TL;DR
A year-end rundown of the gadgets an author reached for most in 2025, focusing on practical use rather than raw specs. Highlights include docking and display accessories, a high-end mouse, a Qi 2.2 wireless charger, a heavy-duty power bank, and two Apple picks: AirPods Pro 3 and the iPhone Air.
What happened
The author reviewed and collected the devices that had the biggest impact on daily workflows and enjoyment in 2025, selecting a mix of accessories and consumer hardware rather than a pure specs contest. Standouts include the Wokyis Retro Dock for the M4 Mac mini, a nostalgia-driven dock with a small front display, an extensive port hub and an NVMe enclosure; the Sotsu FlipAction, a 16-inch portable monitor that doubles as a desk side display; and Logitech’s MX Master 4 mouse, praised for comfort and a new haptic scroll. Charging and power choices that stood out were the Kuxiu X40 Turbo, the author’s first Qi 2.2 charger test, and the EcoFlow Rapid Power Pro power bank for its high capacity and multiple high-wattage USB-C ports. For Apple devices, the author picked the AirPods Pro 3 for improved noise cancellation and tip design, and named the slim iPhone Air as the iPhone of the year for 2025.
Why it matters
- Practical accessories can significantly improve day-to-day workflows by adding ports, storage and flexible displays to compact systems.
- New charging standards like Qi 2.2 and higher-wattage USB-C power delivery are enabling faster, more compact charging solutions.
- Ergonomic input devices with modern features (haptics, multi-device pairing) can extend comfort and productivity for long desk sessions.
- Apple’s 2025 releases continued to emphasize thinness, sensor additions and incremental audio and camera improvements, shaping users’ upgrade choices.
Key facts
- Wokyis Retro Dock: announced on Kickstarter in mid-2025; built for the M4 Mac mini; includes a 5-inch built-in display and a 14-in-1 USB-C hub; built-in NVMe SSD enclosure supporting up to 8TB; listed on Amazon for $169.
- Sotsu FlipAction: 16-inch portable monitor available in Full HD or 4K; 270-degree adjustable hinge; aluminum build; includes SD card reader, mini HDMI and single-cable USB-C; starting price reported at $599 on the maker’s site.
- Logitech MX Master 4: ergonomic mouse with a haptic scroll wheel supporting horizontal scrolling, customizable gesture buttons, multi-device pairing and battery life measured in weeks; price reported at $119 on Amazon.
- Kuxiu X40 Turbo: first Qi 2.2 charger the author tested, supporting up to 25W wireless charging; foldable puck-to-stand design; charges iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch; includes adapter, cable and travel case; reported price $78.
- EcoFlow Rapid Power Pro: 27,600 mAh capacity; built-in retractable USB-C cable capable of up to 140W; three additional USB-C ports (140W + 2×65W); up to 320W combined output; LED wattage display and Bluetooth app; listed at $189 (noted as $30 off during Black Friday).
- AirPods Pro 3: called out for improved active noise cancellation, foam + silicone hybrid ear tips, up to eight hours of listening per charge, heart-rate sensor support and an improved microphone array; price noted around $199–$219 on Amazon.
- iPhone Air: selected as the author’s iPhone of the year for 2025; described as 5.6mm thin and 165g, powered by the A19 Pro chip, 48MP main camera, 120Hz ProMotion display and all-day battery for most users; renewed price noted at $849 on Amazon.
- The M4 Mac mini was mentioned but excluded from the 2025 picks because it was released in 2024.
What to watch next
- Availability and broader retail rollout for the Wokyis Retro Dock beyond Kickstarter and the Amazon listing.
- User reviews and long-term reliability reports for the Sotsu FlipAction portable monitor after wider adoption.
- Evolving adoption and accessory support for the Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard across phones and accessories.
- iPhone Fold — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Qi 2.2: A wireless charging specification that defines higher-power wireless charging and compatibility features for supported devices.
- NVMe SSD enclosure: An external housing that accepts NVMe solid-state drives, allowing high-speed storage to be connected via a host interface like USB-C.
- ProMotion display: A display technology that supports variable refresh rates up to 120Hz to provide smoother motion and responsiveness.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): A feature in headphones that uses microphones and signal processing to reduce unwanted ambient sounds.
- USB-C PD (Power Delivery): A charging protocol over USB-C that enables higher power transfer and negotiated voltages for charging a wide range of devices.
Reader FAQ
Which device was named the author’s Apple pick for 2025?
The author named the iPhone Air as the iPhone of the year and also highlighted the AirPods Pro 3 as a favorite non-phone Apple product.
Are the items mentioned available to buy now?
Some products were noted as available (examples include Amazon listings for several items and Sotsu’s site for the FlipAction), but availability may vary by region and time.
Did the author pick the M4 Mac mini as a 2025 favorite?
No — the M4 Mac mini was referenced but excluded because it was released in 2024.
Is an iPhone Fold confirmed for release next year?
Not confirmed in the source.
Here are six exciting Apple product launches to look forward to in 2026 Michael Burkhardt Dec 27 2025 I used a lot of tech products in 2025, these were my…
Sources
- I used a lot of tech products in 2025, these were my favorite
- A Few of Our Favorite Things: 2025 Tech Edition
- CNET Readers Shared Their Top 100 Tech Products …
- Engadget's best of 2025
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