Our Absolute Favorite Gadgets of 2014

iPhone 6 Plus Our favorite of the Big Phones, Apple's entry has the most beautiful design, the best software ecosystem, and one of the best cameras. The addition of mobile payment capability and its tighter integration with Mac OS X make it the best phone for Mac users. Of course, that's true for both this and the smaller version, but the palatial 5.5-inch screen on the 6 Plus is just plain killer. Alex Washburn/WIRED

iPhone 6 Plus Our favorite of the Big Phones, Apple's entry has the most beautiful design, the best software ecosystem, and one of the best cameras. The addition of mobile payment capability and its tighter integration with Mac OS X make it the best phone for Mac users. Of course, that's true for both this and the smaller version, but the palatial 5.5-inch screen on the 6 Plus is just plain killer.

Alex Washburn/WIRED

Moto X This year, Motorola gave a big upgrade to 2013's best Android phone. The result is 2014's best Android phone. The Moto X's 5.2-inch display is more manageable than the larger phablet handsets, and the near-stock version of Android Lollipop provides an exemplary user experience. A curved, hand-friendly back with customizable skin options (plastic, leather, or wood) smartens up the package. Motorola

Moto X This year, Motorola gave a big upgrade to 2013's best Android phone. The result is 2014's best Android phone. The Moto X's 5.2-inch display is more manageable than the larger phablet handsets, and the near-stock version of Android Lollipop provides an exemplary user experience. A curved, hand-friendly back with customizable skin options (plastic, leather, or wood) smartens up the package.

Motorola

Fujifilm X-T1 Most mirrorless cameras are happy being smaller, beginner-friendly, somewhat less-capable alternatives to DSLRs. But the Fujifilm X-T1 has a different goal: to reboot the DSLR entirely. Its compact, weather-sealed body is topped by a bevy of manual controls. Inside, you get an APS-C sensor, super-fast autofocus, and an OLED electronic viewfinder. It won't fit in your pocket, but for serious photogs, this is 2014's best new camera. Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

Fujifilm X-T1 Most mirrorless cameras are happy being smaller, beginner-friendly, somewhat less-capable alternatives to DSLRs. But the Fujifilm X-T1 has a different goal: to reboot the DSLR entirely. Its compact, weather-sealed body is topped by a bevy of manual controls. Inside, you get an APS-C sensor, super-fast autofocus, and an OLED electronic viewfinder. It won't fit in your pocket, but for serious photogs, this is 2014's best new camera.

Ariel Zambelich/WIRED

Audioengine B2 To create its new wireless speaker, Audioengine spun out the design of its excellent Kevlar-cone bookshelf units, essentially flipping a pair of them sideways and crafting them into one, single box. The result is a fantastic-sounding $300 stereo speaker that accepts audio from any device in your home via Bluetooth or a wired connection. The B2 is compact, loud, and, given the trio of wood finishes on offer, handsome. Audioengine

Audioengine B2 To create its new wireless speaker, Audioengine spun out the design of its excellent Kevlar-cone bookshelf units, essentially flipping a pair of them sideways and crafting them into one, single box. The result is a fantastic-sounding $300 stereo speaker that accepts audio from any device in your home via Bluetooth or a wired connection. The B2 is compact, loud, and, given the trio of wood finishes on offer, handsome.

Audioengine

Garmin Vivosmart We're wrist-deep in wearables here at the end of 2014, but Garmin's Vivosmart is the bracelet to beat. It offers the best blend of general fitness-tracking features and smartphone notifications, the latter of which it thankfully keeps spare. If you want to nerd out, you can strap on a heartrate monitor for deeper fitness tracking. Microsoft's Band is a close second, but the Vivosmart has better battery life and a sharper design. Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Garmin Vivosmart We're wrist-deep in wearables here at the end of 2014, but Garmin's Vivosmart is the bracelet to beat. It offers the best blend of general fitness-tracking features and smartphone notifications, the latter of which it thankfully keeps spare. If you want to nerd out, you can strap on a heartrate monitor for deeper fitness tracking. Microsoft's Band is a close second, but the Vivosmart has better battery life and a sharper design.

Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Kano Many have tried and failed to develop a winning educational computer for kids. Kano cracks that nut, and does so in a genius fashion. The $150 Raspberry Pi-based computer comes in pieces, and kids assemble it bit by bit, learning what each component does as they snap it together. Once it's running, the simple OS teaches them the basics. And yep, it does Minecraft. Kano

Kano Many have tried and failed to develop a winning educational computer for kids. Kano cracks that nut, and does so in a genius fashion. The $150 Raspberry Pi-based computer comes in pieces, and kids assemble it bit by bit, learning what each component does as they snap it together. Once it's running, the simple OS teaches them the basics. And yep, it does Minecraft.

Kano

Master & Dynamic MH40 We prefer big cans: the over-ear design seals in noise, which is perfect for desk-bound office workers. The construction of M&D's over-ears is all business: a steel-and-aluminum frame, fine leather, and detachable (read: replaceable) cables. Inside are 45mm neodymium drivers with a modest bass boost. The name may be foreign, but the grin you'll sprout when you pop these on is all too familiar. Master Dynamic

Master & Dynamic MH40 We prefer big cans: the over-ear design seals in noise, which is perfect for desk-bound office workers. The construction of M&D's over-ears is all business: a steel-and-aluminum frame, fine leather, and detachable (read: replaceable) cables. Inside are 45mm neodymium drivers with a modest bass boost. The name may be foreign, but the grin you'll sprout when you pop these on is all too familiar.

Master Dynamic

Samsung Gear VR Decades ago, VR pioneers first invited us to step into another world. But the clunky visuals were more Steamboat Willie than Avatar. More recently, Oculus reinvigorated VR with some truly compelling advancements. This year, the company teamed up with Samsung to develop a $200 consumer package for its VR tech. Just plop in a Galaxy Note 4, download a few apps, and set the controls for the heart of the sun. Samsung

Samsung Gear VR Decades ago, VR pioneers first invited us to step into another world. But the clunky visuals were more Steamboat Willie than Avatar. More recently, Oculus reinvigorated VR with some truly compelling advancements. This year, the company teamed up with Samsung to develop a $200 consumer package for its VR tech. Just plop in a Galaxy Note 4, download a few apps, and set the controls for the heart of the sun.

Samsung

Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display The centerpiece of the revamped iMac is its truly amazing display: a tack-sharp, 5120x2880 resolution, precisely color-calibrated panel. And of course, that's just the screen. You also get a PC with enough brawn to run all but the most demanding apps (like animation-heavy games). And though it seems high, the $2,500 base price is fairly competitive given the fancy faceplate. Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display The centerpiece of the revamped iMac is its truly amazing display: a tack-sharp, 5120x2880 resolution, precisely color-calibrated panel. And of course, that's just the screen. You also get a PC with enough brawn to run all but the most demanding apps (like animation-heavy games). And though it seems high, the $2,500 base price is fairly competitive given the fancy faceplate.

Josh Valcarcel/WIRED

LG 4K Curved OLED All of 2015's TV sets are about to debut at CES, but we're still drooling over this 77-inch LG model. Yes, it's as big as a table and, north of $20,000, as expensive as a car. But it's a moonshot—the most advanced big-screen TV you can get. The giant, curvy panel lights a path to the affordable OLED future, and the UltraHD (3840x2160 resolution) display features smart upscaling, so it'll play today's content as well as tomorrow's. LG

LG 4K Curved OLED All of 2015's TV sets are about to debut at CES, but we're still drooling over this 77-inch LG model. Yes, it's as big as a table and, north of $20,000, as expensive as a car. But it's a moonshot—the most advanced big-screen TV you can get. The giant, curvy panel lights a path to the affordable OLED future, and the UltraHD (3840x2160 resolution) display features smart upscaling, so it'll play today's content as well as tomorrow's.

LG