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For many folks, working from home is simply the new normal. If you’re looking to treat someone who spends most of their time in the home office, this holiday season is as good a time as any to make their daily routine a little more convenient. As a collection of remote workers ourselves, we at Engadget have rounded up a few gift ideas that should add a bit more delight to the WFH life.
Best gifts for remote workers
If your giftee would rather not have more cables strewn about their desk, a wireless charging stand like the Belkin UltraCharge Pro might be a better buy. This sturdy little stand can refill an iPhone, Apple Watch and pair of AirPods at the same time, supplying up to 25W of power to the phone via the Qi2 standard. There’s a built-in fan to help keep your phone cool while it tops up, and the stand’s MagSafe-compatible mount makes it easy to align the device correctly. It also just looks clean, with a compact shape and a foldable puck that lets you flip your phone’s screen out of the way when you want to minimize distractions. It’s not cheap, but if you’re shopping for someone who is all-in on Apple, it should be a useful addition to their workstation. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter
Read more: The best multi-device wireless chargers
The remote worker in your life probably spends more time on video calls than they would like each day. Even if they aren’t thrilled about every call they have to dial into, they can still look their best with the right webcam. Logitech’s Brio 500 is our current favorite thanks to its ability to shoot 1080p 30fps video, plus its improved auto-light correction and mic array. Its light correction is impressive: regardless of if it's a gloomy day outside, or if their home office is just cave-like by default, the webcam does a lot of work to make up for that. They can customize settings like field of view, contrast and brightness using the LogiTune software, and enable features like RightSight, which will automatically keep them in the center of the frame even if they move around. And when they’re not using it, they can cover up the Brio 500’s lens with the included shutter for extra privacy. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
Read more: The best webcams
Listen, I’ve tried to keep all sorts of plants alive over the years. Working from home, you think it would be easy — but any plant enthusiast, successful or not, will tell you it’s not as simple as you think. If you have a wannabe horticulturalist on your list, this Lego set will not only be fun for them to put together, but it will also give them a taste of that green satisfaction that they crave. The set comes with two adorable little Lego plants — a baby dracaena and baby pilea — and two interchangeable pots in which they live. Once assembled, they can live on your giftee’s desk, nightstand or shelf, always smiling down upon them and never wanting for more water. — V.P.
I saw this li’l guy at CES 2025 and knew my third-grader would get a kick out of it. The Govee Gaming Pixel Light is finally available to buy and honestly, I may be more excited about it than my kid is. The desktop screen displays blocky pixel art from an extensive gallery of scenes. You can also use your own photos, draw your own pictures or let the app’s AI assistant generate a scene for you. It even has an eight-bit speaker for alarms and playing lo-fi music snippets. In addition to being fun, it can be functional, displaying the time, weather and other live bits of info. The app is intuitive to set up and easy enough for my son to have fun playing around with. It’s not a necessary bit of technology, but it’s hopelessly adorable and fun — and that’s the kind of stuff that makes the best gift. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter
One of the most difficult obstacles with working from home is all the distractions. You’re constantly sidetracked by temptations like TV, the internet or just easy access to the kitchen. A potential solution to that is to use one of these multi-cube timers from Mooas as a productivity tool. Each side corresponds to different lengths of time; to start the timer, you’ll flip the cube so your desired time faces upwards. Flipping the LCD display upwards again will pause it, while turning the display downwards will stop the timer.
