With many of us expected to be working from home for the foreseeable future, the need for the right equipment to ensure you're productive and happy is greater than ever. It's not just about making sure you have the right laptop or smartphone to keep in touch with your bosses, colleagues, family and friends (although that's always important), but also the multitude of other items and services that will make your home very easy. If all of this sounds a bit overwhelming and you don't know where to start, don't worry – here's our guide to everything you need to know about the technology you need to work from home.
Best office setup for working from home
It might sound obvious, but having the right desk setup can make all the difference in your task productivity, and you can start with your chair and desk. Making sure you're comfortable while you work is not only a good idea for your overall fitness and well-being, but it'll also make it easier for you to log in each morning, and help you avoid the temptation to retreat to the couch after lunch. We've rounded up our pick of the best office chairs in our guide, focusing on ergonomic office chairs that should make sure you don't end up with cramps or strain.IKEA Marcus
The best office chair for working from home.Dimensions: 62 x 60 x 129-140 cm (L x W x H) | Seat height: 48 - 57 cm (minimum to maximum) | Maximum load: 110 kg. Cheap offer. However, it still has a 10-year warranty. Few adjustments available Fairly basic in nature For those whose wallets snuggle up to the price of some of the pricier ergonomic chairs on the market, the IKEA Markus is certainly a welcome fiscal spot. Not surprisingly, you don't get a lot of fancy adjustments, but it's a sturdy chair that's well-liked by many, offering a comfortable upright sitting position, with a long backrest and integrated headrest. The back is made of a mesh material to let air pass through and offer better breathability. Some adjustments are available to the user: the seat can be adjusted in height, inclination, and the backrest can be locked in place or can be tilted. Other than that, it's a pretty basic chair, but it's well made for the price - it's a fraction of some of the higher-end seating options. An unexpected bonus in this price range (around $150, or about $190) is that the Markus comes with an impressive 10-year warranty.
- You can buy the Markus at IKEA
FlexiSpot ClassicRiser Standing Desk Converter
The best standing desk for working from homeType: Manual | Height range: 5,9 inches - 19,7 inches (above existing desktop) for M1 size | Desktop size: 26.8 inches x 23.2 inches for M1 size Wallet friendly Range of different sizes Pull-out keyboard tray If you work from home and don't want to spend a lot of money on a desk, check out the FlexiSpot ClassicRiser. It's a manually adjustable model, which is obviously the starting point for a lot of savings, but it's still a smart solution, even if it's considerably cheaper. The ClassicRiser is fairly easy to use by raising or lowering the deck, accomplished with light pressure on a side lever, and like the Uplift, it has a large keyboard tray below the main deck (although it's removable). You can choose from different sized platforms, from the smallest 27in (M1) offering up to 47in (M3), with a range of different options available including monitor arms, anti-fatigue mats, and indeed an exercise underneath. from the bicycle desk. Unsurprisingly, the M1 is the cheapest, but it doesn't cost much more to increase the size of an M3.
The best work with home accessories
Now that you've set up your desktop and your work-enabled laptop or tablet is connected, it's time to make working at home a little easier. If you're one of the lucky few to take advantage of a multi-monitor setup at the office, you might be feeling a little rattled working from home and have minimized your display options. Fortunately, adding an extra monitor is easier than ever these days, especially if you have a docking station next to your work laptop. Most external monitors can now be connected via HDMI, USB-C, or DP ports, so if you're looking for some extra screen real estate, check out our list of the best professional monitors.BenQ GW2270H
The best professional instructor to work from home.Screen size: 21.5 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 | Brightness: 250cd/m2 | Response time: 5ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast Ratio: 20mM:1 (DFC) | Color support: SRGB 91% | Weight: 7.5 pounds Two HDMI ports Affordable No speaker No USB hub Again, if you're just starting to work from home, you don't want to spend a lot of money on a monitor. Instead, you'll want something that's affordable, but still allows you to work comfortably at home. That's why we think the BenQ GW2270H is the best monitor for working at home. It offers the most affordable Full HD monitor with an HDMI connector, and it's small and stylish, which means it'll fit right into your home. It also has exceptional features, to make sure you feel comfortable when you work from home; one that reduces flicker (PWM technology) and a low blue light mode that can help with headaches and sleep disorders. The stand design gives it a more expensive feel, and its three ports (including two HDMI) are noteworthy, as are the two-year warranty and VESA wall-mount option.
Logitech K780
The best keyboard to work from homeInterface: wired | Keyboard backlight: No Pair three devices Cradle holds AA smartphones and tablets, instead of rechargeable battery With its latest keyboard, Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to use their device while sitting at a desk . And, if you were a fan of its predecessor, the K380, the Logitech K780 should measure up, especially with its added number pad. This keyboard still has the ability to pair with three devices via Bluetooth or wirelessly, so you can switch between all your devices on the go. And, thanks to its comfortable, rounded keys, it's always a joy to play. The keyboard dock is the star of the show though, as it can hold mobile devices up to 11,3mm thick in an upright position. This puts them at your fingertips to make it easier than ever to reply to WhatsApp messages or read a digital magazine. If you left your trusty mouse at the office and you're feeling a bit disconnected, don't worry, because a new office friend can be yours with our best mouse guide.
Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse
The best mouse to work from homeDPI: 3200 | Interface: wired | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: right-handed | Features: Classic Design, Programmable Buttons, Soft White Lighting Solid Design Responsive Not Wireless Although it seems like all of our devices are equipped with unnecessary or oddly shaped lighting, there are still mice that you can take seriously if you look alone. The Microsoft Classic Intellimouse, for example, boasts a classic design and attractive white lighting, and is a breath of fresh air. It also strengthens the sensor, allowing users to increase the DPI to 3200. It's not wireless, and it's hardly designed for gaming, but if you're looking for a mouse to help get all your work done when you work from home, the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse will be the best. mouse for you. Meanwhile, if your home office is too far from your home router, you could benefit from a Wi-Fi extender, which can boost the signal in the rest of your home. Here we have selected the options for the best Wi-Fi extenders.
Netgear AC1200 EX6150 WiFi Range Extender
The best network extender to work from homeBands: 802.11ac 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz | Connectivity: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port | Features: Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPS), extender/access point mode switch, power button Super simple setup Compact design Darling An Ethernet port Over the past two years, Netgear has essentially become a household name in the network world. In addition, they have used their extensive experience with their AC1200 EX6150 Wi-Fi Range Extender. This excellent extender is a simple device that you can discreetly plug directly into any electrical outlet, and it certainly has our vote for one of the best Wi-Fi extenders. As an added benefit, the EX6150 benefits from quick and easy installation, without any complicated installation software. Just follow the easy-to-read instructions and you'll have fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home or office.