10 Must-Have Office Essentials For Working From Anywhere

Many may argue that the best parts of working remotely are the places you’ll visit, the people you’ll meet, and the incredible sense of independence you feel. But ensuring you stay comfortable, ergonomic, and efficient on your day-to-day schedule can’t happen without portability and engagement. Even with all of the right remote work tools at some point, you’ll likely come by distractions, some fatigue, or feelings of isolation which is completely normal. When you invest in gadgets that will benefit your unique needs, no work day will feel long and exhausting. From an endless battery charge to increasing your daily comfort, these will make doing what you love even more enjoyable from anywhere in the world, even if that means beside a waterfall in nature.

Whether you’re new to the world of remote work or have experienced the joys of it for years, let’s discuss which new gadgets can make your career path most fulfilling in the long haul.

1. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Drowning out the noisy world around you with some music is a perfect way to concentrate on doing your best work. Over-the-ear headphones are typically most satisfactory as they have considerable noise-canceling ability. If you travel a lot, you may want to consider earbuds as they are easier to carry around. In the same light, Bluetooth makes a world of a difference for you to be able to move around easier as well. With minimal distractions, especially considering a loud group of people can sit nearby at any time, headphones will bring a positive vibe to your space. Plus, listening to music while working at home has been shown to help many complete tasks much faster than those who don’t. Additionally, if you have a virtual meeting, they come in great handy in avoiding disturbing others around you.

2. Portable Laptop Stand

Without a doubt, the most important component of your remote workspace is your laptop; which is why it’s crucial to ensure it’s as functional for you as it can be. When you’re working remotely, you’re going to find yourself in a variety of different places from coffee shops to hotel rooms. No matter where you are, it’s important to make sure the environment works well for you. A portable laptop stand can make all the difference with comfortability as you can adjust your screen height to be just right at whatever kind of table you’re sitting at. It sets up in seconds, and looking straightforward rather than downwards at your screen for long periods of time can significantly help reduce eye strain. With the right angle, you can stay focused plus practice better virtual meeting etiquette.

3. Blue Light Glasses

Speaking of eye strain, the blue light that emits from your laptop, as well as your phone, is one of the most common factors of this symptom for remote workers. Prolonged exposure can not only cause eye strain, but blurred vision, headaches, and insomnia too. Blue light glasses are better to use than regular prescription glasses since they are designed to filter out a much higher percentage. That way you’ll know you won’t be feeling as fatigued even on those screen-heavy days. Thankfully, they don’t look any different from ordinary glasses either, so you never have to worry about switching them before a meeting.

4. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

If you type flat on your keyboard with no support, you likely may feel more tension and pressure on your wrists. An ergonomic wireless keyboard that you can adjust to your liking is a great way to instantly increase your comfort. By offering the right support to your wrists and reducing any wrist irritation, you can drastically lessen the chances of carpal tunnel syndrome in the future and reduce the rate of wear on your laptop. Pair your keyboard with a wireless mouse at an aligned position and you’re bound to stay attentive for hours on end. Even with a wireless mouse and keyboard, make sure to take adequate breaks to give your fingers and wrists a rest.

5. Multiport Adapter Hub

The last thing you want is to leave your home and discover you don’t have the right port or cable input, and can’t plug in the device you need to use. Bringing connectivity options to your workspace, especially for remote workers and digital nomads alike, you’ll be much better equipped wherever you are. A multiport adapter hub can include common connections such as an HDMI, USB A, USB C, Ethernet, SD, and micro SD slot. Many of them have the ability to plug right into your laptop and conveniently not take up much space at all.

6. Mobile Hot Spot

The places you choose to work in will likely have a good Wi-Fi connection, however, you never know when there will be interruptions. If your Wi-Fi goes out, you’ll want to consider having a wireless hot spot ready. If you have an iPhone, you may even already have a personal hot spot set up. Although, a mobile hot spot device is a better alternative to taking from your iPhone’s battery life. And don’t underestimate it's capabilities, this handy gadget can support multiple devices for hours on end at fast speeds with no issues. A mobile hot spot can always serve as a backup and allow you to be more flexible in choosing where you work. You can take this anywhere outdoors or even when traveling in between locations.

7. Multi-Outlet & Surge Protector

Remote workers can never have too much power for their multiple devices. If you want to boost the functionality of your overall setup, a multi-outlet surge protector combo is the most suitable solution. These together are much more reliable for protecting your devices from losing power or experiencing data loss than any plain outlet. There’s no telling when the power could go out, especially if you’re working during a thunderstorm. Consider a multi-outlet that also has USB adapters for easier use as well. If you’re going to be flying to many different countries, an international plug adapter will also come in handy when you find yourself waiting at the airport.

8. Power Bank

Whether there are countless outlets or only a couple, a power outage can still happen and you could end up with none to use. Or, you could come across a place that doesn’t have any available power sources to use. In cases like these, a power bank is a great backup option so you know you won’t have to scramble for a charge somewhere. Depending on what you need, some power banks can also charge multiple devices simultaneously from your laptop to your phone. If you have a long journey ahead of you, you can trust a power bank to keep you working the whole way.

9. 1080p Webcam and Microphone

If you’re someone who has a good amount of virtual meetings, records video or podcast content, a 1080p webcam and quality microphone is definitely a strong investment for you. The ultimate goal is to make sure your message is coming across as clearly as possible in whatever setting you find yourself in. Poor quality video or audio can make something as important as an interview look amateur and risk your chances. With crisp imagery and clear sound, you’ll be able to keep that professionalism for yourself and what you represent.

10. Posture Corrector

Undoubtedly, gadgets to support your technology will make remote work easy and help you dive into your career. But don’t forget about your own health along the way. One of the most common problems for people who work from home or on the go is bad posture and back pain. A posture corrector can make a world of a difference as they’re proven to assist with lower back pain, inflammation, and aches. They’re designed to keep your body in the optimal position and blend into clothing easily at your remote office. Simply wearing one for a little bit each day can improve your posture permanently just by muscle memory.

Remote careers that allow you to work from anywhere present a surprising amount of unexpected challenges, just as any other job can. With practical gadgets and tools like these, you’ll find it much easier to overcome any obstacles, reach your goals, and continue climbing that corporate ladder.