The best work-from-home essentials for 2026
If you're looking to spruce up your home office, here's a few of our favorite keyboards, mice, headphones, and other accessories that can help you survive the workday.
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Whether you work from home full-time or just a few days per week, making sure your home office has all the gear you need should make your weeks easier to get through. As a group of remote workers who test mice, keyboards, headphones and countless other accessories for a living, we're in a good position to help you find the stuff that's actually worth your time. Here's a collection of our favorite work-from-home essentials right now.
Best work-from-home essentials for 2026
The Logitech MX Master 4 is a $120 wireless mouse, but it's versatile, well-built and (so very) comfortable enough to justify the premium. With its large, grippy thumb rest, easy-to-reach main buttons and a generous but gently sloping hump that naturally fills out the palm, it should fit like a glove in all but the smallest hands. The main clicks are the quietest I've used, which is a godsend when others are home with you, and most of the mouse is made from a smooth and sturdy plastic that's shown no signs of wear after months of use.
There's also a pair of metal scroll wheels: The main one can switch between precise scrolling and a faster free-spin mode on the fly, while the second scrolls horizontally, which is great for quickly getting across browser tabs or giant Excel sheets. Another useful button in the thumb rest offers haptic feedback and can call up different shortcuts depending on the app you're using. The mouse can pair with three devices at once, while the battery lasts more than two months per charge. Tracking could be smoother on monitors with high refresh rates, there's no storage compartment for the USB dongle, and all of this is for righties only. But if you must spend all day holding a mouse, this one at least feels nice. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
The Soundcore Space One proves that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent set of noise-cancelling headphones that'll help you lock in during the workday. This pair tops our guide to the best wireless headphones for delivering effective (and adjustable) ANC, a lightweight design, long battery life and enjoyable sound quality for just $100. The default sound profile is mostly " V-shaped ," so like many budget headphones it boosts the bass and treble above all else, but you can customize the EQ through Soundcore's app. There's also a surprisingly clear transparency mode, which you can quickly access by placing your hand over the left ear cup. While you can absolutely pay up for a pair like Sony's WH-1000XM6 and enjoy top-class ANC, more robust build quality and a more refined sound, the Space One gets you a good chunk of the way there for a fraction of the price. (Just note that a follow-up, the $130 Soundcore Space Two , will arrive later in April.) — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
While laptop webcams are starting to catch up with the latest technology, I've been using an external webcam for a long time to accommodate my work-from-home setup with an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. The Logitech Brio 500 (or 501 if you buy the black finish) is a great option for most people who are on calls more than they might like to be on a daily basis. It supports 1080p resolution video, auto light correction for dark environments and auto framing to keep you front-and-center during calls. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
If you want to keep all of your devices topped up in one place at home, consider a desktop charging station like this 7-in-1 model from Anker . This variant includes a pair of USB-C ports, two basic USB-A connectors and three AC outlets. The USB-C connectors can each deliver up to 100W of power on their own — or split that amount when used simultaneously — which is enough to charge most mainstream laptops at full speed. (If you need more power for higher-end devices like the MacBook Pro, something like UGreen's Nexode 300W should work, though you'll lose a USB-A port.) The device as a whole is fairly compact at 4.6 inches wide, and at $50, it's affordable too. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
Back support is a must when you have a desk job. This office chair from PatioMage provides adjustable lumbar support so your back isn't sitting flat against a non-supportive surface. And though I never use it, it does have a footrest for when you need to kick back and gather your thoughts. It also slightly reclines back if you don't like sitting up straight. — Katie Teague, Senior How-To Writer
The Logitech MX Keys S is a convenient wireless keyboard for people who just want something simple, reliable and quiet. It's a full-size board, so while it eats up space on a desk, all of its chiclet-style keys are well-sized and easy to reach. They're also backlit, while little circular indents on each help for avoiding typos. The device can connect and quickly swap between three devices at once, and it all works over Bluetooth or a USB dongle. The build quality isn't as premium as a good mechanical keyboard, but it's not flimsy, and the low-profile design means it's all fairly slim. If you're tight on space and don't need the number pad, note that Logitech also sells a shorter Mini model . — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
The Aula F75 (or full-size Aula F99 ) is a fantastic starting point for anyone who wants to get into the world of mechanical keyboards. Its gasket-mount design and lubricated switches help each key press feel soft, smooth and cushioned. They have a satisfying poppy sound out of the box — it's not harsh, but it's definitely not quiet, so it'll be easier to live with if nobody else works from home with you. The stock PBT-coated keycaps have a pleasingly crisp texture too, but the beauty of a hot-swappable keyboard like this is that you can customize its look, feel and sound to your liking down the road.
