The Best Home-Office Furniture and Supplies - The New York Times

Standing desk

Top pick

This is the most customizable desk we’ve ever tested, and it works for people of a wide range of heights (between 5-foot-4 and 6-foot-9).

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Of the desks we’ve tested, the Uplift V2 Standing Desk offers the best mix of performance and features. Its controls are responsive, and it barely wobbles, even at tall heights.

It accommodates people of the average female and male seated and standing heights. But if you’re shorter than 5-foot-4, the desk likely wouldn’t work for you if you were sitting without a footrest.

Uplift’s walnut laminate and bamboo desktops are attractive, and you can get them in a curved design if you prefer. In addition to those finishes, you can choose from nearly 30 other finish options, four frame colors, five grommet colors, and three keypad colors. And there are multiple add-on accessories, so you can truly make this desk your own.

For more, read our guide to the best standing desks.

Standing desk converter

Top pick

This standing desk converter is a sturdy, compact riser that's easy to use and available in several sizes and finishes to suit various office setups.

Of all the standing desk converters we tried, the FlexiSpot AlcoveRiser Standing Desk Converter M7 was the top choice among our testers. It’s easy and quick to adjust, sturdy yet light, and available in a wide range of sizes and colors.

This two-level converter can handle up to 37 pounds of equipment. Plus, it includes a roomy keyboard tray that can accommodate a laptop or a full-size keyboard and mouse with room to spare.

For more, read our guide to the best standing desk converters.

Standing desk mat

Top pick

This mat’s varied terrain encourages movement, so standing is less tedious and achy. And you can easily move the mat when you switch between standing and sitting.

You’ll need a comfortable place to stand while you work at your standing desk. The Ergodriven Topo’s contoured surface gives you lots of different ways to place your feet, and our testers found this mat more comfortable than others with topographic features.

However you stand, the Topo relieves pressure on your heels, legs, back, and shoulders. It’s also resistant to spills and punctures, and you can move it around with one foot, instead of having to bend over to reposition it.

Several Wirecutter staffers have used this mat for years. Even desk-mat skeptics have shared that they move around on the Topo more than they expected to, and this is where the real benefit of standing versus sitting comes from.

For more, read our guide to the best standing desk mats.

Office chair

Top pick

This is one of the most adjustable chairs available—anyone can make the Gesture comfortable, regardless of their height or size—and it’s built to last.

The Steelcase Gesture is expensive—about $1,400 at this writing. But if you sit for long periods, this chair is well worth the investment for its support, adjustability, and comfort, all of which should last for over a decade.

The Gesture is one of our longest-lasting picks—we’ve been recommending it since . And it’s one of the most comfortable, supportive, and durable office chairs we’ve ever tested. From the back support to the fabric quality to the dependable adjustment knobs, everything has stood the test of time.

The Gesture also comes in the widest range of fabrics and finishes of the office chairs we’ve tested, so you can customize its appearance for your workspace.

For more, read our guide to the best office chairs.

Lumbar support pillow

Top pick

Balancing structure and comfort, this cushion’s proprietary material offers substantial spinal support without pushing you forward. Because it lacks straps, you have to readjust it often.

The small but mighty Tempur-Pedic LumbarCushion Travel is the best lumbar-support cushion, relieving pressure without producing the dramatic, sinking-in feel of most Tempur-Pedic mattresses and bedding. The cushion’s slight curvature molds to your spine, keeping you in a comfortable, upright position.

The LumbarCushion Travel also has a removable, machine-washable cover that’s chic-looking and easy to clean. And in our testing the pillow’s proprietary foam didn’t lose shape or density, even after prolonged use.

For more, read our guide to the best lumbar support pillows.

Footrest

Top pick

This footrest has a washable cover that’s easy to remove and feels great on bare feet, and the high-density foam offers firm yet cushy support. It can be used as a foot rocker, and it’s height-adjustable.

If your feet don’t touch the floor when you’re sitting all the way back in your desk chair, you should consider getting a footrest. In our testing, the ComfiLife Foot Rest outshone all of its competitors. It offers firm, all-day comfort, thanks to its foam construction, which provides a plush surface and a soft give.

For added movement, you can even flip it over for rocking. The base is detachable, so you can use it at a height of either 3.9 inches or 5.9 inches, and it stays in place on both hard and carpeted floors.

