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best gifts for someone who works from home

Best Gifts for Someone Who Works from Home

Dwight Pavlovic
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Reading time: 7 minutes
With more and more professionals telecommuting, chances are high that someone on your shopping list works from home. As a result, the pieces to create the perfect home office setup are in serious demand.
From desktop computers to keyboards to headphones, the best work-from-home gifts are often practical, but that does not mean they are any less thoughtful. And if you find the perfect gift, your loved ones can even use them outside of office hours, for fun, relaxation, and entertainment.
In our list, we’ll cover some of the most popular home office gifts available today, including keyboards, headphones, desktop PCs, printers, laptops, monitors, mice, and other accessories.

Best gifts for someone who works-from-home

Shopping for a well-established home office? Think about upgrades and personal extras that can help round things out and make your work-at-home pro smile every time they begin the workday. An HP Z computer is a great tech upgrade for most professionals, while helpful accessories like an ergonomic mouse may be necessary, too. Read on for more great work-from-home gift ideas.

1. Comfortable keyboard

Finding the right keyboard is a perfect example of an important but often neglected office staple. We use it every day, but often just settle for an inexpensive, unergonomic option. Gifting someone an upgraded keyboard is a great way to boost not just their workflow but their overall wellness. What better way to say you care?
The HP 350 Compact Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard is a versatile choice with a slim build, full-size key caps, and durable design. It features up to 2 years of battery life, and quickly pairs with your device via a Bluetooth 5.2 connection. You can wirelessly connect to up to 3 devices and easily pivot from machine to machine with a custom switching key.
There’s also the HP 970 Programmable Wireless Keyboard if your recipient prefers even more control over their keyboard layout. With more than 20 programmable keys, it provides a high level of customization. It also can connect to up to 3 devices, and controllable smart backlight for keys.

2. New speakers or headphones

Whether to help with work or recreation, isolation or immersion, audio equipment is another overlooked part of some home office spaces. Good speakers can be a boon for productivity and put the “fun” back in your functional workspace. Meanwhile, headphones help remote workers focus while avoiding interruption when anyone else is working or schooling at home.
If you’re shopping for an HP fan, the HP S101 speaker bar is a simple and efficient way to help them upgrade their sound experience. Plus, it costs a lot less than most standalone speakers.
The Bose Companion 2 Series III multimedia speaker system is another affordable upgrade that’s perfect for larger, multi-purpose spaces. For headsets, the Poly Blackwire 8225 USB-C Headset features noise and echo reduction, an omnidirectional mic, and lightweight construction. It’s the perfect tool for working in a busy dining room.
For wireless connectivity, and the freedom to roam around the home or office, the Poly Voyager Free 60 Earbuds provide exceptional sound quality in a small, cordless form factor. With active noise cancellation and three-mic array – and a comfortable design – it’s a great accessory for a busy work-from-home professional.

3. Expandable desktop

A superpowered desktop computer is a great way to tackle any project, and an expandable desktop PC is even more practical. You can reduce the initial cost of the device and let your gift recipient upgrade with new updated components as technology advances. Even just one or two expansion slots can make a big difference for users who want to beef up memory or storage down the road.
The HP ENVY desktop (TE02-1075t) is a great starting option, with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. For another option with starting power right out of the gate, try the HP ENVY desktop (TE01-4050), which is loaded with NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 graphics and a 13th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor.
If you’re shopping for a multipurpose device that can master work and leisure, the HP OMEN desktop line can help. It has tons of great hardware and an even higher ceiling for customization. This computer is ideal for gaming as well as any resource-heavy software, with more than enough performance to keep up in the battlefield and the boardroom.

4. Reliable printer setup

Starting to miss the functionality of a dedicated, multipurpose office printer? HP has a huge range of printers with a large selection of affordable all-in-one designs to provide not just printing but faxing, copying, and scanning, too.
For an affordable starting option, the HP ENVY 6455e All-in-One Printer is a popular pick that combines quick printing with copy, scan, wireless, and mobile fax features. And if your special someone hates dealing with supplies, you can sign them up for HP Instant Ink or consider the HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer. It features an extra-large ink reserve that delivers up to 2 years of service.
Two of the key advantages of bigger printers are capacity and speed. If your work-from-home gift recipient has a heavy print load and tight deadlines, consider a laser printer. They’re more compact and accessible than ever.
Just look at the affordable HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dn Printer, which comes with multifunction features and a blazing-fast turnaround of up to 35 pages per minute.

5. HP Z for creatives

Shopping for an artist or engineer? Consider an HP Z. They’re designed to support professionals working in the most complex technical fields thanks to superior processing power and visual components. They also often have robust color accuracy and management features.
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 mobile workstation blends performance and mobility in one of the thinnest and lightest physical builds available. It’s perfect for travel or as a standalone home office workstation. Or you can opt for a bigger screen and even more power with the HP ZBook Studio 16 G10 mobile workstation.
HP Z’s displays are notable, too. The HP Z24n G3 WUGXA monitor is a popular option with a competitive price point and WUXGA resolution (1,920 x 1,200 at 60 Hz), to help your gift recipient see all their work in crisp detail.

6. Ergonomic mouse

We already talked a bit about keyboards, and an ergonomic mouse is its natural companion. Whether it’s wired or wireless, a comfortable mouse is crucial for work and play.
For some, a wired mouse is best because it guarantees high responsiveness and quick command follow-through. The HP 920 Ergonomic Vertical Mouse is a sleek and affordable option, while the HyperX Pulsefire Haste Wireless Gaming Mouse offers extreme response times and TTC Golden micro dustproof switches.
In the wired world, the HP 128 Laser Wired Mouse is a fan favorite. It’s reliable and is incredibly affordable. On the gaming mouse side, the HyperX Pulsefire Surge Gaming Mouse boasts a premium look and build, with RGB lighting, while still being a bargain tech gift.

7. Adapters and other accessories

There are plenty of specialized tools and devices to help any work-from-home warrior, like hubs and smart home systems. HP® offers a variety of smart home devices at various price levels, including the dimming TP-Link Kasa smart light bulb and the Nest learning thermostat.
Device management accessories like the HP USB-C dock G5 are always in high demand for remote workers, too, and our pick will help streamline and declutter your gift recipient’s space. There’s also the HP Thunderbolt dock audio module, which can connect to a compatible dock to improve conference calls and virtual collaboration.

8. Bonus: Versatile laptops and PCs

With work-from-home professionals, the ability to get up and go is important. And thanks to HP, there are several options to choose from when it comes to laptops and PCs. Take the Spectre Foldable laptop, a 3-in-1 laptop that effortlessly transforms from laptop to tablet to desktop (or even extended screen laptop) at a moment's notice. This versatile laptop gives WFH pros the ability to sit down and get work done regardless of where they are located.
Even the ENVY Move transportable all-in-one PC allows users to pick up their screen and keyboard via a handy carry handle and head out of the office. Its rechargeable battery and kickstand legs make this AiO desktop PC as transportable as a traditional laptop.

Summary

While the holidays can be stressful, we want to take some of the pressure off your shoulders by eliminating the guesswork when it comes time to find the best home office gifts. A lot of our picks are also universal enough that you could buy them for gamers, students, or any family members and friends who take their tech seriously.

About the Author

Dwight Pavlovic is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Dwight is a music and technology writer based out of West Virginia.

Disclosure: Our site may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.