Whether you’re an entrepreneur running your own home-based business, a freelancer working from home, or a highly skilled remote employee, you already know that work-from-home jobs have countless benefits.
Y’know, stuff like saving time and money, helping you avoid countless stressors, and boosting your sense of wellness and purpose, all while earning you a lucrative living outside the traditional office.
But as someone who preaches about the remote work lifestyle and its countless benefits, all after working remotely with my life partner for the past 11+ years in an array of roles for major companies and startups alike, I’ll admit that getting the ideal home office setup for working from home has its fair share of challenges.
But that’s why we’re here.
In this blog post, you’ll discover our top picks of the best work-from-home products and recommendations for working remotely, getting your home office set up perfectly, and thriving in the future of work.
We’ll cover everything from the must-haves like the best adjustable height desks and the best home office chairs, to life-enhancing tech accessories, at-home fitness equipment, and essential kitchen tools for eating like a boss without breaking a sweat while WFH.
So, whether you’re just starting out as a remote worker or you’re looking to update your current home office setup, we’ve got you covered.
Now, let’s get this soiree a-shakin’.
*Erik’s Guide is reader-supported and this guide contains affiliate links, so I may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you. Plus, you may even earn a discount. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products and services I would or do use myself, and I’m incredibly grateful for you and your readership.
What Are the Best Work From Home Essentials for Remote Jobs?
Before we jump into the full extensive list of WFH essentials, let me lay out what I think are the most crucial components of any home office setup.
Here are my top 11 must-have products for remote workers and WFH:
- Adjustable Height Desk (Sit-Stand Desk)
- Purple Mattress
- Ergonomic Office Chair
- Lightweight High-Performance Laptop
- Smartphone
- Noise-Canceling Headphones
- PUR Water Purifier
- Cold-Brew Coffee Maker
- Logitech Keyboard & Mouse Combo
- Instant Pot
- Asana (Project Management Software)
With these 11 power items, you’ll be able to put together the perfect workspace to start working remotely, cook simple and amazing meals at home, and wake up from the best night’s sleep every day of your life while also staying hydrated and caffeinated.
Of course, there are plenty more items on our list that will make your remote work lifestyle even easier and more fulfilling.
So, keep reading for more details about these essential WFH products, and find out our specific brand recommendations below.
If you’re thinking of getting out of your home office and seeing more of the world while you work, make sure you read up on the Best Travel Essentials For Remote Work and snag everything you need before you go.
What Are the Best Work From Home Office Furniture Essentials?
When it comes to working from home, it all starts with the infrastructure, as in, where you’ll be planting yourself to get stuff done throughout the day.
You’ll want to invest in making your work environment as comfortable as possible to maximize your chance of success, from selecting the right desk and office chair combo to finding a mattress to minimize lower back pain and maximize productivity.
Here are a few of our favorite home office furniture choices for remote workers.
1. Adjustable Height Desk (Sit-Stand Desk)
If you don’t already have an adjustable-height desk, we highly recommend investing in one. Sitting all day is terrible for your posture and can lead to a host of health problems, including back and neck pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Adjustable desks allow you to easily switch between sitting and standing positions throughout the day, which can help reduce nagging pain and improve your overall productivity.
There are a ton of great sit-stand desks on the market, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that’s best for you.
Autonomous SmartDesk Pro
Strong, quiet, and tall, the SmartDesk Pro is a solid pick for anyone working from home. Available in 3 sizes, adjustable from 26.2″ to 52″, and with a butt-ton of desktop colors, this desk is awesome all around.
Ikea Bekant Sit-Stand Desk
The adjustable standing desk that Erik himself used for years of working from home, the Ikea Bekant is highly customizable and great for those seeking something sleek and minimalist at an affordable price.
Fully Jarvis Bamboo Desk
This durable sit-stand desk has a modern bamboo desktop available in 2 shades and lots of size options, from small desks for solo work to massive desks for small teams (or those who want more space).
My partner and I have used the Ikea Bekant for years, and its massive size makes it big enough for us both to use at the same time, whether for doing freelance copywriting work or photo editing.
It runs 63 inches long and 31.5 inches wide, with a minimum height of 22 inches and a maximum height of 48 inches, so it’s wide enough for a couple to work across from each other on each side, or long enough for two people to work side-by-side if they prefer.
The Bekant has a load capacity of 154 pounds, so you’re probably gonna find that suitable unless you’re overly fond of gargantuan paperweights. We use the plain white model, and while we do love it, we had to get a replacement power adaptor for it after a while, and it has worked perfectly from then on. Still, it takes up a lot of space and won’t fit well in certain spaces, and it’s clean but no-frills in design, so you may prefer something more compact and exciting in the aesthetics department.
With that in mind, we also like the Jarvis Standing Desk from Fully because it’s extremely sturdy, easy to assemble, and very affordable. It’s similar to the Ikea Bekant, but you might just prefer the way it looks.
No matter which adjustable desk you choose, we think it’s one of the best work-from-home products for remote workers because it can help improve your posture and alleviate aches, and it should potentially be the first thing you purchase for your WFH office.
If you’re looking for an adjustable height desk for your home office, we put together a full guide to help you find the right desk for you: 11+ Best Work From Home Desk Picks For A Healthy Home Office Setup [Sit-Stand Adjustable Height Desks Only]
2. Home Office Desk (Non-Adjustable)
If you don’t want to invest in an adjustable height desk, or if you simply don’t have the space for one in your home office, a regular home office desk will do the trick.
When choosing one, it’s important to find one that’s the right size for your space and that has enough storage for all of your work materials. We also recommend looking for a desk with a built-in hutch or shelves to maximize storage space.
If you’re on a budget, we recommend the GreenForest Computer Home Office Desk with a monitor stand and storage shelves on your choice of the left or right side. It’s an excellent value and it comes in four different colors, including grey, black, walnut, and white, to match any home office decor, as well as three different sizes (39-inch, 47-inch, and 55-inch) to fit any space.
If you want to splurge on a more luxurious home office desk that fits perfectly in a corner, we recommend the Fatorri L-Shaped Computer Desk. It’s our favorite because it’s extremely sturdy from its wood and metal construction, it has two small shelves and one large shelf for storage space, and comes in walnut, rustic oak, and white oak finishes with black metal accents.
3. Standing Desk Converter (For Regular Desks That You Want to Adjust)
If you already have a regular desk that you love but want to be able to adjust the height, a standing desk converter is a great option.
A standing desk converter is essentially a small platform that sits on top of your existing desk and allows you to work in a standing position. They’re usually very affordable and easy to set up, which makes them a great option for budget-conscious remote workers.
If you want a standing desk converter with a bit more storage space, we recommend the Flexispot ClassicRiser standing desk converter. It comes with a built-in keyboard tray and shelf, which is great for storing your remote work materials.
If you want to splurge on a motorized standing desk converter, we recommend FlexiSpot’s Motorized Aesthetic Desk Converter. It’s our favorite high-end converter because it’s super sturdy, has a ton of great features, and comes in white or gray.
4. Ergonomic Office Chair
A good desk chair is essential for any home office, but it’s especially important if you’re going to be sitting for long periods of time.
When choosing an ergonomic chair, it’s important to find one that offers both comfort and support. We also recommend looking for a chair with adjustable height and lumbar support to ensure you’re always sitting in the proper position.
Herman Miller Aeron
The O.G. luxury office chair with all the bells and whistles pulls off being both classic and modern for a timeless aesthetic and feels like sitting on air. Great for any upscale home office or workspace.
ergonofis YouToo Chair
The best ergonomic chair made in Canada offers superior lumbar support, adjustable seat depth + seat height, 12 colorful fabric options, adjustable back height, and removable armrests.
Steelcase Gesture Chair
With 360-degree arms, a contoured back, and an array of adjustments, this luxury office chair has won awards for its ease of use and customization options that includes 20 upholstery colors.
There are a ton of great ergonomic office chairs on the market, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that’s best for you. We love love love the Herman Miller Aeron Chair because it’s extremely comfortable and comes with a variety of different adjustment options.
