10 WFH essentials that you absolutely need

If you don't already know what a VoIP is, allow us to explain in the simplest terms possible. Basically, a VoIP allows you to make phone calls through an internet connection as opposed to a landline or your cell phone. It's the way to go if you find yourself making a lot of long-distance work calls or conferences with multiple attendees on a daily basis. With a VoIP, you even usually end up saving money, because most subscriptions are cheaper than landline services in general (and calls should come through just as clearly, if not clearer). 

RingCentral(opens in a new tab) is one of the more popular VoIP services, and for good reason. Probably the best feature of RingCentral is that it's super user-friendly — many VoIPs get difficult to manage (especially when you're handling it from home) and you won't have that problem here thanks to the service's dedicated app for making voice calls, texting, or even faxing. You can arrange both audio and video conferencing calls, too, which is a nice perk.

With RingCentral's base plan, you'll get unlimited phone calls within the US and Canada, 100 toll-free minutes, and your own toll-free or local number. Voicemail features and voice-to-text transcription are included as well. 

RingCentral isn't the cheapest option out there, but it's certainly the best for your money. Check out more of our top VoIP picks.

Something that is vital when you work from home full time is having a dedicated workspace — one where you can set goals and feel productive in accomplishing them. A surefire way to start off your work zone is, you guessed it, a desk. It seems like a no-brainer, we know, but still.

Before you go and order any old plank of wood on the internet, pause and consider getting an adjustable desk. Adjustable desks allow you to maneuver their surface up and down at a moment's notice, letting you switch from sitting to standing, and back again whenever you want to. Most people have a natural aversion to the concept of having to stand while working, but it's actually more ergonomic, keeps you from cramping up in your chair, and does wonders for your productivity. 

The Jarvis desk from Fully(opens in a new tab) is our top pick for standing desks — not only does it do exactly what you need an adjustable desk to do (completely electronically, we should add), it comes at a super fair price for what you're getting. 

The eco-friendly laminate desktop comes with a built-in electronic panel that gives you the ability to totally customize your desk height (with a lifting capacity of 350 pounds), and is programmable to your exact specifications. It comes in a few different colors that you can match to your space, and gives you the opportunity to install add-ons like wire management grommets and compact power strips. 

One reviewer says:

"I left a job where we had $5000+ standing desks and wanted something similar. Everything I looked at was either cheap (really janky control panel, obviously not a lot of attention paid to various aspects of design, etc), or prohibitively expensive. The Jarvis desk hits the sweet spot between price and quality. Really happy with mine - came together easily, works flawlessly, and the quality/small things are really there (USB port in the charging hub, included cable management gear, control LEDs do not remain illuminated unless in use). Really happy with my purchase - couldn't recommend this desk any more than I do."

Every great desk needs a great desk chair to match, and if your budget isn't holding you back, Herman Miller is one of the best places you can get one. 

Their highly rated Aeron Chair(opens in a new tab) is a smart investment if your home is going to be your office for the foreseeable future. It naturally conforms to your shape when you sit and allows for more even distribution of weight, which in turn helps alleviate pressure points that would typically start causing some discomfort throughout the day. The Aeron is also designed with the patented PostureFit, which provides support for the spine and encourages the pelvis to rest at its natural forward tilt. 

The Aeron Chair also employs a fluid tilting mechanism that works in conjunction with the pivot points in your ankles, knees, and hips — when you recline, there's no fear of having to strain your body in any way. It's also got a mesh back and seat, making it breathable to keep you from overheating. The chair comes in three distinct sizes, four colors, and includes a 12-year warranty. 

Here's what one reviewer thought:

"As someone who first sat in an Aeron chair when they first came out and had several at companies I worked at, it was time to buy one for my home office. There have been several upgrades to this most recent model that make it even more comfortable. While this is an investment, it is one that is well worth it as it will last you for your lifetime."

If your gig requires you to stare at a computer screen all day, you already know how bad it can hurt your eyes — tiredness, dryness, and even some stinging becomes constant, and over time, it can really start to deteriorate your vision. This is referred to as "digital eye strain," and it's an issue that a larger portion of us have to deal with.