There are a number of ways to use them, but I like using the Pomodoro Technique with these. I’ll enable the 30 minute timer which then encourages me to focus just on my work for the allotted time period. Once time is up, I give myself a five minute rest, and then I start it over again. You can also use them as a reminder to stand up and stretch every so often. These timers come in a variety of colors, each with different time pre-sets, so be sure to pick the one with the time lengths you think your loved one will want. — Nicole Lee, Former Commerce Writer
No remote worker should ever be too far from a charger, so why not make it so one is always in arm’s reach? The UGREEN Nexode 500W GaN Desktop Charger is a powerful charging station with five USB-C ports and one USB-A port which can collectively supply up to a whopping 500W of power. One USB-C port, meanwhile, can deliver up to 240W. This is enough to recharge multiple laptops at full speed — let alone a phone, tablet and pair of headphones — and while the five-pound frame isn’t exactly svelte, it doesn’t chew up too much space on a desk either. Something like this isn’t the flashiest gift, but it’s futureproof, and your loved one will be thankful the next time they need to recharge their MacBook Pro or gaming handheld without having to walk across the room. If this particular model is overkill, there’s also a cheaper five-port option that tops out at 300W. — J.D.
The Portland Gear Cascade Tote might be my perfect work bag. Weatherproof construction that’s still fashionable, check. Tons of interior organization, check. A 16-inch padded laptop sleeve, check. Back luggage sleeve, check. I could go on, but you get the point. If you know someone who goes into the office even one day a week, this bag could be just what they need to look professional and stay organized while bringing everything they need with them. It comes in six colors, including neutrals like black, navy and gray, so it’ll be easy to find the right one to match your giftee’s style. — V.P.
While a desk lamp is useful for working in low-light conditions, it can sometimes obstruct your monitor — or worse, shine glare directly into it. A monitor light like the BenQ ScreenBar Pro is a fantastic alternative, since it reduces that glare while illuminating your desk at the same time. This model has a built-in ambient light sensor that auto-adjusts its brightness based on your surroundings, as well as a motion sensor that lets it light up on its own when you approach your desk. You can also change the temperature of the light from warmer to cooler hues, and since the device attaches directly to your monitor, it won’t take up valuable space on a desk. BenQ sells a non-Pro model as well if you’d prefer something cheaper, though that one lacks the proximity sensor and doesn’t connect over USB-C. — J.D.
The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is an ideal Bluetooth speaker for those who like to roam around the house during the workday. Its colorful, rounded design measures just four inches tall and has a built-in elastic loop, so it’s easy to set on a desk, by the couch or in the backyard. With an IP67 water-resistance rating, it’s also equipped for the shower. For something so compact, though, it sounds impressively clear and open. Don’t expect truly deep bass from a speaker this size, but it’s a natural upgrade over most laptop and monitor speakers all the same. And while your giftee will have to recharge the Wonderboom, the speaker’s battery life is fine at 10-14 hours per charge. — J.D.
The Ember Mug 2 has been a favorite of ours for quite some time, and now Ember has a tumbler for those that want a bit more flexibility from their temperature-controlled vessel. The 16-ounce Tumbler comes with two lids, one for drinking and one with a handle for travel and, like Ember’s other gadgets it will keep your giftee’s drink of choice at their desired temperature for up to three hours. They can connect via Bluetooth and use Ember’s companion app to adjust the temperature of their coffee, tea or other hot drink to their liking. And the auto-sleep function will turn off the mug to conserve battery life once the optimal temperature has been reached. Both included lids are dishwasher safe, and the charging base is smaller and thinner than previous versions too. Whether they decide to work from home today or a coworking location, they’ll never have to deal with lukewarm drinks again. – V.P.
A vertical mouse is one of those products that, once you switch to it, you won’t want to go back. The Logitech MX Vertical gives you the “handshake” position that feels so natural, you wonder why most mice are designed in any other way.
There are loads of button customizations in the Logi Options+ app. I left the two buttons on the thumb side set at their default of forward and back (indispensable for web browsing). I use the top button for zooming and the scroll wheel one for panning. But there’s a long list of other options in Logitech’s companion app.
