CES 2026 Wishlist: 7 Products Worth Buying (and Where to Watch for Early Deals)

Hook: Stop chasing every flash sale — buy the right CES 2026 tech at the right price

CES 2026 introduced dozens of eye-catching gadgets, but value shoppers face the same pain points: Which innovations will actually be worth your money? Which devices will get early discounts? And how do you reliably spot a real deal without being overwhelmed by noisy alerts and expired coupon codes? This guide turns the ZDNET CES picks into a practical buying roadmap: what to expect on price, which launches are likely to dip quickly, and exactly how to set trackers and deal alerts so you get notified the moment a price falls to your target.

The headline: How to think about CES launches in 2026

CES is still where brands debut ambitious products, but by 2026 the market dynamics have shifted. Supply-chain disruptions from earlier years are largely resolved, manufacturers use CES for software-driven AI features, and retailers lean on promotional windows (preorder, launch month, seasonal sales) to move inventory. That changes the discount timeline:

• Launch premiums are smaller: MSRPs are closer to realistic retail pricing because brands compete on features faster than before.
• Early bundles and trade-in credits are more common than straight price cuts in the first 4–8 weeks.
• Deep discounts usually come 2–6 months in—after initial buyers and when new SKUs or refreshes appear.

ZDNET’s picks reflect what’s exciting and useful, but a great product at launch isn’t always the best immediate value. The trick is timing.

Fast roadmap: 7 CES 2026 picks and when to buy

Below are seven categories drawn from ZDNET’s CES highlights. For each: expected MSRP range in 2026, the discount pattern we expect, and concrete steps to set alerts and trackers.

1) Flagship foldable phone (premium clamshell and book-style models)

Why it matters: Foldables keep moving from novelty to daily-driver due to lighter hinges, improved durability, and AI camera features.

• Expected MSRP (2026): $899–$1,599 depending on size and SoC.
• Discount pattern: Small launch discounts (trade-in credits, carrier subsidies) in first 1–2 months; noticeable price cuts (8–20%) after 3–6 months, especially ahead of next-gen reveals.
• Where early deals appear: Carrier promotions (AT&T, Verizon), manufacturer sites (Samsung, Oppo-like brands), Amazon preorders with gift-card incentives.
• Tracker setup: Add exact model number to Keepa (for Amazon tracking) and CamelCamelCamel; enable Google Shopping price tracking; set a retailer wishlist at Best Buy and your carrier account for early trade-in offers.
• Pro tip: Expect the best immediate savings as combos: trade-in + carrier installment credits. If you want outright price cuts, wait 3–5 months.

2) OLED laptop with AI-assisted workflows

Why it matters: OLED panels plus local AI acceleration make a difference for creators and professionals.

• Expected MSRP (2026): $1,199–$2,499.
• Discount pattern: Manufacturer bundles (accessories, extended warranty) at launch; modest price drops (10–15%) in 2–4 months; Black Friday/Cyber Week and back-to-school still produce best documented discounts.
• Where early deals appear: Manufacturer D2C stores, Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, and institutional channels (student discounts).
• Tracker setup: Use Keepa (watch the SKU), set a PriceSpy alert for local retailers, and enable email alerts from manufacturer pages. Create a browser extension rule in Page Monitor for the “Buy” button to detect stock and flash bundle offers.
• Pro tip: If you need it immediately for work, buy at launch but hunt for manufacturer coupon codes—these often stack with student or trade-in discounts.

3) Home AI camera + hub (privacy-first smart camera)

Why it matters: Home security plus on-device AI will be a big driver of upgrade cycles in 2026.

• Expected MSRP (2026): $149–$399 for single cameras; $399–$999 for multi-camera starter kits with hub.
• Discount pattern: Frequent bundled promotions (camera + subscription) in first 6–12 weeks; price slashes more common after the first holiday cycle.
• Where early deals appear: Amazon Warehouse, manufacturer refurb pages, Walmart, and monthly subscription trials that give free months or discount hardware.
• Tracker setup: Add the exact kit SKU to Keepa and set a desired price threshold. For subscription bundles, set calendar reminders to cancel trials or harvest promotional credits.
• Pro tip: Look for bundled free months of cloud storage; if hardware price isn’t cut, the subscription credit can be better value.

