6 gadgets to make working on your laptop more comfortable in the car

If you work from home, you probably already know how important a well-equipped workstation is. After all, you probably spend more time at your desk than in bed. Therefore, it makes sense to make sure you are as comfortable and well-equipped as possible. This means investing in some home office gadgets that will keep you productive, focused, and most importantly, comfortable. These include standing desks that promote better health, noise-cancelling headphones that block out the barking of your neighbor’s dog, and visual timers that help you better manage your time.

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Equipping your home office with the ideal gadgets that suit your needs can be quite a challenge. However, setting up a workstation in your car is a completely different story. Of course, you could minimize your belongings and just bring your laptop and cell phone, but this setup isn’t at all comfortable or efficient, especially when you’re stuck in your car for eight hours straight. For this reason, it is wise to purchase some gadgets that will make working with your car more comfortable. Here are six of the best items to use in your mobile workspace, based on Amazon ratings and our own reviews.

Sure, your laptop has a battery that can power you for a while, but depending on what you’re doing and the apps you’re running, it might not last you the entire day. After all, you can try charging your laptop using the closest power source you have at hand: your car battery. All you need is a power inverter (very inexpensive at only about $18 on Amazon). When connected to your car’s 12V power outlet, you have an outlet that you can use to connect your laptop charger. However, the problem is that if you stop the engine, you risk draining the battery. Some cars won’t power the 12V outlet while it’s off.

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Therefore, consider using a power bank or portable power station instead of a power inverter. The Anker Prime 27,650mAh power bank has a high-capacity battery that can fully charge your 13-inch MacBook Air M2 or other similar laptops once before needing to be recharged. Equipped with Power Delivery 3.1 technology, you can charge your laptop quickly, and 170W USB-C charging allows you to charge your power bank faster (it takes only 37 minutes to fully charge). If you need to charge your laptop multiple times at work, you may want to use the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 instead. The battery can charge your laptop about 3 times, giving you enough power to last you a full day of work. Explorer 240 supports multiple charging options: solar charging through a panel sold separately, wall charging, and charging through your car’s electrical outlet. Weighing only 6.6 pounds and measuring 9.05 x 7.87 x 5.24 inches, it is extremely portable.

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From checking email to attending meetings, most jobs will require an Internet connection. If you have a newer car, it may already have a Wi-Fi hotspot that you can connect to, but this is an option. You can always set up a hotspot to connect your laptop to your Android or iOS device, but doing so will drain your handset’s battery. A better alternative is a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.

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NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 Pro provides fast, reliable Internet connectivity for your mobile office. With 5G mmWave connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E technology, and up to 13 hours of battery life, you can stay online and ready for those important video meetings. If you want maximum speed, the M6 ​​Pro also includes an Ethernet port. The best thing about this hotspot is that it is unlocked and supports SIM cards from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Just subscribe to a mobile hotspot plan with your carrier of choice and you’re good to go. However, the drawback is that it costs 1000 yen. If you’re on a budget, you can also choose its more affordable sibling, the NETGEAR Nighthawk M6. NETGEAR Nighthawk M6 also offers 5G speeds and 13 hours of battery life.

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An even cheaper alternative to the Nighthawk M6 Pro is the SIMO Solis 5G. Unlike NETGEAR mobile hotspots, you don’t need a SIM card to use it. All you have to do is purchase a data plan, which comes as a subscription-based option or a pay-as-you-go package. Solis 5G uses multiple carriers and automatically switches to the fastest network in your region to ensure reliability.

Laptops tend to get hot after long periods of use, and while placing them on a tray in your car can improve airflow, it doesn’t hurt to add a cooling pad for better temperature management. A laptop cooling pad can make a difference.

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I tested the Havit 15.6-17 inch laptop cooling pad while working in my mini camper. Its three fans did a decent job of blowing air towards the laptop and keeping it cool. The pad itself can hold laptops from around 15.6 inches to around 17 inches. However, you can’t adjust the fan speed and the built-in lights can’t be turned off, which can drain your laptop’s battery faster. If so, you may want to try the Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad instead. It supports a wider range of laptop sizes (from 12 inches to 17 inches) and has more built-in fans. You can also choose whether to turn on only the large fan in the center, only the four smaller fans in the corners, or all five. At the same time, fans too. Apart from the fan control, the Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad has two USB ports that allow you to connect a USB keyboard, mouse, or other devices.

