Two new vaccines have been seen as significantly effective against COVID-19. However, it’ll still take months to ensure that they’re completely safe and ready for distribution. And although some states have been easing their restrictions, you should still avoid large crowds and mass gatherings, especially in indoor spaces. This is because the virus can hang in the air longer indoors compared to outside, especially if the area has poor ventilation.

This means you’ll be stuck working from home for a few months more. You might as well make it as efficient and comfortable as possible. 

Apart from a quality desk and ergonomic chair, you also want to take advantage of technology for your business during the pandemic.

Here are the essential devices and accessories you should make the most of during your remote work period.

Stop the Freezes: A Reliable Computer

Unless your company provided you with machines for remote work, you’re probably using one for personal use. If your computer keeps freezing while running your usual work apps, it can ruin your productivity and even cause you to make errors. If this is the case for you, you may need a new computer. The specifications you need depend on what your work demands. If you only use productivity suites like Microsoft Word and an internet browser, you don’t really need a high-end computer. 

If you run software that’s heavy on resources, like video editors, 3D rendering apps, photo editing software, and more, you may need a computer that has a powerful central processing unit and graphics processing unit. Ask your IT department if they have any recommendations in terms of brands and models, as well as specifications. 

You can get a computer personalized according to your needs or pre-assembled ones in your local computer store. You can buy parts and devices from e-commerce sites, like NewEgg and Amazon, as well. The computer you need might end up being expensive, but it’s worth the money when you don’t experience pesky freezes or shutdowns in the middle of a mission-critical task.

Filter Out the Noise: Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Whether you’re living with family or housemates, you’ve probably been distracted by their noisy activities, like watching TV, vacuum cleaning and video gaming. You don’t want to ruin their fun or stop them from doing what they need to do. One way to achieve peace despite the distractions is to use noise-canceling headphones. These devices use microphones that pick up low-frequency noise and neutralize them before they reach your ear. 

You can get premium headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4. These offer excellent sound quality, touch controls, wireless connectivity, and comfortable muffs for around $300 to $350. If you want something more affordable, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 comes in at around $60. Though it doesn’t have the same sound quality as the former, it filters out noise just as well and has wireless connectivity, too. 

Meet in Style: High-Quality Webcam 

Even if you can’t go to the office, you still need to attend meetings through video conferencing applications like Zoom and Google Chat. If you want to look your best, especially in front of clients, you need a high-definition webcam. If you want something that’s as good as your smartphone camera, the Logitech Brio Ultra HD is for you. It can take video in resolutions as high as 4K and offers amazing detail. With a price of more than $200, however, it may not fit everyone’s budget. You can always get its smaller brother, the C310 for a fraction of the price. It offers 720p HD video, but don’t expect the details to be as crisp. 

Keep the Connection Flowing: High Quality Modem

The only plus side of your internet provider’s default modem is that it’s free. The problem with these cheap modems and routers is that they’re not as durable and offer basic security features. One of the culprits of slow and inconsistent internet speed is often the modem malfunctioning or straight-up breaking down. Remedy this by getting a better router from your local computer store. 

Models like the Asus RT-AC66U B1 and the TP-Link Archer C7 offer faster and more consistent Wi-Fi connectivity compared to the one your internet provider offers by default. These benefits are especially important when you’re working on cloud applications and consistently doing voice and video calls. They also offer more user-friendly interfaces and advanced security features, so you can truly customize your router to your needs.

Remote work can come with a variety of challenges, like intermittent internet connectivity, household distractions and the dreaded computer freezes. With social distancing still being the norm, you don’t have much of a choice but to work from home. Use these suggestions to make your remote work life more bearable. 

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