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The annual Consumer Electronics Show brings together the most innovative audio products and home entertainment gear that shapes the year to come and beyond.

And in 2026, well-established tech and audio giants, new innovators and startup companies brought their latest and greatest products to Las Vegas during the first week of January to wow and impress audiophiles and music fans from all around the world.

To track top trends during CES 2026, Billboard rounded up the best of the best in categories from home audio to home theater, headphones to auto entertainment and more.

We put together a list of the best audio innovations the team found at the Las Vegas Convention Center that make our favorite songs sound better at home, in our cars and in our ears. We even spotted a pair of premium and high-performance bookshelf speakers that are the ones to buy this year.

Scroll down and check out our picks for the best audio gear of CES 2026, below.

The Cleer Audio ARC 4 Series with THX-Certified audio are our pick for best earbuds during CES 2026. The wireless earbuds’ impressive design with Dolby Atmos Head Tracking Spatial Audio that makes it possible for these buds to rest comfortably on your open ears without losing audio quality with crisp tones and deep and thumping bass. Priced at $129.99, these earbuds feature up to 34 hours of playback per charge for all-day (and then some) audio.

The MSI Maestro 500 wireless gaming headset has a stylish and sleek design that’s not bulky or blocky, but rather comfortable and lightweight on the head. The Maestro 500 delivers top-notch audio with full-spectrum clarity for 3D sound, thanks to its 40mm drivers inside. The headset features a hidden unidirectional microphone, so it goes away when you don’t need it, but can easily comes back when you do. The comfortable and smooth cooling mesh ear pads are made from premium leatherette for long gaming sessions, especially with its up to an unreal 100 hours battery per charge. The MSI Maestro 500 is a serious gaming headset for serious gamers.

Samsung introduced the Music Studio during CES 2026. The new Wi-Fi speakers deliver rich and premium audio, wirelessly. It comes in two models the smaller Music Studio 5 (LS50H) for home audio and the larger Music Studio 7 (LS70H) for home theater entertainment. The 5 has a rounded design that’s best for smaller rooms, while the 7 has a boxy build that’s ideal for large spaces.

Both are tuned by Samsung Audio Lab for robust and full audio, feature AI Dynamic Bass Control that deepens sound without distortion and cast music via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless connectivity. However, the 7 stands out with 3D immersion listening experiences, 3.1.1-channel spatial audio and can support Hi-Resolution Audio.

If you’re looking to build out or upgrade your audio system in 2026, the Samsung Music Studio offers high-performance and immaculate sound with elegant design for your home.

The Fender Mix Headphones sit at the cross-section of high-performance audio and endless customizable style and cool, as a unique fashion statement. The headphones feature standout premium and studio-grade audio with high-resolution crystal clear and rich, in which Fender is known, while bass is booming and thumping. They feature wireless or wired (via USB-C) connectivity for lossless audio, or just listening to your favorite music and podcast with style, while the Mix comes with active noise-cancelation and spatial 360-degree audio for deep immersion.

Meanwhile, the Fender Mix Headphones has up to a whopping 100 hours of battery life per charge, which is one of the reasons why we picked these as part of our best of CES 2026 lineup.

TCL has an affinity for premium audio by Bang & Olufsen. The TCL A65K Design Series Soundbar certainly delivers an HD experience with its 6.5-inch subwoofer, as the entirely wireless 3.1.2 speaker system features detachable components that are strategically positioned around your home theater space for immersive Dolby Audio. It boasts Bluetooth connectivity, so you can sync a smartphone for music streaming from anywhere around the home.

If you want to fill a room with high quality audio, then the Onkyo Muse Y-40 Amplifier is the solution to rich and deep music in your home. It’s a Hi-Fi centerpiece that works as an amp for your speakers to boost your favorite songs. The Muse Y-40 works as an audio streaming device for Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and other music streaming services.

In 2026, Onkyo is celebrating its 80th anniversary, so the Onkyo Muse Y-40 Amplifier is one of many other high-performance amps and speakers offered during CES. We picked the Onkyo Muse Y-40 because of its ease of use and setup, as well as its awesome power suited for smaller homes and apartments.

The Klipsch’s Sevens II speakers are best for a luxurious home audio or home theater setup, while their premium and sleek design that enhances sound that’s expertly tuned and powered by Onkyo, a Japanese audio company. Equipped with a wide range of digital and analog ports, the Sevens II features immersive listening experiences, thanks to Dolby Atmos support that fill a room with high fidelity sound. In addition, this set of bookshelf speakers — which have wired and wireless compatibility — that look as good as they sound in delivering the best home audio that you can actually feel.

