When I first started working remotely, I thought I could make do with the basics — a mid-range laptop, my phone’s earbuds, and the free router that came from my internet provider. It worked… until it didn’t. A frozen Zoom screen in the middle of a client presentation was enough to convince me I needed to rethink my setup. Over the past couple of years, I’ve experimented with a lot of gear, and in 2025, I’ve finally found a setup that feels reliable, comfortable, and — honestly — makes me look and sound more professional.
Here are the specific tools that have made the biggest difference in my remote work life.
My laptop: Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2025)
I used to work on a Dell XPS 13 (2020). It was portable, but after a few years, the fan noise during video calls drove me nuts, and the battery couldn’t last through a long workday. Last winter, I upgraded to the MacBook Pro 14 with the new M4 chip, and it has been a game-changer.
Battery life easily covers a full day of calls and multitasking without a charger. The Mini-LED display makes staring at spreadsheets and documents less tiring. And the built-in 1080p webcam is finally good enough that I don’t always need an external one. Plus, it doesn’t heat up on my lap — a small but important comfort when you work long hours.
Noise-cancelling earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
My apartment sits on a busy street, and before I invested in good earbuds, I’d mute myself every few minutes to block out the sound of scooters and buses. I tried AirPods Pro first, but the noise cancellation wasn’t strong enough for my environment.
Switching to the Sony WF-1000XM5 was one of my best purchases. The ANC is powerful enough that I barely hear traffic anymore, and colleagues have actually complimented how clear my voice sounds on calls. They’re also small and comfortable — I can wear them for two or three meetings in a row without that “ear fatigue” I got from over-ear headphones.
Webcam upgrade: Logitech Brio 500
Even though my MacBook’s camera is decent, I wanted to look sharper on client-facing calls. I picked up the Logitech Brio 500, and it instantly made a difference. The colors look natural (not washed out), and it handles low light really well.
Paired with a cheap desk LED panel I found on Amazon, it makes me look awake even when I’m on early morning calls. Before, people sometimes said “your camera froze” — now, I never hear that.
Audio clarity: Shure MV7 microphone
When I started recording webinars, I realized my earbuds’ mic wasn’t cutting it. A friend recommended the Shure MV7 USB microphone, and it’s been worth every cent. I mounted it on a simple boom arm, and suddenly my voice sounds warm, professional, and reliable.
The first time I used it on a client call, someone actually asked if I had switched to a podcast setup — which I took as a compliment. It’s plug-and-play via USB, so I didn’t need any fancy audio gear to get started.
Monitor setup: LG 27-inch QHD + ASUS portable screen
For years I resisted getting a second monitor because I didn’t want to clutter my desk. But once I gave in, there was no going back. Now I use an LG 27-inch QHD monitor at home for my main workspace — it’s big enough for multiple windows, but not overwhelming.
When I’m traveling or working from a coworking space, I carry an ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-inch portable monitor. It’s lightweight and connects with just a single USB-C cable. Setting it up in a café turns my small laptop into a true two-screen workstation.
Internet stability: Eero Pro 7 Mesh Wi-Fi
My old ISP-provided router used to drop out whenever my partner streamed Netflix in the next room. After one too many frozen calls, I upgraded to the Eero Pro 7 mesh system. Now, the Wi-Fi signal is strong everywhere in my apartment, and I haven’t had a single dropped meeting since.
I even ran a long Ethernet cable to my desk for important presentations — it’s boring, but having rock-solid internet is the foundation for all remote work.
Ergonomics: Keychron K2 keyboard + Herman Miller Sayl chair
Typing on a laptop keyboard all day left my wrists aching, so I switched to a Keychron K2 mechanical keyboard. It’s compact, wireless, and has a satisfying feel that makes typing a pleasure again. Paired with a Logitech MX Master 3 mouse, my desk setup finally feels ergonomic.
The biggest (and most expensive) upgrade I made was my chair: the Herman Miller Sayl. At first, I wasn’t sure about spending that much, but after a few months, my back pain vanished. It’s the one piece of gear that makes the longest-term difference.
What I’ve learned about remote work tech
The biggest lesson? Start by solving the single problem that annoys you the most. For me, it was background noise — which is why the Sony earbuds were my first big purchase. After that, I focused on video, then audio, then ergonomics.
Now, my setup feels like an actual office instead of a temporary fix. The gear doesn’t just make me look and sound better; it reduces stress, saves time, and lets me focus on the work itself instead of fighting with my tools.
Final thoughts
Remote work in 2025 doesn’t mean “make do” anymore — it means building a professional environment wherever you are. For me, that looks like a MacBook Pro 14, Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, Logitech Brio 500 webcam, Shure MV7 mic, LG monitor, and Eero Pro 7 Wi-Fi mesh — plus a chair that saves my back.
If you’re setting up your own space, don’t feel like you have to buy everything at once. Upgrade one weak link at a time. Trust me — when your calls stop dropping, your voice comes through crystal clear, and you’re not hunched over a tiny screen, remote work suddenly feels a lot more sustainable.
You know what else transformed not just my workday but my daily routine? Smart home devices. Adding a few of them was truly life-changing — and I’ve never once regretted it. If you’re ready to take your setup to the next level, check out this guide to the Best Smart Home Devices for 2024 .
