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.

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.

READ: Redmi Buds 6 Pro review

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.

READ: Xiaomi Watch S4 review

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.

READ: QCY MeloBuds N70 review

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.

READ: QCY H3S review

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.

READ: Dyson OnTrac review

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.

READ: Shokz OpenFit 2+ review

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.