Working from home or in an office setting comes with its fair share of challenges. Long hours sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen can cause productivity and creativity to lag. This is why having engaging office toys and gadgets can provide a much-needed mental break to refresh your mind.
With so many people working remotely now, it‘s more important than ever to create an inspiring workspace that motivates you. That‘s why we‘ve rounded up the 7 best office toys and gadgets available today.
How We Chose the Best Office Toys and Gadgets
We evaluated dozens of office toys and gadgets to narrow it down to the top 7. Here were our key criteria:
Enhances Productivity or Creativity: Each item needed to help improve your efficiency or spark new ideas during the workday. This ruled out toys that are solely distracting.
Useful Utility: Priority went to functional gadgets that serve a helpful purpose in organizing and enhancing your desk space.
Compact Size: To fit on today‘s smaller home office desks, the gadgets had to have a small footprint.
Provides Mental Break: The goal is to give your mind a quick recharge, so we favored engaging toys that provide a fun diversion during breaks.
With these standards guiding our selections, here are the 7 office toys and gadgets that made the cut.
1. Best Overall: Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
Price: $129
Tired of drinking lukewarm coffee that‘s gone cold? The Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 is a game-changing solution.
Through an app, it allows you to set your desired drinking temperature anywhere from 120°F to 145°F. The mug will then heat your beverage to that temp and maintain it for up to 80 minutes off the charging coaster.
We absolutely loved finally having hot coffee no matter how busy our day got. The Ember mug delivered on all its promises and noticeably improved our productivity on hectic days.
It also simply works as an insulated mug without using the app features. The updated scratch-resistant coating held up perfectly even after our clumsiest moments.
For coffee and tea lovers, the Ember mug is worth every penny. It‘s the perfect gift too for any workaholic friends.
Key Features:
- Maintains set temperature for drinks for up to 80 minutes
- App control allows precise temperature customization
- Scratch-resistant coating is easy to handwash
- Sleek, compact design fits well on desks
- Insulated 14oz capacity
2. Best Paperweight: Natico Decision Maker
Price: $21
On days when you feel utterly stuck trying to make a decision, the Natico Decision Maker is just the fun therapy you need.
This straight-forward paperweight features a spinning wheel with eight possible choices to break your mental logjam:
- Yes
- No
- Maybe
- Today
- Tomorrow
- Pass the buck
- Sit on it
- Reorganize
We tested this out on several occasions when we struggled to decide which project or task to tackle first. Watching the wheel turn and land on "Today" motivated us to just dive in instead of overthinking.
The Natico Decision Maker is super easy to use right on your desk whenever you need a nudge. Let the wheel make the tough calls for you!
It also works nicely as simple paperweight to hold documents in place. Just spin the wheel first before getting started.
Key Features:
- 8 pre-labeled decisions to choose from
- Strong metal alloy construction
- Felt bottom prevents desk scratches
- Compact 3.5 inch diameter size
3. Best Cleaning: Odistar Desktop Vacuum Cleaner
Price: $13
No matter how tidy you try to eat at your workspace, crumbs still find a way onto surfaces. That‘s where the ultra handy ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum Cleaner comes to the rescue.
Powered by 2 AA batteries, this pint-sized vacuum is specially designed for quick, easy cleanup right on your desk. Its 1000pa suction gingerly lifts away dust, dirt and food debris from keyboards, desktops and other tight spaces.
We were amazed by all the gunk it removed from between our keyboard keys during a test run. It took just minutes to handle routine cleaning instead of having to manually wipe everything down.
The ODISTAR vacuum works for over 400 minutes on one set of batteries. So you‘ll always have it powered up and ready whenever mess strikes. For under $15, it‘s a no-brainer handy gadget to keep around.
Key Features:
- 360° rotatable design reaches tight areas
- Cordless convenience with 2 AA batteries
- Up to 400 minutes runtime per set of batteries
- Soft rubber nozzle protects surfaces
- Easy one button operation
4. Best Breaktime: ArtCreativity Desktop Arcade Basketball
Price: $16
We all need to take regular breaks throughout the workday. But what‘s the best way to spend that time? Our vote goes to the ArtCreativity Desktop Arcade Basketball Game.
This mini arcade game features a backboard, hoop and two spring-loaded ball launchers. Just load a ball in each launcher then press down to shoot a basket. It‘s addictively fun!
The game logs your shots on little scoreboards behind each basket. We had an absolute blast competing against coworkers to rack up the most points. It added some much-needed playtime to recharge our minds.
At just 8.75 x 11 x 8 inches, the ArtCreativity Basketball Game fits perfectly on any desk without taking up too much room. It‘s the ideal way to take screen breaks and will have the whole office cheering.
