Working from home has become a new normal due to the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020. Both employers and employees did not get any time to prepare or transition to remote working culture and ethics.
The trend continues, and no one knows how long the work from home practice is going to last. That said, many organizations are now considering hybrid working to be the new working culture. According to Gartner.com, 75% of the employees would prefer hybrid working for its flexibility to work from the office and home.
Employees new to work from home lifestyle or those who have been doing it for a while are struggling to find helpful resources to make their remote work-life convenient. If you belong to either category, this post will be your guide to help create a better work from home setup. So, without further ado, let us dive right in.
Work from Home Culture and Technology’s Role
Technology has been helping employers and workers to enhance their work productivity from home. Using the right tools can help create a better and more productive home office setup, no matter which industry you belong to.
Here are some of the benefits that you can avail of to create a work from home setup.
Easy to Use
Adequate work from home equipment can help create an intuitive setup. You can easily perform your job tasks, communicate and collaborate with other team members working from different locations.
Accessibility
You can find a technological solution that will allow you to take your work anywhere you go. For instance, a good quality HD webcam, pair of headset, or even a full conference calling kit allow you to establish a virtual office from any remote location; all you need is an internet connection, and you are ready to work.
Affordability
The price tag is the most important factor when investing in work from home setup. The promising news is that you can find affordable tools for a home office setup without burning a hole in your pocket.
Efficiency
One of the most vital characteristics of tools for work from the home setup is aiding your professional efficiency. I believe some common tools can ensure consistent collaboration and communication between employers, peers, and other domains.
Therefore, I have compiled a list of five common must-have products that will help create a better remote home office.
6 Affordable Equipment for Better Work from Home Setup
Here are six must-have technological solutions that every employee will need for an efficient and productive remote home office.
Optex USB-C USB 3.0 SD/Micro-SD Reader
Data and information are the king-makers for any business, and you need continuous access for informed decision-making. Therefore, you need a solution to help you retrieve and transfer data from multiple devices, including PC, Mac, tablets, and smartphones.
This Optex USB-C car reader offers you compatibility to transfer data to and from any type of laptop, computer, and android device. The card reader works with c-type USB and USB 3.0 ports, and you will be able to share files, photos, and videos at a high transfer speed of up to 5 gigabytes per second.
There is a USB connector to connect your android smartphones and tablets for data transfer. It is a plug-and-play device and does not require any driver to work. Furthermore, this card has a slot for both SD and micro SD cards with backward compatibility for USB 2.0.
Sony MDR7506 Pro Stereo Headphones
Online communication is an inevitable aspect of remote working culture. Therefore, high-quality pair of headphones is an essential accessory that every work from home employee must invest in. Sony’s MDR7506 Pro has a convenient folding design with ear-cups covering your entire ear.
These headphones have 106 dB/mW sensitivity with a 40mm driver unit that offers high-quality sound with deep bass and crisp treble. The coiled cord made from oxygen-free copper litz wire provides maximum conductivity and extends up to 3 meters.
The self-closing mechanism rectifies sound leakage issues when you take the headphones off. The 40mm PET diaphragm with neodymium magnet enables performance that exceeds digital source requirements such as CD, MD, and DAT.
In short, if you are looking for durable headphones with impeccable sound quality, this product is an ideal option to invest in for smooth communication.
Rode Wireless GO II Mic System
Wireless accessories can offer true versatility and freedom of communication in work from home setup. You do not need to carry your laptop or tablet in hand. Rode Wireless Go II, a cordless microphone system, is a compact solution with two transmitters, dual-channel receivers, and crystal clear voice.
This device offers universal compatibility with computers, smartphones, and cameras, as it has iOS digital, USB-C, and 3.5mm TRS analog outputs. Additionally, you will enjoy an impressive and uninterrupted wireless range of 200m with series IV 2.4 GHz transmission stability and onboard recording capability.
You do not have to worry about running out of power as a lithium-ion battery provides up to 7 hours of battery life.
Safari 1080P HD Webcam
Video conferencing is part and parcel of modern-day communication. With solutions like Zoom and Microsoft teams to attend virtual team meetings, you require a high-quality webcam. This Safari webcam has a lens angled at 100 degrees with manual focus and offers 1080P full HD video quality at 30 frames per second.
There is a built-in microphone to ensure your colleagues can hear you loud and clear. Plus, it also features a tripod mount and a universal monitor mount. You will also get a privacy cover included in the box to protect your privacy when you are not using the webcam.
You do not have to be tech-savvy to use this device as it is a plug-and-play device without a need to install a driver. Just plug in the webcam’s cable to your device, and it will come on automatically. Safari’s webcam is compatible with all major video conferencing and chatting software, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and Facetime.
You can use this plug-and-play webcam on operating systems such as Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7/8/10, and Mac OS.
Safari Video Conference Kit W/1080p Webcam
If your job requires frequent video conferencing with employers, clients, and colleagues, and you are looking for an all-in-one web conferencing solution, try Safari Video conferencing kit.
This kit contains everything you will need for crisp and clear video calling for any type of work-related virtual communication.
The kit contains a powerful webcam capable of 1080P full HD video at 30 frames per second, and you get a 10-inch LED ring light to ensure a bright video in low-light conditions. You will also receive a tabletop stand for stable and hassle-free video conferencing.
There is a desktop USB microphone to connect with your device and offers high-quality sound. The video conference kit also includes a USB hub with 4 ports so you can easily connect all of your devices to it. All you need is to create an immersive work from home setup is connect this hub to your computer or laptop via a single USB port.
A camera privacy cover will ensure your privacy when you are not using the device. It is plug and play device that makes it convenient to connect and get online quickly. A built-in monitor mount allows you to place the website on any computer monitor, laptop, or MacBook.
A built-in tripod mount allows you to mount the webcam on a standard tripod. The webcam is compatible with several video conferencing solutions, including Zoom, Facetime, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat. You can use this kit with major operating systems, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and Mac OS.
Mobifoto Mobilite 6-6″ Ring Light Vlog K
While working from home and attending virtual meetings, you have to ensure adequate lighting to appear at your best in front of your peers and clients. Therefore, the Mobifoto Mobilite ring light is a suitable must-have accessory to create perfect lighting as you go in front of the camera. For any size workspace, there is a Mobifoto ring light to accommodate any work station.
This 6” ring light houses 48 powerful LEDs and comes with 3 step colour control. It is compatible with smartphones and produces a soft directional light while staying cool, so you can comfortably sit in a close-up position.
The lights are dimmable with features to control the intensity from 100% to 10%. The manual settings allow you the quick colour temperature control for 6000 degree K/5600 degree k/3000 degree k. the colour rendering (CRI) is greater than 80.
You will also get a smartphone mount that allows both vertical and horizontal orientation. A variable direction ball on the head mount allows angle adjustment as per your need. Mobifoto Mobilite ring light is USB-powered with an adjustable leg angle tripod flexible to reach a maximum 11” (27.9 cm) height.
This ring light will provide perfect lighting for your video conferences and team meetings in the lowest light conditions anytime, anywhere.
Conclusion
Whether it is your first time working from home or being a remote employee for a while, the above-mentioned technological solutions aid your new work lifestyle. Headphones, a high-definition webcam, a portable USB/SD card reader for data transfer, and a wireless microphone are the must-have essentials for creating an efficient work from home setup.
Thanks to technological advances, all of my recommended products in this guide are plug and play and require minimum to no prior knowledge of setting up these equipment. Just connect them to your desired devices, and you will be good to go online for flawless communication and virtual collaboration with your peers and teammates.
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