The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to abandon our offices and work from home. Turning the space where you unwind into a place where you're at your productive best can pose a challenge, as many of us learned during the past year. But it can be done, especially if you specifically designate an area as your workspace.
Whether your workspace is a bedroom, a spare room, or the garage, having the right gear makes all the difference. For example, to stay connected to your office network with limited interruptions, TP-Link's Deco Mesh WiFi System is our top pick. From tech accessories and lighting to a comfy, ergonomic chair, our Top 10 list includes all of the essential items you need to work from home.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on 10 Best Products for Working from Home (as of 11-04-2022).
Table of Contents
When you're looking for items to improve your ability to work from home, consider how the product will affect your productivity and peace of mind. Don’t waste money on something that you aren’t going to use daily and make sure you're prepared for any work scenario.
Nowadays, reliable internet connectivity is essential when you're working from home, especially if you need to use video conference apps, like Google Hangouts, Zoom, or Skype, to communicate with your colleagues daily. Even during your downtime, streaming videos on Netflix and YouTube also require a strong internet connection.
Investing in a wifi extender will ensure that you have internet access throughout your entire house. This tool is especially helpful in larger households, where several people need access to the internet. If you live with several family members or roommates, chances are there will be other people streaming video, playing online games, or working at the same time.
Something to keep in mind: fast internet service helps shorten upload and download time, and this can be a lifesaver if you send or receive digital files often. Check with your internet service provider to see if they have any plans that can give your current speed a boost. Aside from that, you might also want to set up a hotspot that can keep you online if the power goes out.
Whether it's a spare room or a seat at your kitchen table, it's important to designate an area of your home as a workspace. This is where you'll spend at least eight hours of your day focused on work tasks you'd normally tackle at the office.
If you have a spare room you can use as a home office, investing in a desk and an ergonomic chair that helps maintain your posture would be a great idea. If you find yourself limited to a kitchen table or counter, a sturdy laptop stand will help keep your laptop at eye level, preventing the hunching that causes aches and pains to your neck and shoulders.
Speaking of laptops, if you primarily use one to carry out your work tasks, you might want to consider buying an external monitor you can connect it to so that you can multi-task. It can also be useful if you have to take part in several video conferences every week.
A noise-canceling headset can help you minimize distractions, especially if you have loud pets or a roommate who loves watching Hulu during your work hours.
Good lighting's always necessary, especially if you work with clients or teammates who live in different time zones or if you regularly work at night. Investing in a good desk lamp is a simple way to make your space more comfortable and functional.
A dedicated power strip for your home office will give you one spot for all your cords and chargers, saving you from getting distracted from simple problems like having to search around the house for extra outlets. Plugging your devices into a surge protector will keep your devices charged without burning out their battery life.
For some of us, working from home can be difficult because we also have to take care of our children. If you're still working after they're done with their daily homeschooling, you can still keep an eye on the kids with a baby monitor, making sure they're at their best behavior.
A workplace naturally enforces an eight-hour day, but a home office tends to blur those lines. Investing in a planner or scheduling app will help you track your time, making sure you aren't overworking, which can lead to burnout.
Take at least two breaks throughout the day to recharge your batteries and reconnect with your family and housemates. If you're feeling drained, sometimes the best way to recharge is to take a 20- to 30-minute nap. We recommend purchasing a sleep mask to block out any external light sources while you sleep.
One of the biggest distractions in our work is aches and pains. To ensure you have a great posture while working at your desk, get a laptop stand. Your neck and shoulders will get strained after a few hours if you are hunched over your screen.
Working out daily can also help you stay focused and reduce mental stress. You can keep your costs low by getting small, versatile workout equipment like a kettlebell, pull-up bar, or yoga mat. Don’t forget to eat balanced meals as well and take multi-vitamin supplements if needed.
Finally, be sure to tend to your mental health as well. Expose yourself to sunlight, meditate, or engaging in a calming activity to elevate your mood. You'll be more productive while working if you feel good physically and mentally, so don't feel guilty about taking a little time for yourself.
$149.99
When you're working from home, you need a reliable internet connection that can handle high speeds. This three-unit, whole-home WiFi system does just that, replacing your traditional router with a mesh network that brings seamless, uninterrupted wifi to 5,500 square feet of space.
Ranked highest in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in 2019 and 2020, this wifi mesh system provides up to six gigabytes of data per second, offering buffer-free 4K streaming that can accommodate more than 100 devices. You can work anywhere in your home, from your kitchen or bedroom to your backyard, while other household members browse the internet or play online games.
While some customers claim this wifi mesh system tends to crash if you have too many devices linked to it, many more say they haven't experienced any connectivity issues. Overall, customers consider this a reliable system at a great price.
$86.99
If you work behind a desk all day, you need a sturdy, comfortable chair that supports your neck and back. This ergonomic office chair keeps your posture in check and gives you the support you need all day.
This chair has a breathable, well-ventilated backrest and a resilient, supportive mesh that keeps your spine aligned properly while reducing pressure and muscle fatigue.
Some reviewers say the armrests on this chair are somewhat low and not entirely suitable for anyone around six feet or taller. A majority, though, find it comfortable and easy to adjust, considering it a great buy for the price.
$26.99
Designed to keep your laptop cool during long workdays, this ergonomic laptop stand is slim, sturdy, and portable, and suits any laptop between 10 to 15.6 inches.
It elevates your laptop by six inches and keeps it at eye level, reducing the neck and shoulder pain associated with hunching over your screen. With a high-quality, aluminum-alloy design, it's available in a variety of colors.
