These 5 work-from-home essentials seriously upgraded my desk

The hill I will die on is that if you are an avid coffee drinker, a slow sipper, or someone who enjoys little luxuries, you will not be disappointed with the Ember Mug 2. I purchased an Ember Mug 2 over October Prime Day 2023 and have used it close to daily. While it's undoubtedly expensive at face value, it's worth it when I break down the daily cost of using it since I purchased it. It keeps my tea or coffee at a perfect temperature that is customizable and easily controlled via the Ember app. I usually get up to three hours of perfectly toasted coffee on one charge, and the mug is easy to clean and stow on its included charging coaster when not in use. 

This cup has seriously upgraded my workflow and delivers my own cafe-like experience to my desk daily. Now, I can sit in Zoom meetings and sip my coffee without it getting cold, and I never have to commit the crime of microwaving coffee. I've had my mug for several months and have had no issues with charging, warming, or battery life, and I love it so much that I have recommended it to several ZDNET team members who are now proud Ember Mug owners (including editor Sabrina Ortiz) and have gifted an additional mug to my mom for Mother's Day. The Ember Mug 2 is available in 10- and 14-ounce models and comes in various colors depending on where you buy.

Redditors said they liked the Ember Mug 2's practicality, function, and easy heating capabilities. One Redditor even called their experience with the mug "delightful." Some reported issues with heating elements but said that Ember replaced their mug or they chose to purchase a newer model mug after repeated use over several years. 

Also: Ember's newest tumbler solved my biggest problem with my morning coffee

This product makes the biggest impact if you want to upgrade your at-home desk from drab to fab. I had never had one before using the Alti Ultra wireless charging desk mat from Journey. My world has seriously changed since testing this over the last several months. This mat is nearly the perfect size for my smaller standing desk (there's just a bit of overhang), and it upgrades the plain, plastic-like top to a functional, luxurious-feeling, and cushioned face. 

This mat provides the perfect base for my wireless mouse and keyboard, and it doesn't slide or move around, which is key while using a walking pad and standing desk. It also features certified 15W MagSafe charging for my iPhone and AirPods Pro (2nd Gen). The charging pad is detachable from the desk mat, too, so if I want to use it separately, I can, and the double-layered, reversible mat with vegan leather creates a nifty spot to slip post-its, papers, or other incidentals. This mat upgraded my cheap standing desk into a functional workspace, keeping all my essentials easily handy, organized, and even charged in one place. 

Journey customers gave the Alti wireless desk mat 5/5 stars on the Journey website. Customers said they liked the size, detachability, and sleek, luxurious look and feel of the Alti wireless mat. Several customers also said that this mat transformed their desk space, and one customer even called the Alti mat one of "genius convenience." 

A laptop stand is a great way to free up space at your home desk and a good option for changing your viewing angle and alleviating back and neck pain. I purchased this Omoton laptop stand for my work laptop, a MacBook Pro, to elevate my walking pad and standing desk setup. Since I am 5'10, I needed to raise my laptop to accompany a standing desk arrangement that allowed me to walk on my under-desk treadmill. This stand is lightweight yet sturdy and was under $20. It easily supports my MacBook and doesn't budge at all while I work and walk -- even though my standing desk is on wheels. It's the perfect amount of lift for my needs and frees up space for my wireless keyboard and mouse. 

Verified Amazon customers rated this an average of 4.8/5 stars overall and said they liked the sturdy build, ergonomic, simple design, and portability of this Omoton stand. 

As a tech editor, I spend a lot of time writing, editing, researching, product testing, and more from my desk and tandem with a laptop. While I've always preferred to work on my laptop without using add-ons like monitors, keyboards, or wireless mice, I realized quickly that I couldn't build a standing desk setup that I could use as an under-desk treadmill without them. When I upgraded to a standing desk earlier this year, I needed to upgrade my accessories, including my wireless mouse. Switching to a vertical mouse like this HP 925 has helped my hand sit comfortably while I walk and work, minimizing cramping in my right hand. 

HP says this mouse is designed to "keep your shoulder, neck, and forearm more relaxed throughout the day" by reducing muscle activity by 12%, and while I cannot say if my muscle activity has actually decreased by 12%, I can say I have less pain when I work with this mouse. The mouse feels like a joystick, is easy to connect, and glides over my desk mat for maximum control of my laptop. It also comes with a removable wrist rest for even more comfort, but I enjoy it on its own. 

Redditors said they were impressed with the HP 925's overall function, button placement, and comfort, with several users comparing it to Logitech's MX Vertical mouse. One Redditor called the placement of the HP's thumb buttons "genius."

I upgraded my home office with a walking pad in November 2023, and my only regret was not doing it sooner. While walking pads were all the rage during COVID, I'm here to tell you that it's one of the easiest changes you can make to your work-from-home environment to see positive results. This Jelens walking pad was under $150, has held up great over the last 6 months, is easy to set up and care for, and is slim enough to fit under a small standing desk and store under my bed when needed. It has wheels for easy maneuvering and can reach a speed of 3.8 mph, which is a perfect range for keeping a pace while working on my laptop. 

Walking while I work at my standing desk reduces back and neck pain from long stints of sitting, and it's also increased my movement tremendously. I now easily exceed 10,000 steps or more every day, and I can always have a way to get moving even when the weather is poor, too. I also find I can focus on my work more while walking constantly. I have increased my step count, V02, and stand hours in the last few months and lowered my resting heart rate, according to my Apple Watch, and I believe this walking pad has contributed greatly to these metrics. 

Verified customers on Amazon rated the Jelens walking pad an average of 4.3/5 stars online. Many customers said they liked how quick and easy it is to use while doing everyday tasks like working, watching TV, or lightly exercising. Some customers said the Jelens pushes an error code if you weigh near the pad's max capacity of 265 lbs, so consider weight limits when selecting an under-desk treadmill.