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According to the latest update, but the attentiveness often ends there. After the decision’s made, we slot the machine into a spot on our desks and then go about business as usual. When buying a PC, you can spend a lot of time zeroing in on the right specs for your situation.
As part of the ongoing story, the rest of your desk setup can have a huge impact on your quality of life day to day and upgrading it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Such was the thought of a Reddit user who asked r/buildapc what their favorite desk accessories were. That fancy computer isn’t the only part that matters, though.
According to the latest update, (Thanks, y’all!) And, after parsing through most of the 1K+ comments on the post, I thought I’d save you some time and share my findings, with some of my own commentary mixed in. While there’s definitely overlap in what you’ll hear from other corners of the internet, many tips were fresh to me (and possibly will be to you, too)—and they’ll soon make their way onto my own desks at home. I read through the list, hoping to glean a few ideas for my own setup, and I came away deeply satisfied.
As part of the ongoing story, combine with coaster use and Reddit swears even an inexpensive pad will last for years. A large desk pad can offer smooth, uninterrupted space for wide mouse movements, protection for your desk, and traction for keyboards and mouse pads that might otherwise shift.
According to the latest update, put your coffee mug on one of these bad boys and you won’t have to suffer a cold morning beverage after you get sucked into hours of e-mail and meetings. I’m still using one that dates back to the late 90s, a hand-me-down gift from a coworker who retired. A classic office accessory, but one that still has its place in the home, especially since so many of us work from home now.
As part of the ongoing story, coffee Mug Warmer (a classic!) for $20 on Amazon. Get the Mr.
According to the latest update, for years, I’ve used 3M Command picture strips to attach things that I later wanted to remove cleanly. But this tip about reusable mounting tape offers up an alternative that’s cheaper and more unobtrusive. Reviews suggest it’s not great for delicate surfaces (e.g., painted walls), but the Redditor who mentioned it uses it for sticking down lightweight accessories like USB hubs, which works for me. File this one as revelatory (for me).
Industry observers note that get two rolls of Realth Nanotape for $13 on Amazon.
The report highlights that ear sweat, pressure pain, and general overheating are common. Offloading the audio to a set of external speakers is nice when you don’t need precise audio accuracy. A decent set doesn’t have to cost much either—our top pick for budget computer speakers goes for $20 and sound good. As nice as headphones (or a fancy headset) can be, wearing them for long stretches can be uncomfortable.
The report highlights that get the Creative Pebble for $19 on Amazon.
As part of the ongoing story, swapping them out for a smoother, higher quality set doesn’t cost much and can help you roll along your floor effortlessly. (Sometimes too effortlessly when you discover that your floor is not as level as you thought…but they’re still very nice). Whether inexpensive or premium, rolling chairs often come with casters that can scratch hardwood floors or don’t move well.
According to the latest update, get a pair of upgraded chair caster wheels for just $20 on Amazon.
Industry observers note that you can make your own or even use a free digital version via Touch Portal. Even if you never livestream, having a macropad—which Elgato popularized with its Stream Deck—can save you a lot of time when switching between apps or adjusting controls.
The report highlights that no fumbling around in Windows’ Volume Mixer when your friends shout at you in Discord. You can dial them down immediately. In a similar vein, you can get much deeper control over your PC’s audio with a volume controller, which lets you get map specific apps to different controls.
According to the latest update, get the Stream Deck v2 for $120 on Amazon.
In a fresh development, frankly, tech enthusiasts spending hundreds on a mesh system can’t do better. I myself upgraded to a Unifi setup and to this day, four years later, I still smile when I see all the settings and stats in the dashboard. Reddit prefers AmpliFi (the Alien in particular), because you can see all of your network stats at a glance—you’ll know instantly if your tech industry connection issues are yours or your buddy’s. Ubiquiti’s gear may be priced the same as other expensive routers, but both its consumer-friendly AmpliFi and prosumer Unifi lines give you deep control over your home network.
The report highlights that get the Amplifi Alien for $139 on Amplifi.com.
As part of the ongoing story, it frees you to pick a lighter pair of headphones, for starters. It also opens a wider global stage of headphones (that is, over-ear cans lacking a microphone), which lets you pick one that best suits your audio tastes. For our favorites, check out our top picks for USB microphones. A USB microphone doesn’t just upgrade your sound quality—though you’ll definitely hear a big difference as compared to a headset.
In a fresh development, get the elgato Wave 3, our favorite mic, for $150 on Amazon.
According to the latest update, during the pandemic, I purchased a couple of cheap Ikea tabletops for ad-hoc WFH photography and video, and they’re not sturdy. They can’t handle clamp-mounted arms for a monitor or even a dedicated USB microphone on them…or so I thought until Reddit rocked my global stage. This one is revolutionizing my home setup.
The report highlights that you slide these over the spots where you want to attach a clamped item, particularly a heavy one like a monitor. It adds rigidity and spreads out the pressure over a wider area, reducing the likelihood of denting your Ikea Linnmon table. Or watching it crumble. For under $20, you can add metal reinforcement plates to your desk.
In a fresh development, get Huanuo Monitor Reinforcement plates for $36 on Amazon.
In a fresh development, (Assuming you don’t add more stuff.) Even if a longer table doesn’t work, a deeper table can still make a difference. I recently discovered this myself after temporarily setting up on a folding table with a 30-inch depth. My usual table is just six inches shallower, but it couldn’t handle monitor placement as well. Also, I suddenly had a lot more room for snack plates. The more desk space you can have, the less cluttered it’ll feel.
