Working from home has risen in popularity over the past decades as businesses find that there are major cost-saving benefits to giving employees the tools they need to do their job from their homes instead of renting expensive office space. Some contract and freelance jobs are more conducive to working from home and as the global pandemic continues to make gathering in large groups unsafe, home offices are quickly becoming the norm.
For those who are new to working from home, they will quickly learn that setting up their laptop at the kitchen table is not conducive to a viable workstation that can be used daily. Using office equipment that provides an ergonomic setup, including standing desks, comfortable chairs, and dictation devices, all help to make working from home an enjoyable experience and won’t put unnecessary strain on the body. Although working from home can sometimes feel lonely and make it difficult to separate your home and work life, there are several benefits, including saving money on commuting and eating out. Working from home often allows for more free time to spend with family and friends.
If there is someone in your life who has recently turned their spare room into an office, there may be some essential work from home items they have yet to acquire. We’ve got you covered. From sweatpants that still look professional on videoconferences to the coffee machine that will turn anyone into a full-fledged barista, these are the best gifts to give someone who works from home.
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1. Jarvis Standing Desk
BEST OVERALL
The benefits of standing desks are becoming more widely known and thankfully, that has led to an increase in their popularity and availability. There are several types of standing desks available, including many versions that sit on top of pre-existing desks, manually operated standing desks that use a lever to raise and lower the tabletop and electric standing desks. The Jarvis is in the middle of price points for electric standing desks but it’s our top pick for two reasons. One, it has one of the lowest starting heights of any standing desk available, which is important for short to average size users who want to ensure they are in proper alignment when using the desk in the seated position. Two, its durability is exceptional. We have moved our Jarvis standing desk three times between three states and it still looks and operates like it did when we first bought it, making it a great option for a desk that will work in your home office, wherever that is.
2. Nuance Dragon Home
BEST FOR QUIET WORKSPACES
One of the biggest benefits of working from home is that you don’t have coworkers nearby to listen in on your personal conversations. Another benefit is coworkers not being able to hear you dictate. For those who do even a minimal amount of typing every day for their job, the Nuance Dragon Home dictation device is one of our top recommendations. Not only does the dictation device help to speed up your work process since the majority of us speak faster than we type, but dictating also means that users can give their hands and wrists a break from typing, which can help stave off tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. ASOS Design Smart Tapered Sweatpants
COMFORTABLE PANTS THAT ARE OFFICE-APPROPRIATE
Sure, being able to wear your pajamas all day is a great feature of working from home, but it can make it difficult to separate your home life from work life and get into ‘work mode.’ That’s why we like the Smart Tapered Sweatpants from ASOS. Made from soft and breathable jersey, the pants have all the comfort of your favorite baggy pair of sweats but thanks to their tapered ankle, side pockets and a drawstring waist, the fitted pants look appropriate for just about any office.
4. Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker
BEST FOR BUDDING BARISTAS
Making coffee at home is a big money saver, so why not splurge on a device that can do everything from piping hot Americano to a frothy and foamy latte? Keurig has cornered the market on making coffee convenient and user-friendly with its wide range of at-home coffee makers. We like the Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker, which can make traditional coffee and has a built-in frother for hot or iced cappuccinos and lattes. The reservoir can hold enough water to make up to six cups of coffee per day and the easy to program coffee maker can be set to turn on as soon as you start your workday, ensuring you’ve got a hot or iced cup of your favorite drink when it’s time to work.
5. Ascot Leather Slipper by UGG
LUXURIOUS SLIPPERS
If there was a part of the body that was most excited to be working from home, it would be the feet. Restrictive dress shoes and standing all day have now been replaced by the ability to wear comfortable and supportive slippers ‘at work.’ Slippers are a universally loved item that are available in a wide variety of price points. For an extravagant gift that anyone will love to receive, we like the Ascot Leather Slipper by UGG. The inside of the slipper is lined with UGGpure, a plush wool that feels and acts the same as genuine shearling. The bottom of the slippers have a rubber sole that provides traction and the beautiful smooth leather will last for years and looks great if your feet somehow come into view during a virtual meeting. This smartly designed slipper will also make a great gift for men.
6. Light Therapy Lamp from Miroco
BEST MOOD BOOSTER
Unless you work for a company that supplies your work from home set up, many people have to foot the bill for their own home office. That’s why we like products that are multi-functional and provide the biggest bang for your buck. Case in point, the Light Therapy Lamp from Miroco. The Miroco is a UV-free LED light with three settings that provide light therapy to help boost the user’s mood during darker months, which is especially beneficial for people who work from home and may not venture outside during the day. Working from home can also be very isolating, which is why we like the Miroco and its ability to help alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. The powerful 10,000 lux Miroco also acts as a great light source for video calls and it has an automatic timer to help save energy. The Miroco is portable, making it a great option for using at your desk, on your couch or wherever your home office is today.
7. Hbada Office Chair
BEST SEAT
If you’re looking for a gift for someone who is new to working from home, they may still think that sitting on their dining room chair or working from their couch all day is sufficient for a home office. It’s not. Their butt, back, legs, and neck will all quickly tell them that they need a chair that is ergonomically designed to support sitting for hours on end. The Hbada Office Chair is an excellent option for home offices thanks to its customizable design. The flip-up arms give users the option for a supported or armless chair. The durable alloy steel chair is height adjustable and has a lever to adjust the tilt of the chair to the perfect angle for the user. Designed for users up to 250 pounds, the chair has smooth and silent rolling casters that are gentle on flooring and won’t disturb anyone else working from home.
8. Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill
BEST FOR HOME GYM
Working from home is a great way to save money and time spent commuting, but having your workspace set up only five feet from your bedroom, which is five feet from your kitchen (and snacks), isn’t necessarily the best for your health. It can be easy to get to the end of the workday and realize you have barely moved from your desk. That’s why we like the Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill. The compact design of the treadmill makes it a great option even for users with limited storage space. The folding design means that the treadmill can be used without the bar raised and can slide under a standing desk, making it convenient to send emails and review spreadsheets while walking. When it’s time for a more intense workout before or after work, the bar can be raised and the treadmill can be used for running.
9. LED Desk Lamp Light and Charging Port
BEST DESK ACCESSORY
When you work from home, your desk becomes your command central. Having your computer and devices in a central location adds to your efficiency and helps to ensure you never miss a call or email. We like the LED Desk Lamp Light and Charging Port by Yostyle Store. It’s a desk lamp with four adjustable brightness levels and it has four USB ports and two outlets, ensuring that everything you need to get your work done is charged and ready to go.
10. Crock-Pot Slow Cooker
FOR MAKING EASY MEALS
A slow cooker may not sound like an obvious gift for someone who works from home, but hear us out. Slow cookers are a huge asset in the kitchen because they make it easy to time meals and are relatively foolproof with their dump-and-heat recipes. Most slow cooker recipes require four, six or eight hours of cooking time, so slow cookers are usually relegated to weekend use since people typically don’t want to eat four hours after they have finished work and arrive home. But if your office is next to your kitchen, your morning coffee break can be used to prepare your dinner, meaning when the workday is over you can take the time that you would normally use to commute or cook and instead relax, get a workout in or spend time catching up with friends or family.