Gadgets Worth Buying for Home Cooks After CES: Smarter Mixers, Displays and Smart Lamps

Hook: Stop wasting counter space on gadgets that don’t actually help

If your kitchen drawers are full of single-use gadgets and you still find yourself squinting at a tiny recipe phone screen, you’re not alone. Home cooks in the UK tell us the same things: they want reliable tools that save time, improve results and survive steamy kitchens. After CES 2026, a small number of real-world innovations stand out — not gimmicks — and they’re worth your attention. This guide cuts through the hype to tell you what to buy now, what to skip, and what’s worth waiting for.

The 2026 moment: why these gadgets matter now

Smart kitchen tech finally crossed a useful threshold in late 2025 and early 2026. Two trends you need to know:

• Practical smart features: manufacturers focused on features that help cooks — on-device recipe guidance, integrated scales, and splash-resistant designs — rather than flashy but useless extras.
• Interoperability & standards: wider support for the Matter and Thread smart-home standards in 2025–26 means smart lamps and displays play nicer with UK homes. You can expect fewer vendor-lock-in headaches when pairing lights, hubs and smart speakers.

CES 2026 reinforced those directions: smarter mixers (real motor and sensor improvements), larger affordable displays that make recipe-following comfortable, and lighting — like Govee’s updated RGBIC lamp — that’s now genuinely affordable and useful for plating and mood. Below we break down the best buys and the things worth waiting for.

Quick summary: Buy now vs wait

• Buy now: large affordable monitors or smart displays for the kitchen, Govee RGBIC smart lamps on discount, reliable mechanical mixers (KitchenAid, Kenwood) as core tools.
• Wait for: first-generation connected mixers from CES prototypes unless they offer proven repairability; waterproofed, kitchen-specific large smart displays with haptics or dedicated cooking OS; cordless high-torque mixers with long battery life.

In-depth picks: what genuinely helps home cooks

1. Smart displays and large monitors: your kitchen’s command centre

Why this matters: Following recipes, watching technique videos and running timers is easier on a bigger, bright screen that survives steam. In 2026 you can choose two practical routes: purpose-built smart displays with voice assistants, or a budget-friendly large monitor repurposed as a kitchen screen.

Smart display pros and cons

• Pros: voice control, integrated recipe apps, multi-user profiles, built-in speakers and microphones.
• Cons: typically smaller than monitors, can be expensive for large sizes, some lack splash protection.

Monitor alternatives — why the Samsung 32" is notable

Large QHD monitors are suddenly a great kitchen option. For example, the Samsung 32" Odyssey G5 (Odyssey G50D QHD) hit headlines in early 2026 for deep discounts that dropped it into entry-level monitor price territory. A 32" QHD panel gives you readable recipes, split-screen video and stable HDMI connectivity for a laptop or streaming stick. In short: a monitor can act like a built-for-cooking display at a fraction of a smart display’s cost.

Buy now if you see a QHD 32" monitor on sale — they’re perfect when wall-mounted or secured to a retractable arm. Look for a model with VESA mounting holes, a matte anti-glare finish and HDMI input. The current wave of discounts in January 2026 makes this an excellent value pick for home cooks who want screen real estate without smart-home lock-in. Use a price tracker to catch short-term deals and avoid impulse buys.

Practical buying checklist for kitchen displays

• Size and resolution: 24" is minimum; 27–32" QHD is ideal for readability and multiple windows.
• Brightness and anti-glare: 300+ nits is helpful for daylight kitchens; matte screens reduce splash reflections.
• Splash protection: most displays aren’t waterproof — position them away from hobs and sinks or buy a splashproof enclosure.
• Mounting: pick VESA-compatible units so you can attach arms or wall mounts that keep the screen off counters.
• Connectivity: HDMI or USB-C with power delivery simplifies hooking up streaming sticks or laptops — check guides like Mac mini + Monitor Bundles for examples of how monitors and small PCs connect in practice.

Best buys right now

• Samsung 32" Odyssey G5 (current sale models): Great screen size and QHD resolution at a discounted price — ideal as a budget kitchen monitor.
• Mid-range smart displays: look for the latest models from Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest with 10–15" screens for true voice-integrated cooking sessions.

2. Smarter mixers: practical improvements, not gimmicks

After CES 2026, the most promising mixer developments aren’t about flashy touchscreens — they’re about usable, durable improvements: better motor cooling, current sensors that detect dough stage, integrated scales and app-guided programs. However, many of the connected models shown were prototypes. For most home cooks the best purchase remains a robust mechanical mixer now, while keeping an eye on second-generation smart models.

Why many cooks should buy a traditional trusted mixer now

When baking or making bread, consistent torque, planetary mixing action and quality metal gears matter more than Bluetooth integration. Established brands like KitchenAid and Kenwood offer long warranties, wide availability of attachments in the UK and proven repair networks. A solid conventional mixer will outlast the first wave of connected devices.

When to choose a connected mixer

• If a connected model offers an integrated scale accurate to 1–2g, reliable on-device recipe guidance and a clear service plan, it’s worth considering.
• Buy connected only when the vendor commits to firmware updates and parts availability — avoid one-off CES prototypes that lack UK support.

