Handy Gear for Your Home Office
Your home office setup can significantly affect your productivity. If you work from home, check out these products that will boost your productivity and make your home office more comfortable and fun to be in.
Sit-to-stand desk
Sitting at a desk all day can negatively impact your health and your posture. You can remedy this by getting a standing desk like this motorized one from Flexispot, which you can raise to a standing height or lower to a sitting position with the push of a button. Standing desks can help you to stay more active throughout the day and stretch out your legs too.
Ergonomic office chair
Your office chair is a very important for your health and comfort. You’ll want to find a sturdy yet comfortable one that will provide lumbar support for your back. You can adjust the height of most office chairs, and some have arm rests that can be adjusted or flipped up as well. An office chair with a mesh back may also help keep you cool.
Foot rest
A foot rest may improve your posture, and putting your feet up can aid your circulation. There are foot rests that are made of soft foam for comfort, rocking foot rests, and ones with textured surfaces for massaging your feet.
Smart plugs
Smart plugs are adaptors that you can plug into an outlet and connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network. You can plug a wired appliance into your smart plug and control it remotely via apps or through voice command with a smart-home assistant, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. You can automate your home office with a collection of smart plugs. For example, you could set a lamp to go on when the sun sets and go off an hour or two later, or start your coffeemaker before you begin work in the morning.
Smart-home assistant
A smart-home assistant can operate your smart plugs, but it can also do a lot more. You can set reminders, check the weather, consult the dictionary, play music, and enable hands-free phone calls. Think of your smart-home assistant as your office assistant. If you have two or more smart assistants of the same brand, you can also use them to communicate with family members in other parts of your home while you work.
Active noise-canceling headphones
Active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones can lessen distracting outside noise. The technology in these headphones can block ambient exterior noises from reaching your ears, and you can also use them to listen to music. Some models can connect to your smart device to help you make calls and perform other functions. Keep in mind, some people feel a little discomfort when using ANC headphones, so you might want to try them out before purchasing. Some headphones also come with noise-cancelling microphones to make your phone calls clearer.
Trackball mouse
A trackball mouse, which you can use instead of a traditional computer mouse, can minimize arm movement and may possibly help prevent carpal tunnel. You can get both wired and wireless trackball mice. Some trackball mice also come with an ergonomic support for your wrist.
Laptop stand
A laptop stand can elevate your laptop so the screen is easier for you to read, which could prevent eye and back strain. Placing your laptop on a stand could also better the performance of your computer by helping to keep it cool.
Monitor arm
A monitor arm, which can lift your monitor off your desk, can make it easier for you to see your screen. You can use the arm to raise, lower, or move your monitor closer or further away from you. It can also free up space on your desktop. Monitor arms can accommodate most screens, and some clamp to your desk for easy installation. A monitor arm can reduce the strain on your back, neck, and eyes.