After working away from home in the spring, many of our most important home office supplies became impossible to buy online. But now many of these items are back in stock – and for the first time in a long time, our favorite webcams, monitors and USB microphones are available again. These peripherals, accessories and services can upgrade the remote work experience and build your home office.
Look at this:
Gifts to make working from home easier
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The obligations for a remote worker are clear: a full keyboard, a wireless mouse and an external monitor. But there are a handful of other equipment – from a real desk to blue-light-closing glasses to a good pair of noise-canceling headphones – which can make your work day less frustrating, more productive and more comfortable. Our recommendations for the best essential home office are below. We will update this list from time to time as we review new products.
More things to make WFH run smoothly
David Carnoy / CNET
Logitech’s new mouse for 2020 seems to be geared towards travel, but it’s actually just a great everyday mouse for anyone who finds the build-up Logitech MX Master 3 too much. From the scroll wheel to the programmable side buttons, this mouse can handle any directional task. It charges via USB-C and connects to devices via the included USB-A Unifying dongle or Bluetooth. There is also an Apple-centric model available for the same price. Read our Logitech MX Anywhere 3 practical impressions.
Amazon
If there is little space but you need to print shipping labels, shopping lists or homework assignments a few times a month, this is your machine. The HP LaserJet Pro M15w is perfect for practical, cumbersome tasks and its small footprint, which is about 8 centimeters deep and 14 centimeters wide, fits perfectly on a bookshelf or arch. And it connects via Wi-Fi to almost any device, which means you can push from your phone. If the students in your family can live without a scanner – after all, phone cameras can handle most scanning tasks now – and color output, the LaserJet Pro M15w is an excellent choice for less than $ 120. Just make sure you upload printer paper as well. Read more.
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It’s not my favorite webcam – it’s Logitech’s StreamCam, which has been hard to find for the past few months – but the C920S will do the job. The image quality and sound recording are quite good and the clip-on design makes it suitable for an external monitor or laptop. The physical privacy hatch is a beautiful, confidence-inspiring bloom that promises to protect you and your office space from prying eyes.
If it’s sold out, you can use a tripod and the HD camera of your phone for video chat. Here’s how to do it. And if you’re looking for other equipment to improve your meetings online, we have a compilation of video calling equipment.
Blue microphones
The Shure MV5 digital condenser microphone combines an awkward setup and high-quality sound with a compact form factor. I would not recommend it for loud recordings, but it does increase the audio quality of your Zoom meetings and other web conferencing interactions. It comes with both USB-C and Lightning cables.
If you are willing to spend more and can find it in stock, the Blue Yeti is an even better microphone for advanced users. It features three capsule microphones, four pick-up cartridges (for different types of recordings) and just enough controls to optimize the way you sound without overloading you with super-technical features.
Amazon
Many newer gadgets have switched to USB-C charging, but many of us still have USB-A cables that are all over the house. With the 65-watt Aukey Omnia charger, it’s good to go with one of them. It has both types of connectors, and the USB-C one is compatible with power supply, which means it can also charge most compatible laptops. Best of all, it only costs $ 25, thanks to a semi-permanent instant proof of Amazon. See the best iPhone 12 chargers.
Sarah Tew / CNET
There is a lot about the Edge Desk System. It offers a very ergonomic sitting position with an ergonomic chair and knee supports that can relieve the tension of a traditional chair. It is very adjustable and we were able to change the height and angle to accommodate everyone in my family, including an 8 year old child. It can also be easily and quickly folded into a surprisingly compact and mobile package; you can actually use it in any room, whether your work environment is your living room or even next to your kitchen table.
Doeworks
Real estate on the tabletop is a premium in my home these days, with two adults working full time and two children doing occasional schoolwork. In an effort to create my own room, my wife bought this simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly adjustable two-piece desk system. Apart from the castors, which are great but not fun to install, the setup was painless. With the desk she can sit or work as a standing desk, with one platform for a keyboard and another for a laptop or screen.
Acer
BenQ is currently offering $ 50 on this 32-inch 4K LED display. This is a great price for a large, ultra HD HDR screen.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Apple’s Magic Keyboard is great. It has the Mac keyboard design and space of the old school, with the pleasant scissors key mechanism, and it is wireless and connected via Bluetooth. Best of all, the battery, which can be recharged via USB, charges for months. (I also like Apple’s Magic Mouse 2 for the same reasons.) The larger version with the numeric keypad – yes, it’s great too.
Sarah Tew / CNET
You can uses Apple’s peripherals with Windows machines, but if you’re looking for an alternative Bluetooth keyboard that can work with anything from Windows computers to Macs and iPads to phones, then the Logitech K380 (about $ 30) is an excellent choice. Pair it with up to three devices and switch between each with the click of a button. Read our Logitech K380 review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
If your kids are invading your office and you really need to divert attention from your home setup, headphones are a great way to stay focused. V-Moda’s Crossfade 2 Wireless is comfortable to carry and delivers absolutely deadly sound quality – with full bass and high detail. Although the headphone design is too close to the steampunk aesthetic for me, the sound, intuitive controls and the solid design make up for it. And these headphones, available in three different color combinations, are currently on sale for $ 200.
A support: the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 offers excellent wireless noise cancellation and it costs significantly less than comparable models from other companies. They are also comfortable to wear, sound good during phone calls and are smart enough to interrupt everything you listen to when you take them off. If you need more options – including true AirPods-style wireless models – check out our list of the best sound-canceling headphones. Read our Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 review.
Chris Monroe / CNET
If you work from home, coffee making is a sacramental use. Think of this kitchen appliance as the Swiss Army knife of the drip coffee machine world. The Ninja-programmable brewer (with foam, thermal carafe and reusable filter) offers exceptional flexibility, making it the best coffee maker for those who do not always want the same cup. It can create everything from solid drips, to cold brewing, iced coffee, latte-style drinks with its milk frother, and it adjusts the temperature according to your choice. The thermal carafe keeps tea or coffee warm for up to two hours. With this programmable coffee maker you can even brew iced coffee and hot coffee in different sizes, from small cups, mugs and travel mugs, to half and full of carafes. Read our review of the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System.
Dinner
If you are not commuting, there may still be time to prepare for dinner. Dinner rolls out exciting-sounding and delicious meals like summer chicken panzanella and risotto with asparagus and cannellini beans. But with no more than six ingredients per recipe, the damage done to your time and kitchen is minimized. The price for Dinnerly places it squarely in the budget category, with a cost per serving of about $ 5. The entry options include a double box for $ 30 or a family box for $ 60, each with three recipes for the week. Looking for more options? Check out our list of the best meal services.
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.