CES 2026 is currently a sea of “AI slop.” Walk ten feet in the Las Vegas Convention Center and you’ll find a toaster that uses ChatGPT to brown your bread or a $4,000 humanoid robot that promises to fold your laundry (but usually just falls over). It’s exhausting, expensive, and, let’s be honest, mostly useless for the average person.
But if you look past the 100-inch Micro-LED screens that cost more than a house, there is a different side to the show. I spent the morning hunting down the “small tech”, the gadgets that solve real problems, fit in your pocket, and don’t require a monthly AI subscription to function.
After testing dozens of prototypes, I’ve narrowed it down to three specific gadgets that I would actually spend my own money on.
My CES 2026 Value Picks
- The Return of a Legend: The Pebble Round 2 is back with a 2-week battery life.
- The Pocket Library: DuRoBo Krono, a 6.1-inch e-reader that is literally phone-sized.
- The Productivity Beast: Clicks Power Keyboard, which adds physical buttons and a battery to your iPhone.
1. The Pebble Round 2 ($199)
While Apple and Samsung are busy trying to make smartwatches into “wrist computers,” the new Pebble Round 2 goes the opposite direction. I wore this for an hour on the show floor, and the e-paper display is a breath of fresh air.
It doesn’t beep, it doesn’t glow like a second smartphone, and it lasts 14 days on a single charge. In an era of “notification fatigue,” this felt like the first smart device that actually gave me time back.
2. DuRoBo Krono E-Reader ($279)
I have always hated carrying a bulky Kindle in my back pocket. The DuRoBo Krono solves this with a 6.1-inch HD e-ink screen. It’s the size of an iPhone 16 but weighs half as much.
My Take: If you are trying to “digital detox” in 2026 but still need to read on the subway, this is the gadget of the year. The 300 ppi screen is crisp, and unlike your phone, it won’t distract you with Instagram pings.
3. Clicks Power Keyboard ($79 Early Bird)
Clicks made waves last year, but the 2026 Power Keyboard is the final version of the dream. It’s a physical QWERTY case that now includes a built-in 2,150 mAh battery.
I typed this paragraph using the prototype at the Clicks booth. The tactile “click” is incredibly satisfying, and it frees up 50% of your screen real estate by removing the iOS software keyboard. It’s the closest we’ll ever get to a modern BlackBerry.
| Feature | Pebble Round 2 | DuRoBo Krono | Clicks Power Keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Distraction-Free Watch | Phone-Sized E-Reader | Tactile Typing + Power |
| Display | 1.3″ Color E-Paper | 6.1″ E-Ink (300 ppi) | N/A (Physical Keys) |
| Battery Spec | 14-Day Battery Life | 3,950 mAh (Weeks) | 2,150 mAh Built-in |
| Special Tech | Open Source Pebble OS | Open Android 13 | MagSafe / Qi2 Slider |
| CES Price | $199 | $279 | $79 (Early Bird) |
| Availability | Pre-order (May Ship) | Available Late Jan | Pre-order (Spring Ship) |
Why “Small Tech” Wins in 2026
We are all tired of hearing the word “AI” every five seconds. My experience at CES today proved that the most exciting innovations aren’t happening in the cloud—they are happening in our pockets. These three devices prove that tech can still be helpful, tactile, and affordable.