While CES 2026 is full of tech giants unveiling their latest innovations, the real excitement comes from discovering unexpected, quirky gadgets that make you ask, “Who thought of that?”
We’re here to show off the wildest products we’ve found so far at CES 2026, from an AI panda that responds to your touch, to Razer’s holographic anime assistant, and plenty of other oddities that will make you do a double take.
An anime AI companion watching over you from your desk
By Razer AVA projectfirst introduced last year as an AI esports coach, it’s evolved into something new: a 5.5-inch animated holographic desk that can help with gaming strategies, productivity, day-to-day organization, and even personal advice. It is both a gaming ally and a daily helper. Users can choose from different characters such as anime girl Kira or muscular Zane.
These digital avatars feature realistic movements, eye tracking, expressive faces and lip sync for realistic interactions. What really stands out, however, is the continuous monitoring — the device monitors you and your screen using the built-in camera. It’s a little worrying, but since it’s still just an idea, there’s no guarantee it’ll ever become a real product.
A cute AI panda baby robot for older adults
An’An, the latest AI pet from Mind with Heart Roboticscombines an adorable design with a meaningful mission: supporting senior care.
The panda bot has high-tech sensors all over its body, so it reacts naturally when you touch it. Its emotional AI remembers your voice, how you interact and what you like, so the more time you spend with An’An, the more personalized it becomes. Provides round-the-clock emotional support to combat loneliness. Additionally, for older adults who may be experiencing memory problems, An’An helps them stay engaged, remind them of daily tasks, and keep caregivers informed of their well-being.
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A $500 ice maker that uses artificial intelligence to reduce noise
Brand of smart home appliances GoveeLife unveiled a smart countertop ice machine that uses artificial intelligence to keep things nice and quiet. The company’s patented AI NoiseGuard technology is designed to cut down on all the annoying racket you usually get from nugget ice machines. AI detects when the machine is about to freeze and make noise, so it automatically defrosts before things get loud.
The Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro produces fresh ice in just six minutes and can make up to 60 kg per day. The bucket holds 3.5 kg of ice at a time. It’ll set you back $499.99 — which might make you think twice — but if you’re ready to up your ice game, you can grab one starting January 15th at Amazon, govee.com, Walmart or Best Buy.
An ultrasonic chef’s knife that vibrates when slicing and dicing
Depending on who you ask, this kitchen gadget can seem very silly or very useful. Unlike traditional knives, this one from Seattle Ultrasonics it features a blade that vibrates more than 30,000 times per second, allowing it to move through food with ease. This vibration technology means the knife works much sharper than its natural edge, making tasks such as slicing vegetables, meat or bread much easier for cooks. According to the company, the vibrations are so subtle that you can’t see the blade move, hear it, or feel anything in the handle.
The knife costs $399 and is currently available for pre-order.
A musical lollipop that plays Ice Spice in your head
There are musical toothbrushes, so why not have lollipops that play music? Lollipop Star unveiled its delicious product at CES, which delivers music via bone conduction while in your mouth. (The technology works by sending vibrations through the bones of your skull directly into your inner ear.) The lollipops also deliver a burst of fruity flavor. You can choose from three artists: Ice Spice (peach), Akon (blueberry) and Armani White (lime).
