If you happen to’re seeking to take your desk setup to the subsequent degree, that is the information for you. Head under for a few of my favourite merchandise that may enhance your working setup, starting from equipment to decorations and extra. All the issues on this checklist are issues I’ve personally used and may vouch for.
If you happen to simply unwrapped a brand new Mac or different Apple product for the vacation season, these equipment can assist take your setup to the subsequent degree.
Wi-Fi 6E routers
Wi-Fi is right here, and it affords some substantial efficiency and reliability enhancements. If you happen to’re seeking to make an improve to your private home setup, now’s a good time to do it. Right here’s a rundown of Apple’s gadgets that help Wi-Fi 6E:
- iMac (24-inch, 2023)
- MacBook Professional (14-inch, Nov 2023)
- MacBook Professional (16-inch, Nov 2023)
- MacBook Professional (14-inch, 2023) or MacBook Professional (16-inch, 2023)
- Mac mini (2023)
- Mac Studio (2023)
- Mac Professional (2023)
- iPhone 15 Professional or iPhone 15 Professional Max
- iPad Professional 11-inch (4th technology) or iPad Professional 12.9-inch (sixth technology)
Our favourite Wi-Fi 6E {hardware} comes from Eero, which affords whole-home mesh methods at compelling costs.
Satechi desk mat
Visually, one in all my favourite upgrades to a work-from-home desk setup is the addition of a pleasant desk mat. My advice on this class comes from Satechi, which affords an eco-leather desk mat in a trio of various colours at a compelling $39.99 value level.
I’ve been utilizing these for some time and discover them to be very sturdy and versatile, due to the dual-sided design. Notably, one of many sides doesn’t characteristic a Satechi emblem, which makes it the perfect aspect.
200W USB-C 6-port GaN charger
You possibly can by no means have too many USB-C ports for charging your varied equipment and gadgets. Satechi’s USB-C 200W GaN Charger packs six USB-C ports that may cost any of your equipment or gadgets at full velocity.
I’ve grown to love having this factor on my desk, so I all the time have a spot to cost no matter machine wants some juice at any given time. It’s expensive, but it surely’s definitely worth the funding.
OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock
One of many extra integral additions to my setup this 12 months was the OWC Thunderbolt Dock, a model we additionally went hands-on with earlier this 12 months.
The OWC Thunderbolt Dock I’m utilizing in my setup affords 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports with help for as much as 40Gb/s switch speeds, 4 USB-A ports, an SD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, and gigabit Ethernet. I’ve the dock mounted on the underside of my desk, so it’s hidden and out of the way in which, however its ports are nonetheless accessible.
Laptop computer stands from Twelve South
If you happen to or the individual you’re shopping for for makes use of a MacBook at their desk, the addition of a devoted laptop computer stand is usually a appreciable ergonomics enchancment. I’ve been a fan of the Twelve South Curve for over 4 years and may extremely suggest it to MacBook customers.
Twelve South additionally affords the ParcSlope as an alternative choice for MacBook customers, and it even is available in an up to date matte black end that appears smooth on any desk.
Another choice from – you guessed it – Twelve South is the Curve Flex, which you’ll see above. This one incorporates a premium aluminum construct that’s adjustable. It may be raised or lowered proper to your liking.
Nomad Stand One
Nomad makes a few of my favourite equipment for iPhone, and the corporate’s newest Stand One isn’t any exception. The Stand One is a premium vertical charger with built-in MagSafe help. It’s constituted of aluminum and options an built-in 2-meter braided USB-C cable. It will probably cost your iPhone at as much as 15W speeds.
The Nomad Stand One is obtainable in two colours: silver/white or carbide.
Whereas the Nomad Stand One is a beautiful iPhone charger, you would possibly desire one thing with a 2-in-1 design. My favourite possibility right here is the Belkin 2-in-1 Wi-fi Charging Stand with MagSafe, whereas one other extra reasonably priced possibility is obtainable from Satechi.
This stand from Belkin is costly, but it surely incorporates a sturdy design with an upright MagSafe stand in your iPhone and an built-in spot in your AirPods within the base. It will probably cost your iPhone on the quickest potential MagSafe speeds, as much as 15 watts. It makes use of a single-cable design for powering the MagSafe charger and AirPods charger.
