12 WFH Accessories That Are Actually Worth the Money
The home office accessory market is full of things you don't need. Expensive monitor light bars that do what a $10 bulb does. USB hubs that cost $80 when a $20 one works. Cable management kits for $60 when IKEA sells better for $15.
These 12 accessories are genuinely useful. All solve real problems you'll encounter working from home.
Under $30
1. Laptop Stand — $20-25
If you use your laptop as your primary computer, a stand puts the screen at eye level and turns it into a proper desk setup. The Nexstand K2 ($25) folds flat and adjusts to 7 heights. Combine with an external keyboard and mouse.
2. USB Hub — $20-30
Modern laptops have too few ports. The Anker 7-in-1 ($30) adds USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and SD card slots through one USB-C cable. The most universally useful purchase for any laptop user.
3. Cable Clips (3M adhesive) — $8
Stick to the underside or back of your desk. Run cables through them. Desk looks clean. 50-pack lasts years. Cable management transformed for under $10.
4. Velcro Cable Ties — $8
Stop using zip ties. Velcro lets you add or remove cables later. One pack handles your entire desk setup.
5. Footrest — $25-35
If you're shorter or your chair doesn't go low enough, a footrest dramatically improves posture and circulation. The Humanscale FR300 is the best; Amazon basics options work fine.
$30-75
6. BenQ ScreenBar — $109 (worth the stretch)
Mounts on your monitor. Lights your desk without glare on the screen. The most consistently useful eye-strain solution available. See our desk lamp guide.
7. Document Holder — $30-45
If you reference paper documents while typing, a document holder at screen level prevents neck strain from looking down repeatedly. Fellowes makes a reliable one.
8. Wireless Phone Charger — $15-25
Keeps your phone charged without a cable on your desk. Anker's 10W Qi charger is reliable and cheap. One less cable to trip over.
9. Monitor Arm — $30-80
Frees your desk of the built-in stand, lets you position the screen precisely, and often has cable management built in. The VIVO single arm ($35) is the budget choice. Ergotron LX ($55) is premium.
$75+
10. Noise-Cancelling Headphones — $150-350
The WFH equivalent of a private office. Put them on, world disappears. Sony WH-1000XM5 ($350) is best-in-class. Anker Soundcore Q45 ($55) is the budget version. See our headset rankings.
11. Docking Station — $100-250
One cable to your laptop: power, dual monitors, USB, ethernet. Transforms your desk from a mess of cables to a clean one-cable setup. CalDigit TS4 ($250) for Thunderbolt 4. Anker 12-in-1 ($100) for USB-C.
12. Under-Desk Power Strip — $30-50
Mount it under your desk (IKEA SIGNUM tray + power strip). Every outlet, hidden. The Belkin 8-outlet power strip is what most people end up using.
What NOT to Buy
- "Ergonomic" wrist rests: Most make posture worse, not better. Proper keyboard height and monitor placement is better.
- Expensive display calibrators unless you do color-critical work
- $100 cable management kits: IKEA SIGNUM + velcro + clips solves it for $25
- RGB anything unless it genuinely makes you happy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the most important WFH accessories? A: In order of impact: (1) External monitor arm to get screen at eye level, (2) Proper keyboard and mouse, (3) Noise-cancelling headphones if you have household noise, (4) Desk lamp to reduce eye strain, (5) Cable management kit.
Q: Is a monitor arm worth it? A: Yes. It frees significant desk space, lets you position your screen exactly right, often has cable management built in, and costs $35-80. One of the best value upgrades for any desk setup.
Q: What do I actually need for a good WFH setup? A: A proper chair (most important), an external monitor (dramatically increases productivity over laptop screen), a good keyboard and mouse, and adequate lighting. Everything else is optimization.