Every CES event features a handful of devices aimed at enhancing cognitive well-being. Lately, more firms have entered this market, a trend expected to persist. Just as heart-rate trackers have become ubiquitous, might EEG headsets become standard headwear in about ten years? This prospect seems increasingly feasible, prompting questions about their practical applications, potential advantages, and the boundary between solid research and exaggerated claims.
An EEG device detects the brain's electrical signals. In essence, neural activity involves ion movements that generate measurable voltages at the scalp. Electrodes placed on the head capture these voltage fluctuations nearly instantaneously. These signals are typically classified into brainwave types, each linked to a mental condition: Gamma for intense concentration, Beta for alertness or tension, Alpha for relaxation, Theta for imagination or drowsiness, and Delta for deep sleep.
Karl Friston, a leading neuroscientist at University College London and brain imaging specialist, notes that such tools aid in identifying structural and functional brain abnormalities. Although various methods exist for studying brain operations, he points out that our grasp of the brain lags far behind our knowledge of the heart. Overall, EEGs offer a straightforward way to observe mental processes, with the key advantage of providing immediate feedback compared to advanced techniques like fMRI.
Affordable EEG products for everyday users aren't a recent development—in 2011, I tried the Zeo Mobile, a compact forehead-adhered gadget worn during sleep. It assessed sleep quality and timed wake-up alarms to coincide with lighter sleep phases for easier arousal. The device performed reliably, though the rigid plastic attachment made resting uncomfortable.
Today, EEGs feature in brain-computer interfaces and neurofeedback systems for refining meditation practices. For example, InteraXon produces Muse headbands that track brainwave patterns and notify users of mental state changes. In the previous year, the EEG firm Neurable collaborated with Master & Dynamic on the MW75S Neuro headphones, premium audio gear that monitors concentration. If focus dips, it prompts a pause to prevent exhaustion.
During this year's CES, Neurable revealed a collaboration with HP's HyperX gaming division to create EEG-equipped headsets tailored for players. Eager for performance edges, gamers stand to gain from the firm's specialized algorithms and exercises. High stress hampers attention, as Neurable's research scientist Dr. Alicia Howell-Munson demonstrated in a session, guiding users toward a serene concentration state that boosts response speed and precision. This approach originated from work with Singapore's air force to maintain pilots' composed alertness.
In the demo I experienced, I first evaluated my abilities in Aimlabs, a reflex-testing platform that gauged my precision and response speed. Next, donning Neurable's headset, I concentrated on a cluster of dots; stronger focus made them slow and converge. Achieving full convergence took me almost five minutes, but afterward, repeating the Aimlabs test showed marked gains: accuracy rose from 91.3% to 99.1%, and reaction time dropped from 623ms to 532ms.
Neurable envisions its adaptable systems, compatible with various hardware brands, enhancing cognitive vitality and efficiency. For example, suggesting breaks during attention lulls allows quicker recovery and extended productivity over forcing through fatigue. It can also evaluate processing speed, estimate brain age, and recommend lifestyle adjustments. Beyond personal care, the tech helps detect focus decline to mitigate risks, such as fatigue-related crashes for truckers.
Co-founder Adam Molnar highlighted how repeated use builds lasting skills in sustaining relaxed focus. CEO Ramses Alcaide emphasized visualizing subtle cognitive strain signs to promote self-care. He distinguished Neurable by its detailed EEG analysis.
Several CES exhibitors apply EEGs to targeted purposes, like MyWaves, which integrates the tech into sleep aids using audio to induce rest. It provides an expensive forehead EEG for brief nightly use over a year, then generates a 30-minute sound file mimicking your delta waves. Playing it pre-bedtime supposedly speeds sleep onset and boosts REM duration.
Numerous firms are developing EEG wearables for mental state tracking. Brain-Life unveiled a prototype of Focus+, an EEG headband paired with an app that assesses mental workload, attention endurance, and recovery during relaxation. Release date and pricing remain undisclosed, as development is nascent.
EEGs hold promise as brain-computer interfaces, exemplified by Braineulink's efforts. The firm merges EEG with AR glasses for thought-based environmental control. At CES, a floor demo let me toggle a light by mentally targeting it, though its practicality for mobility aids is unclear. Like Brain-Life, it's conceptual with no commercial product yet, but more ventures are likely to emerge.
As EEG adoption rises, integration into compact, lifestyle-friendly formats is expected. French startup NAOX exemplifies this by embedding medical-grade EEG in earbuds for ongoing monitoring of epilepsy and similar disorders. Future plans include true wireless earbuds launching late 2026, with tech compact enough for third-party integration, potentially adding brain health monitoring to standard earpieces.
NAOX co-founder Dr. Michel Le Van Quyen, in a December 2025 London presentation, outlined the drive for in-ear EEG as a brain counterpart to the Apple Watch's heart monitoring. Though scalp placement is typical for EEGs, I inquired about ear-based versions. Professor Friston noted their proximity to neural sources could improve accuracy, making them ideal for consumer additions to earbuds, especially for activities like meditation.
A risk with widespread EEG wearables is users misjudging their mental state. Diagnosing epilepsy, for instance, requires expert-reviewed 24-hour ambulatory EEGs, as Friston described, involving thorough analysis for targeted follow-ups. He and other experts worry about non-professionals acting on device data without guidance.
Friston cautioned against viewing wearable EEGs as cure-alls for brain function. He advised treating them like home thermometers: helpful for basic wellness checks, as with monitoring a child's fever, but useless for pinpointing illnesses. For supporting mindfulness or meditation, they offer engaging metrics, though currently limited to that role.