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There are a lot of pros to Zoom meetings: You can wear pajama pants, you can mute yourself so no one hears your music in the background, and you can even turn your video off if you’re having a bad hair day. But there are also a lot of headaches. Whether your laptop video camera only works half the time or your microphone cuts out with every other word you say, the Zoom struggle is real.
To make your WFH life easier—or to help you get by in a socially distant office—we’ve curated a list of products that will make your Zoom experiences a little more enjoyable. Zooms may not always be as easy as in-person meetings, but at least you’ll be able to (momentarily) forget that you’re not sitting in the same room as all of your favorite coworkers.
1. Logitech C270 Webcam; $23
This budget-friendly webcam from Logitech is perfect for a simple camera that still gets the job done. The Logitech C270 is designed for high-definition video that, at 30 frames per second, has the ability to self-adjust to its lighting conditions, making nearly any room suitable for a Zoom call. The camera also has a noise-reducing mic that will allow your coworkers to hear you even if your background is on the noisy side (You: 1. Barking dog: 0).
Buy it: Amazon
2. Logitech Pro Webcam; $70
If you’re doing nothing but Zoom meetings these days, you might want to try the Logitech C920 Pro. The model offers a 78-degree field of view and a 1080p HD picture that will ensure your image is crystal clear and wide enough to allow your unruly cat to make an appearance without interrupting too much. The Logitech C920 also sports two mics—one on each side—and has a frame rate of 30fps, making it an ideal choice for live video.
Buy it: Amazon
3. Saicoo LED Desktop Lamp; $60 with On-Page Coupon
If you want to look your best during your Zoom calls—even if you’ve just rolled out of bed—you’re going to want some good lighting. This Saicco LED lamp has a touch-sensitive panel that allows you to easily control color temperature and brightness. It’s also built with a special light reflection feature to reduce eye fatigue. The Saicco lamp even has a built-in charging port, so you’ll be able to hop off your Zoom and onto a conference call without ever needing to check your phone battery.
Buy it: Amazon
4. Ubeesize Ring Light With Tripod Stand; $33
For a great light that doubles as a phone stand, you’ll want to try this combination tripod and ring light from UBeesize. This set comes with three different lighting rings—warm light, cool light, and day light—which can all snap directly onto the tripod. You can adjust each ring to 11 brightness levels, and the set even comes with a remote for your smartphone that can turn your camera on without awkwardly having to adjust it before a presentation.
Buy it: Amazon
5. Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Mic; $99
You’ll feel like an old-timey radio host (and not just like you’re running through your weekly update with your boss) with this digital condenser mic from Shure. The microphone has a custom-tuned microphone to provide high-quality sound, and it has both iOS and USB connectivity to make it easy to link to whatever device you’re using. There's also a Shure app that syncs with your microphone for easy recording, editing, and sharing afterward.
Buy it: Amazon
6. Logitech Noise-Canceling Headset; $28
A headset is a great solution for improving both sound and speaking quality, especially if you do more phone Zooms than video. This model from Logitech lets you easily adjust the volume or mute the microphone via its in-line audio control button, and it even has an LED indicator light so you’ll know whether you’re actually on mute during a meeting. These headphones are designed to cancel out any outside noises, but you can also easily adjust the microphone to muffle sound on your end, too (which makes it great for when you're snacking while chatting).
Buy it: Amazon
7. Ubeesize Phone Tripod; $17
UBeesize’s portable tripod will ensure your Zoom game is always on point no matter where you are. This tripod is built to last, with flexible legs that are reinforced with a rubber coating, sturdy foam, and nonstick feet. And it comes with a remote control for your phone that can be used up to 30 feet away
Buy it: Amazon
8. Comfilife Gel-Enhanced Seat Cushion; $36
Whether you’re working from home or commuting to the office part-time, many of us are sitting a lot more these days. To make your Zoom meeting feel more like a trip to the spa, a memory-foam seat cushion may be just what you need. This cushion is ergonomically designed to reduce pressure on your tailbone and improve your posture with each use. You can double up your back support with an additional lumbar support pillow, so you can sit up nice and tall for every meeting without discomfort.
Buy it: Amazon
9. Fictional Map Wall Art; $13
For a Zoom backdrop that’s much cooler than a green screen, hang up a map from your favorite novel or video game for a look that’s both stylish and personal. Catch people’s eye by displaying maps inspired by fictional worlds like The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Zelda, and more. So no matter what you’re into, you’ll be able to bring a little pizzazz everywhere you (virtually) go.
Buy it: Amazon
10. Vintage Travel Posters; From $10
If you’re more into real places, Redbubble has an incredible wealth of vintage-inspired travel posters to give you that air of prestige and culture you never knew you needed until now. With posters for locations like Cote D'Azur, the Adirondacks, Amsterdam, and Chicago, your new wall art will make you feel like you’ve spent the last few months on vacation (even if your longest journeys these days consist of walking from your desk to the kitchen and back again).
Buy it: Redbubble
11. TIJN Blue Light Glasses; $11 with On-Page Coupon
Looking alert during meetings is always key, but it’s especially important during Zooms. Give your eyes a break with these blue light glasses from TIJN. The frames can effectively block 100 percent of harmful UV rays and relieve eye fatigue, allowing you to get through any grueling conference calls without looking tired. The frames are super light and abrasion-resistant, too, and they’ll be comfortable and durable enough to last you for however long virtual meetings are the norm.
Buy it: Amazon
12. Sunbeam Heated Blanket; From $70
Zoom meetings can last a long time, and sometimes you might get cold while sitting at your desk but can’t move from your position. Keep yourself warm and toasty without distracting from your meeting with a heated electric blanket. You can easily bundle up under this machine-washable blanket, which has 10 heat settings and will automatically shut off after 10 hours. No one in your meetings will notice a thing.
Buy it: Amazon
13. Amazon Basics Three-Speed 7-Inch Small Room Air Circulator Fan; $16
However, if you have the opposite problem and can’t stop overheating, you might want to get a personal fan. This one from Amazon Basics can be placed on top of or under your desk to help cool you off. Though this 7-inch wide gadget won’t keep a whole room chilled, it can help when you want to bring the immediate temperature around you down a few degrees. The head has a 90-degree variable tilt, and you can choose from three different speed settings depending on what you need.
Buy it: Amazon
14. Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer; $12
Whether you're a devoted tea drinker or obsessive coffee lover, keeping hot drinks at the optimal temperature throughout the day can be crucial. Instead of making the trip to the microwave between meetings, this Mr. Coffee mug warmer will do the work for you while you chat away. The device has an indicator light that will tell you when your drink is warmed up, which usually takes less than two minutes. The mug warmer has a diameter of less than 5.2-inches, so it can fit most mugs, but if you want a portable device that heats your drinks, make sure to check out the Ember mug.
Buy it: Amazon
15. Soundance Laptop Stand; $28
Having a proper place to put your laptop is an essential part of any Zoom experience. Too low and everyone might be able to look up your nose; too high and you might be out of frame. This laptop stand is a best-seller on Amazon, with more than 35,000 reviews and a 4.8-star rating on the site. This aluminum alloy stand can fit any laptop ranging from 10- to 15.6-inches and is equipped with rubber feet to prevent wobbling. In addition, the ergonomically designed platform is raised six inches so that your computer is at the perfect height for most eye levels. It may keep you from hunching over as well.
Buy it: Amazon
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This story was originally published in 2020; it has been updated for 2022.