10 Products to Spruce Up Your Home Office for Under $40

Just because you’re working remotely doesn't mean you have to spend a small fortune putting together an incredible (and functional) home office setup. In fact, there are plenty of home office essentials and fun accessories available online for under $40.

Read on for a few of our favorites, which range from incredible noise-canceling earbuds (so long, AirPods) and cactus-shaped writing utensils to retro-inspired notepads. (Your wallet will thank you.)

1. Schrute Farms Zipper Pouch; From $13

Fans of The Office are sure to appreciate this pouch, which is roomy enough to hold all of your writing utensils so you won't lose your favorite pen while scrambling during a Zoom meeting. And when you're away from the desk, you can use it to store your phone and other pocket-sized essentials.

Buy it: Redbubble

2. Ruth Bader Ginsburg Little Thinker Doll; $24

Every desk needs a few knickknacks that keep you inspired during the inevitable 9-to-5 slog, and this 11-inch plush doll of the trailblazing Supreme Court Justice is a great reminder of RGB's wisdom and legacy of integrity.

Buy it: Amazon

3. NexiGo Computer Webcam and Microphone; From $31

Video conferencing has quickly become the new normal—which means a reliable webcam and microphone are both crucial to ensuring your success and productivity in the virtual workforce. Fortunately, this two-in-one device from NexiGo sports both so you can be seen and heard clearly during every meeting (even the ones that could have just been emails).

Buy it: Amazon

4. LapGear Home Office Lap Desk; $40

This LapGear lap desk, which holds computers up to 15.6 inches, makes it easy to stay productive without having to slip off your sheets or blankets. It even includes a phone slot and mouse pad. Plus, the cushioned bottom conforms to your lap for added comfort. Choose from six colors, ranging from pale pink to basic black.

Buy it: Amazon

5. Poweroni USB Charging Station; $32

Keep your tech organized and fully charged with this four-port charging station from Poweroni. According to the brand, it’s engineered to charge multiple gadgets at once and can fit nearly every Samsung and Apple phone, along with Kindles, Fire tablets, and the Nintendo Switch.

Buy it: Amazon

6. JLab Go Air Pop True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds and Charging Case; $20

Forget shelling out hundreds of dollars on AirPods: These wireless, Bluetooth-compatible earbuds offer up to 32 hours worth of listening time and are a budget-friendly way to catch up on a few podcasts while doing busy work. The included case effortlessly charges the earbuds when not in use, and these are sweat-resistant, making them great for workouts.

Buy it: Amazon

7. ColorCoral Cleaning Gel; $6

Offices get messy, especially if you're inclined to nibble on treats as you type away on a keyboard. This cleaning gel from ColorCoral can help, as it's reusable and can sink inside all those tough, hard-to-reach areas (especially between keyboard keys) so that dust, dirt, and crumbs are history. So long as you avoid getting it wet—it'll melt into a pile of goo if you do—you'll get plenty of mileage out of this cheap and nifty item.

Buy it: Amazon

8. Cactus-Shaped Ballpoint Pens, Pack of 30; $16

Forget boring ballpoint pens. These cute-as-can-be cactus-shaped gel ink pens write smoothly and effortlessly. Plus, they’re much easier to care for than actual cacti, especially if you lack a green thumb. They also double as desk decor.

Buy it: Amazon

9. InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser; From $16

This handy gadget is one part essential oil diffuser, one part humidifier. It offers two misting modes for up to four hours of continuous mist or up to eight hours of intermittent misting. It’s also equipped with eight light colors depending on your mood. Lastly, the built-in auto-shutoff feature is vital when it comes to preventing overheating.

Buy it: Amazon

10. Floppy Disk Notebooks, Set of 3; $20

Each of these notebooks (sold in packs of three) is spiral-bound and features 100 blank pages sandwiched between two upcycled, 3.5-inch floppy disks. The handcrafted pads are great for jotting down notes, reminders, and keeping track of projects.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

This article was originally published in 2021; it has been updated for 2022.