Instead of allowing your pupils to wither away, though, we recommend you get a pair of blue light blocking glasses. They diminish and filter out the effect of the harmful blue light that's emitted by screens, adding a layer of safety to your precious peepers. 

Felix Gray(opens in a new tab)'s blue light glasses took the top spot in our blue light glasses roundup for the sheer quality and effectiveness of their design — that still stands true today. Each pair is made of premium Italian acetate — meaning that snapping them is nearly impossible. Instead, the material will bend whichever way you want, making quick adjustments a breeze.

Unlike other glasses of this kind, Felix Gray's lenses aren't coated with blue light blocking material. Instead, it's all inside the lenses, meaning you can't scratch off the stuff that's protecting your eyes. You won't get that unsightly yellow lens tint that you'll find it most other blue light glasses, either. 

You can get protective eyewear somewhere else for way cheaper, but the price jump from more inexpensive brands is honestly justified here — you really get what you pay for. Plus, they look great. 

Not all of us find ourselves using a printer these days as much as we used to — most of our workflow is completely digital now — but the moment you need one and you don't have one is truly a rude awakening. You don't want to be in that situation.

For that reason, having a decent printer is a necessity for full-time remote workers. The Brother Work Smart series(opens in a new tab) is widely used, positively reviewed, and ultimately won't break the bank. It's not too bulky either, fitting seamlessly into most home workspaces. 

The wireless color inkjet printer can produce high-quality documents and photos from both your computer or connected mobile device. You'll find a nice range of options on the device's interface, including flexible output options, scan-and-share, and cloud connection, all tied together with an intuitive touchscreen display. You'll also have the option to set up "easy replenish," in which you'll automatically receive new shipments of the ink you need (which is constantly monitored by the printer itself).

One customer said:

"We've found this printer to be a good option for our family since it takes up limited space, delivers good print quality and speed, offers great mobile connectivity options, and more than sufficient features at a good value. This particular model may not be the best option for those with high volume printer needs since there are other Brother models (INKvestment printers) that offer a lower, per page ink cost. However, most students and families should find that this model will suit their needs well. It is also good to know that this Brother printer comes with a two-year warranty."

Read our full review of TunnelBear VPN.

When you're working from home, it's important to make sure that your internet connection is secure and safe — you don't want pesky data thieves getting vital work information from you, right? You definitely don't want to have to explain that breach to HR. Nope. 

A VPN keeps your web traffic locked down and free from any of the dangers of public networks. When using a VPN server, your personal IP address will appear as the server's location, protecting your real identity. 

While there are a lot of VPNs with more features than TunnelBear(opens in a new tab), it's still our top choice due to its fair pricing and approachable, user-friendly design. TunnelBear doesn't offer much more than VPN protection, but sometimes that's all you need — if you can't be bothered by extra perks, TunnelBear's simplicity and excellent privacy protection policies may be just enough for you. You can even use up to five different devices on a single TunnelBear account. 

The service includes a built-in ad blocker, and has great speed results (according to many reviews). You'll also be able to access streaming sites' entertainment offerings in other countries and torrent over VPN — just more WFH essentials. Sometimes, the basics are all you need.

Read our full review of the Google Nest WiFi router.

Probably the scariest disaster scenario that can happen while working from home is your WiFi cutting out. We are nothing without our internet connection. To keep that from happening, you need a good router that can maintain satisfactory internet speeds and cover your entire home. Reliability is important, too — wouldn't want your router to shut down for seemingly zero reason at all while you're right in the middle of an important meeting. 

Google's Nest WiFi router(opens in a new tab) hits on all those points, and then some. Traditional single routers usually lack in coverage, losing connection strength as you get further away from it, but the Nest spans a whopping 2,200 square feet. If you need more than that, the Nest system is scalable — add on a WiFi point or two, extending an extra 1,600 square feet with each one. 

The Google Nest router automatically optimizes itself, putting your personal network on the clearest channel and fastest band to make sure you're getting the best connection possible at all times. You'll even get automatic software updates, Google's advanced security features, and simple setup (unlike most WiFi systems). Living without the fear of losing your internet at any moment is a game-changer, trust us.

