12+ Laptop Accessories That Boosted My Workspace Productivity – For Students or Professionals

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ZDNET Highlights

• The right add-ons can greatly improve the user experience of your laptop.
• The best accessories increase productivity and enhance comfort or utility.
• There is no shortage of gadgets out there, but ultimately, the best one is up to personal preference.

A laptop is a complete package, but that doesn’t mean the user experience can’t be improved. Not everyone can use the trackpad effectively, and being stuck with your laptop’s small display can hinder productivity. Luckily, there are some great accessories that can make using a laptop much better.

Also: The top 10 laptops our readers have bought so far this year (No. 1 surprised us)

If you’re finding that you’re running out of ports, you should check the dock or USB hub. If your battery is always low, it might be worth investing in a battery pack. If you find yourself staring at a small display, you’ll want a portable monitor.

We’ve personally taken a close look at everything on this list, so to help you cut through all the noise, I’ve narrowed things down to five helpful categories with lots of recommendations. Any of these tools will let you get the most out of your machine.

my favorite portable monitor

Multi-screen setups aren’t limited to desktops. Portable monitors let you take that unique layout on the go. Although they can’t match the immersion of 4K gaming displays, these smaller screens are perfect for travelers, professionals, or students who want a second screen.

Even better, portable monitors these days are just one-click to set up, draw power from a laptop and don’t require any additional software or hookups.

it Pluggable 15.6 Inch Portable Monitor It costs around $240 on Amazon and is a great affordable option. We especially paid attention to the portability of the monitor – can easily be thrown in a bag with your laptop.

is one of my favorites Uperfect True 4K Portable MonitorA slim 15.6-inch display that’s just 0.5 inches thick. When purchasing from Amazon you will also get a free smart case that serves as both protection and a viewing stand. The price is competitive, falling between high-end options and budget models.

If you’re on a budget and want to stick to a tried-and-tested brand, I recommend high-end ViewSonic VX1655 -It has a 4K OLED display with a pair of speakers and a built-in stand, and ViewSonic has been making high-quality displays for decades. Customer reviews on Amazon praise the device for its high-quality visual output, even when placed above the display on a MacBook Pro.

My Top-Rated External Storage Drives

A common frustration I find when purchasing a laptop is being forced to make an expensive upgrade just to get the storage size I want. For example, dell 16 plus Intel Core Ultra 7 processor comes with 1TB SSD. If I wanted a 2TB SSD, I’d have to move up to the Ultra 9 model, increasing the price by $350.

Also: The Best External Hard Drives You Can Buy Right Now

Instead, you can invest in an external SSD, which is far cheaper than buying a forced upgrade (and more flexible). ZDNET’s top rated drive is Lexar SL500The base option offers 1 TB of storage with lightning-fast 2,000 MB/s read and 1,800 MB/s write speeds, and it’s about the size of a credit card, so it easily fits in your pocket.

For a more sustainable option, I recommend this wd my passport ultraIt’s cheap, but with a sturdy metal casing and 256-bit AES encryption for added security, it’s also the one to beat. It also comes with WD Backup, which simplifies (and optimizes) the data backup process.

If you’re looking for an SSD with top-tier security, this is one of the most secure SSDs on the market iStorage DiskAssure Pro 3It’s one of our top picks for its AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption, which means all data on the drive is always encrypted – unlike drives that rely on software encryption. Additionally, it is certified to the FIPS 140-3 Level 3 standard, with an alphanumeric keypad for entering 8-to-64-character passcodes.

my favorite power bank

I’ll be honest: I don’t like carrying around a laptop charger. They take up a lot of space in my bag (even the thin ones), and you have to hope there’s a free outlet wherever you go. Investing in a power bank is a better option.

The two most important features in a laptop-ready power bank are battery capacity and wattage. Aim for a battery with a 20,000mAh battery, so the device can actually recharge the computer. As for wattage, buy one that offers up to 100W for fast charging. 30W power banks technically work, but they will take a lot of time to recharge the laptop, and if you’re using it, it may not recharge at all.

Also: The best power banks you can buy in 2025

The Ugreen Nexode 2,000mAh 130W is a great option. It’s powerful enough to charge multiple devices simultaneously with 20,000mAh and three ports. However, it is one of the thicker chargers, weighing in at around a pound. it is currently About $70 on Amazon,

There is a more premium option QQTech P-SeriesWith a massive 25,000mAh battery and a maximum output of 210W. It’s one of our favorites for its stylish design with advanced technology that pushes the boundaries of what a power bank can achieve. The device’s well-lit display shows all the information you want, like battery level, power, and voltage. Tapping the button brings up a graphical display of input and output wattage.

My top-rated dock

Laptops have certainly become more lightweight, but one of the trade-offs is limited port selection. For example, the M4 MacBook Air has only a Thunderbolt port and a headphone jack – hardly enough for a busy professional who needs to connect a flash drive, monitor, and charge simultaneously. This is where USB hubs come in to save the day, connecting you to all the extra ports you need for your gear.

Also: The Best Laptop Docking Stations You Can Buy

is one of my favorites EZQuest 6-in-1 USB-C Slim Hub AdapterIt’s a pocket-sized hub that weighs just three ounces, but offers six USB-C ports. Four of these provide data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps. The fifth offers 4K video signals at 60Hz, and the sixth supports 100W power delivery. Its removable cable enables better portability when needed, and the aluminum chassis makes it particularly tough. All this means that this is probably the only dock you’ll ever need.

If you need a more robust option, I’m a big fan of Belkin Connect 11-in-1 Universal USB-C Pro DockIt supports HDMI video output, wired Internet connection via Ethernet, and has a few SD card slots along with a few Thunderbolt ports.

my favorite lightweight laptop mice

The laptop’s trackpad is fine for casual browsing; But a proper mouse offers superior precision, speed, and comfort – three qualities that are important for long work days. Speaking from personal experience, there’s nothing like a mouse that reduces hand strain. Your body will thank you.

Also: The best silent mouse you can buy

For a budget-friendly mouse, check out hp 280This is a silent computer mouse that we’ve praised for its long battery life and ergonomic design. Its compact size makes it easy to keep in your bag, and it’s very energy efficient, lasting up to 18 months on a single pair of batteries. Not bad for a $22 mouse.

If you want something more premium, I suggest logitech mx anywhere 3 For its lightweight design and 70 hours of battery life. Logitech is a respected brand in this field, producing ergonomic and accessible devices that will last for a long time. The Anywhere 3 is an all-around comfortable, durable device that comes in four colors.

If portability is your primary concern, check out Logitech’s Pebble Mouse 2 M350sThis aptly named mouse has a sleek, flat design that’s ideal for small spaces like coffee shops or tight co-working environments. Despite its small size, it’s obviously comfortable and easy to use, with a 24-month battery.