Mashable @Home

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

It's easy to turn into a slacker when your bed and couch are staring right at you.
By Kaitlyn McInnis  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Overview

Best For Getting Fit While Answering Emails

WalkingPad Folding Treadmill

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Best For Taking Calls While Multitasking

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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Best For Mixing Up Your Workspace

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

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Best For Reminding You To Get Up and Move

Fitbit Inspire 3

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Best For Becoming a Morning Person

Loftie Clock

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Best For Getting Organized

Notion

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See 2 More

A how-to series to help kick-start new ventures and hobbies — whether it’s an updated gaming setup, a home gym, or a sparkly new home office. Starter Kit features all of the trusted tech, tools, and guidance you need to start something new.


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!”

If you’re ready to 10x 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.

woman walking on treadmill

WalkingPad Folding Treadmill

Best For Getting Fit While Answering Emails

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.

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The Uplift Standing Desk is incredibly easy to set up and use but also fully customizable to suit your personal preferences and home decor. You can choose from desktop surfaces such as bamboo, walnut, and reclaimed fir, and even the desktop power outlets can be customized. When we tested this desk, we found that it worked great with a walking treadmill. You can raise and lower this electric desk with the push of a button, and it has multiple pre-set heights. That makes it easy to slip a folding treadmill underneath when it's time to get your steps in.

We didn’t love the price tag — this desk is quite pricey compared to other options — and it's pretty heavy. That said, it’s crafted with high-quality and luxurious-feeling materials, and we expect it to outlast cheaper desks made of MDF plywood.

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apple airpods pro 2 with charging case

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Best For Taking Calls While Multitasking

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).

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microsoft surface pro 9 in sapphire blue

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Best For Mixing Up Your Workspace

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.

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fitbit inspire 3 in black color

Fitbit Inspire 3

Best For Reminding You To Get Up and Move

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.

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Loftie clock displaying 8:20 am

Loftie Clock

Best For Becoming a Morning Person

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.

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graphic of notion app and logo

Notion

Best For Getting Organized

“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.

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How we tested

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 several weeks before making a recommendation to our readers.


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