Essentials
To keep your data safe in the event of an accident or theft, every laptop should have a bag, a good pair of headphones, and both physical and online backups.
We have a lot more in our books. These are some of our favorite backpacks, briefcases, and messenger bags for carrying your new laptop and all of your other workday essentials.
Laptop bag
These are some of our favorite backpacks, briefcases, and messenger bags for carrying your new laptop and all of your other workday essentials. We have a lot more in our books.
This is a refined method of transporting all of your workday essentials.
This is a refined method of transporting all of your workday essentials.
This bag is both stylish and durable, and it easily transitions from the office to more casual settings.
This bag is both stylish and durable, and it easily transitions from the office to more casual settings.
The Cary is easy to carry, has a large capacity, and looks good both dressed up and down.
The Cary is easy to carry, has a large capacity, and looks good both dressed up and down.
A sleeve protects your laptop while also allowing you to carry it in any bag that doesn’t have a dedicated computer compartment. From utilitarian to opulent, our favorites range from slim neoprene to stylish leather.
Laptop sleeve
A sleeve protects your laptop while also allowing you to carry it in any bag that doesn’t have a dedicated computer compartment. From utilitarian to opulent, our favorites range from slim neoprene to stylish leather.
This hard-shell case for 13- and 15-inch laptops provides better protection against drops and bumps, as well as some water resistance, though all of that protection comes at the expense of bulk and heft.
This hard-shell case for 13- and 15-inch laptops provides better protection against drops and bumps, as well as some water resistance, though all of that protection comes at the expense of bulk and heft.
This well-made laptop sleeve features a sturdy strap and two pockets with enough room for your charger and a few extras.
This well-made laptop sleeve features a sturdy strap and two pockets with enough room for your charger and a few extras.
In a slim package, this sleeve protects your phone from dust, scratches, and bumps.
In a slim package, this sleeve protects your phone from dust, scratches, and bumps.
This case combines an excellent fit with the aesthetics of a luxurious purse, as well as protection from bumps, scratches, dust, and a little water.
This case combines an excellent fit with the aesthetics of a luxurious purse, as well as protection from bumps, scratches, dust, and a little water.
If you have data on your laptop, back it up somewhere other than the cloud. A portable drive is an important component of any good backup system and can also be used to transfer data between computers.
Portable hard drive
A portable drive is an important component of any good backup system and can also be used to transfer data between computers. If you have data on your laptop, back it up somewhere other than the cloud.
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is a dependable, thin, and light hard drive that provides fast speeds at a low price.
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is a dependable, thin, and light hard drive that provides fast speeds at a low price.
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD is more dependable, faster, and smaller than an external hard drive, but it comes at a significant price per gigabyte.
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD is more dependable, faster, and smaller than an external hard drive, but it comes at a significant price per gigabyte.
You’ll also need an offsite backup system, such as an online backup service. If you only have one backup, you don’t have one.
Online backup software
You’ll also need an offsite backup system, such as an online backup service. If you only have one backup, you don’t have one.
Backblaze is cost-effective, quick, dependable, and simple to set up.
Backblaze is cost-effective, quick, dependable, and simple to set up.
A good pair of headphones sound better than your laptop speakers, help you focus by blocking out background noise, and keep your study music, plane movie dialogue, or game sounds private.
Headphones
A good pair of headphones sound better than your laptop speakers, help you focus by blocking out background noise, and keep your study music, plane movie dialogue, or game sounds private.
Excellent sound, a comfortable fit, and a long battery life: The Elite 85h does the most things well for the best price when it comes to features, sound, and comfort.
The Elite 85h does the most things well for the best price when it comes to features, sound, and comfort. Excellent sound, a comfortable fit, and a long battery life:
The Elite 75t is the first true wireless headphones we’d recommend over traditional Bluetooth earbuds because it’s comfortable, has great sound, is great for phone calls, and has all the controls you need.
The Elite 75t is the first true wireless headphones we’d recommend over traditional Bluetooth earbuds because it’s comfortable, has great sound, is great for phone calls, and has all the controls you need.
The Sony MDR-7506, a longtime favorite of audio professionals and the unanimous choice of our panel, provides more reliability, comfort, and sound than many headphones twice its price.
The Sony MDR-7506, a longtime favorite of audio professionals and the unanimous choice of our panel, provides more reliability, comfort, and sound than many headphones twice its price.
Although these earbuds do not sound completely neutral, they are well balanced and enjoyable to listen to. The cable is replaceable, but it lacks a remote and a microphone.