We also love that the cover is easy to remove when you want to toss it in the washing machine (just remember to use the gentle cycle).

For more, read our guide to the best under-desk footrests.

Ergonomic seat cushion

Top pick

Made of thin yet dense memory foam, this contoured cushion encourages better seating posture than completely flat alternatives. At 2 inches thick, it does not provide much added height.

For proper ergonomics when you’re sitting at your desk, your legs should be at about a 90-degree angle to your hips. If your seat is too low and your knees are higher than 90 degrees, you should adjust your seat higher. If your chair doesn’t have that feature, we suggest adding a seat cushion.

We recommend the Tempur-Pedic Seat Cushion for people who prefer cradling, firm support and helpful posture adjustment over ample cushioning and height. Testers praised this cushion for offering firm, stable support without requiring too much adjustment. The 16-by-16-inch cushion fit well on the three chairs we tested it with. And its stretchy nylon-and-spandex cover is fully removable and machine-washable.

For more, read our guide to the best ergonomic seat cushions.

Lap desk

Top pick

This lap desk is the total package in terms of style, comfort, stability, and build quality, and it includes a few storage features.

The LapGear Designer Lap Desk has a clean, simple design, and it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It’s sturdy and well made, and it feels comfortable and cool in your lap. This lap desk weighs about 2 pounds, and it measures 17.75 inches across—wide enough to fit both a 13-inch laptop and a mouse or a larger laptop (up to 17 inches) alone. It has a handle, so you can carry it around or hang it up. You’ll also find a spot to perch your and an elastic strap for storing index cards or a pen. Toward the front edge, a short, unobtrusive plastic laptop rest keeps your stuff from sliding off. This lap desk works equally well for left- and right-handed people.

For more, read our guide to the best lap desks.

Paper shredder

Top pick

This high-security shredder offers the best balance of price, sheet capacity, and ease of use. But the pullout bin isn’t as large as the ones in other models we’ve tested.

The Royal 14MC 14-Sheet Micro Cut Paper Shredder is a Costco-exclusive model (available to non-members for about $4 extra), and it offers the best value for a paper shredder. It has nearly twice the sheet capacity and a longer warranty than competing micro-cut shredders that cost about the same.

Like other micro-cut shredders, the Royal 14MC shredder chomps documents into tiny shreds, making any sensitive paperwork all but impossible to reassemble. Through batch after batch of our paper-shredding tests, it ran jam-free and quietly (for a shredder), and we found the large buttons and indicator lights simple to understand.

For more, read our guide to the best paper shredders.

Fireproof document safe

Top pick

This safe is certified to withstand high-temperature fires for twice as long as the competition. However, it weighs 42 pounds and has the footprint of a mini fridge.

The Honeywell Lightweight Fire and Waterproof Chest is independently verified by the safety organization Intertek to keep personal items safe during a fire for up to an hour—twice as long as the competition—in conditions as hot as 1,700 °F. And Honeywell says the chest will keep floodwater out for 100 hours.

It’s large enough to hold both letter- and legal-size sheets of paper, and they don’t have to be folded. The additional protection makes the Honeywell noticeably larger and heavier than other safes of similar capacities—it weighs 42 pounds and takes up the same amount of floor space as a mini fridge.

For more, read our guide to the best fireproof document safes.

Label maker

Top pick

This label maker trades a built-in screen and keyboard for an easy-to-use smartphone app. It’s compact and portable, prints quickly, and automatically cuts labels. And Brother’s design software offers plenty of customization options.

The compact Brother P-touch Cube Plus is a Bluetooth label maker that consistently prints good-looking, high-quality labels durable enough to survive multiple runs through the dishwasher. But what we love about this label maker is how easy it is to create and print labels with Brother’s Design&Print 2 smartphone app, which is equipped with a huge library of fonts, templates, and symbols. Offering a rechargeable battery, the ability to auto-cut labels as they print, and compatibility with a wide range of tape sizes, the Cube Plus is a convenient, portable device that can get the job done no matter the labeling project. Although it lacks the built-in screen and keyboard that many longtime labelers may be used to, we’ve found that the familiarity of typing on a keyboard makes this model easier to use overall.

For more, read our guide to the best label makers.

Pen

If you need a pen to take notes during a teleconference or to hastily scribble down an idea, the Uni-ball Jetstream RT is the one to grab.