Some customers who own thinner laptops say this stand isn't as sturdy as the manufacturer claims. Others, though, say the product has proven sturdy enough to hold their laptops in place, finding it solid and well-made.
$54.99
These noise-canceling headphones have 40 hours of battery life in active noise cancellation mode and up to 60 hours in standard mode. They block up to 90 percent of external sounds so you can focus on your work. The ear covers use memory foam to provide maximum comfort for long periods of use.
If sound quality is important, these headphones may not be the right choice. While some reviewers claim the bass tends to muffle the mid-to-high-frequency ranges, others say these headphones are extremely comfortable and are perfect for focusing on work while listening to music at low volumes.
According to reviewers, the vendor takes customer satisfaction seriously. If you report any issues with your headphones, they'll do everything they can to find an alternate model that suits your needs.
$16.48
This surge protector is one of the most reliable tools you'll need when working from home. It provides several sockets and USB charging ports that can protect your devices from overcharging.
The surge protector also prevents overloading and short-circuiting. Made from fire-retardant material, this product suits those who want to save floor space because unlike other surge protectors, this one can also be mounted on a wall.
This surge protector prioritizes protection over speed, meaning your USB devices may charge more slowly than if they were connected to a regular wall socket. Despite this detail, most customers consider this surge protector a great space saver for anyone who wants to charge their devices overnight without the risk of ruining their device's battery life.
$93.99
This 21.5-inch monitor provides a crisp look for video, gaming, and general work purposes. It has a 1080p HD resolution and an 0.24-inch ultra-thin, sleek frame. The monitor fits most desk sizes and comes with a VGA cable. It doesn't have a built-in speaker.
Customers say you will need to buy an adapter if you want to mount this monitor to the wall. Some also found that they had a problem with their monitors after a while, claiming it would blackout. This doesn't happen with all monitors, though.
Overall, most customers consider this a good, quality monitor that's a great value for the cost, finding it easy to unpack and set up.
$24.39
If you want to stay fit and alleviate the aches and pains of desk work, this bar can help. You can use it for chin-ups, push-ups, curls, and more.
As long as you have a doorway that is 24- to 32-inches wide, you'll be able to securely fasten the bar with ease. It has a weight capacity of 300 pounds and it provides a stable grip as well.
Some customers claim the foam typically begins to wear after two years of use and note that the rubber components tend to smell for the first few days after opening the box. A majority of customers, though, say the bar is extremely sturdy and doesn't bend, and found that assembling this workout bar is easy and quick to complete.
$22.95
This kettlebell can be used to exercise any part of your body so you can stay fit while working from home. It has a powder-coated surface to provide a better grip. There are no weak spots or seams, making this kettlebell reliable and durable as well.
Some customers claim that the handle's powder coating starts to chip after a year of use. The handle might rust if you don't sand down the chipped area and paint over it, and that can be a hassle.
Other customers say the wide handle is great for using both hands when doing kettlebell swings and accommodates people with large hands. They also like that it has no sharp edges and is safe to use.
$49.99
If you're a busy parent working from home and want to make sure your kids are safe while they're off playing alone, this baby monitor can be a useful tool. Its battery lasts for eight hours and it has a night vision mode, which is perfect if you're working on a late-night project.
Some customers who have bought this baby monitor say the night vision mode is very grainy, and it doesn't have a zoom feature.
By contrast, a majority of customers like its compact size and that it doesn't have a cumbersome external antenna. They also like that they can monitor the temperature in the room to make sure kids are comfortable and safe.
$39.99
This desk lamp is perfect for anyone who works in different time zones and needs to burn that midnight oil. With several color modes and brightness levels, the lamp will keep you feeling comfortable working at night without damaging your eyes. The lamp also comes with an additional USB port so that you can charge your mobile devices.
Previous customers have reported that the lamp may malfunction after a year of use. However, TaoTronics will replace any defective lamps for free.
Customers like that it can easily swivel from the head or the base without making any squeaking sounds. They also appreciate that the touch-sensitive panel makes it easy to change the light setting.
There are many other products available that can help you boost your productivity when you're working from home. Here are a few related products that you can use to help optimize your home office.
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Apps
Business apps, Cooking apps, Dating appsHome goods
Bath supplies, Ceremonial occasion supplies, Cleaning suppliesHome electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, AV accessories, Blenders and food processorsPC
Computer supplies, Desktop computers, TabletsCamera
Camera bags and backpacks, Camera supplies, Digital single lens camerasBeauty
Blushes, Bronzers, CleansersHealth
Body care products, Health accessories, Health foods and supplementsFood and drinks
Alcohol, Breads and jams, Cocktails and ready-to-drink alcoholic beveragesKitchen
Coffee and tea products, Cooking utensils, CupsFashion
Footwear products, Men's shoes, SandalsShoes
Accessories
Wristwatches, Accessories and jewelry, Umbrellas and parasolsKids and baby
Baby carriers, Baby food, Baby formulaInterior
Beds, Beds and bedding, ChairsHobbies
Aromatherapy products, Art supplies, Arts and collectiblesOutdoor
Barbecue grills and fire pits, Camping beds and cots, Camping gearHome, garden, and tools
Agricultural materials and gardening supplies, Exterior and garden furniture, Materials and repairing agentsSports and fitness
Sports shoes, Surfing supplies, Badminton suppliesPets
Bird and small animal supplies, Cat supplies, Dog suppliesMedia
Books and magazines, CD, Children's books, picture books and illustrated encyclopediasGames
Gaming accessories, Nintendo Switch games, PC gamesAutomotive
Car accessories, Car navigation systemsGifts
Christmas gifts, Father's Day gifts, Gifts for childrenMobile devices
Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watches