As 2025 draws to a close, it's clear the year has been a watershed moment for consumer technology. Innovation has exploded, with artificial intelligence embedding itself into everything from smartphones to home appliances, and a post-pandemic gadget boom finally hitting full stride.
A Year of Remarkable Tech Innovation
For Gareth Butterfield, a seasoned consumer technology writer, the last twelve months have involved testing hundreds of new products. From the flood of smartphone launches to wearables becoming mainstream and virtual reality finally maturing, the pace of change has been relentless. After extensive hands-on testing, he has curated a list of his ten absolute favourite tech products from 2025, presented in no particular order, with one overall winner crowned at the end.
Logitech MX Master 4S Wireless Mouse – Priced at £119.99 directly from Logitech, this peripheral builds brilliantly on its acclaimed predecessor. It refines an already excellent design, adds clever new features, and remains the market-leading mouse by a significant margin.
Bluetti Pioneer NA Portable Power Station – Available for £799, this device is noteworthy not for raw power, but for its pioneering use of sodium-ion battery technology. Safer and more environmentally friendly than lithium, it represents a crucial step forward for energy storage in everything from gadgets to electric vehicles.
Smart Home and Personal Tech Standouts
EcoFlow Stream DIY Solar System – With prices starting around £1,061, this system makes sustainable energy remarkably accessible. It allows for easy balcony or garden installations, feeding free solar power into your home supply and often reducing grid draw to zero on sunny days.
Shokz OpenDots One Open-Ear Buds – Priced at £144 from Boots, these clip-on buds solved a common comfort problem with in-ear designs. While audiophiles may note limitations, their excellent build quality, security, and surprising audio performance make them a standout.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Pro Mobile Router – This £899.99 device is a powerhouse for travellers. Offering remarkable speed, reliability, and support for numerous devices, it ensures robust internet connectivity even in remote locations like Snowdonia.
Honor Magic V5 Folding Smartphone – At £1,399, Honor's foldable emerged as a dark horse winner in a competitive field. It combines a relatively affordable price with a refined design and user experience that made it a pleasure for long-term daily use.
Gadgets for Home, Car, and Even Pets
Viofo A329S Dashcam – Starting at £359.99 on Amazon, this premium dashcam delivers excellent multi-channel footage, discreet installation, and all the flagship features a driver could need, cementing Viofo's reputation for quality.
Dreame L40 Ultra Robot Vacuum – Available on Amazon for £619, this model packs high-end features typically found in costlier rivals. Its superb cleaning, reliability, and added security camera function made it the keeper in Butterfield's home.
CTEK CS Free Car Charger – This £144.38 rechargeable 12v charger and jump starter is a game-changer for maintaining vehicles like motorhomes without direct mains access. It doubles as a large power bank for USB devices.
Salter Digital Pet Food Scale – A simple yet brilliant gadget priced at £22.99. This integrated bowl and scale made portion control for pets effortless, helping the reviewer's dog successfully lose 3kg.
The Overall Winner for 2025
After much deliberation, the top accolade for 2025 goes to the EcoFlow Stream DIY Solar System, with a highly commended badge for the Logitech MX Master 4S mouse. The solar system wins for its transformative potential, making sustainable energy generation affordable and accessible for the average household. The ability to watch your smart meter drop to zero, coupled with tangible savings on electricity bills, offers a priceless sense of energy independence.
