Essential Gadgets for Remote Workers

While remote work has long been a possibility for plenty of companies and fields of work, the number of people who work from home in the U.S. has been consistently growing since the pandemic of 2020. While plenty has changed since then, 12.7% of full-time employees still work remotely and in just two years, it's estimated that 32.6 million people will work from home (according to Forbes). While you may think you can get away with a simple computer and a desk placed somewhere in the house, this will not be the best setup long term. We spend so much time curating our bedrooms and living rooms to be cozy and inviting. Why wouldn't we do the same for a space in which we spend 40 hours a week? In this article, we'll give you all the essential gadgets for remote workers so you can stay comfortable, energetic and prepared to take on any project.

If you already have a classic WiFi router in your home, you may be wondering what a WiFi mesh system is. Here's a simple explanation: A WiFi mesh system, like this eero 6 Mesh WiFi Router, is a group of wireless routers that work together as a single network. This gives you multiple sources and access points of connectivity around your home, instead of having every device fight to connect to one singular router. This, as you can imagine, will create better reception and performance on your smart devices from any spot in the house. This means any amount of gadgets for remote workers can be connected to this system and your load times will never be affected. Before choosing a WiFi mesh system, there are factors to consider like compatibility, setup, the size of the coverage area, possible dead zones and how many devices it can handle at a time. The more routers in the mesh system, the more points of connection you'll have, so larger homes may require more, whereas small homes might not.

Assuming you've already chosen your ideal laptop or computer, the next of the gadgets for remote workers is an external computer monitor. You may be wondering why you'd need an additional screen if you already have one on your laptop. You'll notice that as you try to fit more windows, applications and documents on one screen, you'll grow tired of opening and closing, moving and navigating. Things will become disorganized quite quickly. Adding an external monitor, like the ASUS 31.5" WQHD TUF curved gaming monitor, will give you more space, increase your productivity and allow you to multitask. You'll notice the model we suggested above features a curved screen. This design choice is not just to create a cool look. Curved monitors are more immersive, as they offer a far wider field of view. This eliminates image distortion and reduces eye, neck and back strain, keeping you comfortable throughout your whole work day. Tip: when setting up multiple monitors, take advantage of the monitor arms to adjust the height as you like and be sure to calibrate the color settings for the most optimal display.

If you decide not to spend the additional money on an external computer monitor, we suggest you at least invest in a laptop stand. This will keep your computer at eye level, so you don't have to hunch over to see your screen. Using a laptop stand, like the Twelve South curve laptop stand, every day will help improve your posture and prevent your device from overheating as well. If you don't choose this model, we suggest finding one that is height-adjustable and portable, especially if you travel for work.

For as long as nine to five jobs have been a cultural norm, so has sitting at a desk at work. But sitting at a desk all day doesn't have to be your norm. That's why we recommend purchasing a standing desk, like the BDI Sequel 20 6152 lift desk. With office furniture like this, you can switch between sitting and standing whenever you'd like (alternating through the workday is actually recommended). Outside of breaking up the discomfort of sitting for hours, there are many other health benefits to investing in a standing desk. They can increase energy, as well as improve your mood, posture, mental focus and productivity. Using a standing desk also promotes better circulation, reduces your caffeine intake, lowers your risk of heart disease and helps you lose weight, as humans scientifically burn more calories standing than we do sitting.

Now that we've got your computer and standing desk set up, you'll be needing an office chair to sit in as you alternate positions. Why not go with something ergonomic? Ergonomic refers to something that's been designed for optimal efficiency and safety. An ergonomic office chair, like the Euro Style Bruno high-back office chair, is a piece of furniture that is built for all-day comfort, which is why it's one of our essential gadgets for remote workers. So what makes an office chair ergonomic? Typically, it has features like height and depth adjustment, lumbar support, tilt, angle and swivel, wheels, head and armrests, as well as breathable materials. These kinds of chair features will reduce neck and back pain, relieve hip pressure and improve posture and blood circulation. All of these benefits will ultimately boost your productivity, as you'll be replacing the time focused on your discomfort with time focused on your work.

