30 useful desk accessories that make your work setup more comfortable and productive

A USB mic, a temperature controlled mug, and a cat post-it dispenser on a blue graphic background.
We asked Business Insider staffers for their favorite desk accessories, which get them through the day. These included a USB microphone, a temperature-controlled mug, and a cute Post-it note dispenser. Insider

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While one of the best standing desks, desk lamps, or ergonomic chairs are productivity essentials, whether you work from home or in the office, there are plenty of tools and accessories you can add to improve your setup, organization, and aesthetics, starting at just $5.

We asked our fellow Review editors, strategists, and reporters about the useful products they incorporate into their workday. These desk accessories aren't going to keep all the distractions at bay, but after working in our home offices more than ever before, they've definitely kept us more focused, productive, and comfortable — even at our kitchen tables.

A portable wireless keyboard

birds eye view of the  Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard with a tablet in the dock, and a woman typing
Logitech

Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard

I've had this trusty wireless keyboard for years, and it's still one of my favorite desk accessories. It's sleek and portable, making it easy to work from home or pack it in my bag and take it to a coffee shop or co-working space. Plus, it connects to multiple devices at once, so I can seamlessly switch from my laptop to a tablet. — Will Fischer, senior content strategist

An acrylic laptop stand that adds both height and storage

acrylic laptop organizer with laptop on it
Amazon

Egchi Acrylic Laptop Stand

I wanted a sleek monitor stand that wouldn't make my space look cluttered, and I found it in this acrylic option. It has a little shelf where I can store my notebook, a pen, and my phone, which keeps clutter off my desk, and I like that it's clear so it doesn't make my workspace feel heavy. It also comes in a bunch of sizes, so make sure you measure the base of your monitor stand to get the right one. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Reviews

A 4K webcam that follows you around

Insta360 Link 2
Amazon

Insta360 Link 2 Webcam

The original Insta360 Link has been one of our favorite webcams. It has a motorized gimbal that smoothly tilts and swivels the camera, while subject tracking software allows it to follow you to keep you centered. What's impressive is the excellent 4K video quality. This new version has improved noise cancelation, and it's cheaper than its predecessor. — Les Shu, deputy editor, Reviews

A reusable smart notebook

A desktop with the Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook, keyboard, coffee, mouse, phone and pen resting on top.
Rocketbook

Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook

This is a good compromise for me as someone who learns better by writing things down but doesn't want to waste the paper or give up digitized notes. When you write on the Everlast notebook pages with an accompanying pen, you can later erase your writing with a damp cloth and reuse the same page over and over again. You can also digitize your handwritten notes using an app. I personally love it because it feels just like writing on paper, but reduces waste and the storage of tons of old notebooks. We also included it in our Buying Guide to the best smart notebooks you can buy. — Mara Leighton, senior digital culture reporter

A decorative daily calendar

mushroom calendar
Amazon

3D Art Calendar Memo Pad

My boyfriend gave me this desk calendar over the holidays last year, and it's brought me joy every day since. Every other day, you tear off one layer of paper (showing two calendar days), slowly revealing the interior design. Plus, the acrylic box holding the calendar can light up, adding more delightfully silly ambiance to your workspace. — Lily Alig, kitchen editor

Rein in your cables

12 south cable snap stay contains cords
Twelve South

Twelve South CableSnap Stay

If you use a lot of tech, chances are your desktop is covered with tangled cables. Conquer this unwieldy mess with this simple, elegant cable management solution. Simply adhere these leather ties to a surface area and then "snap" the cables into place. It makes your desk look neater without needing to remove the cables. — Les Shu, deputy editor, Reviews

A drawer organizer

madesmart 4 compartment organizer
Amazon

Madesmart Classic 4-Compartment Organizer Tray

I love having a drawer in my desk, but its all too easy for it to become a junk drawer. This compartmentalized organizer lets me keep office supplies like pens, tape, little knickknacks, and other tools from just rolling around and having free rein. Everything has a home. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor

A luxe seat cushion

A Purple Royal Seat Cushion with honeycomb design.
Purple

Purple Royal Seat Cushion

I was influenced to try this seat cushion after occasionally stealing it from my former boss, who was influenced to buy it after reading our Purple seat cushion review. Its signature GelFlex Grid design makes sitting at a desk all day a lot more comfortable and even helps me to maintain my posture. (This is the same stuff the brand uses on its mattresses to relieve pressure on your back.) It's also very breathable, and it comes with a washable cover in case you spill anything. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Reviews

Back-saving lumbar support

side by side of a secretlab cushion on. a white desk chair and a secret lab product cushion
Brendan Griffiths/Business Insider; Secretlab

Secretlab Memory Foam Lumbar Pillow

This memory foam lumbar pillow made the international move with me from the UK to my new home in New York, where lots of downsizing was in order. It's compatible with any chair, and I sometimes use it on the sofa, too; this thick cushion from Secretlab is from the same brand that makes some of the best gaming chairs in the world and offers excellent soothing support for your lower back. It's available in various detailed patterned designs, some inspired by Harry Potter, Warcraft, and more. The velour covers are luxurious and don't get too hot and clammy against your back during extended desk sessions, even in the summer. We'd avoid the newer 'Pro' model, though, as it's much thinner, offers less support, often falls down when you get up, and is more expensive for some reason. Brendan Griffiths, senior commerce director

A Bonsai tree that doesn't need water

Lego bonsai tree
Amazon

Lego Bonsai Tree

Bonsai trees can be great stress relievers and bring calm to a desk. What's great about this Lego model is that there's no maintenance involved. Relax as you put together this 878-piece set, and admire it when you need to channel some inner peace. Keep it green or swap in cherry blossoms.— Les Shu, deputy editor, Reviews

An affordable, dual-purpose lamp

Room Essentials Organizer Task Lamp
Target

Room Essentials Organizer Task Lamp

The Room Essentials Organizer Task Lamp does it all. It features a USB port and a regular plug outlet for charging items. Five compartments help you keep pens, scissors, paper clips, and other knickknacks organized. Oh yeah, it also provides extra light for your desk. I've had this lamp for about four years, and it's continued to serve me well. — James Brains, senior reporter

Put your laptop on a pedestal

Satechi Dual Vertical Laptop Stand
Satechi

Satechi Dual Vertical Laptop Stand

For those who prefer to have their laptops closed when connected to a large monitor, this stand does two things: It reclaims some of your desktop by propping it up vertically and allows for better airflow to the bottom of the laptop. It's machined out of aluminum to match Apple's MacBooks, and there's also space to hold a phone and tablet. — Les Shu, deputy editor, Reviews

Fidget magnets for maintaing focus

Shiny, rainbow- metalic Speks Magnets serve as a paperweight on a lined stack of papers as well as a magnetic collection spot for several green paperclips against a blue background
Amazon

Speks Magnets

I always keep fidget toys from Speks out on my desk to play with during meetings. They keep me from using my hands to check every message that pops up while I should be focusing on what other people are saying. They're also great for those moments when I need to just sit and think about something! I'll spin my chair away from my computer so I'm not distracted and fidget for a few minutes just to give my hands something to do. I find that this is one fidget toy that helps with my mental clarity and focus. Read our full review.   — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Reviews

A magnetic phone (or headphone) holder for laptop

Computer with A Magnetic Phone Holder for Laptop displays a game, holds headphones and more
Amazon

CloudValley Magnetic Phone Holder for Laptop

When staying up to date with social media or looking something up quickly that I need, having my phone handy is essential. To prevent the constant reach and set down dance, having my phone propped up and easily visibly allows me to scroll faster and more freely. — Kayla Bickham, former style and beauty fellow, Reviews

A smart assistant display

Google Nest Hub
Best Buy

Google Nest (2nd Gen)

