Engadget just wrapped up reviews on over a dozen devices, and there's some genuinely interesting stuff in the mix. If you're shopping for hardware or just keeping tabs on what's worth your money, here's what stood out.
ASUS is taking another swing at premium laptops with the ZenBook A16. Last year's A14 flopped, but this 16-inch model apparently nails it with a gorgeous OLED screen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite chips, and all the ports you actually need. The kicker? It's one of the lightest 16-inch Windows laptops out there, which matters if you're hauling your setup between coffee shops and coworking spaces.
Apple finally updated the AirPods Max after years of just swapping colors and ports. The new H2 chip brings them up to speed with the AirPods Pro 3, adding features that should have been there from the start. If you've been holding out on premium over-ear headphones, this is the first real reason to consider them since launch.
Sonos needed a win badly, and the new Play speaker might be it. It's a portable that handles both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which is surprisingly rare. After the company's recent struggles, a product that actually delivers on sound quality and flexibility could help rebuild trust with customers who felt burned.
LG's Sound Suite showed up with big promises of Dolby Atmos FlexConnect and immersive audio. The sound quality is there, but setup and software still need work. It's the kind of product that could be great in six months after a few updates, assuming LG follows through.
The review pile also included Fender's first audio products, JBL headphones, Sony's 2026 Bravia Theater Bar 5 soundbar, an Anker projector, a Transformers robot (yes, really), and DJI's answer to Insta360's drone. If you're in the market for audio gear or gadgets, it's worth checking the full reviews before you buy.
