Editors' Choice
2025 GadgetMatch Approved Smartphones
Smartphones that truly deserve GadgetMatch’s Seal of Approval
It’s that time of the year again!
With the barrage of smartphones announcements here and there, it’s always been our good habit to round-up the greatest of ’em all.
Without much fuss, here are our GadgetMatch Approved Smartphones for 2025.
* This listicle has been arranged in a descending order — from the latest to oldest article published.
OPPO Find X9 by MJ
The OPPO Find X9 is like that teammate who shows up consistently and performs under pressure.
Its performance is nothing short of flagship‑level, and it’s ready to handle anything you throw at it. It’s not perfect. No other smartphone is. But the minor flaws do not outweigh its endurance, consistency, design, and flagship performance.
For anyone who wants a smartphone that keeps pace with your life, performs without complaint, and quietly gets the job done, this is your GadgetMatch. It also does more than look good and deliver excellent captures.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 by MJ
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is the strongest version of the Flip so far. It feels like a phone that has gone through its own version of strength training, carrying subtle upgrades that form a noticeable transformation when you live with it every day.
It’s an easy recommendation if you are coming from older Flip models or switching from other Android devices. It even feels refreshing if you want to try something different from a slate phone like an iPhone.
People often assume that my lifestyle is better suited for the Galaxy Z Fold7 because of the volume of work that I handle. I thought the same.
Yet the Galaxy Z Flip7 surprised me by fitting my routines and the life I am building as I continue to grow into this new chapter.
It has the power of a flagship smartphone, cameras that let me document milestones, and a personality that blends effortlessly with mine.
vivo X300 Pro by Vincenz
It seems like 2025 has already reached the pinnacle of smartphones: superior camera system, gargantuan battery capacities with long-lasting endurance, faster than ever performance, displays and speakers that truly satisfy one’s audiovisual cravings.
The vivo X300 Pro is a great embodiment of that. Not only you get the best in class cameras, the smartphone itself is just a refined version of a smartphone that was already superior to begin with.
And if you’d ask me, the asking price of EUR 1099 / MYR 4699 / PhP 77,999 is more than justified — unlike how some brands aggressively slap overpriced tags on their barely flagship offerings 
POCO F8 Ultra by Rodneil
The POCO F8 Ultra sits in a tight spot. It wants to be the phone for users who want flagship performance without paying flagship prices — and it largely achieves that.
The F8 Ultra is what I’d call an achievable aspirational flagship: the kind you can actually buy without feeling like you’re stretching too far, while still enjoying the feeling of owning something premium.
For a lot of people, that’s exactly the sweet spot.
vivo X300 by Rodneil
The vivo X300 isn’t trying to be the best multimedia phone or the best gaming phone. It doesn’t have the biggest screen or the loudest speakers. But none of that overshadows what it does so well.
It captures life with accuracy, confidence, and a sense of honesty that I value more than numbers on a spec sheet. The smartphone’s cameras handled a tech event, a bowling alley, a dim cinema, and the small moments in between with equal reliability. It became the phone I trusted to document my day — even on shoots where I normally rely on a mirrorless camera.
The vivo X300 is the point-and-shoot I’ll always carry. It is a compact flagship that simply shows up and captures the moments that matter.
vivo X200 Pro by Vincenz
Not only do you get a fully capable and THE BETTER camera system with a monstrous periscope zoom, you get the best in pretty much all aspects you want in a modern-day smartphone: premium design, durable build quality, captivating display, powerful speakers, snappy performance, consistently speedy charging, and a long-lasting battery.
Thus, it’s also safe to say that this is still one of 2025’s best and most underrated flagship smartphones out there. This also means you can buy the vivo X200 Pro now at a slashed price than what it was initially offered during the start of 2025.
iPhone Air by Michael Josh
I used the iPhone mini for the rest of 2021. And back then, I thought it was a pocket-sized phone that I wanted. Perhaps, what I really needed, was to be unencumbered by phones that just seem to be getting bigger and heavier.
The iPhone Air is the phone I didn’t think I needed until I first picked it up. I actually do love the iPhone Air very much and planning it to use for the rest of the year.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 by Michael Josh
Let’s face it! Samsung has a winner on its hands. They’ve made a super-slim foldable that weighs less than an iPhone 16 Pro Max. But, opens up into an 8-inch tablet. It’s got an excellent main camera, superb battery life, and is backed up by a close partnership with Google.
