34 work-from-home tech products to supercharge your office

Look sharp during Zoom meetings: Emeet Piko Plus

eMeet / Amazon

Working from home often requires joining in on video meetings. Whether you love them or hate them is beside the point because you need to join them anyway. And since your laptop’s camera is probably not up to par, you need a reliable webcam like the Emeet Piko Plus. This is a 4K webcam with autofocus and an adjustable field of view, and though it retails for $90, we’ve seen it go as low as $63 on sale.

Improve your posture with a laptop stand: Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand

Lamicall

A good laptop stand will do wonders for your comfort and health. Not only can a stand keep you in a good ergonomic position, but it will keep your laptop safe and secure on your desk. Plus, a stand makes using a mouse and keyboard with your laptop a lot easier.

You don’t need to drop a ton of money on something expensive, either. A solid lightweight aluminum stand like the popular Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand will do just fine. It supports almost any laptop, from 10 inches up to 17.3 inches. It lets you adjust both tilt and height, and comes with ventilation holes to help dissipate laptop heat. Despite its $36 MSRP, it can often be found on Amazon for less than $30.

If this one’s too tall for you, Ugreen’s X-Fit Laptop Stand is a bit lower but still allows four different angles. The best part about it is that it’s also a USB hub, featuring one USB-C, two USB-A, an HDMI, and even an SD card slot. This one’s going to cost you $50.

Store your important files for easy on-the-go access: WD My Passport 2TB SSD

WD / Amazon

You might work at home, but you might also need to transport your work files for occasional trips to the office, or just a convenient way to take your data on the go. External drives are a great way to store and back up your files, and their ever-decreasing size means you can now easily take mass amounts of storage anywhere you go.

The WD My Passport SSD is small enough to fit in your pocket, but capable enough to be your main portable drive. It also comes with one of the best price-to-performance ratios of any SSD on the market. With 2TB of capacity, you’ll have plenty of room to store all your files, and the 5Gbps transfer speeds allow you to move large files in minutes. Though retailing for $159, it can be had for nearly half off during sales.

Block out background noise to help you focus: Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Wyze Labs

While Bose and Sony products are the ones you normally hear about when it comes to noise-cancelling headphones, they’re also incredibly expensive. But you don’t have to spend a ton for noise cancellation that’s good enough for a home office.

Anker stepped in with the Soundcore Life Q30 to fill the need for effective but inexpensive noise-cancelling headphones. While the audio quality might not compete with the more expensive brands, the noise cancelation is still top-notch. If you’re looking to block out background noise in your home office or while working in a busy café, these headphones will do the trick just fine. You can get these headphones for $86, but they’re often discounted to $60 during sales.

Get every answer with a smart display: Google Nest Hub Smart Display

Google

Marrying Google’s ever-helpful voice assistant to a 7-inch touchscreen, the Google Nest Hub Smart Display is much more than a device to control your music playlist or play ambient white noise (though both use cases can make working from home more pleasant).

You can also use the Nest Hub to run fact-checks (“When did Musk become the CEO of Twitter?”), get direct spellings of words that elude spellcheck, verify the dates of important trade shows and other events, set workday alarms and reminders, and pretty much search everything on Google hands-free, receiving both audio and video results on a separate, independent, dedicated display. The Google Nest Hub is $100 and rarely goes on sale, so keep an eye on that.

Protect your devices with a surge protector: Anker 351 Power Strip with Surge Protector

Anker

Your tech gear is expensive and power spikes can fry them, making you lose money, works in progress, and lots of time. If you get a power strip with a surge protector, however, you and your tech will be a lot safer.

The Anker 15-in-1 Power Strip is $30, but often comes with deep discounts that let you grab one for as low as $22. There are 12 AC outlets for computers and monitors, plus three USB ports (one USB-C and two USB-A) so you can charge phones and accessories without wasting precious outlets. The outlets themselves are oriented out to the sides, too, so your plugs don’t fight each other over space.

Create a full-on workstation: Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core Docking Station

Belkin

Your ultraportable laptop may be perfect for commuting to and from the office, but when you’re working from home, you want a dedicated workstation with the ability to connect all your peripherals. A Thunderbolt dock will help you expand your laptop’s capabilities and allow you to connect to a larger monitor, a full-sized keyboard, and several other accessories.

We’ve tested a ton of Thunderbolt docks, and the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core is our favorite budget-friendly option. It gives you the reliable Thunderbolt 3 standard, plus HDMI and DisplayPort 1.4 ports, all in a package that’s easy to travel with and won’t take up much room on your desk. This $43 dock goes on sale for as cheap as $30.

