9 Clever office gadgets to help you work smarter

What’s the trick to being more productive at work? Well, the answer will vary greatly depending on who you ask. Finding your stride might require a combination of efforts. If you need an extra boost to keep yourself on track, these clever office gadgets should do the trick.

No one ever goes into the office and thinks of ways to work harder with fewer results. It’s the exact opposite. In fact, many companies have departmental meetings about how they can work smarter.

There are countless tips and tricks out there. Some say to follow the Pomodoro Technique for hyper-focused tasks and intermittent breaks. Others will tell you to chug coffee to get your juices flowing. Some might say a quick afternoon walk can help you retain your focus through the afternoon.

The thing is, no one is necessarily wrong. Whatever we do to help us focus will be totally unique compared to anyone else. We may need a mix of coffee and fresh air or simply to work in a quiet room totally alone.

If you’ve tried all the suggestions from your friends and coworkers but still need some help, there are plenty of clever office gadgets that will help you work smarter, not harder.

BESTEK Mountable USB Power Strip Cube

The Mountable Power Cube is the ultimate power cube as it has all the ports and outlets you could need. In fact, it comes with three outlets, three USB ports, and a USB-C port. Not only that, but it sports a five-foot-long cable so you can place the cube wherever you need. Have an unconventional spot where you need power? Not a problem. The Mountable Power Cube comes with screws and 3M adhesive so you can mount it just about anywhere.

Scanmarker Pen-Shaped Scanner

Say adios to the bulky scanner you rely on and hello to smarter working. The Scanmarker is a superbly compact scanner that actually looks like a pen. All you have to do is glide the device over text just like you would a highlighter. Then, this smart pen delivers the content right to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Plus, it scans only what you need. Impressively, it can also translate 40 different languages and even offers text-to-speech functionality. You’ll certainly speed up your research no matter what the topic is.

Loupedeck CT Custom Editing Console

Creators all have the same dilemma; while you appreciate compact systems to take your work anywhere, they’re extremely limited when you have so many tools and controls. The Loupedeck CT is a custom editing console that gives you vital functions at the touch of a button (literally). It integrates seamlessly with Lightroom and other programs while offering a large central dial, six smaller dials, buttons, and screens. You’ll be able to efficiently switch tools, gears, and programs to speed up your editing even through multiple mediums.

Liftid Neurostimulation Personal Brain Stimulator

What if we told you it would take just 20 minutes a day to boost your productivity? With Liftid, that’s possible. It’s a neurostimulation headset that uses popular (and totally safe) tDCS technology. It delivers a mild electrical current to targeted areas to the brain. Perfect for battling the mid-afternoon slump, Liftid improves your attention and focus. You can finally ditch the caffeine and sugary energy drinks; this headset will get you back on track.

Mobile Pixels DUEX Pro Dual-Display Laptop Monitor

One way to double your productivity is to double your screen space. With the DUEX Pro, you can do just that. It’s a dual-display laptop monitor. You can use it for some extra real estate for all your spreadsheets and pie charts. Or, you can connect it to the back of your laptop to show your colleagues vital information while you’re also working on something else. The 12.5-inch secondary display offers full HD resolution and rotates a full 180 degrees. Impressively, it weighs just 1.7 pounds so you can pack it and take it anywhere.

GetProductive Alpha Powerful Productivity Timer

How much time do you spend on each task every day? Even if you think you have a decent guess, you’re probably wrong. The Alpha Productivity Timer is a non-distracting device that helps you get to the bottom of your scheduling woes. Each time you start a new activity set Alpha’s timer. Relying on the Pomodoro technique, it keeps you laser-focused on your work. When the timer’s up, you take a break. Then, you get right back to work.

Jabra Speak 510 Portable Bluetooth Speakerphone

Conference calls aren’t anyone’s favorite part of the day, but with the Jabra Speak 510, they’re certainly easier. Connecting via Bluetooth, this speakerphone is totally portable so you can do your conference calls just about anywhere. Or, you can plug into your computer via USB. Rather than rely on the sub-par speakerphone feature on your smartphone, the Speak 510 ensures everyone is heard loud and clear on both sides. No longer do you have to relegate yourself to a cramped conference room – you can take these calls anywhere.

Mover Tactile Movable Thinking Tool

No matter your job, there’s a lot of thinking, planning, and brainstorming that goes on. While online tools are helpful and jotting notes in a notebook is vital, it can still be difficult to organize your thoughts. That’s where Mover comes in. It’s a tactile movable thinking tool complete with physical tiles. The tiles are designed for interaction. They require physical movement for organization, helping you visualize anything from a big project to your daily schedule.

Legrand Slim Desktop Power Center

How much of your day do you spend looking for a free outlet to charge your devices? Even if it’s just ten seconds at a time, that time can really add up over the course of a week. With the Slim Desktop Power Center, everything is literally at your fingertips. This power strip is complete with two standard outlets as well as two USB plugs. It also comes with a mounting kit so you can attach it directly to your desk. Never again will you have to worry about your cables falling behind your desk.

Just compiling this list has us inspired to work smarter. What about you? Do you have any tips or tricks for staying focused and being more efficient at work? Or, do you have any clever office gadgets to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!