Best Laptop Accessories for Remote Workers
Working off a laptop all day is fine until your neck starts screaming from looking down at a 13-inch screen for eight hours straight. A few smart accessories turn your laptop into a proper workstation and the difference in how you feel at 5pm is huge. The must-haves are a laptop stand (get your screen to eye level, seriously), a USB-C hub for all the ports your laptop doesn't have anymore, and a decent webcam because the built-in one makes you look like you're on a security camera. Beyond that, a portable charger for coffee shop days and a good dock for your home setup round things out. None of this is complicated or expensive, but it makes a massive difference in your daily work life.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Key Pros | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock | Dock | 18 ports covers every need | Buy on Amazon |
| Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand (Silver) | Laptop-Stand | Sturdy single-piece aluminum | Buy on Amazon |
| Anker USB-C Hub 7-in-1 | Usb-Hub | 100W Power Delivery passthrough | Buy on Amazon |
| Logitech Brio 300 Webcam | Webcam | Physical privacy shutter | Buy on Amazon |
| INIU 10000mAh Slim Portable Charger USB-C | Portable-Charger | Very slim and lightweight | Buy on Amazon |
| Kensington SmartFit Laptop Riser Stand Ventilated | Office | SmartFit ergonomic height guide | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Look at Each Product
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
18-port Thunderbolt 4 docking station with 98W laptop charging. Supports up to two 6K displays or one 8K display. 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, SD and microSD card readers, and multiple USB-A/USB-C ports.
- 18 ports covers every need
- 98W laptop charging
- Dual 6K display support
- 2.5Gb Ethernet
- Very expensive
- Requires Thunderbolt for full features
Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand (Silver)
Solid aluminum laptop stand that raises the screen to eye level for better ergonomics. Single-piece design acts as a heat sink to cool the laptop. Cable management hole keeps the desk tidy. Supports laptops up to 17 inches.
- Sturdy single-piece aluminum
- Raises screen to eye level
- Doubles as heat sink
- Clean cable management
- Fixed height (not adjustable)
- Heavy to carry
Anker USB-C Hub 7-in-1
Anker's 7-in-1 USB-C hub adds a 4K HDMI port, 100W Power Delivery passthrough, two USB 3.0 ports, a USB-C data port, SD card slot, and microSD slot to any laptop with a single cable connection. The compact aluminum body dissipates heat effectively and the slim profile fits in a laptop bag pocket without added bulk. Plug-and-play on Mac, Windows, and Chrome OS with no drivers required.
- 100W Power Delivery passthrough
- 4K HDMI output
- No drivers required
- Single cable to laptop limits total bandwidth
- Not all ports reach full speed simultaneously
Logitech Brio 300 Webcam
Full HD 1080p webcam with RightLight 2 auto-light correction. Built-in noise-reducing microphone and physical privacy shutter. USB-C connection with a modern compact design available in multiple colors.
- Physical privacy shutter
- RightLight auto-correction
- USB-C connection
- Compact and stylish
- No 4K option
- Mono microphone only
INIU 10000mAh Slim Portable Charger USB-C
Ultra-slim 10000mAh power bank with built-in USB-C cable and LED display. Charges most smartphones roughly two full times on a single charge. Slim enough to slip into a laptop bag pocket for on-the-go office work.
- Very slim and lightweight
- Built-in cable is convenient
- LED battery display
- Fast charging support
- Not enough capacity for laptops
- Built-in cable is USB-C only
Kensington SmartFit Laptop Riser Stand Ventilated
Ergonomic laptop riser that elevates the screen to eye level to reduce neck strain during extended work sessions. The SmartFit color-coded height system guides users to their optimal ergonomic position without complex measuring. The ventilated platform promotes airflow under the laptop to prevent thermal throttling during demanding work.
- SmartFit ergonomic height guide
- Ventilated for cooling
- Stable non-slip base
- Works with all laptop sizes
- Requires external keyboard and mouse
- Limited height adjustment range
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important laptop accessory?
A laptop stand. It sounds boring, but raising your screen to eye level is the single biggest upgrade for comfort. The Rain Design mStand is solid aluminum, looks great, and puts your laptop at the perfect height. Pair it with an external keyboard and mouse and your neck will thank you immediately.
Do I need a Thunderbolt dock or is a USB-C hub enough?
For most people, a USB-C hub does the job. The Anker 7-in-1 gives you HDMI, USB-A, SD card, and more for under $40. A Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS4 is for power users who need dual monitors, multiple drives, and a single-cable setup. It's fantastic but overkill if you just need a couple extra ports.
Is the built-in webcam good enough for video calls?
For a quick team standup? Sure. For client calls or presentations? No. Built-in webcams are almost always terrible in low light. The Logitech Brio 300 is a big step up for under $70 and the auto-light correction alone makes it worth it. You'll look like an actual professional instead of a witness in a true crime documentary.
What portable charger should I get for my laptop?
The INIU 10000mAh is great for topping off your phone and smaller devices on the go. But if you need to actually charge a laptop, you'll want something with at least 65W USB-C PD output and 20000mAh or more. The INIU is the right pick for keeping your phone and earbuds alive when you're working from a coffee shop.