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If you don’t have a car tray large enough to place a laptop cooling pad, or if you don’t like working in a fixed location in your car, the MAX SMART Lap Pad with USB Cooling Fan is a good option. It is portable and has a removable back cushion so you can comfortably place it on your lap. It also comes with a removable pad in case you want to use an external mouse.

Laptop car mounts are a godsend. Raise your device to eye level to reduce neck and back strain. Additionally, it also improves breathability. However, the downside is that the device may be too high for comfortable hand placement. In these cases, you may want to use a wireless keyboard and mouse under your lap desk.

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For Windows laptops, the Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo is one of the top-rated products. Connect to your devices through a single USB receiver and maintain a reliable connection up to 33 feet. However, one downside to using this combo is that the keyboard is full-sized. Adding this to another mouse device can cause your setup to take up more desk space than necessary. If desk space is limited, the Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touchpad Keyboard is a good alternative. Combine a compact keyboard and touchpad into one device for better space management. It also has a convenient volume control button. The keyboard supports Windows 7 to 11, Chrome OS, and even Android.

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For MacBook users, you can’t go wrong with the Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Magic Mouse. Both use Bluetooth to connect to your MacBook and are extremely light, making them perfect for small mobile offices. Magic Keyboard comes in two formats. A compact version if you want something more portable, or a full-size format if you want separate arrow and number keys. A cheaper alternative to the Magic Keyboard and Mouse is the Logitech Pebble 2 Combo. It also uses Bluetooth connectivity and is about the same size as the compact Magic Keyboard and Mouse.

Working in your car means spending most of your time out in public places like parking lots, rest areas, and side streets. If you normally work quietly, this isn’t a big deal, but if you’re answering calls or playing music while you’re at work, it’s a whole different story. You definitely don’t want to disturb people nearby, and you don’t want your private conversations to be overheard. That’s why earphones are an absolute necessity.

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I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Whether you’re listening to music on Spotify, watching documentaries on YouTube, or joining a Zoom meeting, it delivers the best audio quality. It also ensures that the other party’s voice can be heard clearly during calls. In addition to superior audio quality, Buds 3 Pro features adaptive noise control that lets you hear sirens and conversations while filtering out unwanted noise. However, it is quite expensive at $249.99.

If you use a MacBook and want the interconnectivity of the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Pro 2 may be just what you’re looking for. Compared to the newly released AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2 offers twice the active noise cancellation (ANC) and longer listening time. Additionally, a software update will be available soon that will turn it into a hearing aid that can test hearing, provide clinical-level support for people with hearing loss, and even protect against loud noises. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider purchasing Beats Studio Buds instead. These offer standard Bluetooth earphone features like ANC, crisp, clear audio, and up to 8 hours of listening time, all for the affordable price of $149.95 on Amazon.

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If you’re working in your car for long periods of time, it’s not a good idea to leave the engine running. Not only does it waste gas, it also puts stress on your car. However, turning off the engine means you’ll spend most of your workday sweating without air conditioning unless you find a well-ventilated place to park your car. To stay cool and dry while working in your car without the air conditioning running, it’s a good idea to have a small fan on hand, such as the BESKAR USB clip-on fan. This USB-powered clip-on fan easily clamps to any surface up to 2.5 inches thick, including steering wheels, grab handles, and sun visors. It can also stand on its own, so just place it on your dashboard. To use the fan, simply connect it to your car charger, laptop, or power bank and adjust the 360-degree rotating head.

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If you find USB wires too restrictive, an alternative is the Koonie Rechargeable Desk Fan. Wireless and powered by a 10,000mAh battery, you can clip the fan wherever you feel most comfortable. There are four speed settings to choose from, and depending on your selection, the fan will last up to 24 hours. Another portable mini fan option for your car is the AMACOOL Stroller Fan. Designed with flexible legs and a built-in battery, you can wrap it around anything without worrying about wires or whether it will clip securely. The AMACOOL fan doubles as a desk lamp with three brightness settings. Plus, you can use it for up to 10 hours before needing a charge.

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These gadgets are primarily selected from Amazon, with some product reviews from SlashGear as well. We selected Amazon products based on popularity (many have 15,000+ ratings) and star ratings (most have 4.3+). We also considered what features it has and whether it is suitable for working on cars.

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