Keychron Q5 mechanical keyboard
I made the bounce to a mechanical keyboard this 12 months, and I haven’t seemed again since. I’m personally utilizing the Keychron Q5, which incorporates a backlit design, a built-in quantity knob, USB-C connectivity, and a customizable design.
Along with these advantages, I’ve discovered my swap to the Keychron Q5 to be a major ergonomics enchancment. The elevated design has considerably decreased wrist ache throughout lengthy writing periods compared to one thing like Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
The Keychron Q5 is considerably expensive at just below $230, however there are additionally extra reasonably priced mechanical keyboard choices on the market. One in all our favorites is the Logitech MX Mechanical wi-fi keyboard, which can also be extra compact than the Keychron possibility in addition to wi-fi.
Satechi headphone stand
Satechi’s 2-in-1 Headphone Stand is without doubt one of the issues on my desk that I get requested about most frequently. It incorporates a hook design to carry your headphones, with a base that doubles as a Qi charger in your iPhone or AirPods.
On the again of the 2-in-1 Headphone Stand are two separate USB-C ports. One in all these is a UBS-C enter port that may be related to energy, whereas the opposite is a USB-C output port.
The only USB-C enter gives sufficient energy for the Qi charger within the base, in addition to to energy the second USB-C output. The Qi charging pad gives as much as 7.5W of energy and works with any Qi-supported machine, together with iPhones, AirPods, and extra.
Underneath-desk headphone mount
Another choice for headphone storage comes from Elevation Lab. The Anchor Underneath-Desk Headphone Stand mounts to the underside of your desk utilizing adhesive and may maintain as much as two pairs of headphones on the identical time.
HomeKit mild strips
For accent lighting, you’ll be able to by no means go fallacious with some HomeKit mild strips in your desk. Whether or not you place them behind your desk or beneath, they will present atmosphere and personalization in your desk setup. HomeKit compatibility permits you to management the brightness and colour out of your iPhone or utilizing Siri.
HomeKit mild strips have gotten considerably cheaper through the years, with choices now coming in at beneath $50 from dependable producers on Amazon.
Philips Hue Play Mild Bar
The next-end possibility for desktop accent lighting comes from Philips Hue and the corporate’s Play Mild Bar. These can present some stunning accent lighting in your workplace and desk, both with a stand or by being mounted to the again of your show.
These, nonetheless, are pricier than a primary mild strip, and also you’ll additionally want a Philips Hue Bridge for full performance.
HomeKit desk lamp
Rounding out our concentrate on lighting is a primary HomeKit-capable desk lamp. You possibly can decide up a smooth HomeKit desk lamp from an organization like Meross on Amazon for beneath $50. I’ve personally been utilizing this Meross desk lamp for a very long time and haven’t had any issues with it.
The rationale I’ve included a number of completely different lighting equipment on this information is that I feel having delicate and customizable lighting round you might be nice for productiveness. That is very true if you happen to’re working in a room or workplace with vivid fluorescent overhead lighting.
Logitech MX Grasp 3S
I’ve been singing the praises of Logitech’s MX lineup of mice for years, and completely nothing has modified. The most recent Logitech MX Grasp 3S is a supremely glorious mouse in your Mac. Ergonomically, I discover it to be considerably higher than one thing like Apple’s Magic Mouse.
The MX Grasp 3S can also be absolutely customizable utilizing Logitech’s Choices software program on the Mac. You possibly can assign the completely different buttons to macOS options, like mission management, expose, the app switcher, and way more.
Underneath-desk Storage Shelf
In search of a method to maintain litter off your desk? This HumanCentric Underneath Desk Storage Shelf is a good possibility. It attaches to the underside of your desk utilizing adhesive strips and can be utilized to retailer issues like your keys, pockets, AirPods case, and extra.
This won’t look like probably the most thrilling accent alternative, however belief me once I say I’ve cherished including this to my setup.
Ember Temperature Management Sensible Mug
If you happen to’re a espresso drinker who finds themselves getting distracted and letting your espresso get chilly, the Ember Sensible Mug can assist clear up that drawback. There’s a companion app for iPhone that allows you to management the temperature, and the battery contained in the mug can maintain your espresso heat for as much as 80 minutes.
Underneath $20 WFH upgrades
To spherical out this information, I assumed it’d be useful to incorporate some extra reasonably priced desk and work-from-home equipment.