Here's what one reviewer said:

"I upgraded to the Nest Wifi from the original Google Wifi because it has stronger antennas that give it a larger coverage footprint. Granted, my apartment is only 1000 sq ft but for some reason, the wifi signal was not reaching all the way to my home office where my desktop computer is. I technically got a signal but it was a fraction of the bandwidth every other room was getting. My new setup has drastically improved everything! I not only switched out the Google Wifi for the Nest Wifi as my main hub router, but I was also able to then use the original Google Wifi now as one of the "beacons" located in my office. The bandwidth increased well over 1000%! Needless to say, I'm very satisfied with those results."

When you start working from home, you quickly realize that you need your own method of storing all of your work files. Sometimes, your computer's onboard memory isn't enough to handle all of your, well, stuff — that's where cloud storage comes in. 

It may seem like a no-brainer, but Google Drive(opens in a new tab) is one of the best cloud storage services you're going to get for free. What's so special about Google Drive is that it's more than just a storage and file syncing program — it allows gives you the ability to create, edit, and backup documents right within its user interface. Google Sheets, Docs, Slides, and more are all at your disposal to make and share with others that have access to the drive. 

Because Google Drive is cloud-based, you'll be able to access it from any of your internet-connected devices. Started a Google Doc on your phone and want to clean it up on your laptop? You can, with virtually zero fuss. And while there are paid plan options, you probably won't even need them (unless you're sharing the service with a large staff — your mileage may vary). 

There are a few concerns, like the lack of overall privacy and password protection for classified documents, but that might not be a deal-breaker for everyone. But, you can't complain too much, seeing as it's free and all. 

All in all, Google Drive is the best cloud storage interface that you're going to get without having to spend a dime. (Well, for the first 15GB of storage, that is.)

When you work from home, most of your communications will either take place over instant messaging or video conferencing. Unfortunately, not every computer comes with a built-in camera. If you're one of those unlucky people, you're going to need to get a webcam. And a cheap, grainy one probably isn't going to cut it. 

The Logitech C920S(opens in a new tab) is one of the best affordable webcams you'll get for your money. You can attach it easily to any monitor or laptop screen without overcrowding your workspace or getting in your way (it comes with a tripod stand, if you prefer to use that). It can deliver full HD video (1080p at 30fps), crisp audio with most video apps, and boasts a built-in HD autofocus feature that fine-tunes and corrects video output based on your surroundings. 

You'll also have access to Logitech Capture if you need to record video meetings or presentations, which includes an interface that allows you to customize recordings, adjust your camera settings, and even create vertical video on the fly. To top it all off, the lens comes with a flippable privacy shield for when it's not in use. 

Here's what one reviewer said about it:

"I use a webcam almost daily for my business meetings, so I was really excited to try out the Logitech HD Pro C920. It was a super easy plug-and-play setup; Windows 10 detected it immediately. I downloaded the Logitech Capture software — which you can use to make videos — and even have picture-in-picture capabilities! I used the C920 and one of my displays, but you could use another camera too for a second angle. Overall, very impressed with the picture quality on Webex — my coworkers liked it too."

Welcome to the world of working remotely, where almost every meeting you have will be over video chat. Video conferencing, in general, comes with issues that you'll end up just having to get used to (lag, people talking over each other, etc.), but something that's totally in your hands is which platform you end up using. 

There are a lot of options, but we recommend using Jitsi Meet(opens in a new tab). This came down to a few very important points, the first one being security. Zoom, while free, hasn't been the best when it comes to keeping all of your calls and information private. Jitsi Meet doesn't have that problem — in face, Jitsi Meet doesn't even require you to make an account (and yes, it's a whopping $0). You can invite your whole team to your scheduled video meetings with full encryption, and none of them will have to make accounts, either. 

Jitsi Meet also allows full calendar syncing, a Chrome extension option, as well as integrations for Slack and mobile phones. It's simple, free, versatile, and most importantly, safe. 

While you're at it, check out our full how-to piece for new Jitsi Meet users.