I sat in one of these bad boys every day when I worked for a B2B SaaS company overlooking the NYC skyline, and it felt like sitting on air.
My current work-from-home office chair, the ErgoChair Pro+ by Autonomous, is awesome and great for posture, but it doesn’t quite measure up to the Aeron.
My partner and I both bought blue ErgoChair Pro+ office chairs from Autonomous for our home office space when they were still called Kinn Chairs, and we appreciate the firmness and customization options.
I also augment my ErgoChair Pro+ Chair with a Purple Royal Seat Cushion (more on that later), which elevates my body an inch or two while providing a softer surface to sit on for hours on end while I write endless posts on remote work essentials. :O
If you want to splurge on a more luxury work chair, we recommend the Steelcase Gesture Chair. It’s our favorite high-end desk chair because it’s super comfortable, has a ton of great features, and comes in a wide range of different colors and fabrics.
If you’re looking for an ergonomic chair for your home office that’s comfortable, customizable, and aesthetically pleasing, we put together an in-depth guide to help you find the right office chair for you: 17 Best Luxury Office Chairs For Working From Home Like a Boss
5. Purple Mattress (Best Sleep Money Can Buy) + Purple Sheets
I never would have expected a mattress to be a life-changing purchase, and I never expected to invest in a mattress that cost over $2,500.
But holy cannoli, the Purple Mattress is unlike anything I’ve ever slept on, and it makes every other bed inferior by comparison — even the bougiest hotel beds my partner and I have had the pleasure of sleeping in.
It might sound like hyperbole, but the Purple mattress has been an absolute game-changer for us when it comes to working from home, and even though it’s #5 in this blog post, I’d personally rank it #1 in its overall effect on my and my partner’s lives.
After years of waking up with aching back and neck pain from long hours photographing weddings and writing articles and website copy from our standing desk, we finally decided to invest in a Purple Mattress. And it was easily one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
Not only is the mattress beyond comfortable, but it’s also great for your posture if you’re a side sleeper like us, and it helped reduce our back and neck pain almost immediately.
If you’re looking for a mattress that will help you get a good night’s sleep and improve your productivity during the day, for memory foam and go find a Purple Mattress to test out at your nearest Macy’s or other local mattress provider and see what we mean.
We chose a king-size Purple Hybrid Premier 3, the middle option in terms of thickness because it seemed like the perfect option for how we sleep.
We also tried two different types of Purple Sheets, the Complete Comfort Sheets and the upgraded Purple SoftStretch Sheets. Both are fantastic in terms of softness and stretchiness for fitting the Purple Mattress. If you get a Purple Mattress, getting the brand’s sheets for it just makes the most sense.
6. Autonomous ErgoStool
The Autonomous ErgoStool is our favorite office stool because it’s extremely comfortable and adjustable. It also comes with a lumbar support pillow and a headrest pillow, which is great for people who suffer from back soreness or neck pain.
The stool is also very easy to assemble and comes with caster wheels, so you can easily move it around your home office. If you’re looking for an ergonomic stool that will help improve your posture and reduce pain, we highly recommend the Autonomous ErgoStool.
7. Ergonomic Kneeling Chair
An ergonomic kneeling chair is a great alternative to a traditional wheeled chair. It’s designed to reduce back aches and improve your posture, and it comes with a built-in lumbar support cushion.
One of the best features of the Knee Chair is that it’s height-adjustable, so you can customize it to suit your needs. It also has a padded seat and backrest, so you’ll be comfortable even if you’re sitting in it for long periods of time.
If you’re looking for a knee chair that will help improve your posture and reduce back pain, we highly recommend the Varier Variable Balans. Compared to other kneeling chairs, this one has a gorgeous design and rocking capability, and it is the original chair of its kind, designed by the iconic Scandinavian designer Peter Opsvik in 1979.
What Are the Best WFH Essentials in Electronics & Tech?
After getting your WFH desk and chair set up for an optimal work environment and investing in the best sleep money can buy, it’s time to think about your tech.
Obviously, you’ll need a trustworthy laptop with excellent battery life or a high-quality all-in-one desktop computer for your remote workspace. You’ll also likely want to get a set of noise-cancelling headphones, a webcam, a printer, and maybe even a lap desk to work from your couch.
But there are lots of other work-from-home products in electronics & tech that you might not have considered. Let’s take a look.
8. Super-Fast Lightweight Laptop
If you’re going to be WFH or working remotely, you’re going to need a powerful laptop that can handle all of your work tasks with ease.
For creatives and people who prefer Apple products, we recommend the MacBook Pro. Available with a 13-inch, 14-inch, or 16-inch laptop screen, it’s lightweight and super fast, making it perfect for work tasks like video editing, photo editing, and web design.
If you’re on a budget, the MacBook Air is another awesome option because it’s even more lightweight, and it has long-lasting battery life. The Air is also way more affordable than the Pro, so if you don’t need as much memory or power, this MacBook product could be the better option.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360
This sleek, lightweight 2-in-1 laptop is perfect for creatives and execs working from home and remotely with its powerful Intel i7 chip, 16GB RAM, touchscreen, and amazing graphics + sound.
Apple MacBook Pro
The quintessential laptop for creatives who swear by Apple products, the MacBook Pro is extraordinary for artists, photographers, writers, creatives, and anyone else working remotely or WFH.
Apple MacBook Air
A super-thin powerhouse for people who want the power of Apple MacBook at a more affordable price point than the Pro, including a crystal clear camera, remarkable audio, serious speed + memory.
For PC users, there is a wide range of options, but we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360. It’s one of the lightest laptops on the market and it also has an incredibly long battery life, so you can work all day without having to worry about running out of juice. I personally use this laptop, along with another Lenovo laptop, to get my remote work done every day.
I love my OG Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 because it’s so lightweight and fast, and it looks awesome. I originally purchased it to use for sound work with my Maschine MK3 for music production and recording, but now I use it for writing work, as well.
These days, Samsung has an even better, updated model that’s highly customizable in the Galaxy Book2 360, Galaxy Book2 Pro, and Galaxy Book2 Pro 360, all of which are worth a look in you prefer PCs and need a work-from-home laptop that can handle it all.
Check out our complete guide on the Best Laptops for Working From Home & Remotely for more of our top laptop recommendations for remote workers, including awesomely powerful PCs, budget picks, and exactly what we use in our work-from-home and remote jobs and for our home-based businesses.
9. Powerful All-in-One Desktop Workstation
If you’re looking for a powerful all-in-one desktop workstation, we recommend the iMac in beautiful green. It’s our favorite all-in-one because it comes with a 24-inch Retina display screen, an Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, an 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
For those who prefer non-Apple products, we recommend the HP ENVY All-in-One 34-c1070xt. It’s our favorite non-Apple all-in-one because it has a 34-inch display, a 12th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 (6 GB GDDR6 dedicated) graphics.
10. Smartphone
If you work from home, you could probably get by without a smartphone if you had an amazing laptop, buuuuttt we highly recommend you invest in one. Next to the Purple Mattress, your phone is probably the biggest life-changing tool on the list.
My partner prefers Apple products and loves the iPhone 14 Pro Max because it has all the bells and whistles that she knows and loves from being an Apple phone customer for more than a decade.
If you’re looking for a more affordable Apple phone option, the iPhone 14 Pro is not as souped up as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it’s still a fantastic smartphone and it’ll save you enough to put toward other products you might want on this list. You can even score an iPhone 13 if you don’t mind getting an older Apple phone model.
For Android users like me, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the choice to make because it’s comparable to an iPhone, and it has an outstanding camera that you can use it to photograph and film yourself for work projects, content creation, and living your best life. I personally think the camera on my Galaxy S21+ phone is better than my partner’s iPhone camera, and the screen size is exactly right for my liking.
11. External Keyboard and Mouse Combo
When I work at my sit-stand desk, I elevate my laptop on a stand and use a wireless Logitech keyboard at desk level instead of reaching up and typing on my laptop’s keys.
Not only does this help me avoid carpal tunnel from overextending my arms and fingers, it also feels more comfortable than any laptop keys I’ve ever used, and I can type noticeably faster on it, to boot.
