device is desirable but not essential; subscription model is unclear or rollout of features is phased; or you can tolerate a short wait for price stabilization.
Wait 6+ months — Robotics and premium TVs often improve quickly; post-launch firmware and price drops make patience pay.

Real-world example (how a smart shopper saved £300)

Example: A reader preordered AI earbuds at launch and saved £80 with a bundle; another waited 45 days and combined a spring sale with trade-in credit for a total saving of £300 versus the initial MSRP.

Lesson: if a preorder bundle doesn’t cover at least the typical early price drop (10–20% in many categories), it’s often better to wait.

Final checklist before you hit buy

Have you confirmed jail-free returns or trial period (especially for mattresses and robots)?
Did you read subscription terms and note cancellation deadlines?
Are preorder discounts stackable with cashback/coupon codes?
Have you set price alerts for first 90 days after launch?
Did you register for warranty and check trade-in program windows?

Closing thoughts — why ZDNET’s CES 2026 picks matter to deals shoppers

ZDNET’s curated CES list highlights where product engineering is moving in 2026: on-device AI, sustainability, and modular design. For deals shoppers, that means more powerful features earlier — and more ways to save if you use the right preorder or post-launch tactics.

We recommend a pragmatic approach: preorder when the bundle or trial removes meaningful financial or functional risk; otherwise, wait 30–90 days and use alerts and cashback to capture the best price. And if you want one of these ZDNET favorites, bookmark the manufacturer and top retailer pages now — many preorders are first-come, first-served.

Action — next steps to snag the best CES 2026 deals

Sign up for price alerts on the seven products you care about (see the smart shopping playbook for alert templates).
Subscribe to ZDNET and manufacturer newsletters for early preorder codes and bundles.
Enable cashback extensions and join Quidco/TopCashback to stack extra savings — if you want guidance on stacking, review the affiliate stacking guide at creating viral deal posts.
Set a calendar reminder for 30 and 90 days after launch to re-check prices and claim price protection.

Ready to save on a ZDNET CES pick? Start now: choose your top 3 items, set alerts, and read the preorder fine print before checkout — you’ll buy smarter and keep more cash for accessories.

scandeals

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.