The 5 coolest pieces of wearable tech I demoed at IFA 2026 in Berlin

The 2026 IFA trade show showcased a wide range of innovative wearable technology. Here are the five most impressive devices I had the chance to try:

1. The Luna Band stands out as a standout smart ring that offers cutting-edge wellness features without the need for a subscription. Priced at $149, it outperforms competing options like the Garmin Cirqa and Fitbit Air. Its companion app provides personalized AI-driven advice in a user-friendly format.

2. The Circular Ring 3 is a game-changer in the smart ring category. Its early version at CES was plagued by app issues, but the company has now relaunched the app and released two variants: the Ring 3 Pro and Ring 3 Slim. These rings offer NFC payment capabilities and haptic feedback for alerts. The Ring 3 Pro even includes a promising blood pressure tracking feature.

3. Motorola's Moto Watch Ultra is a budget-friendly smartwatch that competes with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 and Google Pixel Watch 5. It runs Google's Wear OS and features Polar's trusted fitness tracking technology. With a brushed stainless steel case, it offers a premium look at a lower price point of $349.

4. The Odyss N1 is a concept pendant equipped with a hidden camera and motion sensor. Its purpose is to automatically log your meals by capturing the food you eat. While still in development, it aims to bridge the gap between fitness trackers and food tracking devices, learning your eating habits over time to provide accurate recordings.

5. The iKairos is a unique pendant with a charming animated face. While its exact functionality remains a mystery, it promises to serve as a "second memory" by capturing important moments through its onboard microphone and built-in camera. The device translates these memories into AI-generated images, although the output format is not specified.