Reviewing tech is our bread and butter—our experts vetted over 1,200 products and services this year alone. But what we buy with our hard-earned cash reveals our true favorites, the ones that made the leap from “This exceeded our benchmarks” to “I need this in my life.”
So we surveyed the PCMag staff: What’s the best tech you bought in 2025? The answers are all over the place, from the biggest releases of the year to niche items that enrich our hobbies.
In some cases, we couldn’t help but snag an item that earned a rare 5-star rating or is from a brand that won a 2025 PCMag Technical Excellence award. But even we, the tech-obsessed, don’t always need the latest and greatest products. We love a good sale on last year’s TV model, even if the screen is a touch less vivid. There’s even a dumbphone on the list.
Above all, each item below made our crew happy, and that’s how we know they’re good. For more highlights from the past 12 months, head over to our massive Best Tech of the Year list. And be sure to check out our holiday gift guides if you need some help making your crew happy this season.
