The 7 Best Work From Home Essentials

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Remote work is here to stay, and whether you’re setting up a permanent home office or a temporary one at a hotel or vacation rental, having the home office setup can make all the difference. Work from home accessories like an extra monitors or noise-cancelling headphones can help you work more efficiently, and items like an ergonomic chair or wireless mouse will keep your posture in the correct position (and eliminate back and wrist pain in the future). 

These are the seven work from home essentials you need to have a healthy and productive workday (even if “home” is an Airbnb on the beach right now).

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

HP EliteDisplay Portable Monitor

Pretty much any computer-based job is made easier by having two screens, so a second monitor should be high on your home office must haves list. HP’s Elite Display Portable Monitor lets you have a second screen anywhere you go, thanks to its travel-friendly design. The 14-inch screen weighs just over 2 lbs. and is less than 9mm thick, so you can carry it in your laptop bag. An included monitor cover converts into a stand to hold the monitor while you’re using it. 

Flexispot Electric Standing Desk

Turns out, sitting all day isn’t good for your health—but neither is standing for eight hours straight. Make your home office setup a healthy one, and easily switch between sitting and standing with the touch of a button with Flexispot’s Electric Standing Desk which lets you easily pivot between positions. This affordable desk is a work from home essential, and it even comes in a variety of finishes to match any home office style.

Bluexin Foldable Keyboard

Working from your tablet while on the road? Make things easier by packing Bluexin’s’ Foldable Keyboard, which is a work from home must have. It’s a full-size keyboard that will barely take up any room in your suitcase, thanks to its unique design. Made from silicone, this travel-friendly keyboard can be rolled up for easy transport, and is water-resistant and easy to clean.

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AboveTEK Portable Lap Desk

Sometimes your desk for the day is a couch, bed, or a seat at the airport—if you’re working from your lap, AboveTEK’s portable lap desk makes it more comfortable. This home office must have weighs 2.2 lbs. and is just over half an inch thick making it perfect for travel. An anti-slip surface on top keeps your laptop in place during turbulence, while the bottom side features a heat shield to protect you from overly hot laptops. A retractable mouse pad can be extended from both sides of the desk to hold any extra accessories. 

A Wireless Mouse

Using a mouse is much better for your wrist than trying to use the touchpad on your laptop, and a wireless mouse is probably one of the most important work from home essentials to invest in. 

If you have a Mac, the Apple Magic Mouse is a wireless, rechargeable option that pairs automatically with your computer for seamless use.

If you have a PC, Logitech’s Wireless Mouse offers ergonomic comfort and two years of battery life.

Video Conference Lighting Kit

No matter how jetlagged you are, you can still look amazing on your Zoom meetings with this Video Conference Lighting Kit. The small ring light clips on to your laptop and turns bad lighting into something flattering. The light has five settings: warm, warm white, natural light, daylight, and cold white.

New Bose Quiet Comfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you live with roommates, a significant other, or anyone who doesn’t want to listen to your meetings, headphones are a work from home essential. If you want to work on a plane or without having to filter out background noise, you’ll want Bose’s Quiet Comfort Noise Cancelling Headphones. These headphones offer two modes: Quiet Mode (for complete noise cancelling) or Aware Mode (so you can hear what’s happening around you and your music or meeting—perfect for working parents). The wireless headphones have an extra-long battery life that will last up to 24 hours.

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