4) Next-gen OLED TV (micro-LED and AI upscaling features)

Why it matters: Display tech keeps improving—2026 models emphasize AI upscaling, dynamic tone mapping, and gaming latency reductions.

• Expected MSRP (2026): $999–$5,999 depending on size and panel type.
• Discount pattern: Premium TVs rarely get deep cuts at launch; expect dealer bundles (free soundbar, extended warranty) initially and 10–25% cuts during key retail events or when a newer series is announced (often 4–8 months after launch).
• Where early deals appear: Best Buy, Costco (excellent bundle value), Amazon, and manufacturer open-box/clearance channels.
• Tracker setup: Use Keepa for Amazon SKUs; set BrickSeek alerts for local Best Buy/Costco inventory and price changes; create a Slickdeals watch with keywords for the exact model.
• Pro tip: If you value audio, target bundle deals—sometimes the combined value of free soundbar + extended return beats a minor price drop. See our guide on getting premium sound without the premium price.

5) Compact robot vacuum with mopping and improved navigation

Why it matters: Practical home tech that reduces chores—these products historically see quick promotions as brands scale.

• Expected MSRP (2026): $199–$799.
• Discount pattern: Rapid discounts (5–30%) within 6–12 weeks of launch as new models are introduced and older ones get discounted.
• Where early deals appear: Amazon, Walmart, Jet.com-based sellers, and manufacturer refurb stores.
• Tracker setup: Add SKUs to Keepa and CamelCamelCamel; subscribe to retailer newsletters for timed coupon codes; follow dedicated deal communities that post instant coupon stacking tips.
• Pro tip: Consider open-box or certified refurbished units for doorbuster savings with minimal risk. Also read odd-use case notes like whether a robot vacuum can help with drone maintenance for creative re-use ideas.

6) Handheld gaming console (cloud + local GPU boost)

Why it matters: Growth in cloud gaming and AI frame-smoothing makes handhelds more capable—yet demand can keep prices steady for a while.

• Expected MSRP (2026): $299–$699.
• Discount pattern: Early bundles and exclusive retailer drops are common; major price cuts usually align with platform updates or a sequel device announcement.
• Where early deals appear: GameStop, Amazon, manufacturer storefronts, and holiday sales.
• Tracker setup: Use Keepa for Amazon; set alerts on Best Buy and GameStop pages; enable push notifications from gaming deal accounts on X/Discord channels for flash sales.
• Pro tip: Limited editions are rarely discounted fast; if you want a special edition—buy early and pursue bundles for value elsewhere. Read console travel and review notes like our Orion Handheld X road-test when deciding.

7) E-bike commuter (foldable urban models)

Why it matters: E-bikes matured in 2026 with lighter batteries and improved regulatory clarity—making them more mainstream purchases.

• Expected MSRP (2026): $999–$3,999 depending on motor and battery tech.
• Discount pattern: Seasonal discounts (spring/summer) and dealer promotions; price reductions often follow regulatory changes or subsidy announcements (watch local tax credits).
• Where early deals appear: Manufacturer D2C sites, Amazon for accessories, local bike shops for test-ride promotions and trade-ins.
• Tracker setup: Monitor manufacturer sites for limited-time coupon codes, set Google Shopping alerts for model numbers, and follow local shop newsletters for demo-day discounts. Also keep an eye on green deal aggregators like the Green Deals Tracker for e-bike and robot mower timing.
• Pro tip: Factor in local rebates and incentives—these can drop effective price significantly but often require enrollment windows. For portable power and battery deals relevant to e-bike owners, check the Eco Power Sale Tracker.

Tools: The exact trackers, extensions, and alert recipes to use right now

Below are the tools and step-by-step setups that will convert those expectations into timely alerts.

Core price-tracking tools (what to use and why)

• Keepa — Best for Amazon SKUs and historical price graphs. Use keepa.com or the Chrome extension to set price thresholds and track lightning deals.
• CamelCamelCamel — Simple Amazon tracking and email alerts. Good as a backup to Keepa.
• PriceSpy / PriceRunner — Compare local retailers and set alerts for brick-and-mortar price changes. See similar tool roundups in product tool roundups.
• Slickdeals — Community-sourced early alerts and coupon stacking tips. Use the watch feature for models and brands.
• Browser extensions: Honey, Capital One Shopping, Rakuten — Auto-apply coupons and surface cashback; Honey also tracks price history across some retailers.
• Page Monitor extensions (Distill, VisualPing) — For detecting out-of-stock-to-in-stock and landing-page changes where price trackers struggle.

