Best Smart Tech Tools: How to Work From Home Like a Boss in 2024

So you’re working from home. Whether this is a dream-come-true or more of a nightmare scenario for you, there’s a whole world full of smart tech and work-from-home accessories that can make your work-from-home weeks awesome (or at least bearable).

We’ve pulled together practical gadgets and a few extravagant splurges depending on how much you want to double-down on the work-from-home experience.

We know that most of us don’t have the money to suddenly deck out a full-blown home office, so we looked for budget-friendly solutions first.

To stay productive and on task, you need a solid work-from-home setup. Here are some home office essentials—whether you’re putting together a permanent office or simply trying to survive the quarantine.

Don’t worry about wrangling all those wires across the dining room table. A wireless mouse and keyboard are work-from-home accessories that make working from home less tangled and totally portable.

Click with freedom thanks to this Bluetooth wireless mouse that comes with a year-long battery life. You can pick it up for about $15, but you need to purchase the two required AAA batteries separately.

It might sound comfy to plop on the couch with your laptop, but it’s not the most efficient way to get things done. Thankfully, there are a lot of good desk options that don’t require you to assemble furniture or clear out the spare room.

This little desk has plenty of room for a 20″ laptop and a mouse. It comes with a detachable USB light and built-in memory foam wrist support to keep carpal tunnel at bay. You can pick it up on Amazon for under $45, and it has free Prime shipping.

You don’t have to give up your standing desk when you pick up this adjustable laptop cart. Adjust the desk from 20.5″ to 33″ with a simple twist-lock knob.

It also has wheels to move easily from room to room—a great perk if you’re sharing space at home with others who are working remotely or kids that are home from school. Get it for less than $35 on Amazon.

If you’re like me (or Stephen Colbert), working from home sometimes involves a bubble bath. This expandable bathtub laptop caddy works great while in the tub, on the sofa, or lounging in bed.

With so many folks working from home, it’s smart to have a desk option that works virtually anywhere in your house. Best of all, you can get this pampering laptop desk for less than $50.

Our homes aren’t always equipped to handle the demands of multiple devices that need power, charging, USB ports, and more. Ditch the aggravation (and low battery warnings) with these handy helpers.

Get instant connection for multiple devices with this 6-in-1 USB-C hub. Expand your Mac’s potential with fast charging, HDMI output, and an SD card slot.

You’ll stop fighting over outlets when you snag these affordable surge protector power strips. There’s room to plug in six devices on each strip, plus two USB charging ports. Get the two-pack for around $30.

Once you’re used to working on multiple monitors it’s nearly impossible to go back to a laptop screen. With these extra monitors, you don’t have to settle for less.

Add this monitor to your home office setup for under $125. It doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but it gets the job done for a reasonable price. It supports laptops, Macs, PCs, and POS systems with both VGA and HDMI inputs.

If you want to upgrade your monitor, this monitor from Sceptre comes with built-in speakers, and a “Blue Light Shift” that’s easier on your eyes. Whether you have to dazzle in a presentation or take a gaming break, this $200 monitor delivers the crisp, high-resolution picture you need.

Plopping down on the couch, sitting all day on a dining room chair, or propping yourself up in bed aren’t ideal working conditions. You’ll improve your productivity (and avoid aches and pains) with one of these office chair solutions.

This adjustable office chair comes with ergonomic lumbar support and it won’t break the bank. Give your back the support it needs for around $75.

If you’re looking for style, this attractive desk chair adds polish to your home office for under $160. Its sleek design is small and contemporary. The seat and backrest are padded for comfort, plus it has lumbar support and arm rests.

Setting up an office space is one thing, but actually doing your work from home comes with its own challenges. Fortunately, there are a bunch of tech solutions available that make it easy to stay connected with coworkers, conduct meetings, and keep collaboration going.

There are a lot of tools that let you meet with colleagues and customers face to face—even if we’re all quarantined to our homes. Most of these solutions have free options or affordable packages for companies of all sizes.

