IF THE BEST tech gadgets of this year are any indication, 2024 is shaping up to be the year of “better living through technology.” We exist in a time of go-anywhere portable projectors, AI-enhanced smart sunglasses, flip phones made with folding touch screen glass, and smart rings that tell us how to sleep better. But which new gadgets are actually worth buying this holiday season?
Our gear-obsessed editors and writers set out to answer this question, determined to find out. We routinely researched and tested hundreds of new gadgets—from kitchen appliances and fitness recovery gadgets, to satellite-connected smartwatches and bleeding-edge handheld gaming consoles. The goal: To hand-pick only the best of the best tech of the year. We now present you with this year’s installment of the Men’s Health Tech Awards.
You can’t legally own a Transformer (we checked). But this is the next best thing. Decked out in a legit Bumblebee yellow-and-black (or Optimus Prime red-and-blue) colorway, this high-performance go-kart is built for serious speed—up to 24.8 miles per hour, pulling more than 1g of acceleration in the twisties.
Samsung’s latest Freestyle projector release is as refined as ever, with a crisp picture that can reach up to 100-inches, a seamless user experience when navigating streaming apps, and a level of portability that makes taking it wherever you go easy as pie (we recommend grabbing the add-on battery pack).
Buying things is so 2022. Build almost anything you need at home—literally—with Anker’s compact M5C. It’s simple enough for 3D-printing noobs yet powerful enough for pros who demand lightning-fast creation of their latest projects.
Portable, powerful, and player-friendly, this next-gen handheld puts every bit of your Steam Library in the palm of your hand. It’s also blazing fast and long on battery life, thanks to a custom AMD APU and energy-efficient hardware under the hood.
The world’s best new action camera is also the smallest at just 35 grams! Clip it, stick it, or mount it to just about anything. This cool tech gadget records all your hardcore adventures in beautiful 2.7K, while FlowState Stabilization keeps every shot buttery smooth.
Sleek, streamlined, and sexy—the all-new Xbox Series S is 2023’s best value in gaming thanks to its massive 1 TB of memory. Get blazing-fast load times, 120fps gameplay, and instant access to all the best downloaded GamePass content with this ultra-compact console.
Tailgating, day-tripping to the beach, or weekend camping with the fam, you never need to be without your favorite guilty binge pleasures. LG provides the perfect portable display to watch them all with this sleek and unique briefcase-style touchscreen that’s built to go anywhere.
It’s Polaroid’s original Instamatic handheld camera, reimagined by professional photographers. The I-2 adds autofocus, a razor-sharp lens, and even built-in manual controls for creators looking to seriously level up their instant analog shots.
Ready to take your Rubik’s Cube obsession to the next level? This next-gen version is every bit as fun to solve and play, but Bluetooth connectivity and smart tracking features take it squarely into the 21st century. Using the companion smartphone app, you can learn to solve it in less than an hour!
One mountain e-bike to rule them all. The DRT e3.1 packs every premium feature you can imagine—RockShox rear shocks, a Bosch performance motor, LED remote, and a locking battery compartment—into one trail-ready electric bike that’s crazy fun to ride.
DJI reinvents the aerial photo/video game yet again with the ultra-compact Air 3. The latest version features dual cameras capable of capturing 48MP stills and 4K 60FPS HDR video—all in a ridiculously small package that collapses down to fit in your favorite travel backpack.
Sony brings the noise this year with the release of its PlayStation VR Headset. Immerse yourself in stunning 4K HDR environments with a 110-degree field of view and next-level graphical rendering via your PS5 console. You might never want to return to “meat space” ever again.
With 19 hours of playback time and the latest Bluetooth multi-point connectivity, these unique workout headphones are ready for your most demanding gym seshes. The comfy, open-ear design means they sit on—rather than in—your ears, so you might even forget you’re wearing them.
Get into the all-spin zone. With a unique string pattern and the ideal bending profile, this racket is purpose-built to deliver controlled power and blistering spin. Plant-based materials add a dash of eco-conscious responsibility to the mix.