The cable is replaceable, but it lacks a remote and a microphone. Although these earbuds do not sound completely neutral, they are well balanced and enjoyable to listen to.
Nice-to-haves
Bring one adapter that can charge your USB-C laptop, phone, headphones, and another device all at once to save space in your bag.
Multiport charger
Bring one adapter that can charge your USB-C laptop, phone, headphones, and another device all at once to save space in your bag.
Although it isn’t as powerful as our top pick, the Mophie Powerstation AC, it offers the most charging options. Two USB-A charging ports, an AC output port that accepts standard two and three pronged power cables, a USB-C port, and a wireless charging pad are all included with this model.
Although it isn’t as powerful as our top pick, the Mophie Powerstation AC, it offers the most charging options. Two USB-A charging ports, an AC output port that accepts standard two and three pronged power cables, a USB-C port, and a wireless charging pad are all included with this model.
The majority of new laptops come with USB-C ports, and some don’t have any at all. Using a single USB-C hub or dock, you can charge a new laptop while also connecting old peripherals, displays, and external storage.
USB-C hub or dock
Using a single USB-C hub or dock, you can charge a new laptop while also connecting old peripherals, displays, and external storage. The majority of new laptops come with USB-C ports, and some don’t have any at all.
Three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, USB-C power passthrough, and SD and microSD card readers are all included in this portable hub.
Three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, USB-C power passthrough, and SD and microSD card readers are all included in this portable hub.
This model is more expensive for a permanent setup at your desk, but it has more ports and charging capabilities without the need for an additional power adapter.
This model is more expensive for a permanent setup at your desk, but it has more ports and charging capabilities without the need for an additional power adapter.
Is it possible to be paranoid? Mark Zuckerberg uses tape to cover his webcam. Hackers can hijack your webcam and record you without your knowledge or consent, which is extremely rare. Most likely not for him.
Webcam cover
Mark Zuckerberg uses tape to cover his webcam. Is it possible to be paranoid? Most likely not for him. Hackers can hijack your webcam and record you without your knowledge or consent, which is extremely rare.
Post-it labeling tape is inexpensive, opaque, and leaves no residue on your laptop’s bezel. It’s also handy around the house.
It’s also handy around the house. Post-it labeling tape is inexpensive, opaque, and leaves no residue on your laptop’s bezel.
Use a laptop stand to raise your screen to eye level if you use your laptop for long periods of time away from your desk.
Portable laptop stand
Use a laptop stand to raise your screen to eye level if you use your laptop for long periods of time away from your desk.
The Roost is small and light, and it’s simple to set up and take down. It’s also sturdy enough to hold 15-inch laptops.
The Roost is small and light, and it’s simple to set up and take down. It’s also sturdy enough to hold 15-inch laptops.
Your laptop already has a keyboard, but you’ll need a keyboard and mouse if you’re using a laptop stand to improve ergonomics.
Bluetooth keyboard
Your laptop already has a keyboard, but you’ll need a keyboard and mouse if you’re using a laptop stand to improve ergonomics.
The Logitech K380 is the best value for money when it comes to comfort, features, and price.
The Logitech K380 is the best value for money when it comes to comfort, features, and price.
Although most modern laptop touchpads are adequate, a mouse is more comfortable and precise (and is required if you use a laptop stand).
Wireless mouse
Although most modern laptop touchpads are adequate, a mouse is more comfortable and precise (and is required if you use a laptop stand).
The Triathlon has six programmable buttons and a long battery life, making it suitable for a wide range of hand sizes.
The Triathlon has six programmable buttons and a long battery life, making it suitable for a wide range of hand sizes.
The Logitech M590 is the same as the M585, but it has quiet left- and right-click buttons that provide tactile feedback without being loud.
The Logitech M590 is the same as the M585, but it has quiet left- and right-click buttons that provide tactile feedback without being loud.
When using public Wi-Fi, a VPN can help keep your phone, laptop, or tablet safe, as well as reduce some forms of ISP and website tracking.
Virtual private network service
When using public Wi-Fi, a VPN can help keep your phone, laptop, or tablet safe, as well as reduce some forms of ISP and website tracking.
This is the most dependable VPN service we found, with consistent, secure connections and simple setup on laptops, phones, and tablets.
This is the most dependable VPN service we found, with consistent, secure connections and simple setup on laptops, phones, and tablets.
Things to skip
Traditional or free antivirus suites
Antivirus software can cause your computer to slow down, bombard you with annoying pop-ups, and even expose your system to vulnerabilities. And good security is never free—free antivirus programs typically do all of the above, as well as collect your data.