The best WFH gear for staying focused, keeping fit, and getting sh*t done

The first thing to notice about the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is that it looks sensational — both the 13-inch display with PixelSense technology and 2,880 x 1,920 resolution. Not to mention the design of the tablet itself, which has a brilliantly thin bezel and sleek chassis.

Dedicated Microsoft users will love the experience. The Surface Pro 9 is built to give you the premium Windows 11 experience and switches between tablet and laptop. Graphic artists are also catered for. The tablet is well equipped for creative work and pairs magnificently with the Microsoft Surface Pen. Unfortunately, the pen — like the keyboard — is sold separately.

The price could be a deal breaker for some but if you're in the market for a 2-in-1 Microsoft tablet-laptop, this really is the best of the best.

Getting your steps in when you’re no longer required to commute to the office can be challenging, which is why we’re so sold on the WalkingPad Folding Treadmill. We tested this walking treadmill at home and found it was the perfect companion for a standing desk. It’s lightweight and folds in half, which makes it easy to store the treadmill out of the way. That's especially useful if you live in a small space and don’t want to give up your limited square footage to a full-sized treadmill. This won't be a great option for running and training, but it’s more than enough for hitting those 10,000 steps while on Zoom calls.

The Uplift Standing Desk is incredibly easy to set up and use but also fully customizable to suit your personal preferences and home decor. You can choose from desktop surfaces such as bamboo, walnut, and reclaimed fir, and even the desktop power outlets can be customized. When we tested this desk, we found that it worked great with a walking treadmill. You can raise and lower this electric desk with the push of a button, and it has multiple pre-set heights. That makes it easy to slip a folding treadmill underneath when it's time to get your steps in.

We didn’t love the price tag — this desk is quite pricey compared to other options — and it's pretty heavy. That said, it’s crafted with high-quality and luxurious-feeling materials, and we expect it to outlast cheaper desks made of MDF plywood.

If you’re using a pair of older or wired headphones, then it's definitely time to upgrade. The Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C are one of our top picks for the best wireless earbuds, and they make a great option if you’re trying to improve your concentration and productivity at home. During the testing process, we particularly liked that these buds offer universal charging capabilities (less cord clutter on your desk is always a plus). If you like to listen to music while you work, they have excellent noise-cancelling capabilities and crystal clear sound. Solid microphones also ensure you come through loud and clear on Zoom calls. Finally, since they're dust, sweat, and water-resistant, they're equally suited for working out and working from home.

Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen).

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is arguably the best heart rate monitor for everyday, casual use. That's partly down to its impressive battery life of up to 10 days. Talk about low maintenance — you can slip it on your wrist and let it do its thing. It monitors your heart rate 24/7, with features to monitor (and boost) calorie burn, optimise workouts, and find personalised health trends to give you pushing towards those fitness goals.

It doesn't offer the same range of advanced features as something like the Apple Watch — not at this relatively low price — but you still get plenty for your money. The Inspire 3 tracker unlocks a free six-month Fitbit Premium trial complete with step-by-step fitness and nutrition programmes, personalised insights, sleep tools, and much more.

The screen is small and there’s no built-in GPS, which some users would expect as standard of fitness-based smartwatches, but there’s no doubt that it's a great little device. It's easy to use and the app is intuitive, making it a solid option for fitness beginners.

It's not always easy to foster a good morning routine when working from home; the temptation to roll out of bed at 8:55 am to be at your desk by 9 is real. That’s where a tricked-out alarm clock like the Loftie Clock comes in. Out of all the alarm clocks we've tested, this multi-functional smart alarm is our favorite. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also has features that make it easy to form healthier sleep habits. In the morning, multi-stage alarms will gently wake you up, and come bedtime, a library of meditations and white noise lull you to sleep.

“Notion is like if Google Drive and list-making app Trello had a beautiful baby,” wrote Mashable Associate Editor Anna Iovine when reviewing the organization tool. The free organizational system is designed to be a one-stop shop that functions as a to-do list, notes app, budget tracker, and pretty much anything else you need it to be. Iovine noted that although it’s easy to customize and use, there is a bit of a learning curve that will require some trial and error until you get all of the commands, templates, and shortcuts down.

While there is a paid version, we got a lot of mileage out of the free version and didn't feel the need to upgrade. For mobile users, it's available on iOS and Android; for desktop, you can access it with your browser or download an app for MacOS or Windows. In any format, this online planner makes getting — and staying — organized simple and, dare we say, enjoyable.