If you’re in the market for a foldable smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is your GadgetMatch.
HONOR 400 by MJ
The HONOR 400 isn’t trying to be a flagship killer. It’s trying to be your favorite everyday phone and honestly, it might just succeed.
If you love taking real, emotional, and unfiltered portraits of people, then, this phone is worth your attention. With an exceptional camera, and emotionally-driven AI features, it’s like having a portable portrait lens in your pocket.
Add to that a sleek design, reliable performance, a battery that goes the distance, and HONOR’s fast 66W charging, and you’ve got a midrange phone that does more than it should, for less than you’d expect.
It’s more than just a solid, midrange smartphone we’ve always known. It’s also a smart, creative companion for everyday storytellers and sentimental souls.
TECNO CAMON 40 Premier by Vincenz
At this point, “flagship killer” is an overstatement. Other phone brands should fear that such a “midrange destroyer” exists. It’s just hard to resist this marvelous midranger for all the compelling package it offers.
Although its plastic back and slightly downsized display size might be an issue to some, that “compromise” actually contributed to a better handfeel. Couple that with a chip upgrade, excellent imaging system, and even crazier dual IP rating, what more can you ask for?
And unlike the CAMON 40 Pro 5G with a bunch of questionable downgrades, the Premier model didn’t compromise a lot.
With a competitive price of just PhP 21,999 (around US$ 395) in the Philippines, the CAMON 40 Premier is a true blue midranger. And it’s worth more than its total value.
Infinix NOTE 50 Pro 4G by Vincenz
The Infinix NOTE 50 Pro, despite what it lacks, it’s still a very compelling and competitively-priced phone just for everyone to resist.
Although Infinix did skip an older Dimensity chip in favor of a newer Helio SoC, you still get notable performance improvements more than what entry-level 4G smartphones did from the yesteryears.
With its performance prowess, speedy charging and reliable battery, host of upgraded software + AI feats, an overall solid and sturdy phone, and a complete package including a supplied wireless charging pad, it’s simply one of the best budget phones you can buy right now.
nubia Neo 3 GT 5G by Levi
All things considered, the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G delivers on solid and steady gaming on an incredibly competitive price of PhP 12,999 (~ US$ 228), as its company intended it to be. Plus, all of its other features can make you say you’re getting your money’s worth on the device.
If gaming is all you’re going to do on a smartphone, then this option is worthy of a look. And even for non-gaming functions, this phone is an upgrade from basic utility phones. You can do a bit more multi-tasking on this device if you’re going to make this your daily carry.
OPPO Find X8 Ultra by Michael Josh
The OPPO Find X8 Ultra stands as a testament to what companies outside of our Western bubble have to offer. A showcase of how amazing a phone company OPPO is, and what it’s capable of.
Although it has one big and unfortunate caveat of being a China-exclusive phone, it still has got the best of everything you could ever want in a smartphone — including some of the best smartphone cameras ever made.
It’s just a shame that most people, apart from those who watch review videos, won’t even know that.
Infinix NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G by Levi
If you’re going to spend a huge chunk of your time with the Infinix NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G for gaming, there’s no doubt it will perform well.
It’s an easy Super Swipe especially for gaming regulars who want to upgrade from budget and lower-midrange devices, as well as those who have been using Infinix devices before.
And even if you’re just a casual user, for its price and all the gravy you’re getting, like AI enhancements, 4.5G technology, and charging tech that’s not present on other manufacturers’ offerings.
TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G by Vincenz
The downgrades of the TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G I’ve mentioned are quite debatable: from charging speeds to the chipset, even the ultra-wide lens used. The removal of the bundled tempered glass? Not so much.
Personally, those downgrades aren’t shortcomings. There are honestly more things to rejoice such as a sexier design, dual IP rating, grippier bundled case, bigger battery, brighter and even smoother display, One-Tap button, FlashSnap feature, better Sony LYT-700C main sensor, and even a greater OS with AI features that make more sense than before.