The report highlights that or your DIY project’s tabletop is too heavy for its legs. Provided your desktop is thick enough—usually 1 inch minimum—you can swap in workbench legs for a far more durable, resilient desk. (In the Reddit thread, these were recommended in particular). Combine these with reinforcement plates for your desktop and you’ve got yourself a sturdy, resilient setup. Maybe your ready-made desk is wobblier on its feet than you’d like.
In a fresh development, get the Roosevelt workbench frame for $145 on BenchDepot.com.
According to the latest update, if you don’t have enough room behind your desk to accommodate arms, you can instead choose a riser to get a little more space. Or, if you have a big heavy monitor, a floor stand. Monitor arms create more room on your desk—plus they can help with ergonomics, too.
According to the latest update, surprisingly, other parts of Reddit have good things to say about the AmazonBasics lift models—they’re purportedly white-label versions of Ergotron’s beefy (and beloved) arms, while being a heck of a lot cheaper. Pro tip: Screen carefully for sturdy arms, especially if you’re shopping on Amazon.
According to the latest update, get AmazonBasics lift monitor arm for $30 on Amazon.
In a fresh development, (Check out our picks for the best USB-C hubs). Meanwhile, if you’re flipping between active PCs at your desk often (say, a work system and a personal one), a KVM switch lets you use the same set of monitor(s) and peripherals without having to plug and unplug wires any time you want to switch machines. A USB hub not only expands the number of usable ports on your PC, but having one makes moving accessories between devices easier, too.
In a fresh development, get the Anker 8-in-1, our favorite full-size USB-C docking station, for $50 on Amazon.
Industry observers note that (At least, I can now find things faster on my desk). Using a headphone hook, phone charging stand, and controller stand not only reduces desk clutter, but can help with keeping track of your gear, too.
According to the latest update, get a simple clamp headphone hook for $12 on Amazon.
According to the latest update, an inexpensive cable management tray (either the clamp or drilled variety) and a handful of Velcro ties can keep the unruliness to a minimum. Also, tidy exterior cables cut down on hassle when swapping PC accessories or the PC itself. (Tip: Label your cables while you’re neatening up back there). That hideous Medusa’s tangle of cables doesn’t need to exist.
Industry observers note that a wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and wireless headset go a long way toward reducing visual noise on your desk. Plus, with no wire tethering your headset to the PC, you can get up to answer a call or the door without accidentally strangling yourself. Speaking of cable management, the easiest way to manage cords is to nix them all together.
The report highlights that get the G502 Lightspeed, our favorite tech industry mouse, for $73 on Amazon.
In a fresh development, i like the box for my air purifier just fine, but there are definitely more refined options out there. Having a small side table next to your desk—be it an TV tray, end table, rolling drawer unit, or a random box (ahem) can help keep items at hand while reducing clutter.
The report highlights that reddit has a couple of good tips here: Shopping refurbished for expensive chairs from Herman Miller and Steelcase, or seeking out more affordable but still widely used models like the Staples Hyken. Spend hours sitting in an uncomfortable chair, and your body won’t let you forget it, especially the older you get.
The report highlights that get the Staples Hyken for $300 or less on Staples.com.
The report highlights that i’ve long been on board this train out of necessity—a Goldtouch keyboard and a Contour Rollermouse are my daily drivers. As weird as they look, ergonomic mice and keyboards can make a global stage of difference in comfort.
Industry observers note that pC tech industry keypads can be worth the investment, and they range from the more conventional to the downright wild. (Not gonna lie, I’m intrigued by that Azeron—and I’m a dyed-in-the-wool controller early adopter). You can extend that philosophy to tech industry as well.
According to the latest update, get the Razer Tartarus tech industry pad for $80 on Razer.com.
As part of the ongoing story, however, if we’re talking ergonomics at a desk, a keyboard tray can do wonders for proper alignment. You don’t need to drill holes in your desk, either—as I just discovered myself, fantastic no-drill keyboard trays now exist. Ok, this one’s not from Reddit (but technically I’m a Redditor myself, so maybe this still counts).
In a fresh development, adding lighting to your desk can help with overhead glare as well as keeping your area adequately lit when you’ve turned down most of your other lamps. Light bars like the BenQ Screenbar are a luxe option, but you can add monitor backlighting for $15 or less. Eye strain is as problematic as any shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain.
Industry observers note that get Govee monitor LED backlighting strips for $18 on Amazon.
As part of the ongoing story, a foot rest doesn’t need to take much space, either. Whether you’re buying an ergonomic model, a small ottoman, or even a foot hammock, you can tuck something under your desk pretty easily. Sometimes you just need to elevate your feet a little and change the pressure on your back.
The report highlights that get a basic foot rest for $30 on Walmart.
As part of the ongoing story, a sit/stand desk lets you switch between positions more frequently. The baby step is to get a riser that you can place on your existing desk. Meanwhile, a less expensive DIY route is re-purposing an existing desk’s tabletop (or buying kitchen counter top material) and adding a motorized frame. Regardless, be sure to get a standing mat—they’re inexpensive and will help your back. Even if you have a great chair, the human body wasn’t built to sit all day.
In a fresh development, editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2024, but has been revised to reflect current prices and models.
According to the latest update, since joining the team in 2016, she’s written about CPUs, Windows, PC building, Chrome, Raspberry Pi, and much more—while also serving as PCWorld’s resident bargain hunter (#slickdeals). Currently her focus is on security, helping people understand how best to protect themselves online. Her work has previously appeared in PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine. A 15-year veteran of technology and video platform releases journalism, Alaina Yee covers a variety of topics for PCWorld.