Elevate your home audio with the Victrola Soundstage, a premium and minimal, yet modern turntable that features best-in-class sound, advanced Bluetooth for wireless connectivity and Auracast multi-connect audio to broadcast music to headphones, earbuds and speakers. The turntable has crystal clear and immersive audio with deep bass without skipping, thanks to its unique design that down-fires audio, so it doesn’t interrupt your favorite songs.

The Victrola Soundstage is perfect for first-time vinyl listeners or tried and true audiophiles alike. The Victrola Soundstage comes out summer 2026 and retails for $349.99.

First releasing in the year 2000, the Harman Kardon SoundSticks are a high-end Bluetooth speaker system that’s designed for living rooms and desktops setups. In fact, it was co-developed by Apple for the original iMac. And aftermore than 25 years, Harman Kardon has refreshed the line with the Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5.

The system retains its classic early 2000s transparent design, but updates its audio with clarity, richness and immersion. Equipped with 2.1-channel Bluetooth or HDMI connectivity, the Harman Kardon SoundSticks 5’s dual four-tweeter speakers and up-firing subwoofer delivers perfect sound with punchy and thumping bass. It’s expected for release in 2026.

From its top-notch range of 4K TVs and digital projectors to its reliable kitchen appliances and air conditioners, Hisense is known for its premium home theater audio with spectacular sound and advanced features. The Hisense AX5140Q Home Audio System certainly delivers an HD audio experience with its premium soundbar, 6.5-inch subwoofer and a pair of satellite speakers for surround sound.

The entirely wireless soundbar system features detachable units that can be strategically positioned around your home theater space and 4K TV for immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. The Hisense AX5140Q boasts Bluetooth connectivity, so you can hook up your smartphone for music streaming.

Truthfully, most soundbars sit stagnant when you’re not watching movies or TV. Focal’s MU-SO Hekla is designed as an all-in-one music streamer and soundbar. Featuring Dolby Atmos, the Naim-powered soundbar features dedicated modes for music and movies. It’s compatible with Google Cast, AirPlay and HomeKit, and features Bluetooth. You can connect directly using music streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal or Qobuz.

SVS has long been known for bringing the bass with its acclaimed subwoofers, and its latest launch is the upgraded 3000 R|Evolution Series Subwoofers. The brand boosted the subwoofer’s power by 40%, increasing from 800 watts to over 1200 watts of continuous power. SVS is also launching a micro version of its subwoofer, which is ideal for bass enthusiasts looking to save space, as well as a new soundbar.

LG is continuing its collaboration with Will.i.am with new releases in the xBoom line. There’s a range of new speakers, including the Stage 501, a party speaker and karaoke machine in one. As you can expect from party speakers, the Stage 501 packs colorful lighting that adjusts to match the music. Like to sing deep album cuts? LG’s Karaoke machine isn’t limited to what’s in the beer-splattered songbook; it uses AI to remove or adjust vocals from any song.

Sometimes the story goes outside the studio, which is where the MV88 USB-C comes in. The MV88 USB-C is built to be a pocket-sized companion for content creators and podcasters. The USB-C mic plugs directly into your phone, reducing the need for additional accessories. You can adjust the audio using Shure’s MOTIV apps. The mini microphone costs $159 and is available now.

Edifier is best known for making desktop speakers, but its latest compact speaker, the M90, is built to rival your soundbar. Because it has HDMI eARC, you can easily plug it into a TV for improved audio for everything from movies to sports. The M90 is stylish, boasting a minimalist design. The speakers have a total output power of 100 watts, with 4-inch mid-bass drivers and 1-inch tweeters. In addition to HDMI, you get connectivity options including USB-C, AUX and Bluetooth 6.0.

Brane is improving its speakers with new bass technology called RAD2, which the brand says enhances the sub-bass response by 30-fold. The in-the-works Brane Party Pro will be the first to feature the new tech, featuring two exposed RAD2 drivers. The Party Pro will be only the second release, following the Brane X.

The car is the ideal place to listen to music — at least in theory. The Pioneer Sphera is an aftermarket receiver that helps make the most of your car’s audio system, and it comes from a brand with over eight decades of experience in audio: Pioneer. The Sphera allows you to enable Dolby Atmos playback through Apple CarPlay, and the unit uses an included microphone to calibrate the audio to fit your car’s unique dimensions.

