Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to screens and keyboards. A growing wave of AI-powered wearables and portable gadgets is pushing the technology into more intimate corners of daily life, from pendants worn around the neck to rings worn on the finger. Some of these devices are built around productivity, helping professionals capture conversations, organize notes, and manage schedules. Others take a more personal approach, positioning themselves as digital companions that listen, respond, and adapt to the emotional rhythms of the people wearing them. The market is still young, but it is moving fast, and the range of products now available reflects just how varied the vision for ambient AI can be.

Below is a look at some of the most talked-about AI wearables and gadgets currently on the market or approaching launch.

Bee

Bee is a compact AI pendant that retails for $49.99 and can be clipped to clothing or worn as a wristband. The device passively records ambient audio throughout the day, learning the wearer's habits and preferences over time. Based on what it hears, it generates reminders and notes automatically. A physical mute button gives users control over when the device is actively listening.

The companion app, currently limited to iOS, is bundled with a monthly subscription priced at $19. Through the app, users can ask Bee direct questions, review chronological transcripts of their recorded conversations, and pull out key takeaways from their day.

In July 2025, Amazon acquired the startup behind Bee, and shortly after, it introduced two new additions to the product line. The Bee Frontier, priced at $74.99, is a wrist-worn or clip-on device, while the Bee Eclipse, at $99.99, is a credit-card-sized unit that attaches magnetically to the back of a smartphone. Both devices retain the core functionality of the original Bee and can optionally connect to Amazon's Alexa assistant. The expanded lineup positions Bee as a more budget-friendly alternative to competing AI recording devices such as the Plaud Note and Plaud NotePin.

Friend

Friend has attracted considerable attention since its debut as one of the more unconventional entrants in the personal AI space. The device is a white pendant priced at $129 that hangs around the user's neck and is designed primarily as an emotional support companion rather than a productivity tool. It connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and listens continuously, detecting tone and mood to engage in natural conversation. It can also send proactive messages, such as a word of encouragement before a job interview.

The device has not been without controversy. A subway advertising campaign in New York City drew public backlash, with commuters vandalizing the ads and scrawling phrases like "surveillance capitalism" over them. The criticism highlighted broader public anxieties about always-on listening devices.

In response to flagging momentum, the company behind Friend announced a significant product update under the name Friend 2.0. The revised version adds a built-in speaker, enabling the device to speak aloud rather than communicate solely through text. The update also introduces what the company describes as a more distinct personality for the AI companion.

Limitless

Previously operating under the name Rewind, Limitless is a conversation-recording pendant priced at $99. The device is built around professional use cases, continuously transcribing meetings, phone calls, and in-person discussions into searchable, summarized records. The company emphasizes that recordings are made with the consent of participants.

The companion app provides 10 hours of AI-assisted features each month at no additional cost, covering transcription and automatic summarization. Users who need more capacity can upgrade to an unlimited tier for $29 per month. The device is particularly well-suited to professionals in fields where accurate recall of conversations is critical, such as journalism, law, and research.

Muse Charm

Meta introduced its first AI wearable in September, a small device called the Muse Charm that gives users a new physical interface for accessing the company's personal AI assistant, Muse. The device has not yet shipped to consumers, but Meta has described it as a pocket-sized unit that can be carried or clipped to a keychain. It includes a miniature display that shows a digital avatar named Jolly, which serves as the visual representation of the AI.

Users will interact with Muse through voice commands, directing the assistant to complete tasks on their behalf. The Muse Charm represents Meta's move beyond software-based AI assistants and into dedicated hardware, a direction several major technology companies are now exploring.

Nirva

Nirva is a startup founded by former employees of Meta's Reality Labs division. The company is developing an AI wearable with a distinct focus on personal development, setting it apart from devices oriented around meeting transcription or task management. The device can be worn as a pendant or bracelet and listens to the wearer's speech throughout the day. It uses AI to transform those recorded experiences into a structured personal journal, helping users reflect on their emotions, identify patterns in their communication style, and track behavioral habits over time.

Through the companion app, users can explore these patterns in greater depth, gaining insight into how they express themselves and discovering areas for improvement. Nirva plans to open orders in November, with initial shipments targeted for the end of the year. The device is priced at $249.

Omi

Omi is priced at $89 and functions as a general-purpose AI assistant worn on the body. The device can answer questions, summarize conversations, generate to-do lists, and assist with scheduling. It runs conversations through ChatGPT in real time, building up a contextual understanding of the user over time to deliver increasingly personalized responses and advice.

Omi is designed to be worn as a necklace, but it also supports an alternative wearing method - it can be attached to the side of the head using medical tape and is capable of detecting when the user is speaking directly to it, allowing for more natural, hands-free interaction.

Plaud NotePin

At $159, the Plaud NotePin sits at the higher end of the AI wearable price range, but it delivers a focused and polished feature set aimed at professionals. The device is a compact voice recorder that can be worn on the wrist or attached magnetically to clothing. It captures audio in real time and uses built-in AI to transcribe and summarize the recordings, syncing the results directly to the user's phone. The workflow eliminates the need for manual note-taking during meetings, lectures, or interviews.

The NotePin includes 300 free transcription minutes per month. Users who need more can subscribe to the Pro plan at $8.33 per month, which raises the monthly transcription allowance to 1,200 minutes. Plaud is also preparing to launch a follow-up product called the Plaud Note Pro, an ultra-thin note-taking device priced at $179 that is currently available for preorder.

Rabbit R1

The Rabbit R1 is a handheld AI device that generated significant buzz at launch, though it faced early criticism over performance limitations. The device has a retro-inspired design, featuring a small touchscreen and a rotating camera, and is priced at $199. It is intended to function alongside a smartphone rather than replace it, handling tasks like booking flights, ordering food, and controlling applications through a conversational AI interface.

Following a software update that addressed the most significant performance complaints from early adopters, the Rabbit R1 has expanded its feature set. Among the new additions is a capability called Creations, which allows users to build their own custom tools and simple games directly on the device. The update helped restore some of the interest that had faded in the months following launch.

Sandbar Stream Ring

Sandbar emerged from stealth mode last year with the announcement of the Stream, an AI-powered smart ring designed around note-taking and voice interaction. The ring includes a built-in microphone that is switched off by default. Users can activate it by pressing and holding a flat, touch-sensitive surface on the top of the ring, which triggers note capture and enables communication with an AI assistant through a companion smartphone app. The same touch panel also handles media playback controls, including play, pause, track skipping, and volume adjustment.

The Stream ring is expected to launch during the summer at a retail price of $299. It will be available in silver and gold finishes. The device represents a more discreet approach to AI wearables, embedding the technology into a form factor that carries no obvious visual indication of its capabilities.