The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas never fails to deliver a mix of groundbreaking innovation and pure, head-scratching weirdness. In January 2026, the event lived up to its reputation, blending serious advancements in AI, robotics, and sustainability with gadgets that make you wonder: "Who asked for this... and why do I kind of want it?" From edible music players to stair-climbing cleaning bots and health-monitoring toilets, here are 10 of the most bizarre yet intriguing highlights from CES 2026. Many are already heading toward production or available for pre-order, proving that the line between absurd and everyday is blurrier than ever.
1. Lollipop Star: The Musical Lollipop That Plays Tunes Through Your Jaw
Imagine enjoying a sweet treat while your favorite song vibrates directly into your head. The Lollipop Star, priced at around $9, uses bone conduction technology—similar to specialized headphones—to transmit audio vibrations from the stick through your teeth and skull straight to your inner ear. Partnered with artists like Ice Spice and Akon, each flavor pairs with a licensed track. It's not replacing your playlist, but the tingling, immersive experience (music you can literally "taste") made it one of the show's most viral moments.
Here are a few shots of people trying the Lollipop Star in action:
2. Dreame Cyber X: The Stair-Climbing Robot Vacuum Tank
Traditional robot vacuums stop at stairs, but Dreame's Cyber X concept changes that. This quirky device features chunky, treaded "legs" that propel it (and a docked vacuum) up and down full flights of stairs like a tiny tank. It doesn't clean the steps yet—it's more about autonomous multi-floor mobility—but the confident navigation demo wowed crowds.
Check out this beast tackling stairs:
3. Throne: The Smart Toilet That Analyzes Your Health
Taking personal health tracking to an uncomfortably intimate level, Throne (from a co-founder of Whoop) uses cameras and sensors to scan your... output. It assesses hydration, gut health, and potential issues, sending alerts via app. Privacy concerns abound, but proponents see it as the ultimate preventive medicine tool.
One of the most talked-about (and debated) bathroom gadgets:
4. OlloBot: The Goofy, Long-Necked Cyber Pet Penguin
Part ET, part penguin, and all charm, OlloBot is a companion robot with a tablet face for expressions and a warm, furry, telescoping neck that stretches for extra reach. It evolves a personality over time based on family interactions, and its "soul" (memories) lives in a removable heart module for easy transfers if the body breaks. Short and long-neck versions add to the whimsy.
This fuzzy friend stole hearts across the show floor:
5. iPolish: App-Controlled Color-Changing Nail Polish
Forget waiting for polish to dry—iPolish's smart press-on nails use electrochromic tech to switch colors instantly via smartphone app, offering hundreds of shades from neon to classic black. It's fashion-forward experimentation at its finest, perfect for those who love changing looks on a whim.
Watch the color magic happen in seconds:
6. Seattle Ultrasonics C-200: The Vibrating Chef's Knife
This blade vibrates at 30,000 times per second, slicing through frozen meat, tough bread, or veggies like butter—with minimal effort and almost no felt vibration in the handle. It's a practical upgrade for home cooks that feels straight out of science fiction.
7. Neurable Brain-Sensing Headphones
EEG sensors in these headphones read brain activity to boost gaming reaction times—demos showed measurable improvements. It's an early step toward everyday neurotech, blending gaming and cognitive enhancement.
8. Soft Plastic Composter: Turning Trash into Bricks
Feed it plastic bags, and this device heats and presses them into durable building bricks, ready for eco-friendly recycling or mailing to processing facilities. Sustainability meets quirky utility in one trash-to-treasure machine.
9. Razer Project AVA: Holographic Anime Desk Companion
A 5.5-inch holographic display featuring anime characters like Kira or Zane that watch you, offer gaming tips, productivity help, or casual chat. Full cyberpunk vibes for your workspace.
10. Satellai Collar Go: AI-Powered Dog Health Tracker
No bark translation (yet), but this collar monitors sleep, temperature, location, and overall health, sending alerts for anomalies. It's the pet version of a smartwatch—practical and increasingly essential for worried owners.
CES 2026 reminded us that innovation thrives on the edge of ridiculous and revolutionary. These gadgets may start as conversation starters, but many solve real problems in delightfully unexpected ways.