JBL’s latest earbuds combine its workout-forward design with open-ear awareness. The Endurance Zone features an over-ear design, with the rugged waterproofing JBL earbuds are known for. But they leave the ear canal open, keeping you comfortable and aware of your surroundings on runs, bike rides and outdoor workouts.

Powered speakers or amplifiers can be an expensive investment, but the Victrola Soundstage Speaker is designed with everyday vinyl enthusiasts in mind. The affordable speaker sits under turntables and can be connected wired or wirelessly. A vibration-isolation design prevents distortion from impacting the turntable, and the small form factor is suited for smaller spaces and apartments.

When it comes to earbuds, sometimes smaller is better. JLab’s JBuds Mini earbuds pack active noise canceling into one of the tiniest cases and earbuds we’ve seen. The JBuds Mini are 30 percent smaller than the already svelte JLab Go Pop+ and the case is half the size. If you struggle to find earbuds that fit small ears, the JBuds Mini ANC might be what you’re looking for.

There’s a new sheriff in town. Hot 97 announced on Monday (Jan. 12) that The Kid Mero will be hosting the morning show at the NYC radio station following Ebro in the Morning‘s dismissal in December.

Mero won’t be wasting any time as Mornings With Mero is set to debut on Tuesday (Jan. 13). The morning show will be Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. ET to 10 a.m. ET going forward.

“I will be with y’all faithfully every Monday through Friday from six to 10, you know what I mean. The most consistent voice in your life,” Mero said in the announcement clip. “More consistent than your parents, which is crazy to say as a radio host because you might have good parents, but if you got bad parents, I’m your daddy now. Mornings With Mero, baby, lock in.”

Mero added in a press statement: “Hot 97 is the station — it’s been the voice of NYC hip-hop and culture for decades. I grew up listening to Hot 97, so to get the morning slot here isn’t just a job—it’s a responsibility to continue that legacy while bringing it into this next era of media. We’re gonna laugh, we’re gonna get into it, but it’s always gonna be real, and a real good time!”

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Funk Flex lent his stamp of approval in the comment section. “We all family! We rolling,” he wrote. NBA Hall-of-Famer Carmelo Anthony, Nems and Cousin Stizz also saluted the move.

Mero saw his profile rise while co-hosting Desus & Mero from 2016 through 2022, when the comedic duo split. Mero is currently a co-host of the 7PM in Brooklyn show with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony and Kazeem Famuyide.

“Hot 97 has always been about representing the culture of New York, and Mero is New York,” said Kudjo Sogadzi, evp of content & growth at MediaCo. “He’s authentic, hilarious, fearless, and deeply connected to the community. Hot 97 Mornings with Mero is going to set the tone for the city every morning and create must-listen moments for our audience.”

Ebro in the Morning came to a close in December after 13 years on the Hot 97 airwaves. Ebro Darden led the program alongside co-hosts Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez.

After Mero, DJ Drewski will be on the air from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Nessa from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then Funk Flex will take over for the 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift.

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Cardi B was watching along with millions of New England Patriots fans on Sunday night (Jan. 11) while cheering on her boyfriend, Stefon Diggs, and the Pats, who cruised to a 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Cardi posted a video to her Instagram Story once the victory was secured, as she trolled the Chargers about sending the team on an early vacation to Mexico since their season was done, and she had some recommendations for their travel accommodations.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” she said. “Take them to Tulum! They want to go to Tulum on Delta. Put them on Delta!”

Cardi posted another video to X featuring Tyra Banks from an episode of America’s Next Top Model. “How many people were scared? Me too, I was really, really scared,” Banks, who hosted the modeling reality competition show, tells the cast in the clip.

The Bronx native’s worries were calmed by the fourth quarter when the Pats extended their lead to 13 points. “My Pat nation family how we feeling tonight?….we did that,” she added in her caption.

Diggs had a quiet game, as he was held to 16 yards on just two receptions. However, the star wide receiver showed off his leadership with an epic pre-game speech.

“Hey, be violent, man. Be smart, but when in doubt, crash the f—k out. Ain’t nobody like us, ain’t nobody believe in us. I like us, lay it out on the line for your brother, man,” he told his teammates in a clip shared by the team.

I LIKE US pic.twitter.com/nPdAQRLAIf

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 12, 2026

Next up, the Patriots are awaiting the winner of the Monday (Jan. 12) Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans game to find out who their next opponent will be. The Pats will welcome either the Steelers or Texans to Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 18).