Plus, you can run a wireless mouse on the same USB transmitter, and you get more bang for your buck by buying both items as a bundle.
I recommend choosing from the many Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Sets because they’re so well-made and varied depending on your needs, and they work with almost any computer. Plus, you won’t have to worry about tangled wires, and their mice options are very comfortable to use.
For Mac users, grab the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse. They’re both Apple quality and work seamlessly with Mac products.
12. Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you’re old school or you just don’t like ear buds, over-the-head noise-canceling headphones are for you.
They’re vital if you work in a noisy environment or if you just want to be able to concentrate better, and we especially like the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones because they’re exceptionally comfortable compared to competitors, they’re wireless, they have adjustable EQ settings, and they come with Bose’s proprietary acoustic technology that blows away the competition.
If you’re looking for more affordable noise-canceling headphones, we recommend Sony’s WH-CH710N Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones. They’re not as special as the Bose QuietComfort 45, but they’re still a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones at a more affordable price. If you get these instead of the Bose, then you can also scoop up a pair of ear headphones and still potentially spend less.
13. Ear Headphones / Earbuds
If you prefer to use ear headphones or earbuds, I’d opt for what I use — Samsung Galaxy Buds. The new Galaxy Buds2 Pro are available now, and they make my OG buds feel like they need an upgrade.
Still, my Samsung buds completely eliminate external noise from the equation when I’m working, and they have a setting that can be adjusted to where you can actually hear external sounds better if you need to do so for any reason.
For Apple users, scoop up the old-school AirPods or the AirPods Pro, which deliver the Apple-quality sound you know and love.
14. Solid State Drive (SSD)
An SSD is a must-have if you want your laptop to be fast and responsive. If you work with large files or do a lot of video editing, we recommend getting a 512 GB SSD. If you don’t work with large files or do much video editing, a 256 GB SSD should be plenty of storage space for you.
We like the Samsung 850 EVO SSD because it’s fast and has a ton of options for how much storage space you get, depending on your needs. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the Crucial MX500 SSD. It’s not quite as fast as the Samsung 850 EVO, but it’s still a great SSD with tons of storage size options and it’s somewhat more affordable.
15. Wireless Charging Station
If you have a lot of devices that need to be charged, we recommend getting a wireless charging station. We like the Yoxinta Wireless Charging Station because it’s compatible with a wide range of devices, including some iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models. (Before purchasing, it’s always a good idea to check if your device is compatible with this charger.)
The best part about this wireless charging station is its compatibility with Apple Watch and AirPods, which makes it convenient to charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all in one place at the same time.
16. Cable Management System
If you have a lot of cords and cables, we recommend getting a cable management system. We like the Luxear Cable Management Tray because it has a clamp mount for underneath your desk so you don’t need to do any drilling. Plus, it will help you keep your home office desk neat and tidy, eliminating unnecessary frustration. It also comes with cable ties, rubber pads, and wire organizers.
17. Backup Hard Drive
If you work with large files (for photography, perhaps) or if you just want to have a backup of your important files, we recommend getting an external hard drive. We like the Western Digital My Passport Ultra because it’s built strong, works fast, and has a ton of storage options (1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 5TB).
My partner and I use these external hard drives to back up images from our luxury destination weddings, and they’ve never disappointed us.
If you’re looking for more storage, we recommend Seagate Expansion external hard drives. These offer an array of options from 4TB up to 20TB, perfect for professionals dealing in massive file sizes.
18. Bluetooth Speaker
If you want to be able to listen to music or podcasts wirelessly while you work from home, we recommend getting a Bluetooth speaker. We like the Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth speaker because of its sleek design, durable construction, and booming bass.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the Anker SoundCore. It’s not as well-made as the Bose SoundLink Mini II, but it’s still a great Bluetooth speaker with enhanced bass and it’s more affordable.
19. Bluetooth Speakerphone
If you work from home and you need to participate in conference calls or video calls, we recommend getting a Bluetooth speakerphone. We like the Jabra Speak 510 for its exceptional sound and plug-and-play ease of use.
20. Ring Light
If you need to participate in video calls, you create content for a living, or you just want to look your best on video calls, we recommend getting a ring light. My partner and I purchased the Elgato Ring Light for this purpose because it’s exceptionally well-made and it’s easy to use, making it more than worth the investment. It can clamp to your desk super easily so you can set it up behind your camera whenever you hop on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet
We also own a cheaper ring light from Neewer, and while it was decent, it paled in comparison to the Elgato. Still, if you’re on a budget, you can scoop up this 18-inch Ring Light from Neewer with a stand and accessories for just over half the price of the Elgato.
21. Tablet Computer
If you need a device that’s more portable than a laptop while working from home, we recommend getting a tablet. We like the iPad Pro because it’s very well-made and it has a lot of features.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet. It’s not nearly as robust as the iPad Pro, but it’s still a great tablet for a fraction of the price of an iPad.
22. Stylus Pen
If you work from home and use a tablet, we recommend getting a stylus pen. We like the Apple Pencil because it’s made with Apple tech and works on Apple products. Just make sure you choose the generation that corresponds to your iPad model.
We also like the Wacom Bamboo Ink Smart Stylus if you use Windows Ink.
23. iPad Keyboard Case
If use an iPad as your primary device when you work from home, we recommend getting a Bluetooth keyboard case so that you can have an easier time typing on it fast. We like the Logitech Slim Folio because it comes with a full-size keyboard and iPadOS shortcuts, a slot for your Apple Pencil, and great protection from scratches and nicks.
24. External Monitor
If you want to increase your productivity while working from home, we recommend getting an external monitor. We like the Dell UltraSharp U2719D monitor because it’s the perfect screen size at 27 inches and offers 4K graphics for lifelike viewing.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend the Acer SB220Q. It’s a smaller monitor than the Dell at just 21.7 inches and the maximum resolution is 50% less, but at around $100, it’s a steal compared to the competition if you need an additional screen.
25. Wireless Mouse
If you need a wireless mouse because it’s more liberating than a traditional wired one and you don’t need a keyboard, we recommend getting something from Logitech because their mice are the best on the market and have everything you could want in terms of responsiveness and how it feels in your hand.
26. Wireless Keyboard
If you work from home and you need a keyboard that’s more portable than a traditional wired model, we recommend getting a wireless one. We like the Logitech K750 because it’s wireless and solar-powered.
This was my work laptop when I was the Head of Content and SEO at a B2B SaaS company, and I fell in love with the way the keys feel on my fingertips. With the K750, I’m able to pump out lengthy blog posts and article assignments with incredible speed and dexterity, and it can’t just be because of my fingers.
I own two K750 keyboards, in part because I broke off the ‘s’ key on my older one and got sick of the scotch tape I used to keep it on coming off all the time. (And yes, I still use the one with taped-on keys.)
Discover the best tools for search engine optimization today in our detailed guide on the 23+ Best SEO Tools for Remote Workers.
27. Portable Monitor
If you work from home and you need a portable monitor in addition to your computer screen, we recommend the AOC e1659Fwu. It has a 15.6 viewable screen and foldable flexi-stand for portrait or landscape viewing. Plus, it comes with a black case to keep it clean and scratch-free.
28. Work Lamp
If you work from home and you need a work lamp, we recommend the OttLite 13-Watt Magnifier Task Lamp. It’s incredibly sleek and accurately shows colors in light that mimics natural daylight and minimizes eye strain.
29. LED Lamp
If you work from home and you prefer using an LED lamp, we recommend another lamp from OttLite, the OttLite Recharge. It has a flexible gooseneck, three brightness settings, and a rechargeable battery with a charging cord and adaptor, making it perfect for use anywhere in your home where you want to get work done.
30. HD Webcam
If you need a webcam for remote work, we recommend the Logitech C920s Pro HD webcam. It has a 78-degree field of view, 1080p video quality, and HD auto light correction, making it a great value for its price. Plus, it has two built-in omnidirectional mics with a range of up to 3 feet.
