CES 2026 Buying Guide: Best Tech Deals to Buy in January
Beat the CES 2026 hangover with our strategic tech buying guide. Discover why January is the best time for Sony XM5s, Anker Qi2 gear, and Nintendo deals.
By Team Gimmie
Updated August 27, 2026
THE SMART BUYER GUIDE TO THE CES HANGOVER: WHAT TO ACTUALLY BUY IN JANUARY
Every year in early January, the tech world descends into a collective fever dream known as CES. I have covered this show for fifteen years, and the pattern is always the same: companies show off 110-inch transparent screens, AI-powered toothbrushes, and flying cars that will never see a suburban driveway. By the time the second week of January rolls around, the hype begins to fade, leaving most consumers with a CES Hangover—a mix of tech fatigue and the feeling that their current gadgets are suddenly obsolete.
But here is the secret I’ve learned after a decade and a half on the show floor: the best things to buy right now aren’t the prototypes that might ship in 2027. The real wins are the strategic purchases you make while everyone else is distracted by the shiny objects. January is the best time of year to be a rational buyer. Retailers are clearing out 2025 inventory to make room for the new models, and "just-released" items are often paired with aggressive promo codes to capture post-holiday momentum.
If you are looking to upgrade your tech stack or find a meaningful gift, forget the vaporware. Here is what you should actually be looking at this month.
THE NINTENDO STRATEGY: COMPLETING THE COLLECTION
Best for: The Nostalgic Gamer and the Future-Proof Collector
The biggest shadow loomed over the gaming world this month isn't a new PC graphics card, but the inevitable arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2. While the rumors are reaching a boiling point, smart gamers know that this is the golden window for the current hardware. Nintendo has a history of supporting their outgoing consoles with some of their most polished software, and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is the perfect example.
Originally a Wii masterpiece, this high-definition glow-up is more than just a trip down memory lane. It is a reminder of why the Switch became a household staple. With the Switch 2 likely to feature backward compatibility, investing in high-quality physical or digital titles like this now is a move for the long haul. You get the best version of a classic platformer today, and a library essential for your next console tomorrow.