It remains to be seen if Cardi B will be in attendance next weekend. She’s currently in rehearsals for her upcoming Little Miss Drama Tour, which kicks off in California on Feb. 11.

Watch the highlights from the Chargers vs. Patriots game below:

Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, co-founding guitarist of English rock band Black Midi, has died after a “long battle with his mental health,” according to a statement from his family. He was 26 years old.

The news comes via the family’s statement, as shared by Black Midi’s label, Rough Trade Records, on X on Monday (Jan. 12). “A talented musician and a kind, loving man finally succumbed; despite all efforts,” the message reads. “He will always be loved. Please take a moment to check in with your loved ones so we can stop this happening to our young men.”

Rough Trade also shared a message extending its “deepest sympathy to the Kwasniewski-Kelvin family,” calling the guitarist “an incredibly talented person who will be truly missed.”

Black Midi first rose to prominence in 2019 after developing a following in London, playing gigs at Windmill Brixton. Before Kwasniewski-Kelvin and his bandmates — vocalist Geordie Greep, bassist Cameron Picton and drummer Morgan Simpson — even released their debut album that year, they’d already drummed up enough demand to embark on a tour of Europe and the United States.

Schlagenheim dropped in July 2019 via Rough Trade, giving the world its first sample of Black Midi’s blend of experimental rock. It was followed by Cavalcade in 2021 and Hellfire in 2022, the latter of which debuted at No. 13 on Billboard‘s Top Alternative Albums chart and led to Black Midi topping the Emerging Artists ranking. By that time, however, Kwasniewski-Kelvin had already stepped back from the group, exiting the band after its first album due to him feeling “mentally unwell,” he shared in a statement at the time.

The band was last active in 2023, touring the U.S., Asia, Europe and Latin America before disbanding in 2024.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or substance abuse disorders, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration‘s national helpline 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential treatment referrals and information. For those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or distress, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. You can also call or text 988 to get connected to trained counselors.

Djo’s “End of Beginning” bounds five spots to No. 1 the Billboard Global 200 chart, becoming the biggest song in the world for the first time.

Djo, who earns his first leader on the list, is the musical performing name of Joe Keery, of Netflix’s Stranger Things, with the song soaring following the series’ Dec. 31 finale (although it is not heard in the episode). It originally hit No. 3 in March 2024.

Meanwhile, the track, which Keery solely wrote and co-produced, is the second to top the Global 200 thanks to a tie-in to Stranger Things, which is set in the ‘80s: In 2022, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God),” from 1985, ruled both the Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, for three weeks and one week each, sparked by its synch in the show’s fourth season.

Another ‘80s classic featured in a past Stranger Things season hits the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. top 10 for the first time this week: The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” surges 16-9 and 14-9, respectively. The song, featured in the series’ second and fourth seasons, is the first top 10 on the charts for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, which split in 1984 (ahead of multiple mini-reunions). The ballad dominated the U.S.-based Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks in 1983 and wrapped at No. 1 on that year-end recap.

Concurrently, Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” rebounds a spot for a fourth week atop Global Excl. U.S.

The Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by Luminate. The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the United States.

Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.

“End of Beginning” tops the Global 200 with 80.7 million streams (up 85%) and 10,000 sold (up 185%) worldwide Jan. 2-8.

“Every Breath You Take” gained by 11% to 35.8 million streams worldwide in the tracking week.

“The Fate of Ophelia” falls to No. 2 on the Global 200 after four weeks at No. 1 starting in October; “Golden,” by HUNTR/X, the singing trio of EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI — from another hit Netflix property, KPop Demon Hunters — slips 2-3 after 18 weeks at No. 1 beginning last July; Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” holds at No. 4, after hitting No. 3; and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” descends 3-5 following 10 weeks at No. 1 beginning last May.

“The Fate of Ophelia” leads Global Excl. U.S. with 59.7 million streams (down 2%) and 5,000 sold (down 1%) outside the U.S. in the tracking week.

“End of Beginning” blasts 7-2 on Global Excl. U.S., besting its prior No. 3 peak set in April 2024; “Golden” drops to No. 3 after a record 20 weeks at No. 1 starting last July; “Man I Need” rises 5-4, after reaching No. 3; and “Ordinary” retreats 4-5 following eight weeks at No. 1 beginning last May.

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Jan. 17, 2026) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow, Jan. 13. For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.