Domestic tech made some big leaps (or should we say climbed some big steps?) in 2025, with robot vacuums finally cracking problems that plagued them for years. Stair-climbing technology emerged as a breakthrough development, with Eufy’s S2 introducing its MarsWalker accessory.
Mopping capabilities improved dramatically too – Dreame’s Aqua 10 Ultra Roller Complete ditched dragging damp pads for proper roller mopping, whilst iRobot’s Roomba Max 705 Combo introduced clever carpet-protecting covers that automatically slide over its mops.
Smart home tech continued its Matter-driven evolution. Ikea doubled down with over 20 new Matter-over-Thread devices arriving throughout the year, bringing genuinely affordable smart lighting and sensors that work across Apple, Google and Amazon ecosystems without ecosystem lock-in headaches. Haier’s Naturally Connected approach demonstrated how AI could quietly improve daily routines – linking fridges, ovens and washing machines through the hOn app whilst connecting to solar panels for energy optimisation.
Grooming gadgets embraced premium materials and clever functionality. Kitchen counters became smarter too, with Ooni’s iconic Volt indoor pizza oven getting an even smaller edition and De’Longhi’s latest connected coffee machine knowing not only what your favourite brew is, but your favourite time to drink it.
Time to see which home tech impressed us most this year.
Smart home tech of the year: Dreame X50 Ultra Complete
Robot vacuums have long promised autonomous cleaning, but they’ve always had an Achilles heel: getting stuck. Door thresholds, thick rugs, and furniture were all potential roadblocks that meant you’d inevitably find your vac sulking in a corner. The Dreame X50 Ultra Complete solves this with retractable robotic legs that lift it over obstacles. It’s a genuinely transformative feature that means this cleaner actually cleans your entire home – not just the easy parts.
Those clever legs are just the start. With 20,000Pa suction, an anti-tangle brush system and excellent mopping capabilities, it cleans to a similar standard as a human. The self-maintenance is equally impressive: hot water mop cleaning, UV bacteria treatment and automatic cleaning solution refilling mean you’ll barely touch it between sessions.
Over two months of testing, it never got stuck once and handled everything from deep-pile rugs to coffee spills with ease. Expensive? Absolutely. Worth it for busy households? Without question.
Highly commended
Segway Navimow X350E
Lawn so vast you genuinely lose track of the cat? The Segway Navimow X350E robot lawnmower is your new best friend. Thanks to its six blades and seriously impressive efficiency, this beast will cheerfully mow 5000m2 in 24 hours or cover 1200m2 on a single charge, with rapid 30-minute top-ups keeping things moving.
Meanwhile, its upgraded EFLS 3.0 navigation system combines GPS, visual mapping and dual antennas for precise positioning even in tricky spots like tree-covered areas. Three cameras and a 300º field of view help it identify and avoid over 200 types of obstacles, from swings to wandering pets. No boundary wires needed, either – setup is entirely wireless. It handles slopes up to 50% gradient, runs whisper-quiet, and works with voice assistants.
It’s a serious investment, but the sheer capability and hands-off convenience make it worth considering if you’ve got acres to maintain.
Nanoleaf Blocks
Nanoleaf has spent years perfecting decorative smart lighting, but the Blocks system finally makes those glowing panels properly useful. This mix-and-match setup combines illuminated square panels with genuinely functional accessories: light-up pegboards for displaying keyboards, controllers or headphones, plus slim shelves to help declutter your desk. It’s the first time Nanoleaf has moved beyond pure aesthetics into actual practicality.
The squares themselves (which come in two sizes) have a thicker, sturdier form factor than previous generations, offering edge-to-edge RGB illumination across 16 million colours. A physical controller on the first panel lets you adjust brightness and cycle through scenes without reaching for your phone, though full smart home integration with Apple Home, Google Assistant, Alexa and SmartThings is naturally included. Installation requires drilling for the pegboards and shelves rather than simple adhesive mounting, but that’s a fair trade for accessories that can actually hold significant weight.
Also shortlisted
Starlink Mini, Philips Hue Signe Gradient, Huaqvarna Aspire LC24-P4a
Small home appliance of the year: Ninja Woodfire Pro XL
Yearn for those yummy charcoal BBQ results without the hassle of post-cookout clean-up? Ninja’s game-changing Woodfire XL grill is your cheat code. Purists might worry that it’s electric rather than authentically smoky, but the results from this outdoor grill-smoker-roaster-air fryer combo will fool anyone but the most seasoned of pit-masters.
Are your sausages lagging behind schedule? Flip it to air-frying mode for some rapid rescue. Scared of burnt chicken that’s still pink inside? The cooking here is always even, and you can sear on the plate if you want some colour. The real party trick is a pellet hopper that smokes ribs and burgers with proper flavour. Standing there looking competent has never been easier.