31. Monitor Riser
If you find yourself battling neck and back pain because your laptop or desktop monitor is too low, you need a monitor riser to better align yourself during your remote workday.
A no-frills option with three height options is the WALI Monitor Riser. This could easily solve your alignment issues at under $20.
For someone who uses two monitors, we recommend the Vivo Black Dual LCD Monitor Stand. It fits two 13-inch to 27-inch screens at portrait or landscape orientation and has tilt and swivel capabilities, should you rely on that.
32. HDMI Cable
If you’re looking for an HDMI cable, keep it simple with the AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable. With options in 3, 10, and 15 feet, you can get one for whatever your needs.
33. USB Hub / Docking Station
If you work from home and you need a USB hub, we recommend what Erik uses: the Totu 11-in-1 Adaptor USB C Hub with outlets and inputs for Ethernet, 4K USB C to HDMI, VGA, USB3.0, USB2.0, a Micro SD/TF card reader, mic/audio, and USB-C Pd 3.0. I plug this into my Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 and use it to plug in my headphones, USB mouse (when I don’t want to use my wireless one), Logitech USB transmitter, and power cord.
If you need something a bit more powerful to work on Thunderbolt 4 products, check out the Anker 777 Thunderbolt Docking Station 12-Port Hub. Use it to charge your laptop and phone, improve your display with HDMI inputs, and more.
34. Portable Charger
If you work from home and you need a portable charger, we recommend the Anker PowerCore 10000. It’s small, lightweight, and works for both my partner’s iPhone and Androids like my Samsung Galaxy.
35. Wireless Printer
We recommend the HP Envy 6055e Wireless Inkjet Printer. I’ve used HP Envy printers for years without issue, and they do exactly what I need at times when I need to print, scan, or copy documents or images.
36. Microphone
We recommend the Shure SM7B because of its unmatched sound quality for the price, whether you’re looking to record vocals or musical instruments, start a podcast, or record yourself for voiceover artist work. We own an SM7B and use it for recording guitar, vocals, voicework, and sound for videos.
We also own and recommend the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone. It’s a totally different kind of mic than the Shure SM7B, and it’s the microphone that Billie Eilish used to record her first album. It’s much more affordable than the SM7B, and I’m happy to have both as options for recording audio. You can buy it in black, but we got ours in sleek limited editing silver/chrome.
37. Mic Stand
If you podcast or use a microphone in some capacity, you’ll likely want a mic stand. We recommend the RODE PSA1. The swivel mount studio microphone boom arm is perfect for positioning your mic in an ideal way for recording and broadcasting, and it’s easy to set up and attach your microphone to it.
38. Audio Interface
If you work in audio from your home, you likely need an audio interface, so go with the one that I use: the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface.
I didn’t think I needed this until my sister-in-law who is a WFH voiceover artist and mic expert told me that we needed to get an audio interface to make our recordings actually sound good. This is the one she uses and highly recommended, so we picked one up, too.
Its software makes it super easy to get started, whether you’re looking to record music or broadcast a podcast, and you’ll be well on your own to cranking out studio-level recordings and broadcasts like your idols once you add the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 into your audio arsenal.
Plus, if you need a mic, headphones, or a studio monitor, you can bundle the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 with either or both a mic and headphones if you prefer.
39. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
If you work at home in the audio recording industry or you just need a DAW, we recommend the PreSonus Studio One 5.
It’s a songwriter, producer, and composer’s dream, complete with Harmonic Editing, a feature that other DAWs don’t currently have. With “everything drag-and-drop” capabilities, it makes creating music simple, despite the complexity, it can handle plugins, effects, and mixing.
Essential WFH Accessories for Your Computer + Tech
Now that you’ve got the basics taken care of, enhance your WFH setup with these accessories that will make your workdays more comfortable, productive, and fun.
40. Desk Pad
We recommend the AmazonBasics Leather Desk Pad. It’s large enough to fit a laptop, mouse, and keyboard with room to spare, and it has a smooth surface that makes using a mouse a breeze. Plus, it looks sleek, provides added wrist support, and protects standing desks from scratches.
41. Laptop Stand
If you work from home with a laptop, you should get what my partner and I use to work from virtually anywhere inside or outside of our pad: the Nearpow Laptop Bed Tray Table.
My partner is using her laptop stand on the couch right now to edit wedding photos, while I use mine at our standing desk to write this blog post.
I even purchased a third Nearpow laptop stand for my other laptop that I devote solely to recording music with the Maschine MK3.
There are different widths available, and each laptop stand can fold up flat and easily fit in a suitcase should you travel often and find yourself needing to work on hotel beds.
This laptop stand is also a great bed tray for food, but you may not want to risk spilling ramen on your laptop.
The Nearpow is our top laptop stand pick, but it’s not the only one out there.
Discover the 11 Best Laptop Stands For Remote Work + Working From Home to see if there’s another one that’s right for your WFH and remote work needs.
42. Padded Laptop Support Tray / Lap Desk
If you work on your couch with a laptop a lot and prefer a laptop stand for your actual lap, we highly recommend investing in a padded laptop support tray like the Traybo 2.0 from Yogibo. This padded laptop support tray (or lap desk) comes with a bamboo top and a bottom made of soft material filled with beads.
This tray helps to improve your posture and keep your laptop at eye level, which can help to prevent neck and back aches. It also comes with a slot to place your tablet.
And if you’re a fan of Star Wars, you can score a limited edition Baby Yoda Traybo because the extra cuteness will most definitely help your productivity.
43. USB-Powered Laptop Cooling Pad
We like the TopMate C11 Laptop Cooling Pad because it’s lightweight, adjustable, and easy to use. With four fans and RGB lighting on both sides, this thing will keep your laptop cool, elevate it at an angle, and look awesome in the process.
44. Power Strip + Surge Protector
If you have multiple devices that need to be plugged in, we recommend investing in a power strip with surge protection and lots of outlets for all your electronics.
We like the Trond 13-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector because it has more than a dozen outlets that are widely spaced, which means you won’t get frustrated when two plugs can be next to each other because the outlets are too close. Plus, it comes with four USB charging ports for extra charging capabilities.
We also recommend the TrippLite TLP1208TELTV 12-Outlet power strip surge protector because it has a built-in 12a circuit breaker to protect all outlets in the event of an overload, an 8-foot cord that can help extend your reach if need be, and 2 22GHertz gold coax jacks for cable and satellite equipment.
45. Tablet Stand
If you’re going to be working from home, you’re going to need a great tablet stand. We recommend the AmazonBasics Multi-Angle Adjust Tablet Stand because it can also work with your eReader and smartphone and it’s very affordable.
The stand is adjustable, so you can use it at your desk or on the couch, and it has a rubber grip to prevent your tablet from slipping. It can also hold up to 11 pounds.
46. Laptop Holder
If you want a smaller place to put your laptop that’s not like the Nearpow Laptop Stand mentioned earlier (which can also serve as a bed tray for food, among other things), we recommend the MOFT Invisible Laptop Stand because it’s a great way to prop up your laptop at an angle for more comfortable typing and it’s very affordable.
The stand is super thin but incredibly strong and durable and can be adjusted to 15-degree and 25-degree angles for optimal working. It’s also easy to fold up and take with you when you travel.
47. Phone Stand
We recommend the Lamicall Adjustable Cell Phone Stand for propping up your smartphone next to your workstation during your workday. This phone stand is inexpensive, compatible with Apple and Android phones between 4 and 8 inches, and looks sleek and sophisticated in any home office.
48. Laptop Heat & Radiation Shield
We recommend the DefenderPad Laptop EMF Radiation Protection & Heat Shield because it’s a smart way to protect yourself from EMF radiation, it’s made in the USA, and it’s easily portable.
49. Laptop Privacy Screen Protector
Keep your information safe and secure and maintain privacy during a Zoom meeting and while working remotely in public spaces with a laptop privacy screen protector from Ceydebne.
With options for screens of all sizes (including desktop monitors, should you need one for that, too), you’re bound to find what you need from this company, and you’ll be able to protect sensitive and confidential information while working remotely.