With an already teased MSRP, backed by the combination of a reliable hardware and revamped software, together with TECNO’s continuous persistence in delivering smexy phones for the masses makes the CAMON 40 Pro 5G a worthy recipient of GadgetMatch’s Seal of Approval.
vivo V50 by Vincenz
For all the special feats the V50 possesses, it’s simply a unique phone. It’s understandable how vivo wanted to deliver this type of phone to niche users in such a vast and saturated market.
vivo bringing the ZEISS treatment to the midrange class isn’t something we should brush off lightly. It’s a bold move to bring all the imaging mastery in such a midranger — which barely felt mid at all.
Pair that with its one of a kind Aura Light feature, it’s a smartphone you just cannot ignore.
POCO F7 Ultra by Rodneil
The POCO F7 Ultra is a true blue flagship device. You get excellent value for what you’re paying and that has usually been the case for POCO.
It also has all the makings of a legitimate flagship device. It’s powered by the same chip as the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series, HONOR Magic7 Pro, OnePlus 13 Series, OPPO Find N5, and many others. Performance-wise, POCO’s latest and greatest sits alongside these heavy hitters.
As an overall package, you get a decent-sized slate smartphone that works and plays as best as any other flagship, with improved cameras, and a lightweight body that’s easy to carry around.
realme 14 Pro+ 5G by Levi
The improvements may seem just incremental if you’re coming off the realme 13 Pro+ or even the realme 12 Pro+. Ditto if you’ve already been using a GT series device, or any other competing brand in the upper or premium midrange category.
But if you’re coming from the realme 11 series or even below, then it’s a Super Swipe. As I’ve mentioned, This is as good a midrange device can get in March of 2025.
It also has a strong case for Swipe Right for those coming from the lower midrange segment. You can enjoy a ton of useful features on this handset, beyond it being a camera-centric offering.
It’s a capable and reliable midrange smartphone offering that’s timely for how manufacturers want to position their products nowadays.
ROG Phone 9 Pro by Luigi
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is proof that you don’t need AI to create an impressive flagship. The phone packs in an absurd amount of technology, punctuated even further by a creative dot matrix screen. Even without a fold or an aggressively pushed AI, this gaming phone can wow both the general user and the hardcore mobile gamer.
Personally, the ROG Phone 9 Pro is still a Super Swipe for me. If you’re looking for the best specs in a smartphone today, this new gaming phone has all of that and more. Though the price might turn away most users, it’s still worth the price of admission.
Nothing Phone (3a) + (3a) Pro by Michael Josh
There’s plenty to love about Nothing as a company. And a lot of it has to do with its brand’s ethos — rooted in thoughtfulness and how it values good design.
The Nothing Phone (3a) series is just that. A well-rounded midranger that punches above its price point. Both in terms of looks and the overall experience.
Apple iPhone 16e by Michael Josh
The iPhone 16e is more than just a phone for texting or calling. It’s packed with enough power to see you through many, many years of upgrades. And with enough battery life to see you through a full day of use.
Whereas in the past, the iPhone SE did feel like a phone with some compromises, the iPhone 16e definitely feels like a phone that delivers on the e-ssentials. Hits the sweet spot everywhere it matters. And like they said in their launch videos, it brings the iPhone 16 e-xperience to even more people.
OnePlus 13 by Michael Josh
I’ve long been a fan of OnePlus dating back to their early days — and a lot of that has to do with their commitment to offer a flagship experience for less.
While the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has better cameras, better sound, and an S-Pen, the OnePlus 13 has the same powerful processor, an even brighter display, and super-fast wired and wireless charging. Plus, an ecosystem of accessories, from power banks to magnetic chargers.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal than what the OnePlus 13 offers.
HONOR Magic7 Pro by Rodneil
The HONOR Magic7 Pro is a well-rounded flagship smartphone. It takes the best parts of its predecessors and learns from the other smartphones in HONOR’s lineup that came before it. What you get is a finely-tuned companion that finally delivers on its AI promise while making remarkable improvements in mobile photography.
The only reason to Swipe Left is if you have absolute loyalty to competing brands. Otherwise, it’s a confident Swipe Right. Especially for anyone willing to take a risk on something new.
All told, the HONOR Magic7 Pro kicks-off 2025 with a flagship smartphone that has a design identity while still making notable improvements.
vivo X200 by Vincenz
The vivo X200 seems like the “sweet spot” for those looking for a very capable camera in your pocket without going overboard in one’s budget. That while still keeping the flagship-grade hardware and better than ever software features that the V40 Pro lacks.
