Key Takeaways
1. iFixit identified several disappointing innovations at CES 2026, highlighting risks to privacy, costs, and the environment.
2. The Lava Lollipop Star was named “Worst of Show” for being a single-use item that negatively impacts the environment.
3. Bosch’s eBike Lock was criticized for unnecessary features that limit the availability of replacement parts, leading to “enshittification.”
4. Amazon’s Ring products received the “Worst in Show” award for excessive data collection and privacy violations.
5. The Samsung smart fridge was awarded for worst repairability, raising concerns about its complicated design and existing reliability issues.
Today marks the last day of CES 2026, the biggest electronics exhibition held annually in Las Vegas. This year, CES showcased a variety of impressive breakthroughs, including a number of laptops powered by Intel’s Panther Lake, a stair-climbing robot vacuum with legs, and innovative cellulose-based batteries.
Highlighting the Worst Innovations
However, instead of celebrating the best products, the repair specialists at iFixit have identified the most disappointing ones revealed at CES. They emphasize that while new features can be exciting, they often come with significant risks regarding personal privacy, consumer costs, and environmental concerns.
Notable Disappointments
One standout failure is the Lava Lollipop Star, which combines the taste of a lollipop with a vibration component. When bitten, the lollipop vibrates to create music, using your skull as an echo chamber. The drawback? Once you finish the lollipop, it goes straight to the trash. There’s no way to replace the battery, making it a single-use item that provides only a few minutes of entertainment. Because of this, iFixit has awarded the Lollipop Star the title of “Worst of Show” due to its negative impact on the environment.
Privacy Issues on the Rise
In iFixit’s view, “enshittification” refers to the process of degrading a product with unnecessary features. This year, the “honor” goes to Bosch for its eBike Lock. This feature is meant to deter thieves by disabling the motor until unlocked through a smartphone app. However, it also introduces parts pairing, making it impossible to use replacement parts unless they are specifically bought from Bosch and authorized for that bike. This situation is similar to Apple’s iPhone, leading to a significant limitation on the availability of spare parts for e-bikes.
Security Concerns
iFixit discovered that Amazon leads in privacy violations with its latest Ring smart home cameras and the Ring Video Doorbell, which gather more personal information than ever. This includes always-on facial recognition and mobile surveillance units that can continuously monitor public spaces. Additionally, the app store shares this information with third-party companies. Amazon tries to persuade users that increased surveillance equates to enhanced security, receiving a “Worst in Show” award for its efforts.
Cybersecurity Risks
In 2026, even treadmills come equipped with numerous sensors, internet connectivity, and AI, which can gather personal information, including sensitive health data. The award for the poorest cybersecurity goes to the Chinese firm Merach, primarily because the company clearly states that it cannot assure the safety of the data it collects.
Complex Appliances
The Samsung smart fridge has received both the worst repairability and overall worst product awards. This model replaces the traditional door handle with a motor and AI that responds to a trigger phrase like “open sesame.” iFixit is worried that this fridge will grow increasingly complicated. Given Samsung’s existing issues with faulty compressors, touch screens, and ice makers, this new mechanism could lead to even more problematic refrigerators.
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