I've written about how much I love my Google Nest as a nightstand companion thanks to its unobtrusive sleep-tracking capabilities, but it's also a great deskside smart display. I can seamlessly adjust my thermostat or lighting with my voice without disrupting my workflow, listen to music, and I love looking up at a rotating slideshow of my favorite pictures or seeing my calendar at a glance. Read the full review. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor

A balance board

A person wearing black boots standing on a brown Fluidstance balance board while working at a standing desk.
Fluidstance

Fluidstance The Level

I had a makeshift standing desk setup at home, and if you've ever had something similar, you know the position can be tiring on your feet. Fluidstance's balance boards help you stabilize your body and relieve some of the tension of standing, plus they're just plain fun to use. I found it to be a great way to train my balance and keep my body moving, and I love that the wooden design actually looks attractive, too. — Connie Chen, contributor

A wireless fast charger that clears up cables

The iOttie iON Wireless Plus Fast Charger with cord attached and power adapter beside it.
Amazon

iOttie iON Wireless Plus Fast Charger

My ideal workspace is neat and clutter-free, so I like to keep the number of things on my desk to a minimum. In doing so, I've gotten rid of wires wherever possible. The iOttie iON Wireless Plus is my solution to doing away with my normal iPhone cable. It looks great, doesn't take up much space, and charges my iPhone a lot faster than the standard power adapter and cable. Amir Ismael, men's style editor

An ergonomic wireless mouse to relieve stress on your wrists

The Logitech Lift for Mac Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse at a computet desk.
Amazon

Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

If you prefer to use a mouse but hate the wrist pain that comes with it, the Lift Vertical is the ideal input device. Its ergonomic design repositions your hand to avoid putting any undue stress, while accurate tracking means fewer hand movements needed to point your mouse cursor. For hours of productivity, this has become one of our go-to mice. — Les Shu, deputy editor, Reviews

A nice leather mouse pad

The Nomad Rustic Brown Leather Mouse Pad with mouse on top alongside a white keyboard.
Nomad

Nomad Rustic Brown Leather Mouse Pad

I love the sleek look of this mouse pad, but more importantly, I love that it's huge. When I'm trying to screenshot something, drag an image around, or move between my two monitors, it accommodates my sweeping motions. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Reviews

I actually use this as a desk pad instead of a mouse pad. It adds style and personality to my desk while also keeping my keyboard and planner from slipping around. — Malarie Gokey, lead training coordinator, Business Insider

A temperature control mug with a heating pad

The Ember Temperature Control Travel Mug 2 with text "ember" and numbers"135"
Best Buy

Ember Temperature Control Travel Mug 2

I'm the kind of person who makes tea and forgets about it until it has become iced tea. Having a smart mug that keeps itself warm with a heating pad is life-changing. My Ember mug — which I named "Hot Stuff" as a joke and a reference to an album by The Killers — keeps my tea warm hours after I've made it. — Malarie Gokey, lead training coordinator, Business Insider

A wireless charging pad

wireless charging pad on a desk, an iPhone sits on the charger with miscellaneous office supplies in the catchall tray. the desk also includes a laptop, candle, lamp, plant and some books,
Courant

Courant Catch 3 Wireless Charger

Courant is a startup that takes care of your functional needs (like charging your phone) while maintaining style and sophistication. Its sleek, Qi-certified wireless charger is made from high-grade aluminum and features a braided nylon cord and pebble-grain Italian leather top, making it the most luxe charging option your money can get. If you want to make your desk look as stylish as you do, this tech accessory will impress both you and your coworkers. — Connie Chen, contributor

A posture belt for back pain

A person sitting in chair with the BetterBack Support Posture Belt and attached straps that wrap around the legs and knees.
BetterBack