The only downside is that it isn’t made for everyone. If you’re left-handed, Logitech doesn’t make a version for you. Ditto for people with small hands. However, the company offers a left-handed version of its cheaper Lift vertical mouse, which will also be better for smaller hands. — Will Shanklin, Contributing Reporter
If you’d rather not go with a vertical mouse, the Logitech MX Master 4 is an excellent productivity mouse with a more traditional ergonomic shape. It’s chunky, but its giant thumb rest and gentle contours should fit most medium-sized or large hands like a glove. The main click buttons are both tactile and virtually silent, while the sturdy metal scroll wheel can swap between notched and free-spin scrolling on the fly. There’s also a horizontal scroll wheel on the side, which is great for dealing with big Excel sheets. Logitech’s companion software lets you set shortcuts and macros on an app-by-app basis, and the thumb rest has haptic feedback — that’s kind of a gimmick, but it can add a bit of gentle reassurance to certain actions. Just don’t expect to ever use it for gaming, and know that it’s for righties only. — J.D.
The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is another ergonomically friendly wireless mouse that can add an extra bit of comfort to your giftee’s day-to-day. Although it’s marketed for gaming, its contoured design, roomy thumb rest and satisfying, easy-to-reach buttons should feel comfortable in any righty’s hands. (There is no left-handed model, sadly.) We especially like its scroll wheel, which can tilt side-to-side — helpful for navigating large spreadsheets — and swap between a tight ratcheted feel and a free-spinning mode. Its clicks aren't as quiet as the MX Master 4, however.
It's also pricey. If you’d rather not spend so much, a cheaper wireless model called the Basilisk V3 X HyperSpeed has a similar shape but weighs more due to requiring a AA battery for power. If your gift recipient doesn’t mind using a cable, meanwhile, we also recommend the standard Basilisk V3 in our guide to the best gaming mouse. — J.D.
Read more: The best gaming mice
My kid wants his room to look like Synthwave Boy’s workspace, and this Govee Neon Rope Light 2 is getting him there. The surprisingly flexible rope attaches to the wall with strong 3M adhesive grips that let you loop the lights into creative shapes. Our set is currently in the outline of a gamepad, but a ringed planet and spaceship have been requested for future configurations (extra clips and wall screws are provided). It’s a smart light but a simple control panel lets you turn it on, adjust the brightness and cycle through many different lighting patterns without hooking it up to Wi-Fi. If your recipient does decide to use the Govee app, they’ll find hyper precise control over color, patterns and lighting effects. The light can also tie in with the Google Assistant or Alexa, allowing it to be included in daily lighting routines and schedules. — A.S.
When I started testing smart home gear, I needed an Echo speaker to evaluate voice control. Now I (and all members of my family) talk to Alexa dozens of times a day. It tells us the weather in the morning, reminds us to give the cat his meds each afternoon and turns out the lights when we say, “Goodnight.” The Amazon Echo Spot is probably the most giftable option in the Echo lineup. The little half screen acts as a clock as well as a weather screen and now-playing display for music. Plus, it comes with early access to Alexa+, the AI-enhanced version of the assistant. I’ve found the new Alexa pretty impressive in some ways, particularly when it remembers past conversations and performs multi-step tasks. It’s still working on some of its abilities, but a tech-curious person may enjoy watching her it grow. — A.S.
If you work from home and you don't already have a printer, what on earth are you doing? Value your time and save yourself the hassle of a trip to a print shop a few times a year. Buy a dang printer and be done with it. If you know someone who's in a similar boat, consider getting them one as a gift too. Brother makes a range of laser printers, and folks who have basic printing needs may appreciate the $160 HL-L2460DW. It's a relatively simple and sturdy monochrome printer that's not too large and it does its one job well enough.
