Hybrid work has become the norm for 53% of American workers. Employees enjoy the flexibility hybrid work brings to their work-life balance, especially regarding commutes. Remote workers save an average of 55 minutes daily by avoiding commutes, with 40% using the time saved to work on their jobs.
Remote work demands essential tech, including a laptop or PC and reliable high-speed internet. A few carefully chosen home office gadgets and accessories make work more comfortable and productive. Below you’ll find a list of 10 examples of home office technology that help you make the most out of your hybrid schedule.
Gadget 1: Ergonomic Computer Mouse
Long hours spent working in front of a monitor often cause hand or wrist strains, especially for your mouse hand. Extensive mouse use can eventually result in painful carpal tunnel syndrome. An ergonomic computer mouse allows you to keep your hand comfortable during use, reducing the risk of strain.
An ergonomic computer mouse often has a contoured shape that fits your hand. Vertical designs are popular choices, although some people prefer to use wireless trackballs. Programmable buttons allow you to create work shortcuts, while wireless mice give you more maneuverability.
Three well-reviewed ergonomic computer mouse models include:
- The Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse can track on glass and wood surfaces without needing a mouse pad.
- The Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse offers a comfort grip made of cork and has three programmable side buttons.
- The Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball works equally well for right- and left-handed users.
Gadget 2: Compact Docking Station
Hybrid workers favor laptops, which make switching between home and in-office settings easy (no one’s lugging a full PC around during their commute). Laptop monitors are small, however, and frustrating to use if your work calls for multiple open tabs and applications.
Compact docking stations allow you to convert a laptop into a desktop workstation, effortlessly connecting the laptop to monitors, printers, keyboards, and mice by connecting the laptop to the station through a single cable. Monitor and Ethernet cables connect straight into the docking station, and the station includes USB ports for Bluetooth dongles and other peripherals.
Make the switch from work to home office simple with these docking stations:
- The Satechi Dual Dock Stand supports dual monitors and includes USB-A and USB-C ports as well as an SSD enclosure for data transfers.
- The Anker 568 Thunderbolt Docking Station supports three monitors.
- The CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock supports two monitors and has an impressive 18 ports.
Gadget 3: Noise-Canceling Headphones
Remote work comes with distractions. Kids, pets, and roommates can all make noise at inconvenient times, interfering with virtual meetings. If you work in a shared space or coffee shop, you also need some way to block out noise to concentrate on work.
Noise-canceling headphones let you participate in virtual meetings without the distractions of surrounding noise. They’re also great if white noise or ambient playlists help you focus. Many come with built-in mics that block unwanted noise, so fellow meeting participants can hear you as well as you hear them.
Examples include:
Gadget 4: Portable Second Monitor
You don’t need to be a digital nomad to benefit from portable home office technology. Anyone traveling for work or using a shared workspace can use accessories like a portable second monitor. With a portable monitor, you can add much-needed screen space to your work setup, whether at home or working from a hotel room. Possible monitors include:
- The 16-inch ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED.
- The Asus ZenScreen Duo OLED combines two 14-inch OLED panels to create 20 inches of screen real estate.
- The budget-friendly 15.6-inch ViewSonic VG1655.
Gadget 5: Reliable Wi-Fi Router
Combined with a fiber internet connection, your router forms the foundation of your home office. Ideally, look for a dual-band router that transmits on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously, as you can then assign smart devices and home office technology to the frequency band that best fits their needs. You may also want to consider a router with mesh compatibility to strengthen your network in Wi-Fi dead zones in the house, or one that’s Wi-Fi 6- or Wi-Fi 7-enabled to take advantage of the latest wireless standards. Examples include:
- The Wi-Fi 6-compatible Synology WRX560n which includes mesh support.
- The Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro is 7-ready with 16 high-power front-end modules to eliminate WiFi dead zones.
- The TP-Link Archer AXE75 offers near-zero latency and network speeds up to 5400 Mbps.
Gadget 6: Ring Light or Webcam Upgrade
Want to look your best during video conferences? Pick up a ring light or webcam with built-in lighting. Detachable webcams offer better video resolution than most laptop webcams, allowing you to look your best when making presentations. Possibilities include:
- The budget-friendly Neewer 18-inch 55W 5500K Ring Light.
- The Obsbot Tiny 2 webcam with AI Tracking and Auto Zoom.
- The NexiGo StreamCam N930E has a built-in adjustable ring light.
Gadget 7: Standing Desk Converter
Standing desks reduce prolonged sitting to improve health, posture, and energy levels. The trouble is, a standing desk can cost several thousand dollars. Fortunately, standing desk converters transform your existing desk into a standing desk for a fraction of the cost. Some of the best include:
- The VariDesk Essential 36, with 11 height settings.
- The VariDesk Pro Plus 36 Height-Adjustable Standing Desk accommodates two monitors.
- The portable MOFT Z Sit-Stand Desk.
Gadget 8: Smart Power Strips or Surge Protector
A power surge can devastate home office electronics. Protect your investment (and ability to work) with smart power strips or surge protectors. Surge protectors shield your equipment from damaging power fluctuations. They also help you control the dreaded “octopus” of tangled power cables. Many power bars now come with USB outlets to help you keep all your devices powered and ready to go.
- The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip has six outlets and three USB ports, and it can be controlled using Alexa or Google Assistant.
- The 12-outlet Tripp Lite Protect It 12-Outlet Surge Protector offers 12 outlets and Ethernet surge protection.
- The Belkin 6 Outlet Wall Surge Protector with USB-C and USB-A fits into any standard outlet to provide more room to power and charge your devices.
Gadget 9: Portable Laptop Stand
Laptops aren’t designed with proper eye/screen alignment in mind, especially when traveling or working from a café. Portable laptop stands adjust your laptop height for more comfortable use, and improve the angle your webcam catches during videos.
- The Roost V3 Laptop Stand has seven height settings.
- The MOFT Adhesive Laptop Stand sticks to the back of your laptop and folds out to form a stable base.
- The Rain Design iLevel2 lets you adjust your viewing angle precisely, while the aluminum base is a heat sink for your laptop.
Gadget 10: Internet Speed Testing Tools
Regularly checking your internet speed helps ensure your home office technology reaches its full potential: the most powerful laptop isn’t much use without a reliable internet connection. Make a point to check your internet speed once or twice a month with an online speed testing tool.
Work Smarter With Thoughtful Tech
Your home office technology is an investment in your work performance, productivity, and well-being. Even a minor upgrade like an ergonomic computer mouse can improve your workday, while switching to fiber internet can supercharge your productivity.. Take a close look at your needs, and choose one or two upgrades to improve your home office. The right tools make it easier to focus on outstanding work and give you more time to take full advantage of a hybrid schedule.
