If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
A Leather Desk Mat
Harber London Leather Desk Mat
Let There Be Light
BenQ ScreenBar Computer LED Lamp
Hang It Up
Satechi 2-in-1 Headphone Stand With MagSafe Wireless Charger
Mechanical Upgrade
Logitech MX Mechanical Mini Wireless Keyboard
More than 27 million Americans work from home. Not having to waste hours with a commute has been a game-changer for those of us punching the clock from afar, but working in the same place you live can make it difficult to maintain boundaries between the spaces where you toil and the spaces where you chill. So it’s critical to build a work-from-home setup that’s clearly distinguished from your living quarters. It’s also important that a home workspace be just plain comfy. If someone in your life needs a home office upgrade (that includes yourself!), then you’ve come to the right place. Most of WIRED’s Gear team has been working remotely since well before the pandemic. We’ve pulled specific items from our Ultimate Work From Home Gear guide that might make remote work even sweeter.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
Updated December 2022: We’ve overhauled this guide with new picks.
-
Photograph: Harber London
A Leather Desk Mat
Harber London Leather Desk Mat
I’ve been using the large version of this full-grain leather mat (with the felt padding) on my desk surface for more than six months, and it has added an air of luxury. It not only looks exquisite, but it’s also quite nice to rest those palms on. I like that there’s a hole for the keyboard’s cord to route through, and this desk mat will also let your giftee ditch their crusty old mouse pad. My mat hasn’t shown any signs of wear yet, but it should develop a nice patina over time. It’s pretty easy to clean with a microfiber cloth and some water—something your giftee will appreciate since it’s almost inevitable they’ll end up eating at their desk. Harber London has different sizes and colors to choose from.
-
Photograph: BenQ
Let There Be Light
BenQ ScreenBar Computer LED Lamp
If you often find your loved one working in the dark with nothing to illuminate them but the light from their screen, like a gremlin with some treasure, get them this BenQ Screenbar. It illuminates their work area better than an ordinary desk lamp. A weighted mini-stand keeps it balanced on top of a monitor, where it shoots bright light straight down onto the desktop. (It can be powered by a PC via the USB-A port too.) It’s a great way to add some eye-easing light to a workspace without taking up precious desk space. Sure, it makes all those crumbs on their desktop much more visible, but maybe it’ll incentivize them to clean up.
-
Photograph: Satechi
Hang It Up
Satechi 2-in-1 Headphone Stand With MagSafe Wireless Charger
I hate strewing stuff across my desk, which is why a headphone stand of some kind is a must-have. But those things also take up space. Kill two birds with one stone with this two-in-one headphone stand. The aluminum arm holds up headphones, and there’s a port at the back to recharge those cans when they’re low on power. The base doubles as a MagSafe wireless charger, meaning MagSafe iPhones (iPhone 12 and up) will align and charge perfectly.
It can technically charge Android phones, but your mileage might vary, as the placement might not be perfect. If you know you’re Android phone is finicky about charging, I recommend looking at Oakeywood’s headphone stand and wireless charger, which offers similar functionality sans MagSafe.
