Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best tech for your home office at CES this year

Julie Scagell
By

CES 2021 took place virtually this year amid the continuing pandemic. While it’s not the way the Consumer Technology Association has ever put on the show in its 50-year history, the central theme of innovation was on full display. Pulling off an event of this magnitude virtually was a nod to just how innovative the virtual world has become, and nowhere was this more evident than in the in-home office.

The majority of us have been working from home for months and months, and as companies continue to promote flexibility in terms of how and where we work, the trend will only continue post-pandemic. Workers are demanding more in terms of owning their work experience, and that includes the technology needs to keep up outside of the office.

Recommended Videos

Here are the best products we saw in home offices at CES 2021:

man working on laptop
Reshot

Laptops

One of the biggest laptop trends at CES this year was commercial laptops for remote workers and new form factors for mobile computing from the likes of Intel, Nvidia, and AMD. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is the thinnest ThinkPad ever made, which makes the fact that it’s also the most durable seem impossible (thanks titanium). The HP Elite Folio was also a head-turner with its “pull-forward” 2-in-1 screen, meaning it can be locked into a more comfortable position as a tablet when you need it.

Related

Belkin Boost Charge Pro

Belkin is one of the few third-party manufacturers whose accessories can be used by Apple’s MagSafe charging system. The Boost Charge Pro 2-in-1 was introduced this year and should be available in March or April, so users don’t have to wait long to wirelessly charge their AirPods Pro and iPhone simultaneously. It will retail around $100, which is a fair price to pay to have all of your Apple devices ready and waiting for you every morning. Everyone knows one of the worst feelings is when you get ready to work and realize you forget to charge something.

Elite Wireless Earbuds

HP had a surprise announcement for CES 2021, the Elite Wireless Earbuds. But what’s exciting about more earbuds, you may be asking yourself. If you’ve ever tried working from home with kids, dogs, partners, and the general mayhem that ensues all day, every day, you know this is a welcome addition.

“Experience superb sonics by blocking out unwanted external sounds with state-of-the-art noise-canceling, personalized audio tuning, and customizable sound situations,” HP said in a press release. If this can drown out the noise of all of the above, they will sell themselves.

dog at home
Reshot

myQ Pet Portal System

Hear me out on this one. It may not seem like something that belongs in an article about home office technology, but if you have a dog at home, you know the amount of time you spend getting up from a call or in the middle of a thought to let your pooch outside. It can be distracting and, while we love our dogs dearly, an unwelcome distraction during the day.

myQ Pet Portal is a doggie door that opens and closes automatically when your pup approaches (thanks to a Bluetooth collar beacon), so you no longer have to jump up when your dog needs to do its business. It has a camera built in so you can see what’s going on through the app. The app also allows you to control the door in case your pups “need” to go out 27 times a day.

Given that CES was a digital-only show this year, it just makes sense that people in their own home offices gave us products to use in ours. We spend a lot of time in our workspace, and these advances in technology will go a long way in bringing the comforts of a shared office to our homes.

According to a working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the average workday lengthened by 48.5 minutes in the weeks following stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, and the number of meetings increased by 13%. If you work from home, this news is not surprising. While we should do everything we can to maintain a work/life balance, these innovations will help us feel a little more connected while we do work.

Meanwhile, check out the best home gadgets at CES 2021.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
This is the easiest way to hang Christmas garland without damaging your walls
Decking your halls doesn’t have to mean damaging your walls
Red front door with winter wreath and garland

Sometimes, decking the halls comes with a caveat for many homeowners: hanging garland with screws and nails may damage your walls. And while stick-on hooks, putty, or wall tape are a go-to for many, these adhesives just don’t hold up heavy decorations for the entire winter season. So, today, we’re sharing a fantastic solution to hanging your Christmas garland this season from TikTok, which will protect your home while still allowing you to decorate as you like.

https://www.tiktok.com/@thekwendyhome/video/7296927492172975366?q=thekwendyhome&t=1699455884611
Use a shower rod
@thekwendyhome on TikTok shared her solution to decorating your entryways and archways with garland without drilling any holes or hooks into the walls. The solution? Use a shower rod.

Read more
What a hardwood contractor says your wood flooring says about you
According to a hardwood contractor, the species, stain, and cut of your wood floors can say a lot about you
bleached light wood flooring in an entryway

The home is a canvas for your personality, and your interiors should reflect your personal aesthetics. A professional hardwood contractor on TikTok, @lumberjackwoodsupply, says your wood flooring may reveal more about you than you might have thought. Here is what the species, color, and style of your wood flooring say about you (though, of course, some of these are a bit tongue-in-cheek).

https://www.tiktok.com/@lumberjackwoodsupply/video/7296136450888846623
What your wood flooring species says about you
Pine
If you have lighter, slim, natural pine floors, this TikToker says you likely fall into one of two categories. “You definitely have an appreciation for old things,” says @lumberjackwoodsupply. Alternatively, “you most likely own an old house that had these floors underneath.”
Walnut flooring
Walnut flooring is classy, elegant, and often sold at a steeper price. The hardwood contractor says homeowners with walnut flooring “have taste.”
Red oak
“There’s a good chance you didn’t choose to install this. It was just already in your house,” says this TikToker. But if you did choose to install red oak flooring, “you are either on a budget or you like to go against the status quo.”
Brazilian Cherry
“You probably live in an upscale but slightly outdated suburban home,” says the hardwood contractor. “There’s a good chance you hate the red.”
Maple
If you favor the sleek light wood tones of maple flooring to curate an airy and uplifting aesthetic, “You either live on the beach, or you want to look like you live on the beach,” says this TikToker.
Hickory
Hickory flooring is well-known for its boldness. It’s a unique wood with a quirky grain and various hues. If you have hickory flooring, “you like unique things,” says the hardwood contractor. “You want to be different.”

Read more
Don’t celebrate Christmas? Try these winter decor ideas instead
Here's how to decorate in favor of seasonal winter themes
Christmas decorations in house with wall sign on floor

Not everyone celebrates Christmas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t join in on all the festive fun. Sure, you may not want a Christmas tree in your living room or stockings hung over the chimney with care, but who said you had to decorate solely for the holiday?

If you want to take part in decking the halls but prefer a more seasonal approach to your decor, then we have some amazing winter decor ideas. Decorating the home during the winter months can be a great way to celebrate the season and welcome in the new year. And even if you don’t celebrate on December 25, you can still make your home look fabulous without opting for classic Christmas tropes.

Read more