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Pepcom always serves as one of the best warm-ups to CES, and at CES 2026, the show floor once again delivered a dense mix of practical gear, ambitious concepts, and a few outright fun surprises. This second walk-through focused on the non-sponsored side of the event, digging into the kinds of products that quietly shape how we work, play, and recover from long days on the show floor. From serious Thunderbolt 5 connectivity to smart locks, recovery gadgets, and even pinball machines, Pepcom proved why it remains a must-stop before CES officially kicks into gear.

At the Pluggable booth, the spotlight was on the TBT-UDH2 Thunderbolt 5 docking station, a vertically oriented dock designed for desks that are short on horizontal space but big on connectivity needs. It brings dual HDMI 2.1 support, multiple USB-C and USB-A ports at 5Gbps and 10Gbps, and power delivery to keep a laptop charged while driving a full workstation setup. The vertical design isn’t just aesthetic—it’s a practical solution for cramped setups, and it signals how Thunderbolt 5 is about to make high-bandwidth, single-cable desks the norm.

Check out Plugable for when TBT-UDH2 is available.

Amazfit showed off the ActiveMax smartwatch, a 51mm, Android-style wearable aimed squarely at people who want features without paying flagship prices. With up to 25 days of battery life, GPS tracking, health monitoring, and roughly 170 sports modes, it’s clearly targeting the “do-everything” fitness crowd. At around $169, it positions itself as the kind of watch you can rely on daily—and even keep a second one charging—without worrying about premium-tier pricing.

Get the Amazfit Activemax

MyQ expanded its smart-home ecosystem with the SecureView 3-in-1 Smart Lock, combining a deadbolt, camera, and doorbell into a single unit. It supports three ways to unlock—key, keypad, or face recognition—and integrates directly into the broader MyQ app experience. The real appeal here is control: see who’s at the door, let in a delivery or a friend remotely, and keep everything logged in one place. At $279, it’s a compelling all-in-one approach to modern front-door security without forcing a subscription just to use the basics.

Get the MyQ 3-in-1 Doorbell

LePro, known for creator lighting gear, showed two interesting pieces of its next generation. The LePro Ami is a prototype personal assistant with a screen, camera, sensors, and touch controls—clearly aimed at a future where lighting and creator tools are more interactive and context-aware. Alongside it, the TV1 Pro evolves the fold-out light concept with an AI microphone and AI-driven lighting designer. You can literally describe the lighting you want, and the device builds the scene for you—hands-free. It’s a strong hint at where creator gear is heading: less fiddling with dials, more telling the gear what you want.

Sign up for AMI

Renpho brought a full suite of recovery and wellness devices. The Eyeris Zen eye massager adds “headspace” style meditation features, adjustable heat, and pressure modes, turning it into more than just a massage tool. Alongside it, the Active Mini Thermacool massage gun introduces both heating and cooling for muscle recovery, while the Artemis LED light therapy mask offers a flexible, silicone-based approach to facial treatment. It’s a reminder that CES 2026 isn’t just about screens and chips—it’s also about surviving long days in front of them.

More at Renphro

Navee previewed the UT5 Ultra X electric scooter, a beast that pushes into motorcycle-like territory with a top speed around 45 mph, a powerful dual-motor setup, and serious climbing ability. It’s not on sale yet, but it shows how the line between “scooter” and “light electric vehicle” keeps blurring. A slightly smaller sibling, the NT5 Ultra X, targets riders who want similar range and performance at a more moderate level.

More on Navee

No Pepcom walk-through is complete without a little fun. A nimble, dog-like robot showed off acrobatics and personality, complete with a front display face and expressive movements. On the retro-cool side, Stern Pinball brought multiple machines, including newer releases, reminding everyone that physical, tactile entertainment still has a place even in an AI-soaked CES 2026.

Check out Stern Pinball

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Last Updated on January 22, 2026 3:10 pm by Jeffrey Powers

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