The Best Gear for Working from Home to EDC (Eventually) in 2022
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In light of the recent coronavirus pandemic, more and more employers are encouraging (if not requiring) that people start working from home. For most people, that transition from a shared office or workspace to your own home seems like a welcome one at first. Imagine getting paid to sit around in the comfort and privacy of your own home, without having to rush through a stressful commute or meet face-to-face with another coworker again! But if you’re just starting to work from home as you practice social distancing, you might’ve discovered that actually getting things done in a home office isn’t as easy as you might’ve imagined. We at Everyday Carry have been working remotely since the jump, so we’ve got a few handy tips and gear recommendations to get you started with your own home office. Since we’re EDCers after all, most of the recommendations here are just as good in a home setup as they are packed in your work bag as your mobile office when we’re eventually back to our usual grind.
Productivity Tips for Working from Home
Chances are the work you’re doing is more or less the same whether you’re in the office or at home. It’s the change in your work environment that’ll have the biggest impact on your productivity. Since you’ll be working in the place your brain usually associates with leisure and free time, it’s crucial to set yourself up mentally for “work mode.” Here are a few simple tips you can use to better establish a sense of separation from your job and your life at home.
- Get dressed as if you were heading into the office: As tempting as it is to put off those e-mails from the comfort of your PJs, it’s better to put on your usual work attire if you want to stay productive. It’s a small detail that’ll help your brain switch into "work mode" while you’re dressed up.
- Work at a tidy desk (not in bed!): A clean, ergonomic desk setup with all the equipment you need within reach can help you feel as if you’re at the office. It’s also healthier for you in the long run if you’re working long hours compared to working on the couch or in bed. Even better, try to get your work done out of the bedroom to keep that mental distinction between where you work and where you rest.
- Avoid distractions by saving (most of) them for after work: There is some benefit to having your favorite show streaming on a TV in the background, as the chatter can help you feel less isolated. But they can just as easily become huge distractions, turning a quick e-mail into a six hour long binge-watching session if you’re not careful. Instead, try to save shows, videogames, social media, etc. for later as rewards to motivate you to finish up your work for the day.
You’ve already got the clothes, the workspace, and the sheer will-power and discipline to be the most productive of your work-from-home colleagues. Now all that’s left is the gear.
The Best Gear for Working from Home to EDC (Eventually)
Headset: Sony WH1000XM3 Noise-Canceling Headphones
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Sony
Model
WH1000XM3/B
Wireless headphones are a game changer for productivity. No wires to tangle and accidentally yank your laptop off the desk because you forgot they were on, Bluetooth connectivity to work with all your devices, and in the case of Sony’s premium WH1000XM3, active noise canceling as well to keep your focus amidst the noise around you. Active noise canceling helps you keep your attention on your work in a distracting situation like working from home, and thanks to their wireless functionality, the headphones are ready to walk out the door with you as well should the need arise. Even better: the WH1000XM3 also comes with a built-in microphone and Alexa integration for even more productivity as both a headset for work and as a home entertainment listening platform when you’re off the clock.
Keyboard: Royal Kludge RK61
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Royal Kludge
Model
RK61
When setting up to work long hours from home, your desk’s ergonomics should be a top priority. Once you add an external monitor to your setup, you’ll want to move away from your laptop keyboard to a dedicated external one. A compact wireless keyboard is a solid addition to any home or portable workstation setup thanks to the fact that there’s no cluttered wires to mess up a desk and it gives you a chance to take your preferred keyboard of choice with you wherever you’re working. This is especially useful when you’re also working with mechanical switches on higher-quality Bluetooth keyboards like the Royal Kludge RK61. The 60% keyboard is small enough to throw in your bag when needed, and takes up no space at all on a regular desktop. You also have a choice of color, backlight, and switch to dial in your typing needs.
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Laptop Stand: Roost Laptop Stand
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
The Roost
Model
Roost
Long hours on your desk can do terrible things to your posture which makes it paramount to ensure you have the correct ergonomics for working on your computer. A laptop stand/riser like the Roost gets your screen to the proper eye level, and works with the wireless keyboard above to offer an ergonomic (and portable) setup for long typing sessions. But don’t forget to stretch and walk around even if you’re working on an ergonomic desktop!
Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Logitech
Model
910-005620
Wireless is the name of the game for a setup that works at home and on the go, and your mouse is one of the best places to start cutting the cord for tangle-free productivity. The MX Master 3 is the latest and greatest in Logitech’s popular portable mice, setting itself apart with its ergonomic shape, customizable buttons, free-spinning MagSpeed scroll wheel, track-anywhere Darkfield sensor, and USB-C rechargable battery.
Water Bottle: Takeya 17oz Traveler Insulated Mug
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Takeya
Model
51288
Staying hydrated is important for long stretches of work, and a double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle is the perfect addition to any EDC, work or otherwise. It’s designed to keep drinks hot or cold for extended periods of time, with this Takeya 17oz Traveler Mug able to keep your favorite beverage hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours. It also comes with Takeya’s signature leakproof Flip-lock lid to ensure none of it spills out until you’re ready flip it open and take a sip. An integrated loop handle lets you grab and go with the bottle as well when you need to head out.
