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Working From Home 101: Must-Have Devices for Your Home Office Setup

For the most productive, functional home office experience, you need to equip your space with the right accessories. Our top picks help you stay connected and comfortable.

By Will Greenwald
Updated June 8, 2023
(Credit: Getty/Ivan Pantic)

Working from home can be as simple as sitting on the couch and opening your laptop, but that isn't necessarily conducive to getting work done on a consistent basis. You really need some sort of home office setup for the optimal balance between comfort and productivity.

Although more people than ever are working remotely, not everyone has the same requirements. Generally, though, you need to be able to focus for long periods without developing any aches or pains. You must also stay connected to the necessary resources and equipment for your job.

This list covers everything you need to consider, including routers and mesh systems for reliable Wi-Fi, chairs and desks for long-term comfort, top-notch peripherals such as mice, keyboards, headphones, speakers, and even smart coffee makers to keep you energized. All of these items can help improve your workspace and make you more productive—as long as you determine your optimal setup.


 

Stay Connected: Wi-Fi Routers

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 (Credit: Asus) (Credit: Asus)

Internet access is essential for working from home, and you need to ensure consistent coverage around your residence. Although you can't always guarantee that your internet service will be up 100% of the time, you can at least maintain a strong Wi-Fi network for when it is.

If your place is small and your modem is relatively close to where you work, you can probably get by with a good router. Ditch the one your provider offers (especially if you have to rent it), and invest in one that gets you faster, more consistent speeds as well as improved range. A good budget-friendly router like the TP-Link Archer AX50 costs as little as $70, though more powerful models like the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 can run you as much as $600.

If your home is large, one router might not cover everything. In that case, consider a mesh system. These are routers that distribute wireless connections across multiple devices around your home. They improve range and long-distance performance because your computer only needs to connect to the closest mesh node rather than to the router physically plugged in to your modem. Mesh systems are typically pricier than single routers, but they've become significantly more accessible (a three-node bundle of our Editors' Choice winner, the Eero 6+, is $300) and are worth considering if you want to work from anywhere in the house.


Eero 6+

4.0
Synology WRX560 Image

Synology WRX560

4.0
TP-Link Archer AXE75 Image

TP-Link Archer AXE75

4.0
Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro Image

Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro

4.0
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 Image

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000

4.0

Stay in the Picture: Webcams

Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra (Credit: Will Greenwald) (Credit: Will Greenwald)

A good webcam will make you look sharper for video calls. Even inexpensive models can offer higher resolutions, wider angles, and better low-light performance than your laptop's built-in camera.

Moreover, a separate webcam offers greater flexibility. Sure, you can clip it to the top of your monitor, but you can also place it anywhere else its cable can reach. Most also have mounts for tripods, so you can set up your frame for calls. Some higher-end webcams also feature smart zoom features that digitally crop and pan to follow your face when you move around.

If you really want to go all-out, consider getting a good light, like the Logitech Litra Glow, to go with your webcam. You look more professional if your face is the best-lit object in the frame.

You can also use your smartphone or digital camera as a webcam. Both devices tend to have much better sensors and lenses than typical webcams, though they can take a bit more work to set up.

Dell Pro Webcam Image

Dell Pro Webcam

4.0
Logi StreamCam

Logitech StreamCam

4.0
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra Image

Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra

4.0
Anker PowerConf C300 Image

Anker PowerConf C300

4.0
Poly Studio P5 Image

Poly Studio P5

4.0
Logitech Litra Glow Image

Logitech Litra Glow

4.0

Stay in Control: Keyboards and Mice

Drop Entr Mechanical Keyboard
Drop Entr Mechanical Keyboard (Credit: Drop) (Credit: Drop)

Your laptop's keyboard might be serviceable, but it's not the most comfortable way to type. The same thing applies to its touchpad. If you want to set up a proper workstation that won't hurt your wrists, you should invest in a quality keyboard and mouse.

The good news is that you have tons of options depending on your tastes and budget, from ergonomically curved peripherals to stark, brightly lit ones designed for gaming. You don't need to spend a lot for a good typing and clicking experience either (though you certainly can).

Many of our top picks for input devices, especially keyboards, have roots in PC gaming because that enthusiast market has driven much of the technological advances in these segments. However, that doesn't mean you need to get a keyboard and mouse combo with an outlandish design. Even Razer, one of the biggest names in gaming accessories, has low-profile options that won't stand out in an office setting.


Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard

Drop ENTR Mechanical Keyboard

4.5
Razer Pro Type Ultra Image

Razer Pro Type Ultra

4.5
Das Keyboard 6 Professional Image

Das Keyboard 6 Professional

4.0
Logitech MX Master 3

Logitech MX Master 3

4.5
Dell MS900 Premier Rechargeable Mouse Image

Dell MS900 Premier Rechargeable Mouse

4.0
Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Wireless Mouse Image

Microsoft Bluetooth Ergonomic Wireless Mouse

4.0

Stay Comfortable: Office Chairs

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 (Credit: Secretlab) (Credit: Secretlab)

Working from home usually involves a lot of sitting, and that can really hurt your back if you aren't careful. You should start by getting a comfortable chair that offers all of the support you need for long periods in front of your desk.

Herman Miller might be one of the most famous names in office chairs, but you don't have to spend thousands on a comfortable seat (though you absolutely can). A decent office chair can cost as little as $200 or $300 if you know where to look.