50. Mousepad
Without a mousepad, pointing and clicking will get frustrating fast. We recommend adding the AmazonBasics Gaming Mouse Pad to your work setup because it’s large, well-made, and has a non-slip base. The pad is made of durable fabric and is machine-washable, and make for smooth scrolling no matter what surface you put it on.
51. Webcam Cover
Hackers have been known to find ways into people’s webcams, so why not just get a webcam cover to mitigate the risk and get peace of mind? These XBrand webcam covers will run you above $5 for enough to secure the webcams on all your devices, even your smartphone.
Work-From-Home Lifestyle, Comfort + Wellness Essentials
Now that you have your home office furniture and essential WFH electronics and tech taken care of, you’ll want to focus on your lifestyle, comfort, and wellness.
After all, if you’re going to be working remotely from home, you might as well make it a comfortable and healthy experience.
Here are some of the best WFH lifestyle, comfort, and wellness products we recommend:
52. Purple Royal Seat Cushion
With my firm Autonomous ErgoChair Pro+, my ass was not exactly happy working for hours on end. Thankfully, the Purple Royal Seat Cushion exists, and it rescued my rump from discomfort in my remote work life.
Forget memory foam: This seat cushion is made from the same patented material as the outstanding Purple Mattress (recommended above), the Purple Royal Seat Cushion is the mid-grade seat cushion offered by the innovative company.
You can even bring this seat cushion to your car, as truck drivers sweat by its comfort, durability, and lower back and butt support for hours on end (literally).
Rarely do we recommend product types by one brand alone, but in the case of seat cushions and mattresses, Purple is king (which makes sense — it is the color of royalty, after all).
53. Foam Roller
A foam roller is a great way to reduce muscle aches and improve your flexibility and range of motion. They’re also relatively inexpensive, which makes them a great option for budget-conscious remote workers.
When choosing a foam roller, it’s important to find one that’s the right size and density for your needs. We also recommend looking for a foam roller with an integrated massage ball for added benefits. We recommend the TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller because of its multi-density exterior.
54. Air Purifier
We recommend the Dyson Pure Cool Link TP02 Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier because Dyson products are engineered levels beyond the competition, especially when it comes to their outstanding vacuum cleaners and air purifiers.
If you suffer from allergies or live in an area with poor air quality as we do, this product is a great way to keep your home office air clean and healthy.
This Dyson air purifier is super quiet and highly efficient, and it eliminates 99.97% of allergens and pollutants, while also keeping you cool during hotter months. It also oscillates, comes with 10 airspeed settings, and it’s easy to clean, plus it comes with a handy remote control so you can change settings from a distance.
55. Humidifier
My partner wanted a humidifier to help make the air in our bedroom less dry at night, so we opted for the Honeywell Reflection Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier since it is small (but large enough for our medium-sized bedroom), quiet, sleek, and sophisticated.
You’re able to customize the air moisture level and run it for up to 24 hours on its low setting, and its stainless steel water tray makes it nearly effortless to clean – just wipe it down.
Please note that cleaning your humidifier is extremely important, as bad bacteria can start to grow in there and get into the air if you forget to wash it regularly.
56. Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
If you work on a computer all day, you know how important it is to protect your eyes from blue light. Blue light-blocking glasses are a great way to reduce eye fatigue and improve your sleep.
We recommend the Uvex Skyper Blue Light Blocking Computer Glasses because they’re comfortable, stylish, and affordable.
57. Zenni Prescription Glasses & Contact Lenses
If it’s been a while since you’ve got your eyes checked, it’s time to make an eye doctor appointment. But once you get your prescription, don’t feel compelled to purchase new specs or contacts from the office.
Instead, head over to Zenni Optical where you can find a variety of fashionable frames for a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere.
My partner and I have used Zenni for years, and the prices are so low that we’ve often made purchases of several pairs at once (cuz you never know when you’ll need green-framed aviators to go with that velvet blazer…).
Adding your prescription is easy, and Zenni offers the ability to “try on” pairs of glasses online using a portrait image you can upload to the site, which is super cool when trying to decide between the hundreds of pairs you’ll want to get.
58. Meditation Cushion
Back when I reviewed meditation cushions for BuzzFeed when they still had the BuzzFeed Reviews vertical in 2019, I had the rare pleasure of having more than a dozen meditation cushions in my living at one time. (The pillow forts were legendary.)
Since then, I’ve invested in my own trio of cushions, and interestingly, neither of them was part of the group I tested for that OG article.
These days, I’m particularly fond of the Florensi Meditation Cushion. It’s super comfy for my slightly taller frame, it comes in 7 tranquil colors, and I love that it has a handle so I can easily tote it around when I travel. It also has embroidery on one side that is pleasing to the eyes, if you’re into that sort of design.
Still, if you know me, then you know that I’m quite partial to anything green, which makes the Mindful and Modern Velvet Meditation Cushion my favorite of the three. The dark green color is perfect for me, and I love its soft feel. Also, since I’m a tall string bean of a human, I prefer to stack this one on top of the Florensi whenever I meditate because otherwise, my ankles get all bunched up and it starts to hurt after five minutes.
My partner loves her AJNA Buckwheat Zafu Meditation Round in amethyst because of its soft velvet exterior that’s machine-washable. With an array of color options, you can score this classic round, zafu-style cushion in whatever makes you and your abode feel best.
59. Massage Gun
A massage gun is a great way to relieve muscle tension. We recommend the Theragun Mini because it’s small, portable, and affordable.
The Theragun Mini is an incredibly beneficial addition to your work-from-home essentials list, as it helps address the physical discomfort and stress that can arise from long hours working in a home environment. This compact, portable, and powerful percussion massager provides relief for sore muscles, tension, and stress, making it an excellent tool for maintaining your physical well-being while working remotely.
Key features of the Theragun Mini include:
- Portability: The Theragun Mini is designed for on-the-go use, thanks to its lightweight and compact size. This makes it easy to incorporate into your work-from-home routine, allowing you to use it in different areas of your home or even while traveling.
- Power: Despite its small size, the Theragun Mini packs a punch, delivering professional-grade deep muscle treatment. With three speed settings (1750, 2100, and 2400 percussions per minute), you can customize the intensity of the massage to suit your needs and preferences.
- Quiet operation: The Theragun Mini operates quietly, thanks to its QuietForce Technology. This allows you to use it without disturbing others in your home or workspace, making it an ideal choice for those who share their living space with family members or roommates.
- Ergonomic design: The device is designed for comfort and ease of use, featuring an ergonomic grip that makes it simple to hold and maneuver during a massage session. This helps you target specific muscle groups more effectively and ensures a smooth, comfortable experience.
- Battery life: The Theragun Mini boasts a robust battery life of up to 150 minutes on a single charge, providing ample time for multiple massage sessions throughout the day.
The Theragun Mini is also quiet and powerful and it comes with three attachments for different areas of the body. Plus, it’s backed by a two-year warranty.
Incorporating the Theragun Mini into your work-from-home routine can help alleviate the physical strain that comes with spending long hours sitting or standing at a desk. By addressing muscle tension and promoting relaxation, this powerful device can improve your overall well-being, leading to increased productivity and a more enjoyable remote work experience.
60. Comfy Brace Posture Corrector
If you’re looking to keep your posture aligned while working remotely, the Comfy Brace Posture Corrector is a great option.
As someone with pretty poor posture who’s actively trying to overcome years of slouching and tech-neck, this thing has been a revelation.
The Comfy Brace Posture Corrector is easy to put on, adjustable, breathable, and made of high-quality materials. It’s also backed by an unbeatable lifetime warranty.
It’s quite affordable, as well, making it a worthwhile investment in your health since you’ll likely be sitting nearly all day at your computer while working from home, and back aches or osteoporosis are not supposed to be part of living the WFH dream.
61. Portable Back Supporter
The MIETA Ergonomic Back Supporter is a top-tier choice for anyone looking to enhance their work-from-home experience by prioritizing comfort and ergonomics. This is specifically designed to integrate into your home office chair and offer optimum support for your back, neck, and overall posture, making it an essential addition to your home office setup.
