CES 2026: TDM’s Neo headphones turn into speakers with a simple twist

Every once in a while, you’ll come across a new technology at CES that immediately clicks, and you’ll say to yourself, “That’s actually genius.” »

CES 2026 was filled with robotics, AI, and other futuristic technology, but one of the most impressive things I found was a pair of headphones that turn into speakers called Neo from a company called TDM.

TDM booth at CES 2026
Credit: Mashable

Or are they speakers that turn into headphones? TDM goes for the former by calling the Neo earbuds first, but they’re actually both.

The TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers are a pair of high-quality over-ear headphones that convert into speakers by simply bringing the two sides of the headset together and twisting until they click into place. From there, your personal audio experience becomes one that can be shared by everyone around you.

TDM Neo Hybrid Helmet Speakers as Headphones
Credit: Mashable

Implementing the transition from headphone to speaker and vice versa was so simple and, more importantly, seemed seamless. It worked with audio playing in your ears, then automatically switched to the external audio source with a flick of a switch.

Twisting TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers
Credit: Mashable

Sometimes a two-in-one product seems natural in one form but strange in its alternate form, but that’s not the case with the Neo earbuds. The Neo is stylish as both a headset and a speaker. Not to mention they sounded great in both modes equally.

As an added bonus, TDM realized you might want to use the Neo in speaker form to store the device, making it more compact. The Neo can be programmed to pause all audio, in addition to other programmable options, when rotated into speaker form.

Transform the speakers of the TDM Neo hybrid headset into speakers
Credit: Mashable

TDM says the Neo can last over 200 hours in headphone mode and 10 hours in speaker mode on a full charge before needing to be plugged in.

Personally, the instant use case I thought of for the Neo headphones is where you want to share music with friends. Sometimes you’ll want to introduce a new song or artist to a friend, so you share headphones or put your headphones back on. But, with the TDM Neo headphones, you’ll be able to turn your device into a speaker and experience the song – and its reaction – in real time with them.

The speaker twist of the TDM Neo hybrid headset looks really stylish
Credit: Mashable

The TDM Neo Hybrid Headphone Speakers go on sale later this month for $249, with black and white color options available.

When it comes to the best things Mashable saw at CES, TDM’s Neo headphones are definitely at the top of my personal list.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest tech show, where Mashable journalists report live.