Power: Omnicharge Omni 20+
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Omnicharge
Model
Omni 20+
There are power banks that can give you a few extra power cycles on your smartphone, and then there’s the Omnicharge Omni 20+ that lets you charge your entire tech setup. With an 100W 120V AC/DC outlet able to charge your highest-powered devices and a 60W Power Delivery USB-C port for your flagship phones and laptops, it’s a tank of a power source whether you’re working from home or need to throw it in a bag for telecommuting. The 20,000mAh Omni 20+ even comes with solar charging and a wireless charging top panel, making it an invaluable future-proofed tech companion.
Multi-tool: Gerber Armbar Driver
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Gerber
Model
30-001587
Even (or rather, especially) when you’re working from home, something within your house inevitably is going to break or need a quick fix to get you back on track, and a multi-tool is a solid addition to an EDC nonetheless. Gerber’s new Armbar series of multi-tools takes on a different form factor from the butterfly-opening styles of their more popular offerings like the Dime or Suspension, in a compact 3.6“ long and 3 oz package. Instead, the tool resembles a Swiss Knife with a dedicated folding blade and a few other tools that fold out from the handle. Its 2.5“ plain edge stainless steel blade deploys via an elongated thumb hole and secures via a frame lock in the tool’s stainless steel handle. The Armbar Driver in particular features a bit driver for when you need specific repairs in a pinch.
Valet: Choice Cuts Horween Valet Tray
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Choice Cuts Industries
Model
Horween Color 8
Reviews
No reviews yet
Price
$
The leather valet tray is the classic gentleman’s dropoff for one’s EDC, and is a great way to keep all your essentials in one place when you’re not using them. There are plenty of options out there for a leather valet, but a handmade Horween leather tray like this one from Choice Cuts Industries is a superior option for your desk and your gear. The thick-cut, 6oz Horween Color 8 Chromexcel leather it’s made from is one of the highest quality leather options on the market, offering you a stylish, heavy-duty valet that only gets better over time with a patina.
Storage: Sabrent Rocket Nano
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Sabrent
Model
SB-1TB-NANO-BLK
Working from home sometimes means working with large, cumbersome files, and you’ll need a reliable way to store and transport them once it’s time to head back into the office. An external hard drive—particularly a solid-state drive—is one of the fastest and most reliable solutions for your data thanks to a lack of moving parts. That said, a lot of them aren’t EDC-friendly or don’t have enough space for your needs. Sabrent’s Rocket Nano tackles all of those issues, offering your SSD speeds and space in a form factor not much bigger than your favorite thumb drive, and built from hardy aluminium alloy similar to the rest of your reliable gear.
Adapter: Anker PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB-C Hub
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Anker
Model
A8352
While many modern laptops come with the specs and hardware you need to get most jobs done, sometimes they’re lacking in the adaptability department when working with mixed media. This often means a lack of useful ports, like HDMI output, SD card readers, more than one USB port, and the like. A robust hub like Anker’s PowerExpand+ offers 7 additional functions powered by a single USB-C cable, including a couple of USB 3.0 ports, a dedicated RJ45 ethernet port, HDMI output, dual card readers, and a USB-C Power Delivery port so you have an extra slot to charge your devices. It’s a compact addition to any tech setup you can throw into your EDC bag that provides all the expansion ports you need.
Webcam: Razer Kiyo
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
Razer
Model
RZ19-02320100-R3U1
Even in this time of social distancing, nothing beats a face-to-face conversation, whether you’re meeting with your remote team or just catching up with friends and family to see how they’re faring. Unfortunately a lot of webcams on laptops either come with poor quality or are poorly placed (like the ones that look up your nose from the keyboard), so a high-quality webcam solves all those issues. The Razer Kiyo is mainly built for gaming/streaming, but its high-quality 1080p30FPS/720p60FPS camera and built-in ring lighting offers a bright, high-res picture whether you’re using it for work or play.
Pen: CRKT Techliner
PurchaseSpecifications
Brand
CRKT
Model
TPENBOND
Reviews
No reviews yet
Price
$
After all’s said and done after this period of working from home, the time will come when you need to head out to fill up forms, sign for packages, and place your signature on important documents. And while any old pen will do, there’s plenty of options available to an EDCer that comes with a better fit, finish, and features than your average plastic ballpoint. The CRKT Techliner is a more affordable aluminium version of Ti2’s premium Techliner pen, but don’t think think it’s just a cheap copy—it still comes with the original’s signature magnetic cap and compatibility with the ever-popular Fisher Space Pen refill. It’s a unique machined pen that’s a solid option for any EDC, homebound or otherwise.
What are your everyday essentials when working from home? Share it with us in the comments below!
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