5 Coolest Things I Saw at IFA Berlin
From a stair-climbing robot vacuum to a party projector, a steam drawer and much more, these latest innovations did not disappoint.
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Every year, hundreds of brands come together in Berlin to show off their latest innovations at Europe’s largest tech tradeshow, IFA (Innovation for All). Similar to the CES convention convention in Las Vegas, which the pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute attend annually, you’ll find everything from gadgets for your home to the best consumer electronics.
This year, there was no shortage of impressive tech. As I explored the show floor, I came across everything from robot vacuums that can climb stairs to ones that play tennis with you. I also saw party projectors, some of the best and brightest TVs on the market, and much more. Out of everything I've seen at IFA Berlin, here are the five coolest gadgets I saw that I can’t wait to test back home.
What it is: A robot vacuum and mop with the ability to recharge quickly.
What's cool about it: As a mom of an infant and a dog that sheds pretty much non-stop throughout the year, robot vacuums have become a staple in my home. They’ve helped me keep my floors clean on a regular basis, which is especially helpful when I don’t have time for a deep clean.
What caught my eye about the new DEEBOT X11, apart from its sleek design, is that it’s fast charging and boasts a longer runtime than other competitors on the market. Because it recharges its battery quickly and efficiently, you can enjoy more uninterrupted cleaning— a blessing for homes with a lot of ground to cover.
One pain point when it comes to robot vacuums is that they can get stuck, which is especially frustrating when you’ve left the house and can’t set it back on its course. The DEEBOT X11 aims to fix that by featuring a mechanical climbing system to help it get over a variety of surfaces and navigate from room-to-room. At IFA, I personally witnessed the vacuum swiftly moving over various raised surfaces, mimicking how it would transition from a thick rug to a hardwood floor.
Another bonus: The DEEBOT X11 sports an improved nylon roller to better clean tough stains and grime, while the dust bin is bagless and auto-emptying so you can say goodbye to disposable bags.
What it is: A stair-climbing accessory for robot vacuums.
What's cool about it: Though this gadget has nothing to do with Mars itself, it’s definitely one of the coolest products I saw on this year’s show floor. The eufy MarsWalker is the first robot vacuum carrier that can bring your beloved robot vacuum up and down stairs with grace, specifically the Omni S2.
This stair-climbing robot vacuum means homeowners will no longer have to purchase multiple robot vacuums to clean each floor of their house or be forced to manually transport their robot vacuum themselves. It quite literally does the heavy lifting, and it does so with ease.
The MarsWalker is not currently available for purchase, but is expected to hit the market in 2026.
What it is: A mobile theater station (essentially, a larger projector).
What's cool about it: Anker projectors have fared well in our Lab tests, which is just one reason why I can’t wait to get my hands on the latest model from Anker that’s made for the most epic movie nights. Though it’s far from small, it comes with literally everything you need for your next movie marathon. It’s why the brand is calling it “the world’s first mobile theater station.”
On top of 4K laser projection and 3,500 ANSI lumens to create the brightest, crisp picture quality, it features a built-in subwoofer and detachable speakers so you can your guests can enjoy a surround sound experience.
On the show floor, it looked seamless to operate and I just loved that it comes with a handle and wheels so you can roll it inside and outside of your home. It even has an IP43 rating to offer some water resistance. Most delightful of all are the two microphones secretly nestled inside, waiting on standby for when it’s time for karaoke. While the Nebula X1 Pro isn’t available for purchase quite yet, it launches on Kickstarter on September 23 and is expected in 2026.
What it is: An AI tennis robot that not only feeds but also catches, serves, and returns balls.
What's cool about it: I wouldn’t call myself a tennis player (at least not a very good one), but this AI tennis robot from Acemate, incubated by SwitchBot, immediately caught my eye. Not only does it throw tennis balls, but unlike traditional ball machines, it actively responds to its opponent to stimulate playing tennis with a real partner.
According to the brand, the robot uses “dual 4K binocular cameras and advanced AI algorithms to track serves, returns, and rallies with centimeter-level accuracy, predict trajectories, and respond within 0.15 seconds.” It moves, catches, and serves balls, and can serve up to 80 mph and 8m high.
The tennis robot can cover an entire court and replicate real-life precision, as demonstrated on the IFA show floor. It features everything from multiple serve modes to programmable target zones and adjustable levels of difficulty (from beginner to pro). Its robust battery enables up to three hours of continuous play, and it’s compatible with a variety of court terrains, including hard, clay, and grass.
Tennis enthusiasts will be pleased that an AI couch is built in to provide feedback, and that the robot is currently available for pre-order.
What it is: A steam drawer that allows you to prepare a variety of meals at once.
What's cool about it: You can count on Miele when it comes to high-quality home appliances, which is why I was so excited when the brand announced its very first steam drawer at IFA. While I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard of a steam drawer before, I now want one in my home.
Combined with a 3-in-1 oven and microwave, this new appliance enables baking, reheating, and steam cooking so you can prepare a variety of dishes and meals and once – i.e., roasted chicken in the oven and steamed veggies in the steam drawer. It features over 100 automatic programs to help make cooking dinner healthier and more hassle-free—including automatic menu cooking (allowing three foods to be prepared simultaneously) and sous-vide.
The drawer contains two containers, one that is perforated and one that is not, making it possible to cook rice and grains on one side and other veggies or meats on the other. It has a total 14-liter cooking capacity, and up to 3 kilograms of potatoes can be cooked at once.
Miele’s steam drawer will launch in European markets at the end of 2026, with the U.S. hopefully to follow.
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