Our main complaints involve the plastic case, which can flex a bit when pressed hard, and the lack of transparent legends on the keycaps aren't shine-through, which makes the backlight look a little awkward. You'll also want to ignore Aula's sketchy companion software as much as possible. But for $65 or so, none of those are dealbreakers. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
The ZSA Voyager ergonomic keyboard is not for everyone. It took me weeks to learn how to type on it. But now that I've gotten the hang of it, I type and operate my computer faster than I ever have. The low-profile mechanical keys are responsive and not too loud (though definitely not silent) and the split design with thumb clusters put all the commands you need in a position that limits hand movements. Just beware: In addition to the learning curve and the week or so you'll need to spend programming the keys to your liking, no one else will likely be able to type on your keyboard since everything from the enter key to the space bar is not where most people would expect. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter
It's not breaking news to say Apple's AirPods are pretty good, but I've found the latest AirPods 4 to be particularly accommodating for working from home simply because they're so light and comfortable to wear for hours at a time. Their open-back design rests gently on the ears, and the fact that they let in so much noise shouldn't be a big deal if your home office is usually quiet anyway. And while they certainly won't please audiophiles, their warm, easygoing sound makes for a pleasant listen throughout the day. The treble is a bit underemphasized, but there aren't many open wireless earbuds that sound better at this price. They're great "podcast earbuds," to put it another way.
You can pay an extra $50 or so for the ANC model if you need a modicum of noise cancellation, a wireless charging case and a few other perks , but the base model provides decent value at $129. It should go without saying that these are for iPhone owners first and foremost, however — if you need an alternative, we have several other in-ear recommendations in our guide to the best wireless earbuds . — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
I have been called "Battery Lady" by at least one of my co-workers (hi, Jeff!) because I've tested at least 100 portable power banks for various guides and reviews . This Laptop Power Bank from Anker is my favorite. I bring it with me every time I work away from my desk. My family grabs it from my office to recharge their tablets, e-readers and game controllers when they don't want to be tethered to a wall outlet. It packs two integrated cables, one retractable and one that doubles as a carry strap. The massive 25,000mAh capacity will refill a phone many times over and can get my 16-inch laptop from nearly dead to around 80 percent — enough for long haul digital nomad days. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter
This is a boring one, but it's truly essential, whether you're using a desktop charger or a portable power bank. I have a couple of these nylon Anker USB-C cables in my office and in my den, the two places where I do most of my work. They're 10 feet long, allowing me to snake them around furniture whenever I need a power-up, and their 100W charging speed support means they work well for everything from my phone to my work laptop. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
The monitor is the centerpiece of any home office setup, so it's worth getting one you'll actually enjoy looking at all day long. If you can't break the bank on a higher-end OLED model, this version of Dell's 27 Plus 4K Monitor should deliver strong value for $330. It has neither the deep contrast of a good OLED screen nor the smoothest motion for competitive gaming, but it's well-sized at 27 inches and its IPS panel features a crisp 4K resolution, accurate colors, solid brightness and minimal backlight bleeding. You can tilt, rotate and swivel the display as well, though the stand can get a little wobbly when moved.