Even without the “Pro” branding, the vivo X200 is still Pro-grade in most aspects. It deserves a spotlight of its own and shouldn’t just be hiding in the shadow of its bigger brother. It’s a beast that needs to be unleashed in the wild.
Blog
The GadgetMatch Team’s Favorite Picks of 2025
Looking back at the devices that stood out in our everyday use!
As the year comes to a close, we take a moment to look back at the devices that stood out in our everyday use.
This roundup of gadgets are what genuinely impressed the team behind our reviews and stories. These are the devices we relied on and kept talking about, long after the embargoes lifted and the hype settled.
Each pick reflects personal experiences shaped by different priorities and preferences, but together, they form a snapshot of what mattered most in consumer technology this year.
“The phone I couldn’t put down”
Rodneil Quiteles: This is such a tough pick. Three gadgets really spoke to me in 2025. So, I’m shouting out two honorable mentions: The ROG Flow Z13 (2025) and the ROG Xbox Ally X. But the one I just couldn’t put down is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 just really feels good to hold. The thinness, weight distribution, button placements… they’re all, dare I say, perfect. I was initially afraid to put a case on it as it might disrupt this feeling. Thankfully, PITAKA came through with just the right fit.
This is the best a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold has ever looked and felt. Of all the foldables I’ve touched so far – and I’ve touched quite a few – this has been my favorite to hold. I wouldn’t be mad if they kept this form factor for a few years… so long as they upgrade the cameras.
It’s great for casual browsing, fantastic for my productivity, and the interior screen is perfect for watching 4×3 aspect ratio content. It’s just flat-out a joy to use.
“Earned a place in my life”
MJ Jucutan: For an athlete, a device that accompanies me through sweat and long days easily becomes a top pick for a must-have gear in my arsenal.
The Shokz OpenFit 2+ earned a place in my life longer than any other open-ear earbuds I’ve owned. Long enough that when I lost one pair, I got another. That alone tells the full story.
After all, it feels like a steal especially when you consider how much higher other open-ear wearables cost for similar quality.
“One thing I couldn’t really live without this year”
Luigi Leonardo: Before this year, I didn’t care about tablets. I’m too old to have been an iPad kid, and I’m too young to rely exclusively on a simple tablet. All of that changed when I met the Xiaomi Pad 7.
The Xiaomi Pad 7 is the one thing that I couldn’t really live without this year. More than just a big screen, the tablet was the best all-around device for practically anything.
It was a travel buddy, a portable workstation, and a secondary screen for my home office.
On the outside, it’s so elegant in its minimalist design. It doesn’t attempt to wow with unnecessary features or gimmicks. Inside, it’s capable of everything I need in a tablet: hours of writing, streaming movies, and playing games. Oh, and the vast ecosystem of accessories, especially the Focus Keyboard, turns the Pad 7 from great to indispensable.
“A godsend daily driver”
Vincenz Lee: Despite being a hardcore camera guy, I never got to try any new mirrorless cameras this 2025. But that’s not to say I’m disappointed as camera-centric flagship smartphones keep getting better.
Even if I have used its older brother for 6.5+ months, the refinements made on the vivo X300 Pro simply makes it an irresistible, more complete package of an already superior smartphone to begin with.
And by that, an even faster chipset, newer camera bells and whistles, additional Pro-grade improvements in video shooting, camera kit support (which I don’t have), and several more not present in its predecessor.
Although I am somewhat missing the former’s curvaceous body, subtle display curves PLUS the longer battery endurance, OriginOS 6 is a huge godsend for making me daily drive an Android phone not just for its overhauled phone look, more so with plethora of functions that wasn’t even there during its Funtouch crisis *coughs* vivo’s Office Kit addition for a long-time MacBook user like yours truly.
“Confidence in the air”
Deric Claveria: Some gadgets impress on paper. But this one impressed me when it came time to create.
The Antigravity A1 earns my confidence in the air. Movement is smooth, predictable, and easy to control, which lets me focus on flying instead of fighting the drone.
In good lighting, the camera delivers clean, detailed footage with enough flexibility for reframing and storytelling in post. It’s not about cinematic gimmicks, it’s about getting usable shots consistently.
