Luckily, you don’t need much equipment when you work online. However, there are a few home office gadgets that can make your life SO MUCH easier and also much more fun. Check out the following work-from-home equipment to improve your remote work routine and skyrocket your productivity.
Essential Home Office Equipment
Let’s start with the bare essentials that you should get when you want to work from home. The following equipment should be found in every home office.
1. Height Adjustable Desk
Medical Billing and Coding released an article that explains how being sedentary for 6 or more hours a day can increase the risk of death by 40%. This is due to the increased risk of various musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases, as well as some kinds of cancer.
Scary, right? That’s why it can be extremely beneficial to get a standing desk. With this, you can vary between sitting and standing and don’t have to spend your entire workday in one position.
For instance, you could go for the FEZIBO dual-motor electric standing desk which can easily be changed to a standing position.
If you already have a decent desk and don’t want to spend the money on a brand new standing desk, you could also opt for a standing desk converter, which can be placed on your current desk and adjusted to your standing height whenever needed.
The third and cheapest option would be to mount two shelves to a wall: the upper one for your laptop, the lower and deeper one for your keyboard and mouse.
The only issue is that you will have to move your equipment from your normal desk to the shelves every time you change positions. But if you go for a wireless keyboard and a fully-charged laptop, it shouldn’t be too annoying.
2. Ergonomic Office Chair
Will I ever get tired of recommending a decent office chair? Probably not.
I know the fancy IKEA ones look much better than a boring office chair (and are probably cheaper, too) but you should still go for the ergonomic option. This will make such a huge difference to your back in the long run!
For instance, you could go for the Nouhaus Ergo3D, which comes with an adjustable headrest (I find these super comfy) and it has a breathable mesh material for optimal airflow (a thousand times better than sticky, sweaty leather seats in summer).
3. Webcam
Another basic home office equipment: a webcam. If your monitor or laptop doesn’t come with a proper webcam, you might need to get an external one. This, of course, depends on the nature of your job and how many video calls you have. Some of these calls can even be done on your smartphone.
In case you need an extra camera, go for something like the NexiGo webcam which comes in 1080P HD quality, includes a microphone and a privacy cover – very important if you tend to get a bit paranoid (like I do) and think someone could be watching you through the camera even when you are not in a meeting ;)
4. Microphone
If you have a lot of online meetings and phone calls, an external microphone can be useful and increase your sound quality.
I’d recommend something like the Jounivo Microphone, which can be muted and unmuted with one button, has an intelligent noise canceling function, and can easily be connected with your computer via USB.
5. Speaker
Depending on what type of microphone or webcam you have and what type of job you do, you might not need an extra speaker.
If you do, you should go for a speaker that can be connected via a USB port, like the Creative Pepple which comes with excellent audio quality.
6. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
And another essential work-from-home gear is noise-canceling headphones. Again, this one depends on what you already have and what your job requires. For instance, if you work from home with kids around, you might prefer a headset over a desk microphone and speaker.
A good over-the-ear option is the Wantek Headset. If you prefer the earbud version, the Enklen Active Earbuds could be a good choice for you.
7. Eye-Caring Lamp
For those of you who like to work early in the morning or late at night, you should get a decent desk lamp.
You should go for a lamp that has different brightness levels to adjust to your light conditions and uses eye-caring techniques, such as no flicker lightning.
If you want to bring it one step further, you could also go for something like the Afrog multifunctional LED lamp which also works as a wireless phone charger.
8. Whiteboard
A whiteboard is a necessity for some and completely useless to others. If you are a visual type of person and need to write important things down and see it in front of you, don’t hesitate to get one.
A simple AmazonBasics Whiteboard will absolutely do. It is magnetic, works via dry and erase, and comes in different sizes.
Remote Work Travel Equipment
If you are a digital nomad, which means you work online while traveling, you might need a few additional items. Here is what I recommend to everyone who travels a lot and works at the same time.
9. Laptop Stand
If you travel you obviously can’t bring a bigger monitor with you. But staring down at your laptop screen all day will soon hurt your neck. The solution: a laptop stand.
This is a lightweight and often foldable stand that will bring your laptop to eye level and thus prevents neck pain. One of the most popular ones is the Roost laptop stand.
10. Keyboard
If you are using a laptop stand while working online and traveling, you will also need an additional keyboard because you won’t be able to work comfortably from your laptop keyboard anymore.
Here you have several options:
- You could go for a foldable keyboard, like the Samsers keyboard that comes with a touchpad.
- Ultra-thin, light, and small keyboards, like the Arteck portable keyboard.