It may be best to consider other brands if your gift recipient wants to print photos. But for those who just need a return label, a tax form or a hard copy of a class paper from time to time, this does the trick. It's a cinch to print off a connect-the-dots puzzle or a paint-by-numbers pattern for a bored kid if need be. It's not even necessary to move over to a hardwired PC to do so either, since this model includes a Wi-Fi printing option that works on phones and tablets. Best of all, toner tends to last for a long time in Brother printers, so owners shouldn't have to shell out for a pricey cartridge too often. — Kris Holt, Contributing Reporter
A quality keyboard can make those endless hours of typing a little more delightful. If your giftee is willing to go the mechanical route, one of Keychron’s V Max keyboards should provide a noticeable upgrade in typing feel. These are wireless models that create a soft, springy sensation and a lovely pop sound with each keystroke. The default Gateron switches are high-quality but also hot-swappable, so it’s possible to reconfigure how the whole thing feels if the urge arises. The main downside is that the boards are mostly made of plastic, but they don’t flex under pressure or generally come off as cheap. For those looking to get into the mechanical keyboard hobby for the first time, this is an easy recommendation. — J.D.
Read more: The best mechanical keyboards
Sony’s Bravia Theater U wearable speaker, marketed primarily as a home theater device, is also a sneaky-good work-from-home product. Sure, when paired with a compatible Bravia TV, it supports Dolby Atmos for 360-degree audio and lets you watch without disturbing others. But my favorite uses for the Bluetooth device are for calls and listening to music while working. It’s light and comfortable enough that I often forget it’s hanging around my neck, and it beams sound up toward your ears, creating a satisfying spatial effect. The Bravia Theater U provides many of the same perks as high-end headphones (minus background noise isolation) without clamping onto your head or blasting sound directly into your ear canals. That, and its 12-hour battery, allows me to listen for longer without as many breaks to rest my ears. — Will Shanklin, Contributing Reporter
A desk shelf can reduce clutter by creating distinct storage space for less-used items that are strewn about. Grovemade’s lineup has clean wooden designs and provides space for pens, books and other accessories. The size options range from 18.5 to 58 inches wide. While the shelves aren’t adjustable, each is about 4.5 inches tall, which provides a slightly more ergonomic resting spot for a monitor or laptop. They aren’t cheap, but they look nice, so they might be worth it as a gift for someone in desperate need of a workspace glow-up. — J.D.
Everyone works with files they don’t want to lose, which means everyone should take care and back up their data. A good portable SSD like the Crucial X9 Pro, the top pick in our buying guide, makes it easy to do so. It’s more durable and significantly faster to transfer data than a cheaper hard drive, and its water-resistant frame is shorter than a credit card, so it won’t eat up valuable desk space. It’s also backed by a five-year warranty, and while there are technically faster models, most of those are generally overkill. — J.D.
Read more: The best portable SSDs
If your giftee still relies on the speakers built into their laptop or monitor, the Creative Pebble Pro will be an obvious upgrade. These compact, orb-shaped speakers are far from the fullest sounding things you can buy, but they’re nice for their size and their angled design naturally points audio toward your ears. They can connect over USB-C, Bluetooth or a 3.5mm port, and their front-mounted volume dial is easy to reach. Each speaker is also fitted with an RGB light ring, though those can be turned off. — J.D.
A good to-do list app can bring order to those who struggle to keep track of everything on their schedule. There are tons of options in this space, but my personal favorite is TickTick Premium, which works across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and the web. It offers a powerful set of tools for organizing thoughts and structuring events. You can group tasks with specific tags, distinguish them by priority level, set reminders for recurring events and see all of your upcoming to-dos in a calendar or “today” view.
Visually, the app is clean, easy to parse and consistent across devices, so you can set a task on the web and update it on an iPad without feeling lost. While it isn’t explicitly designed for note-taking you can jot down thoughts and create structured lists within each to-do. Search works well, and you can create a task with natural language, so writing, “finish gift guide by next Wednesday at 4pm” will automatically set the correct due date. (This isn’t bulletproof, but it generally goes right.) Apps like this aren’t a cure-all for those who can’t stay on top of their lives, but if your loved one often seems frazzled at work, TickTick may help them see a little bit clearer. — J.D.
Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.
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