The Best Tools and Gadgets for Hybrid Workers
Hybrid work is all the rage these days, but getting used to working in the office some days and at home (or anywhere) on other days is challenging. Sometimes in the morning you have to go to work, sometimes you just go to the kitchen or something like that. Wherever you work, a few gadgets here and there can make the workday a little more bearable and you more comfortable and efficient.
The best tools for hybrid work
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A telescoping laptop stand is a godsend when you want to work while standing, but a portable one is even better because it means you can stand or sit in your home or work office without any hassle. Try this option from Nulaxy ($56.89) that rotates and folds for easy portability.
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If you have to carry your computer or other work materials back and forth on your commute, the Matein Backpack ($21.98) is a good choice for a travel bag. It has several large compartments and small pockets, as well as a built-in USB port and charger for your equipment. Don’t let the price fool you: CNN says this cheap backpack offers enough features to compete with others that sell for nine times as much, so before you consider one of the pricier options, try this one on for size.
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Pinch Provisions Work From Anywhere Kit ($36.99) is a small bag with a large selection of tools, including a notepad and pen, tablet stand, cord organizer, and charging cables, so you can stash it in your bag and use it wherever you work on a given day.
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Grab the Rocketbook Reusable Post-it Notes Starter Set ($23.99) to make sure whatever you write down at home will be available at work, and vice versa. As for regular sticky notes, wherever you stick them is, well, that’s where they stick, so if you need this information while you’re working elsewhere, too bad. They can be scanned, however, and everything you write in reusable notes appears in your Rocketbook app and in your cloud, so even those of us who still rely on handwriting tasks aren’t left behind on days away from work. . I use them every day and have found that they stay tacky and wipe off easily and are very convenient for storing notes on your phone.
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When you’re at home, you get used to having all your devices charged, but when you have to commute back and forth to work, it’s easy to forget all your cords and wires. The Rorry Apple Watch Portable Charger with Built-in Cables ($27.98) lets you charge your watch, phone, AirPods, or iPad on the go, so you’ll never go home from the office without access to your devices. Plus, it’s small and the cords stow away on the sides, so you can just toss it in your bag without worrying about clutter. Watch this video review to hear praise for its amazingly fast charging.
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One of the best things about working from home is being able to eat your own food whenever you want. Repeat the experience by bringing some to the office in the Umami Bento Box ($26.72), which has room for everything you’d eat in the comfort of your own desk: four utensils, two sauce jars and two dividers. Plus, it’s sealed. I’ve had mine for about a year now and it still seals just as well as the first day, which the inside of my bag is grateful for.
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Hear me out: You won’t have to sacrifice your comfort on work days if you choose lounge pants that look like work pants. Men, these G Gradual sweatpants ($33.99) have the pleats, waistband, and fly of their business-style counterparts, but they’re secretly soft. Ladies, try the Yogipace Yoga Pants ($37.99), which have belt loops and a chic cut that makes them look like their itchier counterparts.
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A portable dual monitor allows you to replicate the office environment at home or expand the work you can do in the office as is. Teamgee sells one for $214.99 that gives you two extra monitors on the side of your laptop, theoretically allowing you to do three times as much work (or just your usual amount, but easier). If you don’t need to connect it to your laptop, PC Mag recommends the ViewSonic VA1655 ($104.49) for its “sophisticated on-screen display.”