Submissions for the 2026 BEST Product Awards have officially opened, with early bird pricing now active. CE Pro‘s BEST (Best Electronic Systems Technologies) Awards is the most prestigious award program for the professional AV and smart home installation market, recognizing the best technologies, products, and services for the custom integration (CI) industry. Does your product solve problems and make work easier for installers? Then this is the program for you!
“The CE Pro BEST Product Awards spotlight the most compelling innovations and standout services our editors encounter on the CEDIA Expo show floor each year. These winning solutions reflect how manufacturers are responding to the evolving needs of integrators and the homeowners they serve.” These products and solutions demonstrate how closely aligned manufacturers and vendors are with the evolving needs of the custom integration industry, its dealers, and their clients.”
Find more details below and on the 2026 BEST Product Awards entry submissions site.
And if you’re already prepared for this year’s program, submit your product to the 2026 BEST Awards now!
FAQ
What are the BEST Product Awards?
CE Pro‘s BEST (Best Electronic Systems Technologies) Awards is the most prestigious award program for the professional AV and smart home installation market, recognizing the best technologies, products, and services for the custom integration (CI) industry.
How are the awards judged?
The judging is done independently by CE Pro editors and other industry experts. They will consider all aspects such as your product’s design and/or technological innovation, most important functional features of the product, and how your product stands out from others in its category.
What products are eligible for the 2026 BEST Awards?
A product is eligible for the 2026 BEST Product Awards provided it meets any of the following criteria:
- Your product must have shipped either in the 12 months before September 2026 or be set to debut by March 2027.
- If you have an exciting new product that will not ship until 2026, consider entering the “Most Promising” award.
- Existing products that have been enhanced are also eligible for entry.
What categories are open for entry in the awards?
A full list of the 2026 BEST Awards categories can be found on the awards’ website.
What do I need to enter a product?
To complete your submission for the 2026 BEST Awards, you will need the following information (* = mandatory):
- Manufacturer EXACTLY as it should appear in promotion and on awards. *
- Product Name EXACTLY as it should appear in promotion and on awards. *
- Category *
- MSRP *
- Ship Date *
- Is this product embargoed until CEDIA Expo 2026? *
- Company logo *
- Upload up to 10 product photos * (one is mandatory)
- Upload additional product specifications document here
- Product Video (upload a video or provide a link)
- Describe your product’s design and/or technological innovation. * (200 words maximum)
- Describe the three most important functional features of this product. * (100 words maximum)
- How does your product stand out from others in this category? * (200 words maximum)
- Please provide a promotional description to be used in print and online listings. * (50 words maximum)
- Social Media links
How much does it cost to enter into the 2026 BEST Awards?
Pricing for the 2026 BEST Award entries is as follows:
- Early-bird Entry Fee: $547
- Regular Entry Fee: $647 for initial entry, $597 for each subsequent entry
What is the deadline for submissions?
Product submission deadlines for the 2026 BEST Awards are as follows:
- Early-Bird Deadline: May 21, 2026
- Regular Deadline: July 17, 2026
How do I enter my product into the 2026 BEST Product Awards?
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Step 1: Pay now to lock in the discount. Provide your product’s name, select a category, and add your submission to the cart.
- Step 2: Complete the product details for your entry (outlined above) any time before the deadline of July 17. Just log in to access Step 2 of your application.
Where can I submit to the 2026 BEST Awards?
Submit your product to the 2026 BEST Awards by following the link to the awards’ entry portal.
When are the winners announced?
Winners of the 2026 CE Pro BEST Product Awards will be announced at the CEDIA Expo 2026 on September 3, 2026.
Where can I look at previous winners of the BEST Awards?
A full list of the winners from the 2025 BEST Awards with accompanying product descriptions and photography can be found by following the link.
