The best WFH gear for staying focused, keeping fit, and getting stuff done

By Mashable | Created at 2025-04-04 09:26:46 | Updated at 2025-04-05 01:22:44 16 hours ago

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The shift from in-office work to hybrid and even full-time work from home has been great for a lot of folks; it allows for greater flexibility, a better work-life balance, and healthier habits. It also gives job seekers greater choice when applying for jobs that would otherwise require a cross-country or cross-state move.

Of course, this major shift comes with some downsides as well. The art of working from home doesn’t jive with all types of workers. Some folks prefer being in an office setting in order to keep themselves accountable for getting their work done efficiently (see: no mid-afternoon naps). Others like the communal aspect of being around colleagues rather than relying on Slack to get their socialization throughout the workday.

It’s no secret that having a designated workspace that's clean and organized will make sitting down and getting to work a whole lot easier than, say, rolling out of bed, grabbing your laptop, and swan-diving right back into bed to get to work (we’ve been there!). But these days, there are also a ton of products and programs designed to make actually sitting down at a desk and getting into the zone that much easier.

That being said, working from home also gives you the ability to multitask and get things done for yourself and your family during your workday. Whether you’re hoping to get fit from home or you want to take advantage of your lunch hour to catch up on laundry, if you play your cards right, it’s pretty feasible to get a lot of shit done. That gives you more time to enjoy yourself once you do close down your laptop for the day.

“While working from home may seem like you'd get easily distracted, I find that working from home is a great way to block your day so that you can be even more motivated to get everything accomplished,” explained Olivia Dreizen Howell, co-founder and CEO of Fresh Starts Registry, certified life coach, and clinical hypnotherapist. “For example, I spend every morning doing a 15-minute timed sprint to write out the day's to-do list while listening to fast and uplifting music, and then will get up to walk around, throw laundry in, bring dishes to the sink, clean up the bathroom for 5 minutes, and then sit back down and transition to classical music or subliminal audios while I begin work!”

What are the best WFH products?

If you’re ready to boost your productivity and get the most out of working from home, we’ve got you covered. The following essentials were tested and reviewed by us, and they've proven to be some of the best WFH gear for upgrading your home office. Whether you want to use your office hours to get in shape or just do some dishes while on a conference call, the following gear will help you perfect the WFH grind.

Vari desk set up in an apartment

  • Nice, durable desktop finish
  • Easy-to-use height adjustment system
  • ComfortEdge design
  • Ability to customize with some great add-ons
  • Although simple, setting the desk up requires a lot of heavy lifting
  • Can get really expensive depending on configuration and extras

Working from bed may sound enticing as a concept, but trust us, it's not. All it ends up getting you is a messed-up sleep schedule and back pain. So, it's best to avoid that and skip to the part where you have an actual desk instead. Having a desk in any capacity is better than working from random areas in your home, but we're partial to adjustable standing desks — not only can they make you more productive, but they can also save your posture (we aren't meant to be sitting all day).

It's a hefty investment, but the best desk we've tried is the Vari electric standing desk. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Dylan Haas took the desk for a test run and absolutely loved it. He thought that the finish and quality of the desktop itself was durable and felt high-quality, as well as all the hardware pieces that hold it together. The ComfortEdge design is also a nice bonus, which acts kind of like a built-in wrist rest and makes long workdays much more bearable. The electric portion of the desk is simple and effective, featuring two arrow buttons to adjust height on the fly, as well as four programmable buttons which you can assign height presets to for more seamless transitions. The package also comes with some freebies, including a pair of desk hooks, a coaster, and some cord wraps. The only negative aspect of the experience was the initial setup of the desk, which was thankfully simple, but required way more heavy lifting than expected. Just make sure you have someone around to help you out.

While not included with the desk, Vari also sent over some of their desk add-ons to try out, including a cable management tray, drawer, and file cabinet. All of them are of the same high quality of the desk itself, especially the super heavy-duty file cabinet that feels basically indestructible. But, if you're only going to buy one, we definitely recommend getting the cable management tray — it's a game-changer for keeping your workspace organized and stress-free. If you can also afford the drawer, it's a welcome addition for some quick and convenient storage.