It’s widely available, and it created some of the smoothest, quickest-drying lines in our testing. It doesn’t bleed, it doesn't skip, it doesn’t feather. It dries indelibly and so quickly that left-handed people can use this pen without worrying about smudging.

The Jetstream RT also requires very little pressure, so once you get a feel for it, you can write quickly because it pretty much glides over the page, especially if you write in cursive.

It comes in sizes from 0.38 mm up to 1.0 mm, with a bunch of different bodies in different styles.

For more, read our guide to the best pens.

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Mechanical pencil

Top pick

This metal pencil is a pleasure to use, thanks to its smooth grip section and satisfying, solid knock.

At under $10, the Blick Premier Mechanical Pencil is a stellar value. It writes smoothly, and in our tests, the lead never snapped because this model has a lead-cushioning mechanism to prevent breakage.

Most other retractable options require you to hold down the knock (usually the top of the eraser cap) while pressing down on the tip to retract it. But the Blick Premier pencil extends or retracts the lead sleeve instantly, with a single click, similar to a retractable pen. This mechanism helps you avoid the issue that is all too common with other retractable mechanical pencils: mistakenly advancing the lead when you intended to retract the tip.

For more, read our guide to the best mechanical pencils.

Notebooks and notepads

After interviewing experts, researching over 100 notebooks, and writing zealously in 34 of them side by side over several weeks, we have picks in a number of sizes and styles.

Top pick

This notebook is a pleasure to use, thanks to its sturdy yet lightweight cardstock cover, excellent paper quality, and lie-flat design. The medium size can serve a wide range of purposes.

With page numbers, index pages, two ribbon bookmarks, and sticker labels, this notebook has all the bells and whistles. It simply feels a bit more special than competing notebooks.

We recommend the Apica Premium C.D. Notebook (A5) for people who want a softcover notebook that is the size of a trade paperback book. The smaller, A5 size doesn’t take up too much room on a desk, and its lie-flat design allows you to easily write on both sides of each sheet. The paper is thick and smooth (but not plasticky), and it works well with a variety of pens, including inky fountain pens, with little feathering and minimal ghosting.

The Leuchtturm Hardcover Notebook Classic (A5) is our top pick for a hardcover notebook that helps you organize and keep track of your thoughts and ideas. It features tiny details, such as index pages and labels for archiving, two thick ribbon bookmarks, labels for the spine and title page, page numbers, and a sturdy back pocket.

The Maruman Mnemosyne N166 Steno Pad (A5) is a medium-size notepad that’s easy to flip through to refer back to your notes. Because this notebook is top-bound, lefty writers should find it easier to use than other formats. The paper is smooth and thick, yet slightly translucent. Inky pens (rollerball, gel, and fountain pens) glided across it nicely in our tests. And it has enough tooth to make writing with a pencil or a ballpoint pleasant.

For a variety of other styles that we recommend, read our guide to the best notebooks and notepads.

Paper planner

Top pick

This planner is a cross between a simple calendar and a beautiful journal. And you can fill it with a range of inserts for any type of planning.

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Of all the planners we considered, the Traveler’s Company Traveler’s Notebook was the most popular with our testers.

The simple leather folio holds thin notebooks (secured with an elastic band), and you can invest in whatever notebook inserts fit your planning needs. It’s the only system we found that works for all types of planning.

This is the original Traveler’s Notebook, a style of planner often interchangeably called the Midori (the company’s name before ). You can find many other notebooks of this style inspired by the original (sometimes called “fauxdoris”), and some of them are great options if you like more colors and patterns.

For a variety of other styles that we recommend, read our guide to the best paper planners.

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.

With the digital revolution upon us, computers have become an essential tool in the workplace. Millions of workers use them on a daily basis. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in fact, approximately 67% of all office workers and 80% of all managers now use a computer.

If you fall under this category, you’ll need to choose the right computer desk. While you can use a computer at any desk – or even a table for that matter – some desks are designed specifically for computers. They’ll provide you with a comfortable and effective workspace, thus allowing you to maximize your productivity. Below are several features to consider when choosing a computer desk.

#1) Spacious Surface Area

Consider the surface area when choosing a computer desk. The amount of surface area a computer desk has can vary. Some computer desks have a small amount of surface area, whereas others have an ample amount of surface area. If you choose the former type, it may restrict your ability to work in a productive manner.

