The pandemic has transformed millions of people from Starbucks-toting commuters to work-from-home professionals, dressing smartly from the waist up and doing their best to make their bedrooms feng shui like their office spaces. The HELLO! Online team is no exception.
Karen Silas, Senior Lifestyle Editor, says: “The pandemic and lockdown gave me, like millions of others, a crash course in working from home. I was in no way prepared to immediately recreate the comfortable, efficient space in my apartment where I could work quietly all day. But I did convert a spare room into both a guest room and a home office, which I still use today. It gave me great ideas for not only the essentials, like a laptop tray so I can work from the couch and noise-canceling headphones, but also the little extras that make working from home that much more comfortable.”
These days, hybrid work means continuing to work from home at least part of the time. Some people are adapting well to this change, while others may be struggling. Whether you're looking for a gift for a remote worker who needs a pick-me-up or just looking to treat yourself, we've got you covered.
We've scoured the best online retailers for the best gifts for those who work from home. Whether you're looking for something to brighten up your desk space, a cool gadget to make your life easier, or just something to put a smile on your face, here are the home office essentials any remote worker will love.
How to choose the best gifts and accessories for your home office
Price: We included competitively priced home office essentials without sacrificing quality. Wherever possible, we included products and accessories that were on sale. Personal experience: The HELLO! Online team are all hybrid workers, so we have plenty of experience decorating home offices. We only included products that we love and can't live without. They're guaranteed to make the best gifts. Reviews: If we weren't able to test the products ourselves, we focused on reviews from verified shoppers and only included home office accessories and gifts that consistently garnered a large number of positive reviews. Variety: Some shoppers want to gift something practical or techy, while others want something to brighten up a friend's desk. We tried to offer something for everyone.
Best home office gifts for working from home
SEFFO Lap Desk Laptop Stand
Sales of this product have skyrocketed during the pandemic, but if you know someone who doesn't already have one, there's no better gift for their home office. It's such a useful product to have, it's an Amazon Choice for “Laptop Tray”, meaning the online shopping giant has found it to be a highly rated, affordable product that can be shipped immediately. They're right – it has an impressive 4.6-star rating and over 2,000 positive reviews. It's sleek, lightweight and the perfect size (30.5 x 57.5 x 5cm). It also features dual bolster cushions for added comfort and breathability, a built-in mouse pad and a phone slot.
Kickerland Rainbow Maker
This would fall into the category of home office gifts for people who have everything. They surely can't live without this! Brings instant rainbow magic and calm to your home office. Simply attach it to your window with the suction cup, let the sunlight charge the solar battery and get going in no time. The motor spins the crystal, refracting the sun's rays into a beautiful rainbow.
Helloday hexagonal brass ballpoint pen
If you use something every day, it should make you happy every time you see it. And that's exactly what Hello Day's beautiful new Hexagon Brass Ballpoint Pen does. It feels great in your hand and flows smoothly on paper, making writing a pleasure. For extra use, buy it with a protective leather or faux leather sleeve. And if you ever run out of ink, refills are available.
Roller Mouse Pro
The RollerMouse Pro is a mouse like no other you've ever seen. It's operated by sliding and rotating a roller-style centerpiece, keeping your hand centered and your wrist at a natural angle. It's unlike traditional mice, which don't offer ergonomic wrist support and can strain your wrists, neck, and shoulders. It's a gift that's literally an investment in the recipient's future health, especially for those who spend hours sitting in front of a computer.
Not only is this mouse easy to set up and configure (I was able to get the wireless version up and running in minutes and configure the scrolling and clicking strength to my liking), but it also has an impressive 3-month battery life between charges (with the included USB-C cable). The sleek Scandi design is a plus point, as is the central 6-button panel that can be customized to suit your needs and preferred shortcuts.
It took me a little while to get used to the roller for the first few days (it felt like I was playing Etch-A-Sketch!), but now that I'm used to it, I honestly can't live without it – I'm sure my wrists will be very grateful in the future!
Acezeek Large Mouse Mat
Once you switch to a wide mouse mat, you'll never go back. At 90 x 40cm, it'll fit your keyboard, mouse and even a teacup. Of course, you can stick to a basic solid color, but this mat is just beautiful. It's also waterproof. It's sure to make a great home office gift for anyone who appreciates beautiful things.
Aqua Optima Aurora Instant Hot & Cold Filter Water Dispenser
I've been buying Aqua Optima water dispensers ever since they came out. This fantastic machine is their latest model, and it's amazing. No plumbing or installation required, just plug it in and you have cold or hot water. You do have to remember to refill it as you use it, but if you can stomach that, this is a truly game-changing home office gift.
A bunch of peace lilies
Bunches has a beautiful selection of houseplants you can choose online and have delivered. They also offer plant subscriptions so your gift recipient receives a beautiful new plant every month. The Peace Lily is a great option, arriving in a beautiful natural jute pot. This plant naturally filters harmful toxins from the air and increases the humidity in your room by up to 5%, both of which promote healthy sleep.
Oculumph Day and Night
A portable desk light that promotes health and restful sleep? Yes! This clever lamp is different because it's designed to filter out blue light, which can be bad for your eyes and sleep, blocking melatonin and messing with your body clock. It has three settings depending on when you want the most light for your workstation or when you want to wind down at the end of the day. I have this one and I love that I can charge it and move it wherever I need it.
The world's smallest vacuum cleaner
Raise your hand if you eat snacks at your desk and end up scattering crumbs all over your laptop – this little vacuum can help. Not only is it super funny, but we promise it actually works.
Logitech MX Anywhere Wireless Mouse
I have this mouse, and it's been three years since I bought it, and I still think it's the best home office accessory I own. It tracks on any surface: tables, glass, and even my futon if I need to. And I'm not the only one who loves it; it has over 6,000 positive reviews on Amazon, with an amazing 4.6 star rating. It's available in black, pink, and white.
Ember's New Temperature Controlled Smart Mug
Lukewarm tea is a pain for those who work from home, but the Ember Smart Mug solves that problem in a flash. It's an app-controlled smart mug that lets you set the temperature of your tea or coffee from your smartphone. The battery life is decent (1.5 hours when removed from the coaster) and you can keep it on the coaster and have hot tea all day. Note, however, that it's not dishwasher safe; hand wash only. In my opinion, however, it's a steal. You can choose a mug in gold, rose gold, or stainless steel if you want it to match your gift recipient's work-from-home decor.
Mahabis Curve
I have several pairs of these and I can say they are absolutely amazing. My partner has these too and he is picky about his slippers. They are incredibly comfortable and support your feet (important when you're wearing them for hours a day) and the designs are really funky too – you can mix and match the colours to create your own unique design. They may be more expensive than your average slippers but they last for years so are totally worth it.
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