“Sneaky good tool that doesn’t even cost a fortune”
Levi Verora Jr.,: As of the moment, the BOYA Mini 2 is my favorite gadget to use. Given how I do various slice-of-life content for my personal vlog, Manila Connoisseur, including voice-overs and talking head videos, it’s a sneaky good tool that doesn’t even cost a fortune.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying it produces studio quality sound but it does improve my overall audiovisual output. It’s a breeze to use it, and you can customize settings further via BOYA’s app.
Noise cancelling also works wonders in various scenarios. Be it food reviews, quick interviews, and everything in between for emphasis, it delivers what it chiefly promises.
“The flexibility that matters in daily use”
Jeanne Penelope: I’ll admit, I was doubtful about open-ear sound quality, but the QCY Crossky C50 changed my mind. With a solid bass, it sounds better than some more expensive in-ear buds I’ve tried. And it stays put. Most of the time, I forget they’re even on.
What really sold it for me is the interchangeable left-and-right design. No fussing over which earbud goes where. And if one runs out of battery because I left it outside of the case (AGAIN), I can still use the charged one in whichever ear I want while maintaining stereo sound.
I usually go for the left as I hear more clearly on that side, so that flexibility actually matters in my daily use.
I have my Sony ULT noise-cancelling headset that has spoiled me with bass quality. But whenever I don’t need full ANC or just getting headset fatigue, the Crossky C50 is my go-to and daily driver.
A big thank you from the GadgetMatch Team
Taken individually, each favorite tells a personal story of how technology fits into our lives this year.
Viewed together, they reveal broader patterns in what worked and what truly delivered value beyond first impressions.
This collection is less about declaring universal winners and more about sharing honest perspectives from a team that lives with these products day in and day out.
As we move into a new year of launches and evolving needs, these picks serve as a reminder that the best gadgets are the ones that meaningfully improve how we work, create, and unwind.
From all of us at GadgetMatch, thank you for spending another year exploring technology with us, and we look forward to what’s next.
Editors' Choice
Lifestyle Favorites of 2025
Each pick on this list made life feel more manageable and more human.
Technology didn’t try to impress us in 2025, but it learned how to live with us.
This year’s most memorable gadgets, vehicles, apps, and everyday essentials earned their place by fitting into routines, powering long workdays, supporting creative escapes, and making small moments feel easier.
The GadgetMatch Lifestyle Favorites of 2025 celebrate technology that understands real life. These are the tools that kept pace with how we move, work, travel, rest, and recover, and in many cases, they blended in so well that we only noticed them when they were missing.
Favorite Automotive Technology: Ford Co-Pilot 360
Beyond the shared safety suite such as stability control, traction control, hill assist, and 360-degree cameras, the Ford Territory Hybrid adds layers of luxury that matter.
For an athlete, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features are a blessing when exhaustion hits. Meanwhile, the Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert feel like having an extra pair of eyes.
When your body’s too tired to think, all you need is a reminder that even when you can’t see what’s behind or beside you, the car’s got your back.
Favorite Hybrid Vehicle: BYD Seal 5 DM-i
The BYD Seal 5 DM-i proved itself as a road-trip certified machine and a fuel-efficient hybrid. It’s a comfortable long-distance cruiser with the ability to handle tight turns, steep climbs, and even heavy city traffic.
Aside from daily drives, it’s built for adventure, efficiency, and everything in between.
Favorite Electric Vehicle: Kia EV9
The engaged life is fraught with challenges, but it doesn’t have to be an unnavigable nightmare. With the right support and the right mindset, love will always find a way to rise to the top.
That said, the Kia EV9 was a loyal steed, like Pegasus to Hercules. You can push the car to the limit, and it will deliver everything you needed.
Favorite Smart Appliance: Samsung Compact Window-Type Inverter Air Conditioner
When your space supports you, everything feels more manageable.
For anyone living solo and trying to build a home that feels calm, functional, and genuinely supportive, the Samsung Compact Window-Type Inverter Air Conditioner 1.5 HP fits naturally into that story.
Favorite Short-Throw Projector: HiSense L9Q
The Hisense L9Q is a showpiece in itself. Unlike most TVs that are an eyesore when turned off, it’s designed to be seen, not hidden.
At US$5,999, it’s an investment for sure, but it’s the kind that transforms every movie, game, or cozy night in into something worth remembering.
Favorite Travel Camera: Fujifilm X-E5
The Fujifilm X-E5 feels like a companion for people who want to see the world in stories, not just snapshots. It’s compact enough to slip into your everyday life, yet powerful enough to turn fleeting glances into memories that last.
