We surveyed remote workers for their favorite tech gadgets - these 8 top the list

Working from home can mean long hours of sitting in one place; a standing desk is a good addition to any at-home office setup. ZDNET managing editor Alison DeNisco Rayome, who has worked from home on and off for more than a decade, has an electric standing desk. 

"This is a no-frills standing desk that gets the job done and looks decent in my home office," she said. "You can set your desired sitting and standing heights, or move it as you need to." 

Also: These 5 work-from-home essentials seriously upgraded my desk

It adjusts from 27.3 to 45.5 inches tall, and even has three programmable memory height buttons so you always have the perfect height for sitting or standing. 

One of the most important devices for work has got to be the mouse, since it can make or break your productivity and navigation experience. An ergonomic mouse is a more comfortable option, since it improves hand and forearm posture with its shape. One mouse ZDNET staff recommends is the Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse — it even received an Editors' Choice award last fall. 

ZDNET's editor, Kyle Kucharski, wrote in his review, "I've been using the MX Master 4 for over a month now with my main computer, and I'm a big fan of the mouse's customization, silent clicks, and overall ergonomics," he said, adding that it's been a big improvement for his productivity. 

Also: Is a high-end mouse worth buying? This Logitech made the answer clear to me

Aside from its ergonomic design, it also includes useful built-in features, such as haptic feedback that can be customized with double-clicks, scrolling, or right-clicking, and smart actions that let you quickly automate repetitive tasks, along with a scroll wheel that has precious and vigorous scrolling, up to 1,000 lines per second. 

A desk mat can upgrade the look and feel of your desk, but the ALTI wireless charging desk mat from Journey comes with an extra helpful feature: it has a 15W MagSafe charging pad built right in. That means you can set your phone or earbuds down on the mat and they will charge effortlessly while you're working. 

ZDNET deals and shopping editor Kayla Solino uses this mat in her work-from-home setup, and calls it a game-changer. "I especially like it because it creates a steady surface for my laptop stand since I use the mat on my standing desk while walking," she said. "The charger is also really nice, and you can detach the pad if you don't need it or want to use it separately. 

Also: The best wireless chargers you can buy

The mat is made of vegan leather and is double-layered to create a nifty spot for Post-it note reminders or important papers to further remove clutter from your desk space. 

One of the benefits of working from home is not having to worry about how noisy you are to other people in the office, since your coworkers are mostly just your pets. That's why I opted for this clickity-clacky keyboard to replace my Apple Magic Keyboard, after starting to work from home in 2019.

It's super colorful to match my eclectic office, and even comes with a matching mouse. Instead of having to charge it every two weeks like with my Apple products, the keyboard and mouse take batteries. If you're an Apple user, you will need a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and the Apple shortcuts aren't as intuitive, but you can still use them with the Windows key. 

Also: The best mechanical keyboards

For whatever reason, I actually feel more productive using this keyboard and hearing the loud sound of the colorful keys. I know the sound isn't bothering anyone (even my cats sleep through it) as it would in a regular office setting, and I enjoy the feeling of the thick keys while writing articles all day long.

The laptop or computer you work on is the shining star of your at-home desk -- the place where the magic happens. If you work for a company, you may not get a say in which laptop you use, but if you do get to pick, ZDNET writer Cesar Cadenas says to go with the Asus Zenbook Duo. 

While the laptop often gets labeled as a creator-first laptop -- and it's a bit pricey -- its flexible form factor couldn't be better for a home office setup, no matter what kind of work you do. 

Also: I used a dual-screen Windows laptop for work this week, and it's a power user's dream setup

"I love using the dual displays in portrait mode for long writing and editing sessions, and then switching back to dual-screen mode while connected to my 28-inch external monitor for creative work and research," Cadenas said. 

Features like a redesigned hinge, better displays, and improved battery life awarded it a ZDNET Editors' Choice award for January 2026, so we highly recommend this laptop. 

If you're a coffee or tea drinker, you know the struggle of having your hot drink turn cold at your desk during a workflow state or an attentive brainstorming session. For these instances, Rayome uses a Yeti Rambler daily. 

"Not only does it keep my drink warm for a couple of hours while I'm typing at my desk or on calls, but the magnet slider and sturdy build make it less likely to tip over and spill while I'm getting my kids ready, too," she said. 

Also: Upgrade your kitchen with these 11 smart gadgets

The 10-oz cup is made of durable stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your warm drinks warm and your cold drinks cold. It's also dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean.

Speaking of drinks, the ultimate addition to a home office is a mini desk fridge. ZDNET writer Taylor Clemons, who has worked from home for eight years, was gifted one to keep cans chill throughout their workday. 

"It's not exactly a productivity booster, but I like having it for busy days when I can't step away from my desk as much," Clemons said, adding, "It can hold about four bottles of water or tall energy drink cans, but with the small removable shelf, you can chill up to 6-12 oz soda cans." 

This mini fridge has a minimum temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can better enjoy that 3 p.m. Diet Coke. 

Working at a desk all day isn't exactly the most active lifestyle choice, but with additions like a walking treadmill pad to your home office can help you get your steps in while you work or take meetings. 

Solino uses a walking pad, and she said it changed the way she works from home. "I got it when my company did a fitness challenge, and I use it a lot, even when I am not working," she said, adding,"Walking while I work at my standing desk reduces back and neck pain from long stints of sitting, and it's also increased my movement tremendously." 

This particular walking pad can go up to 4 miles per hour, but for safety, Solino says sticking to 2 miles per hour or less is your best bet to walk while working.