Razer Fujin Pro in a home office

  • High-quality construction
  • Tons of adjustment options
  • Easy to keep clean
  • Extremely ergonomic and comfortable
  • Mesh can hold onto lint sometimes
  • Setup is a little bit intense

If you're going to be sitting at a desk all day, a good chair is an absolute must. And no, that old chair that's sitting at your kitchen table is not going to cut it from 9 to 5. The Razer Fujin Pro will, though.

Haas spent a few weeks with the Fujin Pro, and he was really impressed with it — he thought it was comparable to the Herman Miller Aeron Chair, which is high praise in its own right. The Razer Fujin Pro is constructed using a breathable mesh material that keeps you cool and supported throughout the day, as well as durable aluminum alloy hardware that feels like it will stand the test of time. Materials aside, the real star of the show is the chair's ergonomic design and suite of adjustments that you can make for extra comfort and support while you're clocked in. Among the Fujin Pro's adjustment options are lumbar support height and depth, a 4D headrest, movable armrests, and a reclining function. There are seemingly endless combinations that you can make, which leads us to believe that this chair is truly a good fit for anyone. Even after weeks of use, Haas never felt uncomfortable in the chair and felt way better physically after each workday from sitting in a more supportive posture.

The Razer Fujin Pro is also a breeze to keep clean, even though the mesh material can sometimes hang onto lint. But it all comes off easily with a quick wipe-down using a damp cloth. The only real struggle with the chair was the setup, which was easy to follow, but kind of hard to do by yourself because of the heavy pieces involved. Razer recommends having another person to help you put it together, and we definitely agree because it can get pretty intense. Other than that, though, the Razer Fujin Pro emerges as one of the best desk chairs we've ever sat in. The high price tag might cause potential buyers to raise an eyebrow, but this is one of those occasions where we think the hefty investment is worth what you're getting.

woman walking on treadmill

Amazon Prime

  • Lightweight walking treadmill
  • Easy to fold, set up, and store
  • It’s not heavy-duty enough to use for running or training

Getting your steps in when you’re no longer required to commute to the office can be challenging, which is why we’re so sold on the WalkingPad Folding Treadmill. We tested this walking treadmill at home and found it was the perfect companion for a standing desk. It’s lightweight and folds in half, which makes it easy to store the treadmill out of the way. That's especially useful if you live in a small space and don’t want to give up your limited square footage to a full-sized treadmill. This won't be a great option for running and training, but it’s more than enough for hitting those 10,000 steps while on Zoom calls.

apple airpods pro 2 with charging case

Amazon Prime

  • Great, well-balanced sound
  • Good active noise cancelation
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness modes
  • Not as many features as other options
  • Sony and Bose have superior ANC

If you’re using a pair of older or wired headphones, then it's definitely time to upgrade. The Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C are one of our top picks for the best wireless earbuds, and they make a great option if you’re trying to improve your concentration and productivity at home. During the testing process, we particularly liked that these buds offer universal charging capabilities (less cord clutter on your desk is always a plus). If you like to listen to music while you work, they have excellent noise-cancelling capabilities and crystal clear sound. Solid microphones also ensure you come through loud and clear on Zoom calls. Finally, since they're dust, sweat, and water-resistant, they're equally suited for working out and working from home.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen).

microsoft surface pro 9 in sapphire blue

  • Flexible 2-in-1 design
  • Lightweight
  • Sturdy kickstand
  • 15-hour battery life
  • Doesn't have the best angles for video calls
  • Surface Slim Pen 2 and keyboard sold separately

We love an elaborate desktop computer setup with multiple screens and all the bells and whistles, but many people prefer the versatility of a laptop when working from home. The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is the best 2-in-1 laptop that we’ve tested, letting you easily move from the desk to your couch or even a cafe. It’s lightweight and has a sturdy kickstand so you won’t have to worry about it, say, falling over during an important Zoom meeting. The detachable keyboard and 1080p HD camera also make it easy to work on the go without having to sacrifice the high functionality of a more traditional laptop or desktop computer. Our one gripe? We wish the Slim Pen 2 and keyboard were included in the base price.