Practical buying checklist for mixers

• Motor power: look for higher W ratings and good duty cycles if you bake weekly.
• Bowl capacity: 4–6 litres suits most families; larger if you batch-bake.
• Attachments: dough hook, flat beater, whisk and availability of extras.
• Serviceability: metal gears, replaceable belts and UK service centres matter for long-term ownership.
• Weight and footprint: heavier mixers vibrate less; check counter depth before buying.

Recommended approach

Buy now a trusted mechanical mixer as an investment tool. Wait for connected mixers unless they clearly document repairability and UK support. If you like the idea of guided baking, look for mixers with companion apps from brands that already have a UK presence to ensure recipe localisation, warranty and spare parts.

3. Smart lamps: small cost, big effect

Lighting is a surprisingly powerful kitchen upgrade in 2026. Smart lamps like Govee’s updated RGBIC units now do two practical things for cooks: they create accurate, adjustable lighting for food photography and plating, and they act as ambient timers/status lights for multi-stage recipes.

Why Govee’s updated RGBIC lamp is worth a look

Early 2026 saw Govee offering its updated RGBIC smart lamp at notable discounts. That matters because it brings multi-zone RGB lighting — useful for accenting a bench or photography — into an affordable price bracket. For many home cooks this is an inexpensive way to add functional, controllable light without rewiring.

Practical tips for using smart lamps in the kitchen

• Set a neutral white (4000–4500K) for food prep and a warmer tone for plating and mood.
• Use the lamp as a visual timer: set colour changes to indicate different cooking stages.
• Place lamps away from open flames and direct splashes; lamps are useful for bench lighting but are not substitutes for undercabinet LED strips.
• Take advantage of Matter compatibility for simple pairing with UK smart home hubs.

Buy now if...

The Govee lamp is discounted and you want inexpensive, stageable lighting for photos and dinner ambience. It’s a low-cost, high-impact purchase that won’t go out of style fast.

Other mainstream tech that pairs well with the three core buys

• Smart scales: precise weight tracking pairs with app-guided mixers and recipe assistants.
• Smart plugs and timers: use with monitors and lamps to automate kitchen routines safely.
• Compact food cameras and thermal sensors: emerging in 2026 for doneness checks — useful if you often cook meat or roasts.

What to avoid — CES hype and common pitfalls

CES is full of prototypes. As a home cook consider these red flags:

• Devices without UK plug options or EU/UK certifications — avoid unless a clear UK release is announced.
• Smart features locked behind subscriptions. Connectivity should improve convenience, not create ongoing bills.
• First-gen products from unknown brands without clear service channels in the UK.
• Products that claim “AI recipes” but don’t allow local storage or export of your own recipes — you want portability.

Money-saving and sustainability tips

• Look for seasonal discounts after CES. Early 2026 saw strong January deals on monitors and smart lamps — monitor price trackers for 2–3 weeks to catch dips.
• Buy repairable items where possible. Check spare parts pricing for mixers; metal gears are cheaper long-term than replacing the whole unit.
• Buy second-hand for expensive monitors and mixers — many people upgrade their office monitors and sell perfectly usable 27–32" panels.

Case study: how I reconfigured my kitchen for faster weeknights (real-world example)

Last winter I replaced a small 13" tablet with a mounted 32" QHD monitor and added a Govee RGBIC lamp for task lighting. Paired with a reliable 5L mixer, the results were immediate: faster multi-tasking while cooking and improved plating for family meals and social media. The monitor’s extra size meant I could run a video on the left and a recipe on the right without needing to touch a phone mid-prep — fewer sticky screens and fewer interruptions.

“The single biggest convenience upgrade for my weekly cooking was the screen — not a new oven.”

Final checklist before you buy

1. Decide whether you need robust mechanical reliability (buy established mixer) or connected convenience (wait for proven smart mixers).
2. For displays, prioritise size, matte finish and VESA mounting over built-in smart features unless you specifically need voice control.
3. For lighting, choose lamps with a wide white temperature range and app control; buy on discount if you can.
4. Confirm UK compatibility, warranty and spare parts availability. If buying during a CES-driven hype cycle, check return policies and use omnichannel tactics (in-store pickup & coupons) to reduce risk.

Where to buy in the UK (practical links and retailers)

Look for retailers with straightforward return policies and fast UK support: Currys, John Lewis, AO, and specialist kitchen stores for mixers. For monitors, mainstream retailers and Amazon often list deep short-term discounts — January 2026 price drops on the Samsung Odyssey series are a good example. For smart lamps, check Govee’s official UK store and major marketplaces, but buy from authorised sellers to ensure warranty coverage.

Final thoughts: invest in the few things that actually change how you cook

CES 2026 showed that the useful part of kitchen tech is consolidating: bigger, usable displays; smarter, practical improvements in mixers; and affordable, programmable lighting. If you want maximum return on spend, prioritise a readable display and a proven mixer. Add smart lighting for ambience and photography. Be cautious with first-gen connected mixers unless the brand demonstrates clear aftercare and spare-part support in the UK.

Ready to upgrade your kitchen in 2026? Start with a large, mountable display and a reliable mixer — and pick up a Govee lamp on a sale if you want an instant style and function upgrade.

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