Key features of the MIETA Ergonomic Large Size Back Support Chair include:
- Ergonomic design: The chair’s design is focused on providing proper support and alignment for your spine, reducing the risk of discomfort and long-term issues caused by poor posture. The curved backrest adapts to the natural curve of your spine, ensuring that your lower back is adequately supported.
- Lumbar support: The chair is equipped with a built-in lumbar support cushion, which can be adjusted up and down to provide targeted support for your lower back. This helps to reduce strain on your back muscles and promote better posture throughout the day.
- High-quality materials: The MIETA Ergonomic Baxck Supporter is constructed using durable, wear-resistant materials that can withstand up to 800 pounds.
- Perfect for floor use: Use the MIETA Back Supporter on the ground when meditating with your meditation cushion for added lumbar support or to work while sitting on the ground for a change of scenery from your desk.
Investing in the MIETA Ergonomic Large Size Back Support Chair can significantly improve your work-from-home experience by addressing common issues such as poor posture, back pain, and discomfort while alleviating leg pain, sciatica pain, and coccyx and tailbone issues. By promoting proper alignment and providing tailored support, this chair can enhance your productivity, focus, and overall well-being while working remotely.
62. Clever Fox Planners
If you’re looking to stay organized and prefer an old-school approach, the Clever Fox Planner 2nd Edition is a dateless planner that can help you gain better control over everyday tasks.
I have an OG Clever Fox Planner in emerald green that I use for keeping track of my weekly goals and daily to-do lists. Plus, I take it with me to the gym to keep track of the number of reps I do for each weightlifting exercise since I started pumping Fe again. My partner has a planner in gold that she rocks for her own organization.
With lots of other colors to choose from and an array of sections that borrow from the Bullet Journal school of thought, the Fox Planner is a stylish way to stay on top of your daily, weekly, and longer-term goals and to-dos.
Clever Fox also offers a wider range of planners designed to help users stay organized, focused, and productive for more specific timeframes and needs. Here, we’ll discuss a few key differences between the Clever Fox Planner’s first and second editions along with other offerings from Clever Fox, including the Planner Pro, Hourly Planner, Recipe Planner, and Advanced Weekly Planner.
- Clever Fox Planner – First Edition: The first edition of the Clever Fox Planner is an undated weekly planner aimed at helping users set goals, improve time management, and cultivate healthy habits. Key features include:
- Goal-setting sections to define short-term and long-term objectives
- Monthly and weekly layouts for planning and scheduling
- Habit tracker to encourage the development of positive habits
- Gratitude and affirmation sections for fostering a positive mindset
- Space for reflection and note-taking
- A5 size, measuring 5.83″ x 8.27″
- Clever Fox Planner – Second Edition: The second edition of the Clever Fox Planner builds on the features of the first edition while incorporating user feedback to enhance its functionality. Key differences include:
- Improved layout for better organization and clarity
- The addition of a vision board to visualize goals and aspirations
- Introduction of a mind map section for brainstorming and idea generation
- Enhanced habit tracking and productivity tools
- Updated cover design options
- Clever Fox Planner PRO: The Planner PRO is designed for individuals seeking a more in-depth planning experience, with a focus on goal setting and progress tracking. Key features include:
- Larger 8.5” x 11” format for additional writing space
- Comprehensive goal-setting system with quarterly milestones
- Weekly and monthly layouts for planning and scheduling
- Habit tracking, gratitude, and reflection sections
- Additional productivity tools, such as project planning and task prioritization
- Clever Fox Hourly Planner: The Hourly Planner is ideal for those who require a more detailed daily schedule. Key features include:
- Hourly scheduling from 6 AM to 9 PM
- Goal-setting and habit-tracking tools
- Daily gratitude and reflection sections
- Monthly and weekly layouts for an overview of upcoming events
- Space for notes and additional information
- Clever Fox Recipe Book: The Recipe Book is designed to help users keep track of, organize, and plan their meals, making meal prep and grocery shopping more efficient. Key features include:
- Blank pages for writing family recipes and your best originals
- Table of contents and numbered pages
- Vegan leather cover and binding for long-term durability
- Clever Fox Advanced Weekly Planner: The Advanced Weekly Planner is a more comprehensive planner with additional tools for time management, goal setting, and productivity. Key features include:
- Weekly planning with time blocking for more efficient scheduling
- Sections for goal setting, habit tracking, and project planning
- Monthly and weekly layouts for a bird’s-eye view of your schedule
- Gratitude, reflection, and note-taking sections
- Advanced productivity tools, such as priority matrixes and progress tracking
Each Clever Fox planner is designed with a specific purpose in mind, ensuring that users can find the perfect option to suit their needs. By incorporating goal-setting, time management, and productivity tools for remote workers, these planners can help you stay organized, focused, and motivated throughout the year.
63. Back, Shoulders, and Neck Self Massager
If you work at a desk all day, you know how important it is to take care of your neck and shoulders. We recommend the HoMedics Shiatsu + Kneading & Vibration Cushion with Heat because it doesn’t require you to manually control it by pulling it into yourself, it has a simple remote control, and it comes with a heat function.
Simply put it on a chair or sofa and allow it to do its thing.
If you prefer something manual and less pricey, grab this sturdy Trigger Point Massager, an absolute game-changer of a product for people who suffer from back, neck, and shoulder tension like me and my partner.
The Backjoy Trigger Point Massager’s S-shape and length allow you to easily reach all the places you could never comfortably massage yourself by hand, and its multiple rounded edges provide plenty of relief options for different types of aches and pains, from sciatica to shoulder blades and everywhere else.
64. Ultra Soft Throw Blanket
On cold days, a soft throw blanket can help get you through the worst of your remote workload in comfort.
Score yourself a high-quality, ultra-soft throw blanket like the Bedsure Faux Fur Throw Blanket for a bit of extra warmth and luxury. This particular blanket is available in 12 colors and comes in two sizes.
65. Essential Oil Diffuser
Creating a calming and serene environment is key to maintaining focus and reducing stress while WFH, and an essential oil diffuser is an excellent tool to achieve this tranquility. By dispersing your chosen essential oils into the air, the diffuser fills your workspace with soothing scents that can uplift your mood, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of calm.
Whether you prefer the invigorating aroma of citrus to kickstart your morning, or the relaxing scent of lavender to wind down after a long day, there’s an essential oil for every mood and purpose. Some diffusers even offer additional features such as ambient lighting and timer settings, allowing you to customize your aromatherapy experience to your personal preferences and work schedule.
We recommend the Ultimate Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oil Set – Ultrasonic Diffuser & Top 10 Essential Oils because it has a cool look and comes with a collection of essential oils that includes lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, jasmine, nutmeg, clove, and spearmint oils.
66. Bullet Journal
Have you heard of the Bullet Journal or BuJo? A Bullet Journal is a dot-grid notebook that can be used for work, school, or home projects.
The BuJo system is designed to help you track and organize your thoughts, ideas, and tasks in a simple and efficient way. You can get super artsy with it, or keep it as simple as you like.
I tried the BuJo method (and bought the book on how to set up your Bullet Journal by system creator, Ryder Carroll) and tried it for a year. I definitely enjoyed it, as it brought out a creative, artsy side of me that had been dormant for years. Still, my erratic nature and inconsistency with manual project management systems made me eventually ditch it for the Clever Fox Planner, which I also am guilty of using rather inconsistently. Oh well, maybe I’m just more of an Asana guy.
Still, if you’re looking for a way to boost your productivity and focus while working remotely, and you have a penchant for penmanship, doodling, and making art out of your to-do lists, then the Bullet Journal and its methodology are definitely worth checking out.
67. Loftie Clock (Cool Alarm Clock)
The Loftie Clock is a special alarm clock that helps you keep your smartphone out of the bedroom and incorporate healthy wellness routines into your morning.
From guided meditation and sound baths to breathwork exercises, the Loftie Clock comes with built-in wellness content to help transform your lifestyle.
If you have trouble waking up in the morning or find yourself feeling groggy after hitting the snooze button too many times, this clock could be a life-changing purchase to help your morning routine.
