In 2019, one thing has become clear: remote work is the way of the future. With so many workers ditching the morning commute for a relaxed café work setting, it’s no wonder that the popularity of remote work has greatly increased over the past decade. If you’re curious about putting on your comfiest pajamas, warming up the kettle, and joining the remote workforce, you’ll want to know what tech can make that transition easier, more productive, and super lucrative.

These are our picks for the most effective items that make working remotely a cinch!

  • Trusty laptop. This one is a no-brainer, but it’s also maybe the most important. Without a trustworthy laptop to carry you through thick and thin, you just won’t be able to get the work done that you need to. The best options are light, durable, and have mega-fast processors so that you can do all the writing, editing, video and photo manipulation, and web design that your remote job requires. Even if you’re on a budget, a laptop is definitely the number one item that you should splurge a little on.
  • Reliable webcam. Have you ever been on a video call with a client and watched in agony as the picture disintegrated into pixels, their choppy voice sounding like they’re speaking through helicopter blades? We have. Don’t do this to your clients, bosses, or customers. It’s worth investing in an HD webcam so that all your business communication goes smoothly and clearly. After all, if you’re not in the office, it’s all the more important that you put on your best face when you do actually get some face time with your employers or clients.
  • Cloud storage. If you’re sharing projects with other remote workers, or working collaboratively with people who are geographically distant, it’s essential that you invest in a reliable and spacious cloud storage system. Cloud storage functions basically like regular storage on the computer, except it’s all online. That means you can access data wherever you have an internet connection. Keep everyone up to date on the projects you’re working on by having a shared drive folder so everyone stays on the same page.
  • Grammar checkers. If you work remote, chances are that most of your communication throughout the day will be done over email or messaging platform. And, with so much on your plate, it’s easy to make small mistakes. This makes grammar-check browser plugins an essential past of any remote worker’s toolkit. The last thing you want to do is turn off a valuable potential client or customer by having shoddy spelling. Even if writing isn’t your area, people still value well-written sentences and a mastery of spelling.
  • A stable Wi-Fi router. If you’re working from home a lot, this one is a must. You don’t want to be halfway through an important client call, or midway through editing a document on the cloud, when all of a sudden, your Wi-Fi drops and all is hopelessly lost. Your Wi-Fi connection is your ability to be present as a remote worker. This is an item that you simply cannot skimp on as you put together your personal budget.
  • Noise cancelling headphones. There are few things more romantic than sitting at a café and doing your work throughout the day. However, cafes are not strictly only for remote workers; plenty of people head down for a cup of joe with their friends or to meet up for a cute date. While all that’s lovely of course, you don’t really want to be hearing people chatting about work while you’re trying to actually do work. Save yourself the hassle and invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
  • A comfy desk and chair. Again, for those of you doing the majority of your work at home, it’s pretty vital that you have a designated workspace. While sitting up in bed and typing from under the covers may sound nice in theory, in practice, it will only lead to bad sleep and terrible work-life balance. It’s best to have a designated area where you plan on completing your work. That way, you know that when it’s time to clock out, you step away from your desk and can transition into leisure time.

Those are our picks for the most important remote work items! Remember: working from home is great as long as you have the right tech and tips by your side.