By Ethan Cole
There’s something special about the final stretch of the year, especially when it brings together some of the best gadgets 2025 before CES even begins. November usually feels like a warm-up, but this time it delivered a full wave of gaming hardware, niche devices, retro revivals and unexpected passion projects. Instead of slowing down, the month produced standout tech that deserves a place on any best gadgets list.
Before the new year sweeps in with wild concepts and AI-powered everything, I want to look back at the gadgets that genuinely impressed me. Some surprised me. Some filled long-abandoned niches. And some reminded me that good design isn’t always about being louder or flashier—it’s about being better.
Here are my top November picks, and yes—they’re among the best gadgets 2025 so far.
Boox Palma 2 Pro: a best gadgets 2025 contender for minimalist reading
Every year, at least one device I expect to overlook ends up becoming essential. This November, it was the Boox Palma 2 Pro. It’s a compact color E Ink reader with a 6.13-inch display, stylus support and even 5G connectivity.
It won’t replace your phone, and it’s not trying to be a tablet. Instead, it fills a subtle but meaningful gap: a distraction-free pocket reader that finally displays covers and comics in soft, natural color. With backlighting and a slim design, it quickly became one of my favorite small devices of the month.
Analogue 3D: retro gaming at its best
If you’re hoarding old N64 cartridges, this is your cue to bring them back to life. Analogue 3D is a premium tribute to the Nintendo 64 era—a modern machine built with precision and respect for history.
Plug it into a 4K TV, use original controllers or modern wireless ones, and enjoy your classics without harsh pixel edges. Analogue’s display modes soften the image in a way that makes retro gaming feel polished rather than primitive. Some titles even perform better thanks to optional overclocking.
Soundpeats Clips 1: budget audio that earns a spot among the best gadgets 2025
Few gadgets surprise me like the Clips 1 did. These open-style earbuds cost far less than premium brands, yet their audio quality, comfort and battery life punch far above their weight.
They’re not flashy, but they deliver where it matters. If the best gadgets 2025 had a “most underrated” category, these earbuds would be a top contender.
Polar Loop: a refreshing take on fitness tracking
Many fitness wearables drown users in data they never need. The Polar Loop takes the opposite approach. It has no subscription, no excess metrics and no unnecessary screen—just reliable heart-rate tracking, essential activity data and long battery life.
Light, comfortable and humble, it focuses on helping you move more, not micromanaging your day.
Framework Laptop 16: modular computing done right
Framework already proved that repairable, modular laptops can thrive. The 2025 Laptop 16 refresh takes it further by adding a real GPU module strong enough for gaming.
You can reposition the keyboard, customize the deck with unique panels, or build a layout that feels completely personal. Heavy games may require some tuning, but freedom—not performance—is the magic here. Among the best gadgets 2025, this one stands out for pure creativity.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite: premium sound with purpose
$600 is a steep price, but the Nova Elite earns its place. The audio is rich and detailed, the retractable mic is impressively clean, and the build quality feels genuinely premium.
Being able to plug into multiple consoles and a PC without rewiring your setup is the real luxury. For players who want the best, this headset delivers.
Acer Predator Triton 14 AI: gaming power without the noise (literally)
Gaming laptops often look like neon mascots. The Triton 14 AI breaks that pattern. With a clean design, OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate and strong internals, it feels like a performance machine for adults—not teenagers.
Battery life is good, the trackpad supports stylus input and the entire system feels high-end. Weak speakers are its only flaw, but everything else earns it a spot among the best gadgets 2025.
DJI Osmo Action 6: an action cam with real creative control
DJI keeps innovating, and the Osmo Action 6 is proof. Its variable-aperture lens—from f/4.0 to f/2.0—offers creative control rarely seen in rugged action cams.
You get better low-light performance, more cinematic blur and sharper detail overall. It’s the kind of upgrade that matters in real-world shooting, not just on spec sheets.
Steam Frame: VR that focuses on what matters
Valve’s Steam Frame strips VR back to basics. No avatars, no spatial gimmicks, no digital faces staring into your soul—just a lightweight, modular device designed for streaming PC games onto a massive virtual 2D screen.
It’s simple, clean and remarkably effective.
Steam Machine (2026 Preview): a compact wildcard
Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine aims to sit between consoles and full PC rigs. Small, powerful and flexible, it could become a compelling alternative for players who want PC freedom without the desk setup.
It’s shaping up to be one of the early stars of best gadgets 2025 conversations—before it even launches.
PlayStation Gaming Monitor: Sony expands its ecosystem
Sony’s new 27-inch 1440p, 240Hz monitor includes a built-in DualSense charging hook—a surprisingly thoughtful touch.
It performs well, looks clean and signals a broader shift: PlayStation is becoming a full ecosystem, not just a console.
Anbernic RG DS: DS nostalgia reborn
Anbernic continues to thrive where Nintendo refuses to tread. The RG DS recreates the DS Lite spirit with dual screens, analog sticks and a modernized design.
If you’ve been waiting for a proper DS revival, this handheld may be the closest thing yet.
Shanling EC Zero AKM: the CD revival done right
CD players are officially back, and Shanling leans into the trend with style. The EC Zero AKM plays discs, supports wireless audio, includes two headphone ports and even rips CDs in real time.
It’s expensive, but it’s a love letter to physical media done the right way.
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