Esquire Essentials 2026 for Gadgets, Technology, and Grooming

Every year we cook up the ultimate cheat sheet called Esquire Essentials, a curated list where we personally sift through countless options to handpick only the exceptional and truly cool products, services, and experiences that are worth your time and attention.

In the first edition of this year's Esquire Essentials, we focus on gadgets and grooming products. Budget headphones, smartphones, and other pieces of consumer tech can do almost everything nowadays and they're evolving at a rate that's becoming harder and harder to keep up with. It's the same with men's grooming, with countless brands and options to consider and test before we ultimately choose the ones that deserve a space on your dressers.

Here we present our picks for the absolute best in tech, gadgets, and grooming products for the discerning man.

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Nothing may be a familiar name if you've been following our Essentials lists for a while now, and it's for good reason. The scientists and engineers at this future-forward tech company continue to impress with their distinct design ethic that doesn't look like any other ANC cans on the market.

Our pick for Bluetooth headphones last year was Nothing Headphone (1), which looks very similar to our Headphone (a) pick this year, which costs a tad less than the flagship set.

This great-sounding pair comes in a bunch of funky colors, such as the egg-yolk yellow we tested for about a month.

Headphone (a) only goes for P10,490.00 at retailers like Digital Walker and proves that it can hang with players like the Apple AirPods Max, the Sony XM6, and even its big brother flagship, the Headphone (1), which costs P5,000 more.

The magical thing about these is that the tuning is completely customizable via the Nothing app, where community-made EQ profiles expand what these bad boys can do.

We now go to a pair of cans that can last you a lifetime.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 (we got the Centennial Collection variant) doesn't come cheap at around P168,000 for the special edition we tested, which comes in a rich brown colorway and titanium drivers and lush leather that's like having a posh couch for your ears.

What the H100 offers other than its stellar sonic performance is unmatched modularity from the interchangeable earcups and headbands and even internals that extend the headphones' lifespan indefinitely. These headphones sound very lifelike when you put on a good playlist or album with a very sparkly and thumpy low and high-end response.

The Bang & Olufsen app also offers detailed control options for noise cancellation, an EQ customization section, and even integration with the hi-fi streaming platform Tidal.

You can pick these up at Bang & Olufsen boutiques, such as the one at Powerplant Mall.

Samsung's pink gold Buds 4 Pro are a godsend for all gym rats and all those who want peace and quiet when trying to get a good sweat in.

The noise cancellation on these buds is genuinely mind-bogglingly effective and stacks up well against competitors such as the Apple AirPods Pro 3 at similar prices hovering around P15,000.

If you pair this with the S26 Ultra as expected, the seamless integration with Android and the added support for Samsung seamless codecs for ultra-high-quality Bluetooth audio make this a no-brainer choice for the ultra-saturated world of truly wireless headphones.

Samsung still sits atop the summit of what a modern smartphone is capable of in the realm of power, design, and how it is packaged to consumers.

The S26 Ultra is still the go-to recommendation for people wanting uncompromising performance and the beauty of modern design.

It hosts the beast of a chip that is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Galaxy chip with 12 or 16 GB of RAM and a 200-megapixel main wide-lens camera for all your photography needs. It also has a stunning Dynamic AMOLED screen that runs on probably the most efficient mobile processor, which is the all-around powerhouse when it comes to media consumption.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra goes for P76,990 at authorized Samsung Philippines stores.

We're still on the Samsung train with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic that features a dazzling rotating bezel, a 3,000-nit Super AMOLED display, and the best of the best of BioActive sensor tracking, ECG, blood pressure, sleep apnea, and an antioxidant index.

In a world split between smartwatches, mechanical watches, and those who don't even compare the two since they aren't in the same hemispheres, the Watch 8 Classic at P29,990 looks like a traditional watch and operates like a state-of-the-art fitness companion simultaneously.

At the other end of the spectrum, the OnePlus Watch Lite is a budget-friendly piece that punches miles above its price point at P7,500 that also has similar features to Samsung's piece.

