As 2025 draws to a close, it's clear the year has been a watershed moment for consumer technology. Innovation has exploded, with artificial intelligence becoming ubiquitous and gadgets rebounding strongly post-pandemic. After testing hundreds of products, our expert reveals the ten devices that truly stood out.
The Standout Performers: From Office to Outdoors
In the realm of computer peripherals, Logitech's MX Master 4S wireless mouse (£119.99) continues to dominate. Building on its acclaimed predecessor, it offers refined ergonomics and clever new features, cementing its status as the market leader. For connectivity on the move, the Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro mobile router (£899.99) proved indispensable. Its remarkable speed, reliability, and support for numerous devices make it a favourite for travellers and remote workers alike.
Power solutions saw significant leaps. The Bluetti Pioneer NA portable power station (£799) earns a spot not for raw capacity, but for pioneering sodium-ion battery technology. This safer, more eco-friendly alternative to lithium could transform everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. Meanwhile, the CTEK CS Free car charger (£144.38) solved a common problem: maintaining vehicle batteries without access to a mains socket. Its rechargeable, versatile design functions as a charger, jump pack, and power bank.
Smart Home, Sound, and Security Innovations
Home automation and cleaning reached new heights with the Dreame L40 Ultra robot vacuum (£619). Offering premium features at a mid-range price, its cleaning prowess, reliability, and added security camera function made it a permanent fixture. For personal audio, the Shokz OpenDots One open-ear buds (£144) were a revelation. Their comfortable clip-on design and surprisingly good audio quality solved common issues with traditional in-ear and over-ear models.
Vehicle security was impressively handled by the Viofo A329S dashcam (from £359.99). Praised for its fantastic footage, discreet installation, and three-channel capability, it represents the peak of dashcam technology. In a more niche but brilliant category, the Salter Digital Pet Food Scale (£22.99) proved that simple tech can have a profound impact, helping pets like the reviewer's labradoodle, Honey, lose weight healthily.
The Big Surprises: Folding Phones and Accessible Solar
The smartphone category saw a notable shift, with foldable devices becoming genuinely viable. The surprise winner was the Honor Magic V5 folding smartphone (£1,399). Despite fierce competition from larger brands, its combination of affordability, elegant design, and user-friendly experience made it the foldable phone our expert chose to live with long-term.
However, the crown for overall favourite piece of tech in 2025 goes to the EcoFlow Stream DIY solar system. With prices starting around £1,061 (and refurbished units under £500), this system democratises sustainable energy. It allows homeowners to install panels on a balcony, garden, or shed, connecting via a microinverter to household supply. Our expert had it installed in an afternoon and reported watching his smart meter drop to zero on sunny days, already reducing electricity bills. It represents a tangible, affordable step towards energy independence.
Published on 19th December 2025, this list by consumer technology expert Gareth Butterfield highlights a year where technology became smarter, more sustainable, and more integrated into daily life. Each product was selected after extensive hands-on testing, showcasing the very best of 2025's consumer tech innovation.