This is one of the most popular video conferencing tools because it offers a multitude of features and plans based on your company’s specific needs. If you’re a consultant or freelancer and want to host personal meetings with clients, you can use the free version. For larger organizations, Zoom starts at just $200 a month per year.

Skype offers video conferencing options for individuals and businesses. A personal Microsoft Office 365 subscription includes sixty minutes of Skype video conferencing.

This was one of the first video conferencing tools, and it’s still a solid option. One thing that makes GoToMeeting stand out is the meeting transcription feature—no more pesky note-taking! GoToMeeting prices range between $14 per month for up to 10 people and $19 per month for as many as 250.

You don’t have to be in the same building to collaborate on projects or engage in some good, old-fashioned water cooler chats. These IM apps let you gab, gossip, and generate creative ideas right from your computer or smartphone.

You can use this instant messaging app on your PC, laptop, or phone. Create unique channels with specific members and directly message individuals or groups. Plus, even though it’s not a video conferencing tool, you can make individual video calls directly from the app.

In addition to instant communication, Slack makes it easy to share files, Spotify playlists, and funny gifs to help your team feel more connected when you can’t be in the same room. Pricing ranges from around $7 per month to $12.50, depending on the size of your organization and the features you want.

This relative newcomer is a more affordable option than Slack and includes many of the same features. You can choose from three plans that all include voice and video as well as instant chat. Troop Messenger’s rates range from $5 to $9 per month per user.

It might seem like taking care of yourself is a no-brainer when you work from home. After all, what could be better than working in your pajamas all day?

But the quarantine realities of isolation and being homebound can take a toll. Use these tools and ideas to keep your spirits, your body, and your sanity in good shape.

Music is a great mood lifter. Whether you take a dance break every hour to keep the blood pumping or create a work-from-home playlist with your team on Spotify, the right tune can help you feel focused and connected to others.

Here are a few playlists to get you inspired.
Quarantine Vibes
Work Playlist (Clean/Non-Explicit)
Coffee Shop Chill
Lo-Fi Beats
Classical Focus

Staring at a screen all day wreaks havoc on your eyes and your brain. Here are some tools to keep you from reaching for the pain reliever.

Say goodbye to eye strain with these durable glasses that are designed to block that pesky blue light. Grab a two-pack for under $20.

When you can’t run out to the store for new water filters, stay safely hydrated with this reusable water bottle. The cap has a built-in UV light to sanitize drinking water and stop mold and bacteria in their tracks.

In this time where the germs are out to get us, a bottle like this for everyone in the family isn’t a bad idea. Get your LARQ bottle for around $90 on Amazon.

If you felt like a workaholic at the office every day, it’s even harder to disengage from work when you suddenly share a house with it. Use these tips to make sure you don’t overextend yourself while working from home.

Continue to work regular hours. That means a hard start time and a hard stop time. Let your colleagues or clients know your hours and then stick to it. It also helps to have a morning routine that kicks off the day.

Instead of lounging in bed an extra half hour because there’s no more commute, get up and savor a healthy breakfast, warm cup of tea, or extra facetime with your family. Then get dressed (even if it’s into work pajamas), run a comb through your hair, and get to work.

It’s important to clear your mind and enjoy some focused me-time. Use a meditation app to help you unplug from work and transition back to normal home life. This also helps keep anxiety in check if you can’t peel your eyes away from all the pandemic headlines.

Whether it’s stretching, yoga, pushups, or a jog around the block, moving your body is crucial. If you used to go to the gym every morning, find a replacement fitness routine that you can do while you’re stuck at home.

You should also schedule movement breaks throughout the day. A Fitbit or Apple Watch can give you hourly reminders that it’s time to get your blood pumping.

Don’t forget to cut loose every once in a while. Use FaceTime or another video app for a virtual lunch break, socially-distanced happy hour, or game of trivia with your pals.

Staying connected when you’re restricted to one place will make a huge difference—to your personal well-being and your work productivity.

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