Key Features:
- Desktop-sized arcade basketball game
- Tracks scores on built-in scoreboards
- Spring-loaded ball launchers
- Includes 6 mini basketballs
- Easy assembly right out of box
5. Best Personalization: Elgato Stream Deck Mini
Price: $60
The Elgato Stream Deck Mini takes personalizing your workspace to the next level. It features 6 LCD keys that can be customized to launch various commands and shortcuts on your computer.
With the accompanying software, you simply drag and drop actions like opening apps, websites bookmarks or documents to a key. Tap that key anytime to instantly trigger that assigned action.
We set shortcuts to quickly pull up Photoshop, Gmail, research folders plus our most frequent contacts. It made shifting between tasks so much faster and eliminated typing out searches.
For tedious multi-step actions, you can string together sequences that activate with one tap. The options are limitless depending on how you want to optimize your day.
This is next-level organization at your fingertips!
Key Features
- 6 customizable LCD keys
- Launch unlimited actions and shortcuts
- Create sequenced, timed multi-actions
- Easy drag-and-drop setup
- Customize keys with icons and colors
6. Best Charging: Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charger
Price: $111
Stop struggling with cables each time you need to charge your devices. The Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charger neatly powers up your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all at the same time.
Certified Made for Apple, it delivers 7.5W fast wireless charging for phones and 5W charging for watches and earbuds. Just set your devices on the designated spots and charging begins instantly.
We loved the convenience of grabbing our fully juiced iPhone, slipping on our already powered-up Airpods and strapping on our Apple Watch first thing in the morning. It simplified our entire charging routine.
The LED indicator lights confirm charging status whenever you need a visual confirmation. For Apple lovers, this Belkin charging stand delivers impressive speed in a sleek profile.
Tidy up your charging station with this 3-in-1 wonder gadget!
Key Features:
- Simultaneous charging for iPhone, AirPods & Apple Watch
- 7.5W fast wireless charging for phones
- Accommodates all generations of devices
- Sleek low-profile design
- LED indicator lights
7. Best Health: KOIOS Air Purifier for Home
Price: $30
You‘d be amazed at how dirt and dust can accumulate around your workspace. Luckily the affordable KOIOS Air Purifier filters out these irritants to create clean, comfortable air.
Utilizing a 3-stage HEPA filtration system, the KOIOS captures airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. This includes allergens like pollen and pet dander plus mold, bacteria germs and pollution particles.
We noticed a dramatic reduction in daily sneezing and congestion after incorporating the air purifier on our desk. It made focusing on tasks much easier without bothersome reactions to pollutants.
The KOIOS operates very quietly on just one fan speed. So you‘ll hardly notice it diligently freshening your personal air space as you work.
For anyone dealing with stuffy office environments or even sensitivities when working from home, this little air purifier is a must-have.
Key Features:
- 360° air intake/outtake
- 3-stage H13 HEPA filtration
- Traps particulates larger than 0.3 microns
- Ultra quiet operation
- Energy efficient design
- Filter replacement every 6 months
What To Consider When Buying Office Toys & Gadgets
Keeping a few things in mind while shopping for office toys and gadgets will ensure you find options perfectly suited for your needs:
Look for Multipurpose Functions
Since desk space comes at a premium, give preference to toys that serve multiple purposes. Items like the wireless chargers, mini vacuums and decision spinners take care of several tasks in one small footprint.
Consider Noise Levels
Excess noise can quickly become an annoyance to you and nearby coworkers. Seek out gadgets made to operate at subtle, unobtrusive volume levels. If possible, test items first to gauge just how loud their normal functions are.
Check Company Reputations
When investing in higher end electronics, stick with reputable brand names like Belkin and Ember that have proven histories standing behind their products. Between quality components and strong warranties, they provide peace of mind should anything go wrong.
Read Plenty of Reviews
Don‘t rely solely on company claims about performance and durability. Dive into customer reviews across retail sites to hear direct experiences with the gadgets. Identify any weak points or functionality gaps called out consistently across owners.
Evaluate Durability
Office toys endure daily wear and tear, so examine product materials and construction for robust longevity. Features like scratch-resistant coatings, reinforced joints and water/shock resistance boost gadget lifespan through clumsy desk moments.
Enhance Your Office Today
Working long office hours doesn‘t have to feel like a dull, lifeless grind. With the right office toys and gadgets in your arsenal, you can create an inspiring workspace filled with convenient amenities.
From temperature-customized coffee to sparkling clean keyboards to pure fresh air, our top 7 picks all enable higher functioning through better working conditions. Plus quick diversions like arcade basketball deliver screen break entertainment when you need a recharge.
Give your office an upgrade with any of these great picks! Just avoid the temptation to play all day…there‘s still work to be done.