Computer desks with a large and spacious surface area typically support multiple monitors. You won’t be limited to using a single monitor. Instead, you can set up and use two monitors on a computer desk with a spacious surface area. You’ll also have the freedom to handwrite letters on it, which may not be possible with smaller computer desks. Furthermore, you can personalize your computer desk with framed photos or other decorations.

#2) Ergonomic Height

The height of a computer desk matters! If it’s too short, you may not be able to comfortably position your legs under it. On the other hand, if it’s too tall, you may struggle to reach your keyboard and mouse. Choosing a computer desk with an ergonomic height allows you to avoid these pitfalls while achieving a more comfortable workspace.

How tall should a computer desk be exactly? The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recommends 20 to 28 inches of leg clearance. Leg clearance is the distance from the bottom of the desk surface to the floor. With 20 to 28 inches of leg clearance, computer desks will offer an ergonomic height that’s comfortable to use.

#3) Durable Construction

For a computer desk to withstand the hands of time, it needs to feature durable construction. Computer desks are available in a plethora of materials, some of which are more durable than others. You can expect to pay more for a durable computer desk, but it’s usually a smart investment for the long term.

Durable computer desks are available in both metal and wood materials. Common types of metal include steel and aluminum. Steel computer desks are particularly strong, but they tend to weigh more than those made of aluminum. Regarding wood, durable computer desks are often made of laminated wood. Laminated wood consists of multiple layers of real wood that are fused together. When used to construct a computer desk, it offers a high level of strength and durability.

#4) Computer Storage

A computer desk should offer a place to store your computer. After all, they are designed for use with a computer. You can’t just store your computer on the floor. When placed on the floor, your computer will accumulate dirt and debris that could interfere with its performance or even cause it to fail.  However, you can protect your computer from premature failure by choosing a desk with a storage area.

Some computer desks have a cabinet in which you can store your computer. Others have a shelf on the bottom. With either of these storage solutions, your computer will be off the floor.

Of course, a storage solution isn’t necessary if you use a laptop. You can place a laptop directly on the top of a desk. Even if your computer desk is small, it should be able to accommodate a laptop. If you use a desktop computer, though, you’ll need a place to store it. Fortunately, many high-quality computer desks feature either a cabinet or shelf for this purpose. You can place your desktop computer inside the cabinet or on the shelf to keep it off the floor, where it will be better protected against dirt and debris.

#5) Mouse-and-Keyboard Tray

You may want to choose a computer desk with a mouse-and-keyboard tray. Most computer-related jobs involve typing. With a mouse-and-keyboard tray, you’ll be able to type – as well as use the mouse – more comfortably.

A mouse-and-keyboard tray is a separate pull-out surface that extends from the bottom of the desk surface. It’s used to support a mouse and keyboard. Most mouse-and-keyboard trays sit about 3 to 6 below the desk surface. As a result, you can rest your hands at a lower level than that of the desk surface on which your monitor or monitors are placed.

If you’re going to buy a computer desk with a mouse-and-keyboard tray, make sure it’s large enough to accommodate both of these peripherals. A small mouse-and-keyboard tray may force you to move the mouse to the surface of your computer desk. According to OSHA, this can strain your elbow and arm.

With your mouse on the desk surface and the keyboard on the small tray, you’ll have to raise your arm to use your mouse. Over time, you may experience elbow pain from constantly lifting your arm. A spacious tray prevents this from happening. In addition, it will provide enough space for both your keyboard and mouse.

#6) Cable Grommets

Don’t forget to look for cable grommets when choosing a computer desk. To say computers have a lot of cables would be an understatement. In addition to a power cable, they often have monitor cables, printer cables, ethernet cables, and more. All of these cables can create a cluttered workspace if you don’t take action to conceal them. In addition, they’ll consume valuable surface space while potentially distracting you from your work activities in the process.

Cable grommets offer an easy and effective way to conceal your computer’s cables. Using these precut channels, you can guide your computer’s cables through the back of your desk. A cable grommet is nothing more than a hole with a plastic top covering it. The plastic top essentially has a slice cut out of it. You can run cables into this slice and through the grommet so that they are concealed.

