The smart home landscape at CES 2026 has shifted gears. Rather than chasing bizarre new product categories, the industry’s focus has pivoted toward refining core staples like smart lighting, locks, and vacuums. The standout theme isn’t just innovation; it is the long-awaited maturation of the Matter interoperability protocol.
Now that manufacturers are no longer burdened by the heavy costs of integrating with half a dozen separate ecosystems, they are redirecting those resources into two consumer-friendly areas: better features and significantly lower prices. This shift creates a more competitive and accessible market for everyday users.
Among the highlights on the show floor were the Aqara Smart Lock U400 and the Roborock Saros Rover, which took top honors for functionality. Meanwhile, Lockin’s massive wirelessly charged V7 smart lock proved to be a visual showstopper, demonstrating that even established categories are getting major upgrades.
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