Or opt for a less expensive USB-C hub: Ugreen Revodok USB-C Hub

Ugreen

If you don’t want to drop the cash on a full-blown Thunderbolt dock, you should at least consider getting a USB-C hub. Modern laptops tend to lack all of ports you need to connect peripherals, and that’s where a USB-C hub comes in handy. They’re cheap and they allow you to significantly expand your port options.

For a truly budget-friendly pick, we recommend the Ugreen Revodok USB-C Hub as it gives you a variety of USB-A as well as USB-C ports and microSD and HDMI slots, all for under $10.

Don’t skimp on your screen: Dell S2725QC

Dell

Every home office needs a good monitor. The Dell S2725QC is easily one of the best budget 4K monitors you can get your hands on right now. Even though it has a $350 MSRP, you can usually get it much cheaper—we’ve seen it as low as $250. This 27-incher is a value buy with a 120Hz refresh rate, integrated speakers, and excellent connectivity.

If you’re on an even tighter budget, or don’t need 4K and want to save your cash, then the Acer KB242Y is one of the best values you can find for a 1080p monitor. With a 24-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 250 nits of brightness, it’s our go-to budget pick.

Upgrade your monitor’s ergonomics: Ergotron LX Monitor Arm

Matt Smith/Foundry

A good monitor arm is one of the best upgrades you can make to your home office setup. It’ll open up more options to move and position your display around your desk, and it frees up precious desktop space as well.

The Ergotron LX Monitor Arm sits among our favorite monitor arms for a reason. It’s sturdy, practical, and can pair with almost any monitor around. The LX is designated as an “entry-level” model, but it comes with specs you’d expect from something much more expensive. It can support monitors up to 25 pounds and comes with 75 degrees of tilt, plus 360 degrees of rotation and pan. It does come at a bit of a premium at $210, but it’s gone as low as $150 in the past.

For something more budget-friendly, we also love this Huanuo Gas Spring Monitor Arm that fits monitors between 13 and 32 inches. This one’s $50, but it’s often on sale for $40 or less.

Raise those monitors: Gianotter Dual Monitor Organizer

Gianotter

If you’d rather your monitors stay on your desk—sort of—then you can get one of these Gianotter Dual Monitor Organizers. It’s made out of three parts, with the sides being adjustable and allowing you to set up your workspace however you see fit. The middle part comes with a drawer, while the sides feature two spacious pen holders.

There’s also plenty of space to store your laptop under one of the risers and documents under the other one. It doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty affordable, available for $29 but we’ve seen it for $10 off at times.

Consider your wrist ergonomics: Logitech Lift and Keychron Q8 Pro

Foundry

If you’re working from home all day, you need to be comfortable… and a standard mouse and keyboard just won’t cut it. The Logitech Lift Vertical Mouse and Keychron Q8 Pro Keyboard were built to help keep your hands and wrists in a more comfortable and less injury-prone position.

The Lift can be purchased for either left or right hands and comes in a variety of colors. It’s also wireless, which helps you minimize desktop clutter. The Keychron Q8 Pro is a bit pricey, but gives you the satisfying feel and dependability of a mechanical keyboard, while the curved design allows your wrists to rest in a more natural position while typing.

The Lift will set you back $78 although it’s sometimes $10 or $20 off, while the $90 Keychron Q8 Pro is rarely discounted.

Go wireless: Logitech MK540 Advanced Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

If you don’t want to spend big on a mouse and keyboard, you can find a more affordable alternative in the Logitech MK540 Advanced Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo.

Coming in at an affordable $60, the keyboard is surprisingly snappy and has a pleasant tactile experience without too much noise, while the mouse provides smooth and reliable use and has a few programmable gestures. Both are wireless, so you can do away with all of those annoying cables cluttering your desktop.

Type low: Logitech MX Keys S

Logitech

If you really can’t deal with regular keyboards and just want something slim and silent, then you have to go for the Logitech MX Keys S. I have this particular keyboard and, after years of swapping between various brands, I finally found one that I’ll gladly buy again and again (when and if it breaks). Retailing for $130, this isn’t necessarily a cheap keyboard, but it’s worth every dollar.

It’s not just silent enough that you won’t wake your housemates when working late into the night, but it also comes with programmable keys and sensor-based backlighting. It’s rechargeable over USB-C, and it’ll last you about 7 to 10 days with lots of daily use. One piece of advice? Get the black version because the backlighting isn’t as effective with the white keys—the contrast isn’t enough to signal where certain symbols are, for instance. At least not during the day.

Backup software is a must: iDrive Online Cloud Backup

Too many people neglect backups when working from home. If your IT department isn’t covering you and your data, it’s essential—do not overlook it and come to regret it later. Luckily, there are some relatively inexpensive services like iDrive Online Cloud Backup that make it simple.

iDrive is comprehensive and allows you to set up and use its backup service without any fuss. It costs $99.50 per year for 5TB of cloud storage space, but you can often get your first year for just $19.90. Learn more about why it’s our top pick among the best online cloud backup services.