- Or one of those roll-up silicone keyboards if you can find one in decent quality.
11. Privacy Screen
A privacy screen protector is something that I find particularly useful when working from public places like cafes or trains, especially when you work with confidential information.
This is a filter that you can place on your laptop screen and it works as a security shield. Once it is on your screen, people behind you can’t see what you are writing or what is on your screen.
You could go for the Akamai Screen Protector and make sure you get the right size for your laptop.
Home Office Equipment for More Productivity
Let’s move on to home office gear that helps you increase your productivity.
12. Productivity Planner
The first thing that comes to my mind here is a productivity planner. Especially when working from home, you may find it hard to implement routines and to get much done. Finding out how to structure your day when working remotely will help you a lot.
A productivity planner can also help you with that. This is more than a calendar. This planner helps you set your goals and priorities, document your wins, and practice gratitude. It lists important deadlines and events, and visualizes upcoming successes.
A great example would be the High-Performance Planner by Brendon Burchard.
13. Pomodoro Timer
If you have read about productivity techniques before, you will surely know the Pomodoro Technique. Here you split your day into 25-minute work sprints followed by short breaks. This helps you focus and get more done in less time.
While there are several apps you could use or your smartphone timer to track the time, you could also get a LED timer, e.g. by Oveki (tip: also magnetic for your whiteboard ;), if you prefer having an actual timer.
14. Smartphone Prison
Have you seen the documentary „The Social Dilemma”? If so, you definitely know what a smartphone prison is. For those of you who don’t: It is a box or cage that has a lock (with or without a timer).
In case you can’t help yourself but get constantly distracted by your phone, e.g. by texting on WhatsApp or checking Instagram, you can lock your phone away in this prison and finally get your work done in peace.
Sounds a bit drastic but it may help some of you. Check out the Kitchen Safe to get a better idea of it.
Home Office Equipment to Increase Your Health
I’ve already mentioned a few essential home office gadgets that are important for your health, like a standing desk. In this section, I want to give you a few additional ideas on what could help you get through the day healthier.
15. Orthopedic Seat Cushion
If your ergonomic chair is not soft enough or if you are looking for extra comfort, get an orthopedic seat cushion.
The ComfiLife Gel Cushion, for instance, comes with high-density memory foam and cooling gel for more comfort. It also helps prevent back pain, improves your posture, and reliefs stress.
16. Posture Correctors
When working on a computer, there is always the risk of hunching your back. Looking down at your screen and bending your neck can cause some really bad back pain in the long run. That’s why you should make it a habit to sit up straight.
Also, have a look at these two posture correctors:
- The first one is an electric correction aid, for instance, Upright Go. It comes with an app and has many features but the quick version is: You attach the device to your upper back when sitting at your desk, adjust it, and every time you bend your back it vibrates and thus reminds you to keep a straight back.
- The second method is using a mechanic posture corrector. This is an adjustable upper back brace that holds your shoulders back. The bigger ones even keep your back in an upright posture. You can easily wear it under your shirt so you can also use it in public.
17. Ergonomic Keyboard
If you want to upgrade your keyboard game, go for an ergonomic keyboard. While they are usually bigger than normal ones, they support your natural arm and hand position.
The Perixx Periboard comes with a split-key and 3D design. The integrated palm rest also supports your wrists while the tactile keystrokes reduce pressure when you press the keys.
18. Wrist Rest Pads
If you don’t have an ergonomic keyboard but still want to support your wrists, you could also get rest pads for both your keyboard and your mouse. These allow you to keep hand level with the keyboard and mouse and thus relieve wrist pain.
Gimars Rest Pad Set comes with a gel memory foam for easy typing and perfect posture to release wrist, elbows, and shoulder stress.
19. Blue Light Filter Glasses
Some monitors come with integrated blue light filters. The same goes for your smartphone. Check your settings to see if you can easily filter out the harsh light.
In case they don’t or it cannot easily be activated, you should consider getting blue light glasses. These will block blue light and prevent eye strain and headaches. Especially, when you work in the evening, the filter helps you get better sleep.
A popular option would be the Meetsun Blue Light Blocking Glasses.
20. Motivational Water Bottle
This is perfect for everyone who struggles to drink enough water throughout the day. When you work from home, it’s easy to forget about drinking enough. You don’t take quick breaks to chat with your colleagues and no short stops at the communal kitchen.
To stay hydrated when sitting in front of your computer at home all day, fill up a motivational water bottle, like the BuildLife Bottle, which comes in 3 sizes, and stay on the drinking track easily.
21. Air Purifier
Another nice addition to your home office would be an air purifier. If you are struggling with pollen, dust, allergens, or smoke, don’t make your life harder than it needs to.