BetterBack Support Posture Belt

I swear by the BetterBack for helping me to maintain good posture at my desk and relieving both upper and lower back pain throughout the day. I have a few slipped discs in my spine, so I deal with pretty chronic discomfort. This is the only tool (not counting stretching and acupuncture) that has ever helped mitigate my pain, which helps me focus on my work instead of on my back. You can read my full review of the BetterBack here, and I'd suggest speaking with your doctor before using this. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Reviews

A USB microphone for creators

Two people sitting at a table that has a computer and the Blue Yeti USB microphone.
Amazon

Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone

Working from home means a steady stream of voice and video calls. Having a quality microphone is the one accessory that will be appreciated by your co-workers. The Logitech Blue Yeti is easy to connect to any Mac or PC using the included USB cable, provides great audio quality and looks stylish. It can also serve double-duty for podcasting, gaming and more. — Chris Meinck, SVP of Commerce

A cute Post-It note dispenser

The Post-it Cat Figure Pop-up Note Dispenser holding a pad of orange peel and stick notes.
Amazon

Post-it Cat Figure Pop-up Note Dispenser

I'm obsessed with Post-It notes and cats, so this cat-shaped Post-It note dispenser is one of my favorite desk decorations. It holds my Post-Its perfectly and it looks cute on my desk. It's also weighted so it's hard to knock over, and if a real cat happened to walk on my desk, they'd struggle to knock it off. — Malarie Gokey, lead training coordinator, Business Insider

A keyboard cover to protect against loud typing and messes

A white laptop is partically covered with a pink MOSISO Silicone Keyboard Cover.
Amazon

MOSISO Silicone Keyboard Cover

This silicone keyboard cover muffles any sounds of clacking keys, which may help avoid nonsensical arguments with my husband after we've both been working at home for more than a year. It also protects against food crumbs and spills. — Jada Wong, former senior editor, Reviews

Blue-light-blocking computer glasses

The Felix Gray Nash Eyeglasses sitting on edge of laptop.
Felix Gray

Felix Gray Nash Eyeglasses

I don't need prescription eyeglasses, but I wear a pair of blue light glasses when I work long days and later at night to avoid messing with my circadian rhythm since that's the kind of thing that can ruin a week (and my energy) by Wednesday morning. They're also just a welcome break from direct exposure to my devices sometimes. Read our full review here. — Mara Leighton, senior digital culture reporter

A stainless steel travel mug

A person holding blue insulated Hydro Flask mug with handle and steel top.
Amazon

Hydro Flask 12 oz Coffee Mug

This insulated mug keeps my coffee hot for hours, so even if a meeting runs long or I get so focused on something I forget to drink it. My drink always seems to stay nice and steamy. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Reviews

An insulated sport water bottle

A person lying on floor in stretch position and holding the Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Water Bottle.
Takeya

Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Water Bottle

One of our best water bottles, I use this stainless steel bottle everywhere I go. It keeps my tea hot for hours, my cold brew cold for over 24 hours (with ice cubes intact), and has a conveniently durable build and no-drip or drop design for the gym. It's pretty cheap for a stainless steel water bottle, and the clip at the top means I can attach it to backpacks or duffel bags with clip-on straps for easy carrying. — Mara Leighton, senior digital culture reporter

A mini desktop vacuum cleaner

Two ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum Cleaners
Amazon

ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum Cleaner

I always have snacks and or something small to nibble on to keep me going throughout the work day. That's why a mini desk vacuum comes in handy. I can snatch any crumb up I see at the moment which saves me time on the weekends when I do my deep clean. — Kayla Bickham, former style and beauty fellow, Reviews

Transparent sticky notes

A transparent sticky note sits on a desk next to pens and other pieces of paper with a neatly written note on it
Amazon

6 Pack Transparent Sticky Notes

Sticky notes I can see through are something I rely on constantly. I can place it over any text in my planner or book and annotate without covering anything important up in the process. The best part is that once I remove the sticky note, my page is still clean. — Kayla Bickham, former style and beauty fellow, Reviews

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