A robust PDF editor is also essential: Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

PDFs are a staple of any modern digital workplace, but they aren’t always the easiest to edit. There are lots of great PDF editors out there, but Adobe Acrobat Pro DC continues to be the reigning champ.

There’s no other software that combines the same features for creating, editing, reviewing, and securing your PDF documents. Plus, the subscription-based format means you’ll always have access to the latest version and won’t need to continually buy new software every year. Adobe Standard starts at $14.99/month.

Ease your eye strain: BenQ ScreenBar

BenQ

To save space on your desk and reduce eye strain, you should try a screenbar: a USB-powered desk lamp that attaches to the top of your monitor. When BenQ debuted its ScreenBar, it had us wondering why no one had thought of this extremely practical solution before.

It’ll save you desk space and keep you from going cross-eyed from squinting through the reflections on your monitor all day. Admittedly, it’s a bit pricey, but your eyes will thank you in the long run. This one has a $109 MSRP, but you can sometimes get it on sale for as low as $84.

If you don’t want to shell out the money for a screenbar, or it just isn’t your style, then the tried-and-true desk lamp is still a great alternative. At just over $20, the Torchstar Metal Desk Lamp provides form and function to help keep your desk looking clean and well-lit.

It comes with excellent adjustability, the ability to clip it onto your desk or use with a stand, multiple color options, and a straightforward on/off switch to keep things dead-simple.

Get out of your chair and on your feet: FlexiSpot E6 Electric Standing Desk

When working from home, you probably stay seated for long periods of time—even more so than when working in an office. No matter how comfy that fancy ergonomic office chair is, sitting in it all day isn’t ideal. The best way to keep your body happy? Switch to an electric height-adjustable standing desk with both sit and stand modes.

The FlexiSpot E6 Electric Standing Desk not only looks nice with its clean bamboo top, but it’s practical too. It comes with an impressive height adjustment range, solid stability (even when maxed out), a great warranty, and decent customization options. This standing desk retails for $470, but often goes on sale for up to 30% off on Amazon.

If you want a standing desk that’s a little cheaper, the Fezibo Electric Standing Desk is more affordable. The height adjusts electrically and you can save four memory settings. This one has an MSRP of $113, but with coupons and discounts, you can sometimes get it for around $100.

Set the mood: Lutron Diva Smart Dimmer

Michael Brown/Foundry

A smart light switch isn’t an obvious necessity—until you have one. Being able to control the lighting system in your home office via voice controls, motion detection, or your smartphone is a simple luxury that can pay dividends, both in your mood and in your energy bill.

The Lutron Diva Smart Dimmer Switch is built for the Lutron Caséta ecosystem, but it also provides broad compatibility with different smart home systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and others. It also has a minimalist design that doesn’t draw attention to itself. This thing will cost you $74, unless you find it on sale for around $62.

Stop getting up: TP-Link Tapo Matter Smart Light Switch

TP-Link

If it’s not about dimming the lights but simply turning them on and off without getting out of your chair, then the TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Switch is a great pick. They work with Google Home, Alexa, and Matter, and they’re easy to install. Plus, while $24 at full price, you can often get them for under $20—less if you’re buying during a big sales event.

Not only can you control them with your voice once you set up the app, but you can also set up schedules and set up timers to automatically switch on/off. Getting a few of these will be more economical than getting a bunch of smart light bulbs—unless, of course, you want RGB bulbs, in which case the light switches won’t help.

Stay warm: Vornado MVH Space Heater

In the cold months of winter, you need a way to keep warm and comfortable while you work at home. A space heater like the Vornado MVH Space Heater is a great way to keep your energy bill down while still warming a specific area. The Vornado MVH is small enough that it won’t take up too much room, yet powerful enough to heat an entire room by itself. It’s also quiet, meaning it won’t distract you from your work. It’s $75 full retail, but you can score it for under $60 on sale.

Say no to charging cables: Anker 633 Magnetic Wireless Charger

Anker

One of the best ways to reduce desk cord clutter is with a wireless phone charger. Right now there’s no better wireless charger than the Anker 633 Magnetic Wireless Charger. It’s technically a 10,000mAh power bank with some of the fastest Android charging we’ve tested, but it has a kickstand that lets you use it as a charging stand. Mount your phone magnetically and watch it go. This $60 magnetic wireless power bank goes on sale for as little as $40.