This is a more entry-level option that we were genuinely impressed with since it's fashioned with real S.5D sapphire crystal glass and comprehensive health tracking that includes sleep/SpO₂ monitoring, pinpoint dual-band GPS, and a pretty good-looking screen housed within a sleek form factor.

The M5 MacBook Pro is our default laptop recommendation for those who want a "just buy this" sign for their next laptop that would serve them well for years to come.

It has the performance powerhouse of a chip that delivers about 20 percent better CPU performance and a 50 percent GPU boost over the last-generation M4, which was already a speedy chip.

Apple sure knows how to make something stunning with the nano-texture finish, all-day battery, and a Liquid Retina XDR screen that is the must-have tool for creatives.

You can get the MacBook Pro M5 for P99,990 from authorized Apple distributors.

You can only think of a handful of names that have the same recall factor as Marshall and their now-legendary line of amplifiers and now consumer home audio options.

We like the Marshall Stanmore III, which is the mid-size home Bluetooth speaker that still rocks that iconic rock-amp design with textured vinyl, brass control knobs, and the famous script logo. The speaker itself is built with 70 percent recycled plastic, houses a five-inch woofer, and outward-angled tweeters driven by 80W of class D amplification.

Just set this up against a corner and listen to the expansive soundstage the Stanmore is capable of.

You can pick this up at Digital Walker for P22,785.

Aesop has long mastered the balance between science and sensory experience, and Resolute continues that tradition. Resolute is formulated with higher percentages of vitamins than standard serums to address more advanced skin needs and boost existing regimens. It's the kind of investment that rewards consistency, making every evening routine feel less like maintenance and more like a ritual. Aesop Resolute retails for P6,620.

Fresh without being forgettable, John Varvatos Artisan has become a modern classic for a reason. Citrus notes open with brightness before settling into warm woods and herbs. It's versatile enough for daily wear yet distinctive enough to leave an impression. The kind of scent that works whether you're heading into a boardroom or boarding a weekend flight. You can get this scent for P4,650.

A close shave starts long before the blade touches the skin. Malin + Goetz's Chamomile Shave Cream cushions every pass while calming irritation with soothing botanicals. It proves that shaving doesn't have to feel like a chore—it can be one of the most comfortable parts of your routine. This chamomile-infused shaving cream goes for P1,900.

Healthy hair starts at the scalp, and Clear Men Care & Style understands that better than most. Designed to combat dandruff while keeping hair looking fresh and manageable, it simplifies grooming into one dependable step. It delivers the confidence of a clean scalp without sacrificing the style that comes after. Clear sells this for P198.

Body sprays have evolved, and Axe Cherry Spritz reflects that shift. Bright, fruity, and unexpectedly refined. It offers a new perspective when it comes to body sprays giving you a burst of freshness without it being so overwhelming to the senses. It's the kind of everyday companion you toss into your gym bag and/or backpack whenever your day needs a quick reset. The retail price on this is P331.

The best deodorant is the one you never have to think about, and Nivea Men Black & White earns its place through reliability. It keeps sweat and odor under control while helping prevent the white marks on dark clothing and yellow stains on lighter fabrics that have long frustrated men. Dependable protection paired with practical innovation makes this an everyday essential. You can get a roll-on for about P102.

Every hairstyle starts with the right foundation, and The Maverick's Gambit and Pacific offer two distinct approaches without compromising performance. Whether you're after texture, control, or a more natural finish, both products deliver flexible styling that lasts throughout the day while remaining easy to work with. Good hair shouldn't look overstyled—and these prove it. You can get both of these for P800 (hair cream) and P400 (sea salt spray).

An electric razor should make mornings easier, not more complicated. The Philips AquaTouch Series 1000 offers a comfortable shave whether used wet or dry, gliding smoothly across the face while minimizing irritation. Reliable, intuitive, and built for everyday use, it strips shaving down to what really matters: speed, comfort, and consistency. The Phillips Aqua Touch goes for about P2,696.50.

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