Cleaning is a dream: fat runs into a removable tray and the cooking pan wipes clean effortlessly. The shortish power cord means you’ll likely need an extension lead, and it’s too hefty for camping, but for fuss-free at-home grilling, it’s the best we’ve encountered.
Highly commended
Philips NA555/09
Air fryers are a whizz at crisping frozen convenience food, but Philips’ NA555 adds a health-conscious new skill to its locker. This fryer’s 6L right-hand basket doubles as a nutrient-retaining steam cooker, whilst the left basket tackles traditional air cooking.
Steaming vegetables is surprisingly efficient here, with minimal water required to produce perfectly moist results. Combining air frying and steam prevents leftovers drying out during reheating, too – a genuinely useful innovation. Better still, that built-in steam function cleans the basket effortlessly, lifting grime before you’ve barely lifted a finger.
The 9L total capacity goes a long way towards justifying the high pricing, but our main criticism is the fact that only one basket gets that steam functionality. Dual steam capability would expand cooking versatility dramatically while simplifying maintenance. Still, merging two healthy cooking methods whilst making clean-up a cinch represents smart thinking – a step beyond merely cooking beige stuff faster.
Char-Broil Smart-E
Traditional BBQs mean wrestling with bags of charcoal or gas bottles, then facing the inevitable clean-up nightmare. The Smart-E ditches all that for a truly transformative plug-and-play electric approach. With digital temperature control spanning 90°C to 370°C, it eliminates the dreaded burnt-outside-raw-inside scenario, and Tru-Infrared technology distributes heat evenly across the grill, keeping food juicy while delivering authentic smoky flavours and those essential char lines.
The real game-changer is its automatic cleaning mode. Just hit a button and it superheats to 370°C, turning fat and residue into ash that can be simply brushed away – no scrubbing, soaking or stress required. The large LCD display, foldable sides and under-grill storage add thoughtful touches that make this a pleasure to use. At £800 it’s a serious investment, but for anyone who wants convenience alongside excellent cooking results, this device turns occasional BBQing into a regular habit.
Also shortlisted
Weber Spirit EP-335, Ninja Artisan Electric Outdoor Oven
Grooming tech of the year: Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x
The Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x is the styling tool that finally justifies ditching your existing haircare arsenal. With its Hyperdymium 2 motor spinning at 150,000rpm, delivering twice the air pressure of its predecessor, this 6-in-1 marvel dries, curls, waves, straightens, smooths and volumises without a whisper of heat damage. The real magic happens with those Co-anda curling barrels: hair wraps itself automatically onto the barrel, creating voluminous curls that last two days. No singed smell, no scorched fingers – just effortless salon-worthy results in 30 minutes.
RFID-enabled attachments adapt instantly while the MyDyson app creates personalised curling sequences tailored to your hair. From the luxurious build quality to the lighter, more manoeuvrable design, it all screams premium. And it’s undeniably expensive, but when one tool genuinely replaces your hairdryer, curler, heated brush and straighteners whilst protecting your hair? That’s worth the hefty investment.
Highly commended
Therabody SmartGoggles 2
Far more than a mere sleep mask, the SmartGoggles 2 actively coax your brain towards deep, blissful slumber. Not only does it block out all light, but it delivers heat and massage across your forehead, brows and temples. Sleep aside, this results in nothing short of the most effective (non-medical) treatment we’ve found for headaches and migraines.
The three presets each tackle a different need: SmartRelax is for general unwinding, Headaches & Eye Strain is for fast relief, and Sleep Prep is for bedtime. The app supplements the mask with guided meditations and soothing vibration routines, whilst the comfy construction stays secure even when you’re side-sleeping.
In our tests nodding off happened noticeably faster than normal; winding down felt effortless rather than forced. They’re pricey and a short three-hour battery life means regular charging. But the non-medicated migraine relief combined with faster, more restful sleep feels like real wellness tech rather than bedtime gimmickry.
Shark CryoGlow Mask
LED masks offer light therapy in the comfort of your own home – probably the least stressful way to fight wrinkles, combat acne and give your skin a literal glow-up. And of the models that crossed our reviewers’ paths this year, Shark’s CryoGlow Mask was the one that balanced performance and price the most appealingly. It’s about the same price as around eight salon treatments, so if you’re going to be a regular user it’ll pay for itself in pretty short order.
Having not only eye but nose and mouth holes make it less intimidating to wear than some rivals, the adjustable headband makes getting a comfy fit simple and the overall build feels sturdy. Results, meanwhile, are excellent. In testing, we found it de-puffed our eyes, tightened skin and brightened up our complexion, resulting in noticeably better-looking skin in as little as a week.
Also shortlisted
Babyliss Super-X Metal Series X-Blade