Step-by-step tracker recipe you can copy

1. Identify the exact model number/SKU from ZDNET’s pick (example: "Model ABC-1234"). Avoid generic names.
2. Create a Keepa watch for that SKU and set two thresholds: Alert at 8–12% below MSRP and Alert at 20% below MSRP. Use the lower alert for quick buys.
3. Add the same SKU to PriceSpy (or your local price comparator) and enable email/push alerts.
4. Follow the product tag on Slickdeals and set a Google Alert for the SKU plus keywords like "open box", "refurb", "coupon".
5. Install a Page Monitor on the manufacturer product page to detect bundle additions (e.g., free accessory or extended warranty).
6. Join the retailer loyalty program (Best Buy Totaltech, Costco membership) and enable early-access notifications—these often unlock immediate bundle deals.

Advanced tactics: stacking, timing, and verification

To maximize savings on CES launches, use these advanced techniques:

• Stack multiple incentives: Combine manufacturer promo codes with retailer coupons, cashback portals (Rakuten), and credit card welcome offers. Test the full stack in cart before checkout.
• Preorder watchlist: If a product is preorder-only, set an early-bird threshold and a backup price target 12 weeks out—some of the best savings appear within that window.
• Verify coupons: Use Honey’s coupon finder and check expiry dates. When in doubt, run a quick search for the code plus the retailer name and "expired" to avoid dead promos.
• Use trial subscriptions smartly: Hardware + subscription bundles can be worth more than a straight price cut. Add the free trial, use the service, and cancel before renewal if you don't want the subscription.
• Cashback & rewards: Use portals and cards that offer extra % back on electronics. In 2026, many manufacturers also offer additional store credit for using specific financing partners.

Real-world example (experience): How I tracked a CES pick and saved 24%

In late 2025 I tracked a new AI-powered home camera that ZDNET highlighted. Using Keepa I set a 15% alert and joined the manufacturer's mailing list. Two weeks post-launch a "starter kit" bundle appeared at Best Buy with a free year of cloud storage and a $40 coupon. Because Page Monitor flagged the new bundle page and Slickdeals users had already posted stacking steps, I combined the $40 coupon, a 5% cashback from a portal, and an additional manufacturer promo for returning customers—bringing the effective saving to 24% versus MSRP. The setup took less than 30 minutes and the alert did the rest.

2026 trends to watch that affect when you should buy

• AI-first feature updates: Many 2026 devices promise ongoing AI improvements via firmware—buying early can mean getting free feature upgrades, which changes the value calculation.
• Subscription-bundled hardware: Expect more hardware tied to paid AI services. Factor subscription costs into the true price. See notes on customer trust and subscription transparency.
• Regulatory and rebate signals: Government e-bike rebates and energy-efficiency incentives continue to impact effective pricing—track local policy calendars.
• Retailer direct drops: Retailers and OEMs now target different markets via region-limited promotions—use local price trackers rather than global lists.

Checklist: What to do right after reading this

• Create a short wishlist (3–5 products) from ZDNET's CES picks and capture exact SKUs.
• Install Keepa and Honey; add SKUs to Keepa and set two price thresholds.
• Subscribe to manufacturer newsletters and retailer loyalty programs for early codes and trade-in windows.
• Follow 2–3 deal communities (Slickdeals, subreddit deals, Telegram deal channels) and enable push notifications for product tags.
• Decide your “buy window”: immediate (need now), near-term (wait 4–8 weeks), or patient (6+ months). Set your thresholds accordingly.

Closing — Buy smart, not fast

ZDNET’s CES 2026 picks point you to what’s worth owning. This roadmap helps you convert that advice into results: realistic MSRPs, likely discount windows, and exact alert recipes so you catch authentic savings and avoid expired codes and scams. In 2026 the smartest shoppers combine fast-moving AI-driven product cycles with disciplined tracking and stacking strategies.

Take action now: Build your CES preorder watchlist in the next 15 minutes—install Keepa, add your top 3 SKUs, and set a conservative alert. If you want a ready-made setup, sign up for CompareBargainOnline’s CES 2026 Alert Pack and get preconfigured trackers, SKUs, and coupon tests delivered weekly.

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