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Your home office can be your productivity haven – a quiet, comfortable, organized space that allows you to fall easily into a flow state, fully focused on your work for long stretches at a time. It can be inspiring and inviting, with the decor of your choosing and ergonomic office furniture that promotes productivity and focus. Or your home office can be a side thought  – a cramped corner in your bedroom with one of the dining room chairs pulled up to that wobbly desk you bought online at 2am (it was such a great deal!) with barely enough space for your laptop and a cup of lukewarm coffee.  

 

Back to that productivity haven … You don’t need a huge space to achieve it, but you need a few key items to create a home office (or corner) that allows you to find your focus and avoid chronic back, neck, and wrist pain. Here are our top picks for ergonomic home office equipment that will create an inspiring, functional workstation that makes remote work actually work. 

 

Best ergonomic mouse

 

Contour Unimouse ergonomic wireless mouse $80

This mouse has perhaps the most adjustable features of any wireless mouse on the market, making it a perfect fit for any hand size. (And yes, it’s available for both left and right-handed folks.) You can tilt the palm section from 35 to 70 degrees and there’s an adjustable thumb rest that pivots 35 degrees in either direction and slides in and out, allowing you to widen or narrow the grip. And that’s just the ergonomics. You can also adjust the speed of the cursor, from 800 to 2800 dpi and you have six programmable buttons (left, right, middle, scroll, click, forward, and back).   

 

Runner Up: Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball Mouse $86

This mouse can transition from a vertical highly ergonomic design to horizontal and is rated by users to be extremely comfortable and durable. The major downside to this mouse is that it’s for right-handed users only. 

 

Best ergonomic keyboard 

 

Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Split Keyboard $129.99

The Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Split Keyboard has a curved design that splits the keys into two clusters and positions your wrists further apart than a standard keyboard, working to reduce strain on the wrists. The full keyboard has feet that tilt it to a negative angle, allowing you to rest the wrists on the attached wrist pad. Another bonus are the keys which use scissor switches, making for a light, quiet typing experience. 

 

While the curved, split design is better overall for comfort, it can take some time to adjust to. It also makes the keyboard (along with the wrist pad) significantly larger than a standard wireless keyboard so make sure you measure your desk space before purchasing. Last but not least, it’s important to note that the keys are not backlit, but with the right desk lamp, this shouldn’t be an issue.  

 

Runner Up: Kensington Pro Fit Ergo Wireless Keyboard $59.99 

The Kensington Pro is a good choice if you’re on a budget. It has all the same features as the Logitech but users say the typing experience is subpar due to the use of rubber dome switches. (They’re still quiet though!)   

 

Check out these other helpful keyboard reviews on RTINGS.com. 

 

Best adjustable standing desk 

 

Uplift V2 $689

The Uplift V2 is top-rated for durability, functionality, and aesthetics. The desktop comes in light or dark bamboo (grown without pesticides or fertilizers and manufactured without dyes or stains) and is supported by a sturdy metal frame. The frame has individual drive motors in each leg, adjusting quickly and quietly within a range of 25.5” (41.3” - 72.2”) at the touch of a button. 

 

Keep in mind with your new standing desk that while too much sitting has negative health effects, too much standing can also be hard on your body. According to Healthline, “standing still for long periods of time can negatively affect your leg muscles, tendons and other connective tissue.” It’s recommended to alternate between sitting and standing every 30-60 minutes. This will help prevent too much wear and tear on your muscles and joints and may keep you more alert and focused. 

 

We also recommend using a cushioned floor mat or “anti-fatigue” mat when standing to reduce muscle soreness, especially when you’re first adjusting to your new work position. Anti-fatigue mats also force your legs to make subtle movements as you subconsciously balance on the squishy, slightly unstable surface. This promotes better blood flow, keeping the post-lunch yawns at bay.    

 

Runner Up: Flexispot EG1 $249

The Felxispot standing desk is a great option for creating an ergonomic home office on a budget. It also features an electric adjustable lift system and the base is made from alloy steel, holding up to 154 lbs.  

 

Best home office chair (spoiler alert - it’s a stool) 

 

Songmics Standing Desk Chair / Adjustable Stool $145 

Yup, the best home office chair for back support is actually a stool. It turns out, stools do a much better job at promoting good posture than even the fanciest desk chair with a backrest. Stools promote “active sitting,” building muscle and preventing chronic pain. A stool forces your legs and thighs into a downward slope, tilting your pelvis and lower back into a neutral position. These slight adjustments to your posture can make a huge difference in comfort and overall spine health. Not to mention, good posture promotes better blood flow to the brain, reduces headaches, and boosts energy, along with many other benefits.  

 

For more info on the best type of chair for healthy posture, check out this free PDF from PhysioMed. 

 

Now that you know why you should opt for a stool over a chair for your ergonomic home office, it’s time to choose the best stool. We recommend the Songmics standing desk chair because it tilts forward 15 degrees, helping tilt your pelvis into a comfortable, healthy posture and easily moves up and down with a button to adjust to a sitting or standing desk height. It features a high-density reflex foam seat and, added bonus, doesn’t require any tools for assembly.     

 

Runner Up: The Seville Classics Airlift 360 Sit-Stand $230

This is a wobble stool which means it tilts 360 degrees to allow you to find the most comfortable position whether you’re sitting or standing and to promote good posture. Wobble stools also allow you to fidget which can help with staying more alert and focused. 

 

Best laptop stand 

 

ObVus Solutions Laptop Tower Stand $70

The laptop tower stand by ObVus Solutions can adjust to different heights and positions, making it a great choice for anyone who travels and may have more than one desk setup. (It’s relatively lightweight too and folds down flat, so it’s easy to slip inside a suitcase.) It’s also great if you’re shifting between sitting and standing. 

 

Runner Up: Rain Design mBar Pro+ $60

The Rain Design stand is made of aluminum so it’s super lightweight (less than a pound) and strong. When open, it raises your laptop to 5 inches (this one isn’t adjustable) and it folds down to 9.5x6 inches.

 

Best desk lamp for work and meetings 

 

Lumecube Edge Desk Light $120

This desk light by Lumecube clips onto the edge of your work surface, making it the perfect choice for a small home office desk. It works as both a task light and camera light, to improve your appearance on video calls and live broadcasts. It features five pivot points so you can adjust the lamp to whatever height or tilt works best for the task at hand or time of day. You can also adjust the brightness and color temperature. 

 

Runner Up: 

Dimmable LED Desk Lamp $30

If you want a more affordable lighting option, this popular dimmable desk lamp may be perfect. With 7 dimming options, a rotating lamp head, swivel arm, and adjustable base, this lamp can provide the optimal lighting for most any setup or task. Be aware though that at $30, this lamp is not as durable as the Lumecube or other more expensive options.  

 

Feature photo by ergonofis on Unsplash

 

Related reading: 

These Simple Tips Could Extend the Life of Your Laptop

3 Ways Technology Could Reduce Stress & Increase Productivity 

Setting Up a Secure and Productive Office for the COVID-19 Outbreak  

 

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About Pagoda Technologies IT services

Based in Santa Cruz, California, Pagoda Technologies provides trusted IT support to businesses and IT departments throughout Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area and across the globe. To learn how Pagoda Technologies can help your business, email us at support@pagoda-tech.com to schedule a complimentary IT consultation.