Home office setup: a comfortable, call-ready workspace
A home office has two jobs: keep you comfortable through a full working day and make you look and sound professional on calls. That comes down to a handful of pieces. Here is each one, with the gear independent reviewers recommend most right now.
Affiliate links · we may earn a commission
Essential
A desk at the right height
A standing desk lets you change position through the day; a fixed desk works if its height suits your chair and arms.
Top pick: Secretlab Magnus Pro · Full list: Best standing desks
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Essential
An ergonomic chair
Adjustable seat height, lumbar support and armrests matter more than looks for eight-hour days.
Top pick: Branch Ergonomic Chair · Full list: Best ergonomic office chairs
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Essential
An external monitor
A laptop screen is too low and too small for a full day. A 27-inch monitor at eye level is the biggest comfort upgrade.
Top pick: Dell UltraSharp U3225QE · Full list: Best monitors for work
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Essential
A webcam for calls
A 1080p webcam on top of the monitor puts the camera at eye level and looks far better than most built-in laptop cameras.
Top pick: OBSBOT Tiny 3 · Full list: Best webcams for video calls
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Essential
A headset or noise-cancelling headphones
A clear mic and noise cancelling keep calls focused in a busy home.
Top pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 · Full list: Best noise cancelling headphones
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Essential
A comfortable keyboard and mouse
Using a laptop with external input devices lets you raise the screen without hunching.
Top pick: Logitech Ergo K860 · Full list: Best ergonomic keyboards
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Upgrade
A laptop stand
Raises the laptop screen toward eye level when it is your only or second screen.
Top pick: Rain Design iLevel2 · Full list: Best laptop stands
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Upgrade
A docking station
One cable to connect the laptop to the monitor, power and accessories at the end of the day.
Top pick: CalDigit TS5 Plus · Full list: Best docking stations for two monitors
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
Upgrade
A monitor light bar or desk lamp
Lights the desk without glare on the screen, which is easier on the eyes in the evening.
Top pick: BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 · Full list: Best monitor light bars
PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon
How to set it up
Set chair and desk height together
Adjust the chair so your feet sit flat and your thighs are roughly level, then set the desk so your elbows sit at about a right angle with relaxed shoulders.
Raise the screen
Put the top of the monitor at or slightly below eye level, about an arm's length away. On a laptop, use a stand plus an external keyboard and mouse.
Face the light
Put a window or lamp in front of you or to the side, not behind, so your face is lit on camera. A small key light helps on dark winter days.
Get the camera to eye level
Mount the webcam on top of the monitor so you look at people, not down at them. Check framing and light with our webcam test.
Tidy the cables
A dock and a cable tray under the desk turn the end of the day into unplugging one cable.
Mistakes to avoid
- Working on a laptop screen all day, which tilts your head down for hours.
- Sitting with a window behind you on video calls.
- Buying a chair for looks without trying the adjustment range for your height.
- Relying on a laptop's built-in mic in a noisy home.
Questions
What do I need for a home office setup?
A desk and chair that fit your body, an external monitor at eye level, a separate keyboard and mouse, a webcam and a headset for calls, and decent lighting. A laptop stand and a docking station make a laptop setup neater.
How do I set up a home office with a laptop and monitor?
Place the monitor straight ahead at eye level, put the laptop on a stand to one side as a second screen, and use an external keyboard and mouse. A dock or USB-C monitor connects everything with one cable.
How do I look better on video calls at home?
Raise the camera to eye level, face a window or a soft light, and use a headset or a decent external mic. Those three changes matter more than an expensive camera.
How can I set up a home office in a small space?
Use a compact desk or a small standing desk, mount the monitor on an arm to free desk space, and choose a chair that tucks under the desk.
Is a standing desk worth it for a home office?
It can help you change position through the day, which many people find more comfortable. The benefit comes from moving between sitting and standing, not from standing all day.
We don't test products ourselves: each pick is the one independent reviewers recommend most in our matching buying guide, and changes as their recommendations do.