The vented, breathable upper and all-around cushioning provide comfortable support for days, while a reimagined sole means max traction with zero squeaks. Plus, the fold-down heel takes this workout shoe from training to recovery mode without missing a beat.
Swing, analyze, improve, and repeat with this portable golf simulator. Dual cameras create ultra-slow-mo GIFs of your swing, showing exactly how and where you struck the ball. Then, shot-tracer tech tracks the arch and angle of the ball after every drive.
The Paradym line is one of Callaway’s most advanced driver series ever. The aggressive design is more refined with a high MOI and adjustable perimeter weighting so that you can dial in your exact level of play. No matter if you’re a novice, an intermediate, or a seasoned pro, this club belongs in every guy’s golf bag.
Level up your b-ball game with this smart basketball—the same tech used by NBA pros. Paired with the companion app, it tracks your shots to help improve your form, shot percentages, and “pressure” game shooting. SIQ even guarantees up to 25% better numbers in just a few weeks.
Train hard, track harder. The Pace 3 is a fitness watch built for serious athletes who demand everything from their gear, like a next-gen heart monitor, accurate SP02 sensors, and a dead-on barometric altimeter. It’s all packed into a lightweight, low-profile designed to run for weeks.
For solo fitness enthusiasts who love to record their latest workouts but can’t afford an actual cameraman, Pivo Max is the next best thing. Pair it with your smartphone, tablet, or digital camera to create buttery smooth, AI-tracked videos with 360 degrees of rotation.
Serious trail running calls for serious footwear. Norda’s 002 All Terrain Shoe is designed with a lower stack height, a padded heel collar, and clever geometry to be ultra-responsive over highly technical terrain.
Rain, hail, sleet, and snow, this next-gen waterproof running jacket is designed to take them all on and keep you dry along the way. It stays cool, too, with on-demand ventilation and a perfect fit with the help of adjustable bungees at the hood and hem.
If you like your tunes loud—like very, very loud—the EPICBOOM is a pint-sized go-anywhere Bluetooth speaker that brings the party. It’s built for deep, immersive bass with 360-degree audio. It’s great for all types of listening, but we especially love how the waterproof speaker performs in our heavy gym sessions, both indoors and outdoors.
There are blenders, and then there are blenders. If you demand serious power for your morning smoothies, or frozen margaritas, or maybe you just like to crush rocks in yours, the Beastmode Blender is your man. The 1,200-watt motor is beastly enough to tackle whatever you throw at (or into) it.
It’s classic mid-century modern design meets legit modern construction. This indoor/outdoor fireplace features a sexy, curvy, steel-bodied exterior, while gel fuel canisters provide beautiful, clean-burning flames complete with real wood-cracklin’ sound.
It’s time to ditch the disposable heating pads and old-school icepacks. Therabody’s all-new RecoveryTherm Cube is an ultra-portable device designed for both hot and cold therapy whenever and wherever you need it. The best part: Unlike one-time-use alternatives, it’s reusable.
For smoothies, protein shakes, and other mixed beverages on the go, you need a serious blender. BlenderCap is a metal (not plastic) cordless blender with the power to make all of the above and a battery that lasts up to a week.
If you’re a self-proclaimed “plant killer,” or you can’t seem to keep your indoor plant babies alive longer than a few months, they may just need a bit more light. This compact grow light sets up in seconds and works with almost any existing potted plants you already own.
Take your movie nights out under the stars with this best-in-class 4K portable outdoor projector. The bright, 1000-ANSI-lumen bulb throws a maximum 200-inch image wherever you need it, and the 40-watt speaker actually sounds pretty good to boot.
True to its name, Samsung’s The Frame TV is worthy of an art wall. It’s a flat-screen unlike any other, with a 55-inch QLED 4K display that renders up to a billion colors beautifully and precisely. So you can display your favorite photos, artwork, TV shows, and movies all in one place.