Charge your laptop while on the go: Anker 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank

One of the best ways you can ensure that your devices are charged when you’re at home or on the go is with a power bank. The Anker 25,000mAh Laptop Power Bank will serve you at your desk but also charge your laptop, smartphone, or any other device via its three ports (two USB-C and one USB-A). The kicker is that those two USB-C ports are actually built-in cables, so you don’t even have to carry cables around with you. With 25,000mAh capacity and 165W output, it’s enough for almost any laptop. Splurge on this $120 power bank, sometimes for as low as $90.

Charge everything all at once: Anker Prime 200W 6-Port Charging Station

Anker

If you’re going to charge a ton of gadgets while you’re working, you might as well do it in style and do it efficiently. The Anker Prime 200W 6-Port Charging Station features two USB-A ports and four USB-C ports, including a fast-charging one for your laptop (marked accordingly). As small as this thing is, it hits a total output of 200W. If you’re only charging your laptop, that single port can hit 100W, otherwise, if all USB-C are in use, it drops down to 65W (while the others hit 45W charging). Usually, it goes for $80, but we’ve seen it dip below $60 on occassion.

Get some computer speakers that sound good: Creative Pebble

Creative

A full, booming 7.1 surround-sound speaker setup might be great for watching movies and playing games, but for work you don’t need anything nearly as fancy—you just need clear audio during meetings or while listening to those background LoFi beats. Save yourself some money and go with the Creative Pebble V3 Speakers, which for only $45 produce deep and rich audio that you would expect from something two or three times the price. Plus, they don’t take up much space and look really good on a desktop.

Do-it-all productivity machine: Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7

IDG / Ryan Whitwam

You need a laptop while working at home, and there are none more suited to the task than the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7. It sports great performance thanks to its Ryzen 5 7533HS CPU, AMD Radeon 660M integrated graphics, and 16GB of RAM. It’ll easily tackle any word processing and spreadsheet work you throw at it, and it can handle web browsing while you’re on your “lunch break.” It has a 1920×1200 display with a glare-blocking matte finish, which is ideal for viewing in any environment, and a comfortable keyboard for marathon typing or coding sessions. The ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 starts at $800, but it has gone as low as $500 during past sales events.

Choose to go tiny: Beelink EQR5 Mini PC

Beelink

One way to completely overhaul your WFH setup is to get a mini PC. This Beelink EQR5 Mini PC, for instance, features an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, a hefty 32GB RAM, and a solid 500GB SSD. Plus, you can always upgrade your setup to add more RAM and storage. And since it was made for multitasking, this mini PC supports up to two monitors via the HDMI ports. Not bad for a super-affordable machine, which normally costs about $400 but dips down below $300 at times.

Add some green to your home office: Plantsio Smart Pet Planter

Plantsio

One thing that’ll instantly make you feel better when you’re working long hours is a bit of plant joy. This adorable Plantsio Smart Pet Planter will wink at you while you’re working, smile if you pet it, take a nap when it’s bored, and happily join you on trips around your home. The planter retails for around $90, so far from essential—but fun!

Add some space: Outioe 2-Tier Desk Shelf

If desk space is limited, your best option is to go vertical. This Outioe 2-Tier Desk Shelf is one solution, adding two sizable trays on the side of your desk. You’ll mount this one with C-clamps and it won’t go anywhere. You can put little plants on it, store your pens, add your charging cables, and so on. Efficient and affordable.

The reMarkable Paper Pure is a digital paper tablet that keeps distractions away, allowing you to stay focused. It’s a great gadget for taking notes, drawing diagrams, thinking through problems, and mapping out solutions by hand. This one has a $399 price tag—and it isn’t likely to go on sale anytime soon.

If you don’t want to shell out that much but still want a paper-y look, you can get a paper-feel screen protector for your tablet that offers traction like you’re writing on paper and not on a shiny screen. The screen protectors cost about $21 for a 2-pack.

Delegate floor cleaning to the background: Eureka J15 Pro Ultra

Roborock

Just because you’re home all day doesn’t mean you actually have a ton of free time to clean your home. What better way to do it than to delegate that pesky job to a robot vacuum cleaner? The Roborock Q10 S5 Plus for $330 is a great option if you’re on a budget, with 10,000 Pa suction for carpets, 70 days of use between emptying, mopping, and LiDAR navigation. If you’re willing to cross the $1,000 mark, the Dreame X50 is even better with 20,000 Pa of suction and self-emptying of its dust and self-washing mop pads.

Keep your desk clean: Odistar Desktop Vacuum Cleaner

Odistar

It’s not just your home that you need to keep clean, but also your desk. The Odistar Desktop Vacuum Cleaner is cute and helps you clean up crumbs, dust, and other bits on your desk—or even in your keyboard. This compact vacuum comes in multiple colors and you only need two rechargeable AA batteries for about 90 minutes of action. This desktop vacuum cleaner often sells for $10, so it’s a real bargain.