The best gadgets of 2022

Each year brings with it a deluge of new technologies focused on delivering new experiences and transforming the way we interact with systems and platforms (dare I say it the world) and to build completely new ideas. 2022 was no different. From new additions in established markets to devices that were once only applicable to commercial or industrial settings and are becoming accessible to anyone with an interest.

That is the purpose of these tools at heart. There’s a certain puberty to the word ‘gadget’, but the things that are accomplished by them are quite amazing. OK, some are delightfully silly, and that has its perks. Let’s get to the best of what 2022 has to offer.

Apple remains the standard bearer in the wearables market, although some Android-based competitors are hot on their heels. While the company unveiled the outdoor-ready and rugged Apple Watch Ultra, the latest iteration of the classic Apple Watch gets the nod for building on the tech giant’s wearable goals with new ovulation tracking and an improved temperature sensor for health and sleep tracking.

The company that developed Android finally decided to enter the wearable market this year, and they pulled it off pretty well on the first try. The Pixel Watch integrates well with other devices in the Pixel library, leverages Google’s purchase of Fitbit with plenty of health-tracking tools, and does everything you’d expect from a smartwatch.

Samsung’s smartwatch is the most stylish of the bunch, but it’s not all style. The Galaxy Watch 5 has improved sleep tracking and coaching, and comes closer to the Apple Watch in terms of biodiagnostic monitoring thanks to a larger backplate on the watch face. But style does matter for some, and Samsung’s range of watch straps is the most eye-catching on the market, even if (like all) they’re proprietary.

The body of Samsung’s latest line of Android tablets is big in size and functionality. The other devices in the Galaxy Tab8 series are excellent upgrades to the leading non-Apple tablet, but the Ultra stands out with its advanced camera interface and auto-framing feature for video calls. Its 14-inch display is the best size to take advantage of the possibility of opening multiple windows and connecting the tablet to your Samsung PC as a second monitor.

The 5G Surface Pro 9 shows the promise of what can be in the future of the line. It’s possibly the best device for video calling and video conferencing, especially in noisy environments that require solid and consistent noise-cancellation. Optimizing the infrastructure to offload certain social processes from the CPU and GPU also allows it to thrive as a media and gaming device, paving the way for better optimization in the future.

You can’t talk about tablets without mentioning the iPad, and Apple’s update to the iPad Air looks to be the company’s best offering this year. It’s perfect for any lounging-focused use case, but the inclusion of the M1 chip also strengthens it as a pro-level device. No, it doesn’t replace the iPad Pro, but it creates a more affordable device that can perform some of these tasks. It’s the closest equilibrium Apple has achieved in recent years.

See, I know Meta released the work-focused, upgraded Meta Quest Pro headset this year in its desperate attempt to broadly support Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the Metaverse. But folks who actually use VR these days aren’t thrilled with the Microsoft 365 integration (sorry, virtual Excel family). Gaming and media experiences are what keep the market going right now, and two years after its launch, the Meta Quest 2 is still the best option when considering price and performance.

3D printers are great for businesses, but they’ve also found a place as a home appliance for those who want to play around with a fun tool (as long as you don’t use it to build ghost guns!). Anker’s first attempt at building a 3D printer works for both focuses at faster print speeds than the competition without sacrificing quality. It opens up fascinating opportunities for creativity and gives people a tool they can build as they please, at a price attractively below more expensive devices.

Airpods and Samsung Buds are high-end, albeit trending, names in the earbud market, but Sony is quietly building some of the best Bluetooth headphones out there. Despite the unsexy name, the WF-1000XM4 earbuds are probably the best noise-cancelling buds among a bunch of competitors focused on improving the same feature. Their battery life is excellent, the audio quality is crisp and the design looks striking while others keep trying to smooth the edges. They just stand out.

The Sonos Arc Soundbar offers premium audio and smart home integration in a package that blends stylishly with the rest of your living room decor. The sub-$1000 device is Dolby Atmos compatible and works with both Google Assistant and Alexa for hands-free control, delivering a soundscape that won’t force you to grab a subwoofer if you don’t want to. It’s the all-in-one package, leaving plenty of room for customization depending on how complex you want to make your home theater journey.