If your computer desk doesn’t have any cable grommets, you may be able to add them – but doing so requires a little bit of work. Adding a grommet involves drilling. You’ll have to drill a circular hole into the back of your computer desk and then cover it with a plastic top. Grommet tops are sold both locally and online. Since they are made of plastic, they are typically inexpensive, with most grommet tops costing about $1 or $2 apiece.

#7) Attractive Design

An attractive design is a must-have feature in a computer desk. Assuming you use it for work, you’ll probably be seeing and using the computer desk frequently. However, if it features a lackluster design, it could have a negative impact on your mood and, therefore, your productivity.

Numerous studies have shown that workspaces with attractive designs boost productivity levels. When your workspace is appealing, you’ll feel an innate sense of satisfaction and enjoyment in using it. These positive mental changes can then lead to increased productivity.

Here are some tips on how to choose an attractive computer desk:

• Choose a color that matches the rest of the furniture and decorations used in your workspace.
• For a rustic workspace, consider a computer desk made of wood rather than metal.
• Make sure the drawer handles are high quality and flow cohesively with the rest of the computer desk.
• Choose an office desk in a similar overall style as your office chair.
• For a more modern décor, consider an office desk with a glass surface.

#8) Built-In Ports

While not a requirement, computer desks with built-in ports have become increasingly popular in recent years. Built-in ports are designed to reduce or eliminate the need for traditional cable connections.  With built-in ports, you can connect devices directly to your computer desk rather than the ports on your computer.

The most common type of built-in port is Universal Serial Bus (USB). As you may know, USB connections are used for numerous devices, including smartphones. If you need to charge your smartphone, you can plug it into a built-in USB port on your computer desk. You can even connect your keyboard and mouse to these same built-in USB ports if the desk connects to your computer.

Built-in ports are still a relatively new feature, so not all computer desks have them. If you can’t find a computer desk with built-in ports, don’t worry too much about it. Cable grommets serve a similar purpose. Cable grommets allow you to conceal cables so that you don’t have to run them across your computer desk.

#9) Suitable Shape

A suitable shape is an important feature to look for in a computer desk. Unfortunately, not all computer desks feature the same shape. Like most pieces of office furniture, they are available in a variety of different shapes. It’s recommended that you choose a computer desk in a shape that’s suitable for your office or workspace.

There are rectangular computer desks that consist of a straight line. They don’t taper or extend to the side. Rectangular computer desks have a basic, straight shape that’s easy to incorporate into most offices and workspaces. If there’s an unused wall, for instance, you can probably place a rectangular computer desk against it.

Some computer desks are shaped like the letter “L.” L-shaped computer desks are like rectangular computer desks, but they have a perpendicular extension on one side. The extension usually consists of a cabinet with or a set of drawers.

There are also U-shaped computer desks. U-shaped computer desks are distinguished from nearly all other computer desks because they are curved. The back wraps of a U-shaped computer desk wraps around to the sides. When compared to other shapes, they typically provide a superior amount of surface area.

With that said, U-shaped computer desks aren’t suitable for all offices and workspaces. Since they are curved, they won’t sit flush against any traditional wall. You can still place a U-shaped computer desk against a wall, but the back of it will arch around rather than sitting flush against the wall. Just remember to evaluate your office or workspace beforehand to determine which shape works best.

#10) Casters

Casters aren’t found exclusively on office chairs. Many computer desks feature them as well. Casters are small wheels that are mounted to the bottom of a piece of furniture. Some of them are made of steel or aluminum, whereas other casters are made of rubber or plastic. Regardless of the material, all casters are wheels that attach to the bottom of a piece of furniture, including computer desks.

With casters, you won’t be tied down to any single area of your office or workspace. If you’re ready for a new change of scenery, you can roll your computer desk to a different location. The casters attached to the bottom of it will allow you to roll it.

There are plenty of high-quality computer desks without casters. If your computer desk doesn’t have casters, you’ll have to lift it to move it. Computer desks can be heavy. In some cases, you may need an extra set of hands to move them. Furthermore, you’ll probably need to remove your computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other items before lifting and moving it. Casters make it easier to move a computer desk. You won’t need an extra set of hands, nor will you need to remove any items from it.

Keep in mind, you may need to occasionally lubricate your casters so that they roll smoothly. Dust can build up inside the frame, and if left unchecked, it can restrict the casers’ ability to roll. Lubricating them will help to eliminate the dust so that the casters will continue to roll smoothly.

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