These wireless earbuds can read your brainwaves – yes, really

CES is always a playground for questionable gadgetry, but every now and then something clever shows up. This year, NAOX Technologies has managed to tick both boxes by squeezing brain-monitoring tech into wireless earbuds. It’s something that sounds very sci-fi but could be a great new health wearable if they work.

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The NAOX Wave is a new pair of in-ear wireless earbuds that also read your brain’s electrical signals using electroencephalography, or EEG. That’s the same kind of data neuroscientists use to understand how the brain’s firing under various conditions, only now it’s available while you’re lying on your sofa, not hooked up to a tangle of hospital wires.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a medical device. It won’t diagnose your anxiety or tell you if you’re developing a neurological condition. What it does is track brain activity patterns throughout the day and night, giving you insights into things like how alert, focused, or relaxed you are. It can detect how well you’ve slept, and even signs of cognitive fatigue.

All this gets crunched in the NAOX app and presented in nicely digestible visuals. The app doesn’t need you to do anything special either; it just passively logs brain-signal data as you go about your day.

The real magic here is that the tech behind Wave is designed to be slotted into existing premium earbuds. That means this brainy tech could make its way into gear from big-name audio brands. For those in healthcare, NAOX also has Link – a clinically cleared, wired in-ear EEG system for professionals. That one is designed for proper medical use, including sleep labs and neurology clinics.

After a CES 2026 debut, NAOX Wave is expected to hit consumer devices toward the end of 2026, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Keep an eye out for it lurking inside your next pair of flagship earbuds.

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Connor Jewiss

About

Connor is a former Stuff contributor. He has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA, and been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Connor is also involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech.

Areas of expertise

Mobile, macOS, EVs, smart home