Reviews we trust around the web have been positive — some technically apply to a lower-end model called the S2725QS , but that one has a similar panel and mainly sells for less because it lacks a USB hub. For most, having USB-C ports is worth the extra $50. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
If you don't want to wear headphones all day, a good pair of desktop speakers will get you much better sound than the dinkier speakers built into most monitors and laptops. The Audioengine A2+ has been my personal set for many years, and it remains a lovely blend of clean audio, space-saving size and good looks. Each speaker is only six inches tall and four inches wide, so they're too small to produce desk-rattling bass, but they still come off as clean, balanced and spacious for their size. This latest iteration can connect over Bluetooth, USB-C, RCA or a 3.5mm jack, while the sturdy, deep-color design just looks classy.
The A2+ has been around for a while, and at $279 it's definitely not the best raw value these days. If anything, you'll have to spend a little extra for angled stands to get the best sound possible. (The Creative Pebble Pro is a serviceable alternative if you're just looking to pay as little as possible.) But if you're tight on desk space and want a clear speaker upgrade that'll also add some style to your workspace, it should satisfy. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
It's finally time to replace the Roost laptop stand I got eight years ago and I'm getting the same brand again. The Roost folds up into a thin stick that's about the same length as my laptop and fits easily in my backpack. Unfurled, it holds up to a 16-inch laptop at eye level so I don't hunch like a gremlin when I'm working away from my standing desk. I take this to every coffee shop and coworking space I visit and always get questions about where I got it. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter
The Elevation Lab GoStand is a clever stand for those who want to keep a secondary device propped up at their desk. It can securely hold any smartphone or a small tablet like the iPad mini vertically, while a hinge in the back lets it open up and keep a device as big as my 13-inch iPad Air in place horizontally, with little wobbling. (Ignore the Apple-specific marketing.) A pair of spring-loaded stops let you adjust your device's angle, and the whole thing can fold up into a flat little wedge, so it's easy to stuff in a pocket and take on the go. The ends do well to not scuff your displays, and since the back of the stand is mostly open, it gives you space to pop on a MagSafe charger . — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
The UGreen Revodok Pro 109 is the top pick in our guide to the best USB-C hubs , so it's a handy way to add more ports to any laptop with limited connections. More specifically, it gets you an extra USB-C 3.2 port, three traditional USB-A ports, an Ethernet jack, microSD and SD card slots and an HDMI port that can push a 4K @ 60Hz display. Its data transfer speeds were plenty fast for most people's needs in our testing, it can supply up to a 100W charge to a connected laptop, and the whole thing feels well-built. Our only real complaint is that we wish it had one more USB-C port, but most new laptops come with a couple of those already, and that problem isn't unique to this specific model. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
You'd pay up for a Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS5 over a simpler USB-C hub if you need faster data transfers, the ability to push higher-quality video to more monitors, more robust device charging or just a wider port selection, and you don't care so much about portability. The TS5 covers all of that: It includes 15 ports in total, including four powerful Thunderbolt 5 connections, and it can deliver a hefty 140W charge to your notebook.
This is almost certainly overkill for most people, and it's worth noting that the TS5 has no HDMI port or DisplayPort, so if your monitor(s) can't connect directly over USB-C, you'll need an adapter. If you know you'll use a computer that only supports the older but still-fast Thunderbolt 4 for a while, the prior CalDigit TS4 is still reliable and includes both a DisplayPort and three more USB-A ports. (It's also my personal dock.) But the TS5 is more futureproof, similarly well-built and only slightly more expensive, so most folks with heavy-duty workloads might as well take the step up. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
I can't sit still in one spot while I work — I'm usually moving from room to room for different scenery. But I still need a desk. This lap desk from AmazonBasics works well for me because it's adjustable, so if I'm sitting on the floor, I can extend the legs. It also tilts and has two bars to prevent my laptop and phone from falling off. — Katie Teague, Senior How-To Writer
You don't need to buy a whole new chair to get lumbar support, though. I have at least three of these C Cushion Lab lumbar pillows around my house, and one of them never leaves my office chair. I have chronic lower back pain and need the extra support of a lumbar pillow at all times, and this model is one of the best I've used. It's firm but not stiff, and it has one of the best shapes of any lumbar pillow I've used to provide support and comfort for hours. You can also take off the removable cover to wash it whenever you need. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