68. Reusable Bottle
Staying hydrated is important, especially when you’re working from home. Invest in a good quality water bottle that you can reuse over and over again.
If you WFH as a couple, score the Pogo Sports 32oz Tritan 2 Pack like my partner and I did. I refill our bottles constantly during the day using our PUR 30-Cup Dispenser, another must-have product when you’re working from home.
What is Essential Software for Working at Home?
There are a few essential software programs you’ll need for your work-from-home setup, including a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, and a presentation program.
69. Asana (Project Management and Organization Software)
If you work remotely, you know the importance of staying organized. This is where Asana comes in.
Asana is a project management software that helps you keep track of your daily to-do list as well as any long-term projects you might be working on.
It’s great for remote workers because it allows you to stay on top of your work without being in the same physical space as your team.
Asana also makes it easy to communicate with your team members and collaborate on projects. So if you’re looking for a way to stay organized and productive while working from home, Asana is a great option.
70. Zoom (Video Conferencing Software)
We have at least one Zoom meeting a week in our dual work-from-home office environment. While we don’t always use Zoom for video conferencing and calls (sometimes we rock Google Meet), the Z-word has become part of the norm in remote work culture, in part because it’s so reliable.
71. Slack (Instant Messaging and Collaboration Software)
Slack is an instant messaging and collaboration software that’s great for remote teams. It allows you to easily communicate with your team members and work on projects together.
Slack also has a number of integrations with other software programs, which makes it even more powerful. For example, you can integrate Slack with Asana to get notifications about your tasks and projects.
If you work remotely, Slack is a great way to stay in touch with your team and get work done.
If you deal with a lot of clients, customers, or connections, then you probably need CRM software, too.
Discover the best CRM tools on the market in this in-depth guide 8+ Best CRM Software: monday vs Hubspot vs Zoho + Top Alternatives For Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses + Enterprises [Full Guide].
72. Google Workspace
Google Workspace is a work-from-home essential because it includes everything you need to be productive while working remotely.
Google Workspace includes Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Hangouts/Meet, and more. And best of all Suite is free for individuals and businesses.
If you’re looking for a powerful all-in-one word processor, spreadsheet maker, presentation builder, and more that will help you be productive, organized, and connected, Google Workspace is the best option.
73. LastPass (Password Manager)
If you rely on lots of password-protected programs (and who doesn’t?), a password manager like LastPass can be a sanity-saver that keeps you organized like a pro.
I’ve used this app for years, and it has saved me hours of time and immeasurable energy in not having to find or remember my gazillions of passwords.
When I worked in an office, our IT guy had to individually monitor us doing our LastPass Security Checkups, and then he’d administer a list of to-dos to get our ish in order. It was a hoot.
74. Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 is a software package that includes some of the most popular productivity tools, such as PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
For remote workers who are working from home, Microsoft Office 365 can be an essential tool for getting work done, although you can get the equivalent features (for the most part) from G Suite tools.
The Office 365 software package includes a variety of features that can help workers be more productive, such as a word processor for creating documents and spreadsheets for organizing data.
Microsoft Office 365 also includes tools for team collaboration, such as Microsoft Teams. With Microsoft Teams, workers can chat with colleagues, share files, and even hold video meetings.
Microsoft Office 365 can be a valuable asset for any remote worker who is looking to be more productive while working from home.
Consider artificial intelligence software added to this list. The stuff is powerful enough to help you start your own profitable online business today.
If you’re looking to create a lightning-fast copywriting process and become a more efficient and effective writer (and who isn’t?), discover the 7+ Best AI Writing Tools For Faster Content Creation and Building an Online Empire.
Then, discover how to tap into this new transformational AI captioning technology in this in-depth guide on the 7+ Best AI Transcription Tools: Convert Audio-to-Text, Video-to-Text, and Text-to-Speech (TTS) to Transcribe, Caption, Subtitle + Translate.
What Fitness Products are Vital for Remote Workers?
When working remotely, health and fitness can often fall by the wayside. If you don’t live near a gym or want to invest in a membership and the commute, then you can invest in some essential equipment to stay in shape while WFH.
Here are the best health and fitness products and services we recommend for people working from home.
75. Exercise Ball
An exercise ball is a great way to stay fit while working from home. It’s also a great way to relieve back aches by stretching over it.
The best exercise balls are made of high-quality materials and are designed to withstand heavy use. We recommend the Gaiam Classic Balance Ball because it’s made of durable PVC material.
76. Yoga Mat
You should consider doing yoga throughout your workday because it’s an excellent way to stay fit, healthy, and flexible while working from home, and it sure does keep the blood flowing!
We recommend Gaiam Yoga Mats because of the array of options they offer, and each mat is made of durable material and has a textured surface to prevent slipping.
Gaiam mats are light enough to carry with you when you travel, and some designs look so good that you’re bound to get compliments.
77. Under-Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
An under-desk bike pedal exerciser is a great way to stay fit while working from home. It’s a great way to get some exercise while you work, and it’s also a great way to relieve nagging pain.
The best under-desk bike pedal exercisers are made of high-quality materials and are designed to withstand heavy use. We recommend one from DeskCycle because it’s made of durable steel and has a five-year warranty.
Want to surprise a fellow remote worker or WFH’er with something that will really resonate? Check out our guide on the 41+ Best Gifts for People Who Work From Home + Remote Workers for dozens of awesome recommendations!
78. Perfect Pushup
The Perfect Pushup is a great way to get more bang for your pushups, with handles that twist and isolate muscles you wouldn’t be able to hit without it.
I’ve used the Perfect Pushup for years to amplify my body-weight workouts at home, and the equipment itself is small enough to tuck away out of sight when not in use.
I may look like a regular skinny dude when you see me with a shirt on, but thanks to inconsistent use of the Perfect Pushup for a decade, I’ve got sneaky-good pecs that sometimes impress when I hit the beach (which is like once every six years). 😎
79. Computer Chair Elliptical Machine Fitness Setup
A computer chair fitness setup is a great way to stay active and fit while sitting at your desk. The best part is that an elliptical workout is low impact, so you can get a great workout without putting strain on your joints.
We recommend the Stamina InMotion Elliptical because it helps you burn calories while sitting and doing your work thing, so you won’t even realize you’re getting fit.
Work-From-Home Essentials: Coffee + Tea Accessories
I’m not ashamed to say I rely on a variety of caffeinated beverages to get me through my remote workdays, and I manage to avoid the coffee shop thanks to my collection of coffee and tea gadgets.
If you love coffee and tea like me, then you’ll want to equip your home with some of the same WFH products for coffee and tea connoisseurs.
80. Cold-Brew Coffee Maker
When I was tasked with an assignment to review cold-brew coffee makers for BuzzFeed, I couldn’t contain my excitement.
As someone who relies on the caffeine bean to get fired up before the gym and for the morning work rush, but also suffers from an upset stomach when drinking too much drip coffee, cold brew was a revelation to my mind and body.
While there are less expensive options, my personal favorite cold brew maker is the KitchenAid KCM5912SX Cold Brew Coffee Maker 38 Ounce Brushed Stainless Steel.
When I was unable to keep the model I used for BuzzFeed Reviews (the life of a reviewer!), my partner was awesome enough to get us one as a gift, so now we have our own bougie cold-brew maker and we couldn’t be happier. Having cold brew at home will save you tons since it can cost more than $5 for one at a typical coffee shop.
81. French Press
While I love cold brew, my partner has recently gone on a French press coffee kick. If you’re in the market for a French press coffee maker, we recommend the Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker. It’s made of high-quality materials and it’s dishwasher safe, so you can easily clean it after each use. Plus, the press works great in producing cafe-quality brew.
82. Electric Tea Kettle
Not a coffee person? No sweat. Pick up an electric tea kettle to get your morning caffeine train started. Or, ya know, drink decaf. Whatever your pleasure, yo.
I’m partial to the color green and have bougie taste at times, which explains why I’m head over heels for the Paris Rhône Gooseneck Electric Pour-Over Kettle. In dark green stainless steel, the 1-liter capacity kettle is temperature-variable and can hold temperatures until you’re ready to finish off your tea.