Favorite Travel Gear: Alpaka Bravo Tote
Getting the Alpaka Bravo Tote might cost a hefty sum, but it’s worth investing properly in the stuff you carry your precious devices with. That’s something we had to learn hard with some of our bag purchases in the years before.
Favorite Travel Accessory: Sony WH-1000XM6
Often, wireless headphones today ask you to sacrifice either noise cancelling or audio quality. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a rare breed that wants you to have both. If you’re looking for the best of the best, look no further!
Favorite Luggage: CASETiFY Bounce 21-inch Carry-On Roller
The CASETiFY Bounce 21-inch Carry-On Roller has lived through countless gates and flights, cramped overhead bins, and handled being tossed around. It’s still standing and ready for the next adventure. With this carry-on, it’s proof that the right gear can help you carry your experiences home.
Favorite Smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch8 Classic blends timeless watch aesthetics with modern smartwatch intelligence. This is for users who want health tracking and smart features wrapped in a design that still feels traditional and refined.
Favorite Productivity Device: M5 iPad Pro
The iPad Pro is, without question, a device for professionals. Every part of its hardware shines: from power, performance, fast connectivity, studio-quality cameras and mics.
It’s almost as if Apple is saying “this isn’t just a tablet. It’s a new kind of computer.” One powerful enough for work, creative enough for play.
Favorite Creator Camera: Canon EOS R50 V
There’s something sacred about filming yourself with a “real” camera again. Not for content or clout, but just to remember.
The Canon EOS R50 V makes it easy to do that. It’s light, intuitive, and built for how we shoot today.
You can record vertically, film on the fly, and rely on its automatic settings when life moves too fast to set things up. But when you’re ready to create something more, it has the tools to help you go there.
Favorite Creative Hobby Device: instax mini 41
If you’re in a season of starting over, or gently letting someone new into your frame, the instax mini 41 might be your GadgetMatch.
It’s classic, easy to use, and beautifully unintrusive. It’s a camera that doesn’t demand a moment but honors the one choose to keep.
And if you’re not quite ready to write the next chapter, that’s okay. Sometimes all you need is a Wednesday to begin again, a little black camera, and a maybe that makes you smile again and walks you home in the rain.
Favorite Action Camera: DJI Osmo Action 6
The DJI Osmo Action 6 excelled in every environment and handled everything with ease. The clips and collected footage — filled with emotion and energy — remained steady and sharp, and felt complete even before editing.
If you live an active life and thrive outdoors, the Osmo Action 6 will meet your needs. You will appreciate how quick it is to use, and you will love the size, durability, and picture quality.
Favorite Drone: Antigravity A1
The Antigravity A1 isn’t trying to compete with traditional drones. It’s trying to change the way we capture the world from above. And in many ways, it succeeds.
It’s not the smallest setup. It’s not the easiest to pack. And its wireless transfer issues are frustrating. But once you’re in the air, flying through its goggles, seeing a spherical 8K world you can reframe later, it becomes an entirely different creative experience.
The kind that makes the weight worth carrying; the kind that makes you want to go out and try something new.
Favorite Digital Bank: Maya
Maya proved to be a reliable partner in helping “manage” expenses. And when we say “manage” in quotes, it’s because it wasn’t about strict budgeting. It was more like tracking your behavior and knowing what to improve next time.
Plus, there’s Maya Black — a credit card ideal for someone who travels for work, doesn’t obsess over budgeting, but wants to be more mindful of spending.
Why these picks matter
These lifestyle favorites represent thoughtful design and a clear understanding of how people actually live today.
Whether it was something that traveled with us, trained with us, lived in our homes, or stayed in our pockets, each pick on this list made life feel more manageable and more human.
As we move into a new year, these are the products that set the standard. Not by promising more, but by doing exactly what they needed to do, every single day.
This year’s wearables stopped trying to be impressive on paper and started showing up in real life.
They trained with us, traveled with us, helped us focus, and sometimes gave us the companionship we didn’t realize we needed.
This year’s favorites are not defined by hype or spec sheets. They earned their place by fitting into routines, surviving our day-to-day lives. They made our everyday feel a little more intentional.
