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2025 is nearly over, and with just one day left of the year, there's no better time to start thinking about your goals for the new year. ZDNET's expert staff has tested numerous gadgets and gizmos this year, ranging from smartphones, laptops, TVs, AI, software, and beyond. 

Also: 5 tech splurges I thought I'd regret in 2025 (but now can't live without)

But as ZDNET's deals and shopping expert, my favorite items to share with readers are the tech products that can truly upgrade our everyday lives. The best tech to purchase ahead of 2026 is any that helps you accomplish your goals or develop a better routine.  Here are my favorite wellness gadgets to kickstart new goals in the new year -- and some of these products are even on sale. Happy New Year, dear readers! 

My favorite wellness gadgets for 2026 

Brick is an app-compatible way to curb screen time. Wearables expert Nina Raemont has been using her Brick to reduce her smartphone use, and loves it so much that she's included it on her gift recommendations for her own friends. 

Here's how it works. Upon downloading the app, a person selects the apps they want to disable once their phone is "bricked." Brick utilizes NFC technology, which is also found in contactless payments, digital wallets like Apple Pay, and secure access controls, such as digital keycards used to gain entry into buildings, to turn app use on and off. Tapping the brick, or "bricking," blocks the use of these apps until the phone is tapped once again and "unbricked."

Also: I bricked my iPhone to prevent doomscrolling - and accidentally fixed my life

You can set up schedules to block apps during specific times of the day and modes to block certain kinds of apps. Raemont says it's a game-changer for reducing mobile device use. Brick was one of ZDNET's top-selling products during Black Friday, and it's currently on sale for $53 (save $6). 

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If you want to get organized and alleviate the stress of personal and family planning in 2026, a smart calendar could be a valuable tool for you. Smart home expert Maria Diaz says this wall-mounted smart calendar from Skylight has been a game-changer in her home, making a significant difference. 

Also: This wall-mounted smart calendar has been a game-changer in my home

"The Skylight Calendar is a 15-inch smart display that looks like a high-end tablet. It runs an Android-based OS and displays a calendar at all times. The Calendar can be placed on a table or shelf, or mounted to the wall," Diaz says. "Using the Skylight app on my phone, I can add events, chores, and dinner plans and create lists for everyone to see on the wall calendar within seconds.' 

The Skylight calendar is $30 off at Skylight through Jan 3, 2026. 

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Sleep is essential for maintaining physical and mental wellness, and too much (or too little) can quickly alter your mood. If you struggle to wake up with typical alarm clocks or smartphone alerts, sunrise options, like the Hatch Restore 3, could be the perfect solution. 

Expert Allison Murray reviewed the Restore 3 and the previous Restore 2, and Murray says the Restore 3 offers some promising upgrades that have elevated the user experience. 

Also: This sunrise alarm clock helped improve my sleep routine

"The Hatch app's bedtime rituals are noticeably better than the previous version, and there are a lot more routines to choose from. You can choose from a meditation, a bedtime story, ASMR, an in-bed stretching sequence, or even a podcast to set the tone for bedtime. By using these routines, I was able to stop scrolling my phone for a good hour before drifting off to sleep," Murray says in her review. 

I recently got my own Hatch Restore 3, and while I've only used it a few nights over the Christmas holidays so far, I am already enjoying not being tethered to my phone's alarm before bed and in the morning. 

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Reading is a great way to keep your brain sharp, entertain yourself, and learn new things. Many individuals commit to reading more ahead of a new year, and a Kindle device can make that goal easier. I acquired my own Kindle Paperwhite last year, and it makes picking up a book (and taking one with me) effortless. 

Also: The base model Kindle is the e-reader most people should buy

Expert Nina Raemont recommends the base model Kindle for most people, and at $110, it's the most affordable out of Amazon's lineup. The base model Kindle, updated in 2024, is thin and light, and even more colorful than its predecessors (with a new matcha green colorway). It also offers up to six weeks of battery life, a brighter front light, a higher contrast ratio, and a faster page-turn rate than earlier models. Raemont says it's a great choice for everyday, no-fuss readers. 

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A $350 smart ring (with a $70 annual subscription) isn't cheap. But wearables expert Nina Raemont says Oura's smart ring really is the best -- and she's tested them all. 

Oura's sleep, stress, and exercise-tracking smart ring excels in all areas. "It discreetly and accurately measures my sleep, and offers helpful insights each morning explaining how and why my sleep was great or poor. I've learned about what keeps me from falling asleep quickly, whether that's a heavy meal or a few alcoholic drinks before bed, because of Oura's helpful analysis and explanations," Raemont says.

Also: Oura Ring 4 review

The ring can measure stress throughout the day and your daily stress level's overall impact on your health. Oura's Symptom Radar can help detect illnesses, and there are also integrations across different apps and products, such as Dexcom's Stelo, a continuous glucose monitor, or Natural Cycles, a hormone-free menstrual cycle tracker. Take control of your health and wellness in 2026 with a smart ring. 

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If you've been eyeing sleep earbuds but don't want to spend a lot of cash to improve your nights in 2026, the Loop Dream earplugs may be what you need. Loop's Dream earplugs are only $50, much cheaper than sleep earbud options from Soundcore or Ozlo, and expert Nina Raemont was pretty impressed when she tested a pair in her Brooklyn apartment. 

"Maybe all you want is silence -- no ambient noise or music or Bluetooth connection to whisk you away to slumber. If that's the case, I 100% recommend these earplugs to get that job done," Raemont says in her review. 

Also: These $50 earplugs replaced my $300 sleep earbuds

Raemont also notes that these earplugs sit comfortably and inconspicuously in the ears and are ideal for side sleepers. 

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