Plus, the gooseneck makes it leak-proof, and its color and shape adds an air of sophistication to any abode.
82. Drip Coffee Machine
If you prefer drip coffee, we recommend the Calphalon’s 14-Cup Drip Machine because it’s made of high-quality stainless steel and it’s programmable for auto-brew. It also lets you know when it needs to be cleaned with an illuminated sensor, and with 14 cups, you’ll be able to brew enough for two to keep a WFH couple caffeinated all day long.
83. Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is a great way to grind your own coffee beans and get the freshest cup of coffee possible. We recommend the Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder because it’s easy to use and it produces the most precise grind you can ask for, with 40 grind settings set to the millimeter.
This coffee grinder is known as the entry grinder for true coffee connoisseurs, so it is a pricey investment. Still, this machine has won coveted coffee awards from acclaimed associations and is made by baristas’ preferred brand across the world.
Looking for an inexpensive alternative? Try the Hamilton Beach Fresh Grinder Electric Grinder. At a fraction of the price of the Baratza, this manual grinder can be used for coffee as well as spices, beans, and other culinary needs (like grinding up jasmine rice for traditional Thai larb. Yeah, we do that.).
Still, if you find that you want to grind coffee and spices, do what I do as a former professional chef and coffee lover: get two grinders, one just for coffee, and one for other kitchen purposes.
84. Coffee Mug Warmer (Doubles as a Candle Warmer)
If you’re like me, you can’t enjoy your cuppa joe unless that drink is HOT AF, and I find myself constantly getting up to microwave my mug, breaking my flow state countless times throughout my workday.
That is, until I discovered this nifty contraption: the coffee mug warmer.
Like a coaster that also keeps your human fuel to a suitable temperature, the Electric Coffee Mug Warmer from Misby in gorgeous green (what can I say?) is our choice when it comes to keeping your coffee or tea warm.
What’s also cool about this product is that, if you’re into scented candles but don’t want to risk having open flames in your abode, you can use this electric warmer to melt the wax and awaken the essential oils in your candles without lighting them. Just beware that you won’t know your candles are finished by the wax depleting; instead, you’ll know they’re done when their aromas are no longer present when heated.
WFH Essentials for the Home Kitchen
You’re going to need to eat while working remotely, and you can’t expect to use GrubHub and Uber Eats every night of the week.
Enter the essential kitchen tools and equipment for remote workers. Hook yourself up with the products below to elevate your culinary life to a new standard while eliminating countless hours of hands-on cooking time so that you can focus on what really matters and get more shit done.
85. Instant Pot
If you haven’t heard of the Instant Pot, get ready for the most impactful culinary tool you’ve ever owned. This pressure cooker meets rice cooker meets steamer meets all-purpose crockpot is a true all-in-one cooking device, and it seriously cuts down cooking times for crazy-long processes, like braising tough meats and making flavorful soups, stews, and chili.
There’s even a saute function, and you can make yogurt and sterilize baby bottles with certain models that come with more features.
If you want every useful cooking function included, I recommend picking up the 9-in-1 Instant Pot Pro with all of the above features to get started with this life-changing cooking tool.
When working at home, this can help you multitask with minimally hands-on recipes that can cook while you work, saving you time and helping you be more productive without sacrificing remarkable, restaurant-level flavors.
86. Rice Cooker
Back in the day, I worked as a line cook in a fine-dining Asian Fusion restaurant, where I would make absurdly expensive orders of duck and avocado fried rice repeatedly over an enormous wok. Sometimes, I’d sneak in slices of Kobe beef, shiitake mushrooms, and lobster when the executive chef wasn’t around, and my coworkers and I would feast like royalty (which made my $13/hour wage feel slightly less loserly).
These days, I still rock the wok at home, albeit in a much smaller and less grandiose fashion, making killer fried rice for myself and my partner, but without all the ostentatious extras.
While my Instant Pot is capable of cooking rice, I owned a rice cooker long before the Instant Pot changed my cooking world forever, and I actually prefer the way my Aroma 20-Cup Rice Cooker whips up grains compared to the ol’ workhorse Instant Pot.
I also take advantage of the Aroma’s size, typically cooking up a huge batch of rice so I can utilize it in a variety of ways in leftovers, either re-steaming it, frying it up, or using it as a stuffing in veggies. FYI: Having already cooked, day-old rice is best for fried rice, so don’t try cooking it with freshly cooked rice unless you want to be frustrated and disappointed with both the process and the result.
87. Air Fryer
Next to the Instant Pot, an Air Fryer is the next most impactful kitchen gadget you should own as a remote worker. While it has a hefty footprint on the countertop, this machine is capable of giving foods that crispy fried texture and crunch you love with minimal to no oil or fat involved.
It makes vegetables like brussels sprouts and broccoli absolutely heavenly, charring them and crisping them up just right, and converting greens-haters into veggie cravers over a single meal. And since it can achieve these amazing results sans cooking oils, the fat, and calorie-content are considerably less when using an air fryer.
Seriously, treat your taste buds to air-fried brussels sprouts or broccoli if you’ve ever been on the fence about these veggies, and see how your palate responds.
I’ve had a Gourmia Air Fryer for years, thanks to a holiday gift from my mom. In return, we got her an Instant Pot, and now we each own both tools. This Gourmia has 12 one-touch presets to make it super simple to whip up your favorite fried foods without the fat.
Plus, the inserts are dishwasher-safe, making this easy to use and maintain.
88. PUR Purified Water Dispenser
I don’t know about you, but I’m not down with drinking tap water where I live. That’s why I rock this big-ass PUR 30-Cup Water Dispenser and use it to refill my reusable bottle constantly throughout the day.
There isn’t anything else on the market quite like this giant purified water reservoir from PUR, and while I’ve had to buy a replacement because the spigot broke on my first one (and then on my second one…), I still use it daily by popping the top off and pouring water into my bottle.
Maybe that makes me nutty, but I never liked using Brita pitchers or PUR pitchers, as they run out of water fast for how much I drink, and the filtration process is not as fast.
PUR doesn’t make replacement parts for the spigots, so if you opt for the 30-cup dispenser like I did (twice!), treat the spout delicately and don’t let it snap back into place, lest you wanna be pouring it like ya boy over here.
89. Toaster Oven
If you’re anything like me, then you love a good bagel every now and again. Or, maybe you’re just really into toast or potatoes au gratin. Whatever the case, then you may want to invest in a countertop toaster oven to whip up snacks throughout the day.
Sure, you can probably get the same results from your conventional oven, but sometimes you won’t want to go through all the trouble of using the big guy.
That’s why the Cuisinart TOB-40N Custom Classic Toaster Oven Broiler is a great thing to own. Back when I worked at a B2B SaaS, this was the office toaster oven, and dozens of employees used the shit out for years without any problems.
You can toast, broil, and bake with it, and it’s way more versatile than the pop-up toaster ovens that can only handle slices of bread.
For a little more money, you’ll have a multi-functional countertop oven that can help you diversify your meals and cook healthy lunches while working at home.
Wrapping it up: The Best Work-From-Home Essentials
With the products listed above, you’ll be able to transform your remote work lifestyle into the most positive, productive, and impactful experience for you and your fellow remote workers.
We’re so excited for you to escape the traditional office and embark on this life path with us so that you can be your own boss, work from wherever you wish, and finally find yourself free from having to live and work on other people’s schedules.
Thanks for reading, and if there’s anything essential for remote workers that we missed, don’t hesitate to let us know what to add to the list!
Now that know how to set your home office space up for success, discover how to get started working remotely with these in-depth guides:
• 41 Best Remote-First Companies + Fully Remote Companies That Let You Work Remotely From Anywhere
• 21 Powerful Benefits of Remote Work and Working From Home For Employees + Employers
• 7 Best Remote Job Boards to Find Remote Work, WFH Jobs, and High-Paying Freelance Gigs
• How to Become a Digital Nomad + Work From Anywhere You Choose