Here’s why they’re our favorite picks:
Redmi Buds 6 Pro
Vincenz: Budget-friendly true wireless earbuds should deliver solid sound and features at a shockingly low price. The Redmi Buds 6 Pro makes a strong case for it. While the ANC does not lead the category, it remains a compelling entry point for buyers who want value without feeling shortchanged.
HONOR Earbuds Open
Rodneil: Comfort, sound quality, and a genuinely useful AI translation feature come together in a design that feels effortless to wear daily. The HONOR Earbuds Open earns its place for being practical, modern, and surprisingly delightful.
READ: HONOR Earbuds Open review
Xiaomi Watch S4
Luigi: The Xiaomi Watch S4 delivers a clean, minimalist smartwatch experience that covers health tracking and connectivity without overcomplicating things. This is a dependable everyday wearable that focuses on the essentials and does them well.
Sony WH-1000XM6
Luigi, Rodneil, and Michael Josh: This remains the gold standard for noise cancellation and balanced audio in a travel-friendly design. The Sony WH-1000XM6 earns favorite status by doing everything right and setting the benchmark yet again.
Read: Sony WH-1000XM6 review | Watch: Why it’s the Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones right now
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless
Vincenz: SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova 3 Wireless combines lightweight comfort, strong gaming audio, and expressive color options in a headset that feels fun and functional. It stands out for gamers who care about performance and personality.
READ: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review
QCY MeloBuds N70
Vincenz: Price-to-performance ratio feels almost unreal with the QCY MeloBuds N70. With strong ANC, long battery life, excellent sound, and premium features at an accessible price, it redefines what budget earbuds can deliver.
Huawei FreeBuds SE 4
Tom: The Huawei FreeBuds SE 4 focuses on reliability above all else. Solid sound, comfortable fit, and a marathon-like battery life make it an easy recommendation for students and professionals who need something dependable every day.
READ: Huawei FreeBuds SE 4 review
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Michael Josh: The Apple AirPods Pro 3 refines an already excellent formula with even better sound and noise cancellation while keeping the same launch price. For iPhone users, it remains the most complete and seamless earbuds experience.
WATCH: Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
QCY H3S
Vincenz: The QCY H3S proves that great sound doesn’t need a premium price tag. Clean design, impressive audio, and accessible pricing make it one of the strongest budget headphones of the year.
Dyson OnTrac
MJ: The Dyson OnTrac earns its place as a lifestyle statement piece that excels at silence and comfort. While sound lovers may look elsewhere, it resonates with those who value design and aesthetics.
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic
MJ: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch8 Classic blends timeless watch aesthetics with modern smartwatch intelligence. This is for users who want health tracking and smart features wrapped in a design that still feels traditional and refined.
READ: Life with the Galaxy Ecosystem
JBL Tour One M3
Levi: The JBL Tour One M3 delivers rich, dynamic sound and strong noise cancellation at a price that feels justified. This is a confident all-rounder for listeners who want immersive audio without excess flash.
READ: A ‘Silent Concert’ experience with the JBL Tour One M3
Shokz OpenFit 2+
MJ: The Shokz OpenFit 2+ stands out by supporting movement, spartial awareness, and all-day comfort without compromise. For active lifestyles, it becomes less of a gadget and more of a constant companion.
Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro
Luigi: With the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro, elegant design and impressive audio quality meet at a midrange price that feels generous. It’s a stylish open-ear option that doesn’t sacrifice listening enjoyment.
READ: Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro
Huawei Watch Fit 4
MJ: The Huawei Watch Fit 4 focuses squarely on fitness with accurate tracking, long battery life, and compatibility with different smartphones. This makes it an accessible training partner that keeps things light and reliable.
WATCH: Huawei Watch Fit 4 review
moto buds loop
Luigi: The moto Buds Loop’s ear-loop design, Bose-tuned audio, and smart voice features create a wearable that feels forward-looking and fashion-aware. It earns its place for blending sound and style in a fresh way.
READ: The moto buds loop comes with real Swarovski crystals
Which one’s your pick?
Our Favorite Wearables of 2025 aren’t chasing perfection. They’re chosen because they fit real lives.
Some are affordable wins, and some are luxury splurges. Some might be emotional purchases, but most of it became daily essentials.
What they all share is simple: They showed up when it mattered. And that, more than any spec or trend, is what makes a wearable truly worth wearing.
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