It’s big, bold, beautiful, and jam-packed with almost every feature you’d find in a television that costs three times as much. The ULED 4K UHD display renders sports, movies, and everything in between in stunning, true-to-life color. You’ll never want to leave the couch again.
Bose reinvents the earbuds game again. The all-new QuietComfort Ultra feature next-level noise-canceling tech and echo reduction with even better spatialized audio. Plus, the all-day comfort and 24-hour battery life make them perfect for even the longest travel (or work) days.
These premium over-ear headphones are among the best available at this price. The 24-bit processing and 40mm drive units bring music, movies, and everything in between to life. Plus, the active noise-canceling is second to none.
Two screens are better than one, but Xebec’s Tri-Screen 2 proves three are better still. Take your productivity to the next level with more screen real estate than ever. The best part? The desk accessory folds up with your laptop into a compact, take-anywhere package.
The original chunky, DJ-inspired over-ear headphones just keep getting better. The Beats Studio Pro Wireless deliver a studio-quality listening experience with spatial audio, dynamic head tracking, and a 360-degree environment. Plus, the 40-hour battery life will outlast even the longest long-haul flight.
Keep tabs on your home, your dog, or even your neighbor’s dog. The battery-powered design means it sets up quick and easy anywhere, with no wires necessary. Plus, it delivers head-to-toe HD+ video to any phone or computer with an internet connection.
Elevate your work-from-home game, literally. This electric-powered standing desk raises to up to 48 inches at the press of a button. When you’re done with work nonsense and Zoom meetings for the day, it collapses down small enough to slide under a couch or hide away in a closet.
Sonos already rules your home audio. Now, that same killer sound is available anywhere with the company’s most powerful and portable Bluetooth and WiFi speaker. With a drop-resitant and water-resistant shell, and a full day of battery life, it’s down to operate as a go-anywhere outdoor speaker.
Cut all the distractions from your WFH setup. The Type Folio is a blissfully disconnected tactile keyboard that’s designed with one goal in mind: To keep you focused on creating. Plus, the slim add-on (reMarkable 2 sold seperately) is super portable for those marathon creative coffee shop sessions.
It packs like a suitcase but carries like a backpack. The Grid is designed with easy, 180-degree access to all your essentials inside, while the exterior “grid” system makes it easy to expand your storage space with straps and add-ons.
Charge everything, everywhere, all at once. This clever charging station from Twelve South combines a MagSafe charger with a wireless charging base for 3-in-1 power top-ups of all your most essential devices.
Beyond the sexy, futuristic good looks, this bleeding-edge air purifier scrubs every cubic inch of breathable air in your home. Gases, odors, allergens, toxic particles, formaldehyde, and more—all gone using Dyson’s largest-ever filtration system.
If, like us, you tend to go through a neverending cycle of letting your hot coffee get cold, reheating it in the microwave, then immediately forgetting about it and repeating the cycle over again, you need the battery-powered Ember Tumbler. This heated mug keeps your fav beverage at whatever temperature you like for up to three hours.
Custom tools are almost always better, and that’s true when it comes to your dental hygiene tools, too. Proclaim’s at-home Oral Health System uses custom-scanned mouthpieces fitted to your mouth to guarantee the best, deepest clean of your life.
Braun’s flagship electric razor Series 9 Pro Shaver is tough enough to tackle the thickest facial hair. Five shaving elements, sonic technology, and a new ProLift Trimmer combine to wrangle even your scruffiest seven-day beard.
Shave, trim, and brush with this all-in-one grooming kit from Panasonic. The multiple shave heads pair seamlessly with the rechargeable base unit to make it the ultimate body groomer. Thanks to a waterproof wet/dry design, it even works in the shower.
This story originally appears in the December 2023 issue of Men’s Health.
Gear and Commerce Editor
John Thompson is the Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he covers fashion, grooming, gear, and technology. He was previously the Style & Gear Editor at BroBible.com, and a commerce writer for TheManual.com. His interests include attending concerts, spending time outside, and following his favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals.
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He’s kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
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