Logitech MX Brio webcam attached to a computer monitor

  • Fantastic video quality, even in low light
  • Built-in privacy shade
  • Super adjustable to help you always get the right framing
  • Logi Options+ support
  • Built-in microphone output sounds a bit tinny, but serviceable
  • Adjusting the webcam to different positions can be finicky

If you're working from home, we're willing to bet that you're constantly in video meetings. Unfortunately, not every computer has a built-in webcam, which means you'll have to buy one separately. Our recommendation: The Logitech MX Brio. It's not a cheap webcam, but the value was undeniable after our testing period.

Haas tested the Logitech MX Brio for a few weeks and came out amazed by the camera's video quality in both natural and low-light situations. Whether you're recording video or streaming into a meeting, the 4K UHD cam is crisp and keeps you looking your absolute best. The wide-angle lens packs a lot into each frame, but it can be adjusted if you want a tighter shot. Speaking of framing, the camera also comes with an adjustable mount that allows you to deeply customize the angle of your shot, even if it's directly below the camera — just put it into Show Mode for a perfect top-down view of your workspace. Other highlights include a built-in privacy shade and Logi Options+ support for even more adjustments like lighting, white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and more. Or, you can just let the camera do the work for you in auto mode.

The Logitech MX Brio does come with a built-in microphone, but the output didn't sound amazing during our testing period. It's ultimately serviceable, but we recommend using a microphone or pair of headphones if you're going to be recording audio or video chatting. And, while the amount of adjustments you can make is welcome, moving the camera can be finicky at times, so just be mindful that it's not going to fall off while you set up the frame.

fitbit inspire 3 in black color

Amazon Prime

  • It's easy to set up and use
  • Lots of free apps
  • Customizable notifications
  • Battery life could be better

It’s easy to sit down at your desk and, well, forget to stand up and move until lunchtime. Research shows that spending too much time sitting down can be detrimental to your health, which is why we recommend investing in a fitness tracker to cultivate a sustainable fitness routine at home. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best fitness tracker we’ve tested, especially if you’re looking for something under $100. During the testing process, we found that this fitness tracker had a lot of the same features as more expensive devices such as accurate step counting, sleep tracking, and workout analysis.

20 am

  • Great library of meditations
  • Multi-stage alarm settings
  • Smart features and app control
  • Doubles as a night light
  • Backup battery power
  • Expensive for an alarm clock

It's not always easy to foster a good morning routine when working from home; the temptation to roll out of bed at 8:55 am to be at your desk by 9 is real. That’s where a tricked-out alarm clock like the Loftie Clock comes in. Out of all the alarm clocks we've tested, this multi-functional smart alarm is our favorite. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also has features that make it easy to form healthier sleep habits. In the morning, multi-stage alarms will gently wake you up, and come bedtime, a library of meditations and white noise lull you to sleep.

graphic of notion app and logo

  • Easy to customize
  • Lots of templates to choose from
  • Works with MacOS and Windows (plus iOS and Android)
  • Robust free version for personal use
  • Comes with a learning curve

“Notion is like if Google Drive and list-making app Trello had a beautiful baby,” wrote Mashable Associate Editor Anna Iovine when reviewing the organization tool. The free organizational system is designed to be a one-stop shop that functions as a to-do list, notes app, budget tracker, and pretty much anything else you need it to be. Iovine noted that although it’s easy to customize and use, there is a bit of a learning curve that will require some trial and error until you get all of the commands, templates, and shortcuts down.

While there is a paid version, we got a lot of mileage out of the free version and didn't feel the need to upgrade. For mobile users, it's available on iOS and Android; for desktop, you can access it with your browser or download an app for MacOS or Windows. In any format, this online planner makes getting — and staying — organized simple and, dare we say, enjoyable.

All of the products and software in this shopping guide were tested and approved by a member of the Mashable shopping team. Our shopping journalists and editors review hundreds of products every year, from new gadgets to over-hyped viral products. When testing products, we use them for a minimum of a week before making a recommendation to our readers.

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