Many of our recommendations are gaming chairs because we've tested plenty from established brands. You likely won't find the same consistency in quality if you search for a random desk chair on Amazon or at Walmart. Gaming chairs also tend to provide plenty of support and have a handy reclining feature that traditional office chairs often lack. Simply pull a lever and lean back to relax once you finish working.


Cooler Master Caliber X2 Image

Cooler Master Caliber X2

4.5
Herman Miller X Logitech G Vantum Gaming Chair Image

Herman Miller X Logitech G Vantum Gaming Chair

4.5
Secretlab Titan EVO (2022 Series) Image

Secretlab Titan EVO (2022 Series)

4.5
Respawn Specter Mesh Gaming Chair

Respawn Specter

4.0
Razer Enki X Image

Razer Enki X

4.0

Stay Active: Standing Desks

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk
SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk (Credit: Amazon) (Credit: Amazon)

Even if your chair is comfortable, you might not want to sit in it all day. A standing desk, as its name implies, lets you stretch your legs and stand in front of your computer while you work.

But standing desks aren't just about working on your feet. They offer flexibility with adjustable heights, and many can easily switch between positions ideal for sitting and standing. You also don't have to opt for a full desk—you can place adjustable stands on any table or counter to turn it into a variable-height workstation.


Executive Office Solutions Portable Laptop Desk Image

Executive Office Solutions Portable Laptop Desk

Lap desks don't have to be big boards with pillows under them. The Executive Office Solutions Portable Laptop Desk uses multi-hinged arms to provide a variable-angle, variable-height work surface you can set on your lap as easily as you set it on a table to serve as a standing desk.

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk Image

SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk

The SHW Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk is fairly small and inexpensive for a standing desk that still offers motorized height adjustments. It's also available in a slew of different color options, so you can get the version you want to fit your home office's look.

Stand Steady X-Elite Pro Standing Desk Converter Image

Stand Steady X-Elite Pro Standing Desk Converter

The Stand Steady desk is a simple way to turn your table into a sit-stand desk. Its 28-by-20-inch (WD) surface with a pneumatic lift that easily switches it between sitting and standing positions. It can also hold up to 20 pounds fully extended, so it can easily support both your laptop and a modest monitor.

Vivo Electric Height Adjustable Stand Up Desk Image

Vivo Electric Height Adjustable Stand Up Desk

Amazon sells plenty of motorized standing desks from different little-heard-of manufacturers, and this Vivo desk is one of the highest-rated. It's available in multiple sizes (up to 71 by 30 inches) and can support up to 176 pounds while still supporting sitting and standing positions.

Stay Focused: Headphones and Headsets

Jabra Evolve2 75
Jabra Evolve2 75 (Credit: Jabra) (Credit: Jabra)

Whether you want to block out distractions or play music to help you focus, consider investing in a good pair of headphones or a Bluetooth headset.

Most Bluetooth headphones can connect wirelessly to your phone or computer. But if you're working from home, you probably want headphones that can also take phone calls. If voice clarity is paramount, dedicated Bluetooth headsets are the best choice because they typically feature boom microphones that offer superior sound. A monoaural earpiece is another option, but you should likely stick with stereo pairs that also offer decent audio chops for maximum convenience.

If you're concerned about distractions, consider getting noise-cancelling headphones. These use outward-facing microphones to measure sounds around you and generate waves that cancel them out. They can tamp down the hum of air conditioners, outdoor noise, or someone on a call in another room, helping you focus on work.


Sony WH-1000XM5 Image

Sony WH-1000XM5

4.5
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Image

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

4.5
Jabra Evolve2 75 Image

Jabra Evolve2 75

4.0
Poly Voyager Free 60+ Image

Poly Voyager Free 60+

3.0

Stay Caffeinated: Smart Coffee Makers

iCoffee Remote Brew
iCoffee Remote Brew (Credit: iCoffee) (Credit: iCoffee)

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world for good reason. Most of us use it to help us wake up and stay alert. If you need coffee in the morning or throughout the day, consider a smart coffee maker.

You can control these internet-connected appliances to make you a pot just by speaking to your voice assistant of choice. Alternatively, you can set up brewing schedules from your phone. These smart kitchen gadgets typically offer plenty of customization options based on how strong you want your coffee, and some even have built-in grinders so you can get the freshest cup possible.


Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker Image

Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker

3.0

This is the only smart coffee maker on the list we've directly tested, but it didn't exactly impress us. Still, it's an app-controlled drip coffee maker that can brew entire pots whenever you want and supports voice controls via a smart speaker. It's also relatively inexpensive for a smart coffee maker (though pricey for a non-connected coffee maker).

iCoffee Remote Brew Image

iCoffee Remote Brew

The iCoffee has a built-in grinder, so you can get the freshest brew possible. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and features three interchangeable faceplates, so you can swap between black, silver, and white.

Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker Image

Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker

Coffee pods are a convenient way to make single cups of coffee, and you can always use a reusable filter instead of buying pods if you want to save money and reduce waste. The Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart offers coffee pod ease and app-based customizability, with multiple settings to adjust and schedule your brews.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine Image

Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine

The Nespresso Vertuo Next Deluxe is another pod-based option, but for espresso. If you like your coffees smaller and stronger, this is the machine to get (and you can still get reusable filters for it). It doesn't have app control, though, even if it can connect to the Internet for firmware updates.

Cheap and Easy Ways to Level Up Your Home Office

Woman sitting at desk
(Credit: Getty Images/Westend61) ((Credit: Getty Images/Westend61))

Little touches, from cord wraps to houseplants, can also make a big difference in improving your remote work life. Our simple, inexpensive tips can help you get started.

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