Last holiday season, it was all about catering to those who work from home and helping them set up the best home office. At the time, the hybrid schedule was just beginning to form, with companies getting workers to come back into the office for at least a few days per month. This year, the hybrid schedule is becoming more common, with workers splitting their weeks between home and office. This means going back and forth more often, which requires a seamless not to mention ergonomic experience throughout. With the high pricing of gas, public transportation, and parking, they’ll also be looking at ways to cut costs. How can you help them accomplish that?

There are great tech gifts that would be perfect for the hybrid worker. Employers might supply some essentials, like a laptop and smartphone. But they don’t provide everything. These ideas will not only make working from home to the office and back more convenient, they can also help you save money.

Chromebook Plus

When you think of a Chromebook, you often think about students. They are the perfect laptops for school since most of the content is stored in the cloud through software like Google Drive. The computer is kept clean, making it safe for kids to take to and from school. But there’s value in using a Chromebook for hybrid work as well, especially with the new Chromebook Plus models. Chromebook Plus computers, available from various brands, feature built-in Google apps and powerful AI capabilities. They have faster processors than you’ll find in typical Chromebooks, twice as much memory (at least 8GB RAM) and storage (at least 128GB), and 1,080p HD displays along with a 1,080p webcam. Equipped with an Intel Core i3 12^th gen processor or above or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above, they also include premium Google Meet features for those times when you’re working from home but still need to tap into a meeting with co-workers or clients. Built-in AI helps enhance call clarity and even lighting, cancel background noise, and blur backgrounds if you haven’t had the chance to clean up yet. You won’t have to worry about poor call quality (assuming you have favourable Wi-Fi), which might make the employer more willing to let you communicate from home when possible.

One model worth considering is the HP Chromebook Plus, which offers up to 13 hours of battery life so you can freely move around the home throughout the work day. It’s also designed from recycled materials, something your gift recipient will appreciate. At US$500, you can expect Canadian pricing to start from in or around $700, which makes it an affordable alternative to a higher-end laptop that might cost in the thousands. Stay tuned.

Cartridge-Free Printer

I have been using an Epson EcoTank all-in-one printer for years and I’m a big supporter of the brand. Epson isn’t the only company that makes them, but cartridge-free printers are a great and affordable option for hybrid workers. At $400, the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 is a bit more than you would expect to pay for a printer. But it uses refillable ink reservoirs versus cartridges that you can easily refill with ink as needed. A set of bottles costs about the same as a new cartridge, but you will likely only need to refill it every two years or so, based on a standard hybrid work schedule and occasional printing. It even comes with a two-year supply in the box. This means you’ll realize huge savings over time, not to mention the convenience of not having to rush out to grab a new cartridge when yours is running low.

The Epson EcoTank ET-2850 can print and scan. It’s wireless, too, so you can work from the kitchen and send documents to print to the basement, making it ultra-convenient. It works with all types of paper as well, so use it for your weekend projects with the kids, their homework, invitations, art projects, and more.  Enter our contest for your chance to WIN an Epson EcoTank ET 2850!

Power Bar

Once you have a desk and chair set up for the days you’re working from home, you will need to plug all your tech gadgets in. A simple two-plug wall outlet won’t suffice. Look for something that’s both functional and sleek, like the Austere V11 Series Power 8-Outlet. What I love about Austere products is that they are not only functional but also designed beautifully and with important considerations in mind. For example, the AC outlets on this power bar are nicely spaced such that you can fit cords with larger adapters side by side.  The side-mounted ports, meanwhile, offer convenient charging for additional gadgets via both USB-A and USB-C. You won’t need to worry about looking for extension cords or having a ghastly power bar on your desk or hidden on the floor. You can present the power bar on your desk with confidence since it looks elegant and stylish. Offering surge protection, protection for low-voltage devices, and a lifetime guarantee, I’d highly recommend this model, which I use in my own home. Get it in Canada for about $350.

Larger Monitor

I have friends who work from home and the monitor their employer provides is either too small, too low in resolution, or downright ancient. Upgrade the experience for them at home with a higher-end, HD monitor that’s bigger and better. This isn’t just for style points: a bigger monitor with a higher resolution screen will make completing all types of tasks much easier. You can view two screens in split screen mode, for example, see content more clearly, and ultimately, get more done.

The ViewSonic VG245 monitor, for example, is Designed for Surface approved and validated, perfect if they use a Microsoft computer. It’s ergonomically designed and adjustable so you can tilt and position it exactly as you want. With a 24-inch Full HD IPS screen with thin bezels, it has USB-C connectivity for fast transfer and a decent 60Hz refresh rate to keep up with your workload. With HDMI as well, you can plug in a streaming TV stick and use it as a small TV during off hours. Add to that the built-in blue light filter to reduce eye fatigue while you work or even game during downtime and the $329 price tag is a steal.

Ergonomic Computer Accessories

You might be used to the comfortable keyboard, mouse, even laptop riser you have at the office. You want to be able to enjoy that same experience at home. Help your friend or family member enjoy this with ergonomically designed computer accessories they might not have invested in yet. Kensington has tons of great options in this space, and we’re giving away an ergonomic computer accessories prize bundle valued at $245.55.

This includes tons of goodies from Kensington that any hybrid worker will love setting up in their home office. There’s the Pro Fit Ergo wireless keyboard ($75.55) that has a split, sloped keyboard with adjustable reverse tilt so you can place your hands, wrists, and forearms in a neutral position for optimal comfort. There’s also a built-in wrist rest and the keys are quiet and spill-proof in case your toddler has an accident or your coffee mug topples over.

The prize bundle also includes the Pro Fit Ergo TB550 trackball ($70), a sleek and sculpted mouse that doesn’t just look cool, there’s a method to the funky design. The 45° tilt helps improve your wrist and forearm alignment, while the 4D scroll wheel offers a more intuitive experience.

With the Universal Tabletop Laptop Riser, also included in the prize package, you can elevate your screen to the proper eye level; while the Rocking Foot Rest helps you keep your feet and legs moving even during sedentary periods when you’re stuck at your desk. Since you’ll probably be getting up less often when working from home, not chatting with co-workers or walking to the coffee shop for break or lunch, this will help keep your blood flowing and encourage movement while you work.

You’ll find something to fit every budget in this gift guide and put a smile on the face of your friend or family member. Sure, they might be dreading the commute they have to make to the office a few times a week again. But at least these items will help them increase productivity and hopefully help them lobby to work from home more often than not!

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