Best Productivity Gadgets for a Smarter Home Office

Working remotely has become commonplace for many professionals around the world. From corporate remote jobs to freelancing careers and everything in between – having a functional workspace can help you stay productive throughout the day.

Creating a smarter home office goes beyond buying a laptop or ergonomic desk chair, however. Improving your productivity and the overall comfort of your desk can be as simple as investing in the right gadgets.

Whether you want to save time, stay organized, increase your concentration, or build a more comfortable workstation – there are useful accessories to consider.

Needless to say, everything from external monitors and ergonomic keyboards to smart desk lamps and wireless charging stations can help upgrade your office space. But how do you know which ones are worth buying?

These are the best productivity gadgets to help you build a smarter home office.

External Monitor Makes Multitasking Easy

Buying a quality monitor is one of the best investments you can make when building a home office. Having a second screen allows you to leave more windows open at once, instead of constantly switching back and forth between tabs.

An external monitor is perfect for video conferencing, side-by-side comparisons, programming work, and much more.

Consider a Portable Monitor for Flexibility

Another useful option is a portable monitor, which acts as a second display without permanently mounting it to your desk.

UPERFECT Portable Monitors are ideal for remote offices, traveling professionals, or anyone who frequently works with two screens.

Ergonomic Keyboard and Wireless Mouse Improve Comfort

You might not realize how much time you spend typing and working with your mouse throughout the day. Investing in a comfortable keyboard and wireless mouse can make using your computer more enjoyable.

Look for ergonomic keyboards with adjustable tilt, proper key spacing, and wrist support. Onboard memory can be useful for individuals who use multiple keyboards between home and work offices.

Wireless mice come in different shapes and sizes. Ensure the mouse feels comfortable in your hand, has adjustable sensitivity, and doesn’t skip when you’re scrolling or moving between pages.

USB-C Docking Station Simplifies Connection

If you find yourself constantly plugging and unplugging your laptop from external monitors, keyboards, mice, and other accessories – it might be time to buy a docking station.

A docking station allows you to keep compatible connections connected to a single USB-C cable. Most models come with HDMI or DisplayPort outputs, USB-A and USB-C ports, Ethernet connectivity, SD card readers, laptop charging capabilities, and more.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones Block Out Distractions

Just because you work from home doesn’t mean your environment will always be quiet. Kids, pets, traffic, airplanes, and appliances can create distractions no matter where you live.

Noise-cancelling headphones are great for remote employees that need better audio quality for online meetings and research. Noise-cancellation technology is also perfect for working alongside noisy appliances or staying focused during busy hours.

Smart Plug and Wireless Charger Reduce Cable Clutter

Smart plugs and wireless charging stations are two simple accessories that can help reduce clutter in your home office.

Smart plugs allow you to control whether a device is connected to power directly from your phone or compatible smart home assistant. Wireless chargers keep your smartphone, earphones, and tablets charged without getting tangled in charging cables.

Monitor Light Bar Creates Ambient Desk Lighting

Struggling to read documents or stay comfortable during virtual meetings? Improper lighting can have a major impact on your workday.

Monitor light bars are great because they don’t take up space on your desk. The light itself is typically mounted to the screen and directed towards your desk and keyboard.

Smart desk lamps are another excellent investment because they let you adjust brightness levels and color temperatures based on the time of day.

High-Quality Webcam for Online Meetings

Even if your laptop has a built-in camera, you might find the quality or positioning to be off-putting. Consider buying a standalone webcam with high-fidelity video and microphone.

Look for webcams that offer HD or 4K resolution, autofocus technology, adjustable exposure settings, and low-light sensitivity.

Place your webcam at eye-level and make sure it illuminates your face properly.

Smart Desk Organizer Keeps Your Space Tidy

Cluttered workstations can be distracting and make it difficult to stay organized. Simple desk organizers allow you to store pens, notebooks, and other small accessories within reach.

There are also trays, risers, and shelves you can invest in to reduce cable clutter and create additional storage space.

Consider a Monitor Arm to Save Desk Space

Monitor arms help reduce desk clutter by allowing you to move your screen vertically and horizontally. You can customize the height, distance, and angle of your monitor without buying a whole new desk.

Best Productivity Gadgets for Home Offices: Comparison Table

Here’s a quick comparison of popular home office gadgets and what they’re best used for.

How Do You Know Which Gadgets to Buy?

There’s no need to buy all of these productivity gadgets to improve your home office. In fact, most workplaces only need a few accessories to truly make your life easier.

Consider what you struggle with during your typical workday. Is it staying organized? Your desk setup? Improving video conference quality? Reducing distractions?

Build your smart office around your pain points and invest in technology that will genuinely help you work better.

FAQs

1. What gadgets make a home office more productive?

Gadgets that improve your workstation or workflow are ideal. You may find that a computer monitor, ergonomic desk accessories, noise-cancelling headphones, smart lighting, and keyboard improve your productivity.

2. Are portable monitors good for working remotely?

Yes! Portable monitors are ideal for employees that work remotely or spend a lot of time away from their desk. They can also be helpful if you frequently work with two screens at once.

3. Is 27 inches too big for a computer monitor?

Not necessarily. Monitor sizes can range from 13 inches all the way up to 70 inches and beyond. Every desk is different, so choose a size that works with your workspace. Programming monitor are larger due to the nature of coding.

4. Should you get a dock for your laptop?

A docking station can help reduce cable clutter if you regularly use external monitors, mice, keyboards, and USB devices. If you prefer to plug and unplug your laptop daily, a docking station may not be necessary.

5. How do I make my workspace more productive?

Organize your desk and make sure you have all the tools you need before starting work. Improve screen positioning, comfortable keyboards/mice, and proper lighting. Remove as many distractions as possible.

Final Thoughts

Your smart home office doesn’t need to be the most high-tech or expensive workspace on the market. Your perfect setup is one where technology works for you.

Build a comfortable workstation with equipment that saves you time and allows you to focus on what’s important.