Top 10 Remote Work Essentials

Don’t get caught without these must have remote work essentials to make your working day a breeze.

1) VPN

Remote work security is a must nowadays as hackers and scams are becoming more sophisticated in how they operate.

Using a reliable VPN when you’re working out of your home is a must to keep you and your data secure when you’re using public networks in cafe’s, libraries etc.

Opt for reputable providers like NordVPN or Surshark to ensure you can get on with your work without any concerns.

2) Noise Cancelling Headphones

With the amount of distractions that come with working from home these are a must to help you maintain focus during the working day.

I’ve encountered crying babies, dogs barking, couples arguing to name just a few when working in remote environments.

Noise cancelling headphones are a lifesaver!

3) Laptop Stand

Now this can seem like a cumbersome item to carry around with you.

But you can find some collapsible laptop stands that are compact and easily fit into a standard sized backpack.

For me this is high on my list of remote work essentials as over time being hunched over your laptop and not having a good ergonomic setup can wreak havoc on your posture and lead to unwanted neck and back pain.

They’re relatively affordable and your back will thank you for it later.

4) Reliable WIFI

Goes without saying right!?

I can’t tell you the amount of times I used to rock up to a busy cafe, login to their network and end up spending half the day apologizing to team members on video conferencing about my slow, jittery connection.

The best remedy is to check ahead either on Google, by looking at reviews and busy times, or select co-working spaces as your preferred locations when you have to take video calls or undertake work that requires a lot of bandwidth.

5) Mobile Hotspot Backup

WIFI in public locations can be a bit of a nightmare at the best of times.

Having a backup option in place for when the connection is running at a snails’ pace or drops out can be an absolute lifesaver.

Ensure you’re running a VPN to keep you secure when utilizing your mobile data and choose a strong password to access your phone’s data.

Here’s how to connect:

6) Privacy Screen Filter

Again, I find this one is a great measure that doesn’t break the bank.

These clever screen filters are a great security measure to blur your screen from any praying eyes.

You can find Privacy Screen Protectors on Amazon.

7) Ergonomic Keyboard & Mouse

To further keep our bodies in a natural position, investing in a high quality ergonomic keyboard and ergonomic mouse is a great way to ensure you’re at your most comfortable throughout the day.

It’s also worth researching your locations beforehand and looking at images to see what chairs they have.

Sitting on a compact metal chair all day is only going to cause problems so planning ahead can be a useful measure to take. 

8) Power Bank

Leaving home without one of these can be a big regret, I know I’ve been there.

You’re not always going to be able to find, or sit next to a power outlet, so taking a power bank with you, especially if you’re working long hours, will keep you online all day long.

It’s also a good measure to have in case you’re running low on battery and you haven’t saved your work.

9) Cloud Storage

Another way to prevent the loss of unsaved work is to back-up all your work to the cloud.

This also provides easier cross-device access to all of your files to improve workflows.

Companies like Google offer free storage up to 15GB, then the pricing is reasonable if you need more.

10) Adapter Hub

If you’re connecting any external devices, an adapter hub can be extremely useful to prevent too many wires flying about all over the place.

For those with laptops that no longer have USBs the connective ports can be handy for connecting external devices such as keyboards and headphones.

Remote Work Essentials Conclusion 

Hopefully those ideas help you get the most out of your remote work experience and the physical items just about fit in your bag!

If you’re looking to take your home office setup to the next level, this blog post on home office essentials might come in handy.