Modern air purifiers capture and neutralize pollutants and give you fresh air for better focus. The Partu Hepa purifier is 100% ozone-free, affordable, and fits into any tiny home office.
22. Houseplants
Why am I mentioning houseplants in a list of home office equipment? Because in my humble opinion plants make every office a better place. They make a great decoration, are pretty to look at, bring in life and peace at the same time, and give you oxygen.
A couple of plants around your desk and work is immediately much better.
Fun Home Office Gadgets
The following home office gadgets are by no means necessary. You will most definitely be able to get your work done without these items. However, they could be a fun or luxurious addition to your little office area.
23. Laptop Table for Bed
You know that I keep telling you in my work-from-home tips to not work from your bed or the couch. For one, this is bad for your posture and will cause back pain. Two, it can decrease your productivity a lot.
But does that mean I never do stuff on my laptop while sitting on my couch? Of course not. It’s much more comfortable!
Since placing your laptop right on your lap is not the best idea (think of heat and the fan), you should consider using a table. The Moclever multi-functional tray is foldable, comes with an internal cooling fan, a mouse pad, and a USB light. On top of that, you can adjust your laptop to 3 different heights.
If that’s not next-level comfy working then I don’t know what is.
24. Foot Hammock
A hammock as a footrest under your desk. Is it ergonomic? No. Is it fun? You bet!
The iMissiu Foot Hammock can be fixated with rubber footed clamps at the side of your desk. You can adjust the height easily depending on how comfortable you want to sit. This is surely a comfy and fun way to rest your feet.
25. Foot Heating Pad
If you are like me, you have cold feet all the time. This gets even worse when you sit or stand at your desk all day and don’t move much. An electric foot warmer can do wonders, especially in winter.
The Doneco heating pad can not only be used for your shoulders or back but it also comes with oversized pockets to hold your feet. Great idea to keep warm.
26. Mug Warmer
And another fun home office gadget for people who like it warm: a desk mug warmer!
Am I going a little bit over the top here? Potentially. But if you want to keep your tea, coffee, soup, or mulled wine warm for as long as possible, this might be a useful product for you.
The Vobaga Coffee Mug Warmer keeps your drinks warm for up to 4 hours. You can choose the temperature, and it comes in a few stylish colors.
27. Cable Management Box
You can have the most organized home office but one thing always looks chaotic: cables! Monitor, laptop, phone charger, lamp, keyboard charger, router,… the list is endless and so are the cables.
To organize all of that in a modern and clean way, use a box. The DMoose Cable Management Box comes with a lid to hide away all of your power strips. The box doesn’t only look very chic but also reduces accidents due to tripping.
28. Stress Relief Ball
A project that doesn’t go as planned. The bureaucracy that doesn’t make any sense to you. A colleague that drives you insane.
Sometimes squeezing a ball can do wonders and relieve stress. But it can also help you overcome anxiety or help you focus better.
Give it a try and see if you could use a stress ball, e.g. Pure Origins, in your home office.
29. Mini USB Desktop Fan
If you don’t have space for a big fan in your home office or if you are traveling and need a portable solution, check out mini USB fans! I have had mine for years now and love it. Simply plug it into your laptop and enjoy a nice little breeze.
The Arctic Breeze Mobile is super silent and has excellent airflow. It fits into any bag and doesn’t take up any space on your desk.
30. Tablet Stand
Do you use your tablet a lot for work? If so, a height-adjustable tablet holder might be a good home office gadget for you. When your tablet is placed right on your desk, you have to look down which is not the best for your neck.
The Saiji Tablet Holder brings it to eye level (or whatever height you need it) and allows you to rotate it 360 degrees for the most comfortable and ergonomic viewing angles.
31. Apps
Of course, there are also plenty of apps on the market that make brilliant home office gadgets. Here are a few examples:
- Krisp: Reduces all background noise during online meetings and calls
- RescueTime: Tracks and analyses how much time a day you spend on work and how much on apps, such as Facebook, to improve your productivity
- Forest: A Pomodoro Timer that not only stops the time but also prevents you from using other apps on your phone during a work sprint
I have already created a list of the best remote work apps so feel free to check that out if you want to learn more.
Make the Most of Your Remote Work Experience
As you can see, there are plenty of home office gadgets, remote work equipment, and work-from-home tools that can make your life so much easier.
I hope this list gave you a few ideas and inspiration on how you can improve your remote job and make it even more productive, healthier, or more fun.
Do you have any other useful or entertaining home office gadgets? Please let us know in the comments below!
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