If you already own a laptop, you may be thinking you don't need a webcam, since most modern computers already have embedded webcams. But an external USB webcam, like the Logitech Brio Ultra 4K HD Pro Webcam, offers advantages like focal length adjustment, higher quality components, light filtering and fewer overheating issues. That last benefit is vital when it comes to gadgets for remote workers, as an overheated computer can lead to lost progress on a variety of projects or documents. So what would you need a webcam for in general? If you're not in a physical office, the best way to meet with managers, coworkers and partners is by video conferencing, and often these team meetings are held to discuss important projects or deals. Acquiring a high-quality webcam is vital for this reason, as the clearest communication is essential when it comes to professionalism, reliability and collaboration. When you're shopping for your own webcam, consider factors like:

If you invest in gadgets for remote workers that can enhance the video quality of your conference calls, why not do the same with the audio? No one wants to keep repeating themselves due to lackluster sound on their end. Just as a webcam will ensure everyone can see you clearly, a USB microphone, like the Blue Microphones Snowball iCE Plug & Play USB Microphone, will ensure your voice is crystal clear in each conversation and negotiation. USB microphones are an all-in-one product, as they don't require any additional devices to work for you. They're also portable and they work seamlessly with almost any software you connect them to. You don't even need professional or technical audio knowledge to use them. Just plug your microphone in and you're ready to go.

If you're living with family or friends, it may be harder for you to stay truly present during these video calls or other job tasks if others are talking, laughing, watching TV or causing some other distraction. That's why noise-canceling headphones, like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), are one of the must-have gadgets for remote workers. Devices like these will actively work to block out external sounds in order to promote optimal focus, concentration and productivity. When you put noise-canceling headphones on, the outside world goes mute so you can keep pushing through and completing assignments. Outside of noise-canceling, most models also offer exceptional audio quality, touch controls and virtual assistance, which allows you to use your voice to play songs, pause, skip and more without having to stop the workflow.

Circling back to ergonomics, while it's important to have a supportive chair for your body, it's just as important to keep your hands agile and comfortable. Prolonged use of a keyboard or mouse can cause strain and cramping in your fingers and hands, which will ultimately slow your workflow down and create long-term pain. If you instead invest in an ergonomic keyboard, like the Targus Ergonomic Foldable Bluetooth Antimicrobial Keyboard, you can avoid these problems and maintain peak productivity. While most keyboards are flat and stationary, ergonomic keyboards can feature curved or split designs, adjustable height, contoured surfaces, vertical column layouts and more. These differentiations are meant to promote proper arm and wrist posture in order to diminish fatigue, muscle strain and possible injury.

Ergonomic computer mice, like the Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Ergonomic Gaming Mouse, share similar traits with ergonomic keyboards. Normal mice put your hand and wrist at an angle, which can irritate various tendons and nerves. And because you're consistently clicking and scrolling, the repetitive movements equate to repetitive muscle strain. These mice are designed to put your arm in a natural handshake position, which requires little to no tension. Ergonomic mice can be left or right handed, small or large and can even have grips, joysticks or programmable buttons for additional functionality.

While this last of our gadgets for remote workers may not be a necessity for all, caffeine most definitely makes any workday go by that much faster. If you're not planning on leaving home to make a run to your favorite local cafe, then having a high-quality coffee maker in reach is the best idea. While we've recommended the Jura E4 Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine, our true suggestion is to shop for a coffee maker based on your own needs and preferences. At Abt, we have a variety of coffee makers, espresso machines, single-serve makers, drip coffee, French presses and more. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you begin narrowing down your brewing choices:

With these recommendations, the curation of your home office will begin on the right foot. But if you're looking to go the extra mile, continue shopping at Abt for more gadgets for remote workers. Depending on your field of work, you may benefit from a device like a tablet or iPad to take notes, sketch out blueprints and more. You can also create a greater ambiance and give your eyes a rest with a smart lighting system. If you've purchased new technology but have no idea how to set all the cords up without causing a short, we also carry plenty of surge protectors and power strips. No matter what you're looking for, Abt is happy to help you finish building your dream workspace.