At the beginning, when you just bought a laptop, you would think that what comes in the package is just enough by itself, and all the accessories are nothing but a waste of money. However, whether or not you need these accessories often depends on how you use your laptop.
Whereas most of these people will get by with a simple mouse, it might be all that’s needed to enhance functionality. Yet, for those who rely heavily on their laptops for work or are power users, having more accessories become essential. They need these accessories to increase productivity, enhance comfort even solve problems like limited connectivity, security, battery life and so on.
The studies have shown that the best ergonomic setup can increase your productivity as much as 20%; in other words, almost an extra day of work a week. I would like to share you 10 useful laptop accessories that will work for you no matter how you use your laptop. By knowing what accessories are in fact useful to you, you will not spend any more money buying what will never be needed and will enable you to get the most out of your laptop setup.
Following accessories maybe useful or not to you, not necessary, depend on your needs. Read on to learn more so you understand how to invest smartly that will make a difference in your laptop experience.
1. Laptop Stand: Elevate Your Workspace
- For better posture and reduced neck strain.
- Enhanced airflow to prevent overheating.
I strongly suggest getting a laptop stand among accessory, especially you are using laptop for a long time. Long time with no proper posture and screen positioning on laptop may harmful to your health; for example eye strain, neck and back pain when maintain a wrong posture.
Ergonomically designed laptop stand improves your posture and eye-level screen positioning so you can:
- Reduce Neck and Back Strain – Keeping the laptop raised up to eye level allows you to maintain a neutral spine posture, putting less stress on the neck and back.
- Prevent Eye Strain – Proper setting of the screens helps reduce glare and, hence, reduces eye strain caused by looking down at a laptop screen for much longer.
- Enhance Productivity: When you are comfortable, you will probably be productive. You can easily focus and maintain your energy throughout the time that you work on your laptop with the ergonomic laptop stand, hence always giving your best working performance.
Ease the pain with an ergonomic laptop stand, and help yourself feel much better while creating a much better working area for yourself. Beside that, it helps prevent your laptop from trapping heat by ensuring proper airflow beneath it to keep laptop cooler. Consider these features when looking for a great laptop stand:
- Ensure your laptop stand is height and angle adjustable. Angle should be adjustable, so you can keeps your hands and wrists in a comfortable position while typing the keyboard.
- Make sure that the weight of your laptop can be sustained by the stand.
- Foldable and light laptop stand for those who want to take it everywhere easily.
2. External Hard Drive: Backup and Expand Your Storage
- Expand storage.
- Backup important files.
I will never forget the terrible incident that happened to me two years ago. I lost all my data, which included memories in photos and videos and even important client data due to my laptop unexpected crash. Since then, I have developed a habit of backing up important data onto an external hard drive and buying simultaneously an external storage device for my laptop.
You might wonder, “Now that we have online cloud storage to store our data, why do we still need it?” Here are the advantages of using an external hard drive over cloud storage.
- External hard drives are offline backups under your control, while there might be probable issues of privacy on the part of the online cloud storage providers.
- Hard drives have quick access and large file transfers. Online access to your data, its process very time-consuming and depends on your internet speed.
- Hard drives are more cost-effective as they can be purchased as a one-time purchase at a lower price, providing large storage instead of requiring ongoing subscription fees for cloud storage.
Two main types of hard drives: solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs). Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose wisely based on your needs.
| Solid State Drives (SSDs) | Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) | |
| Speed | Faster data transfer rates and access times | Slower data transfer rates and access times |
| Portability | Lighter and more compact, convenient for travel | Generally bulkier and heavier compared to SSDs |
| Price | More expensive per gigabyte, higher cost for large storage capacities | More affordable, cost-effective solution for large storage capacities |
| Capacity | Typically lower storage capacities, premium cost for larger sizes | Larger storage capacities available at a lower cost |
| Use Case | For who need fast, reliable storage for performance-critical tasks, willing to pay a premium | For who need large storage capacities at a lower cost, suitable for non-critical tasks |
So, how much space do you actually need? Here’s a quick guide:
- 1TB: Good starting point for most users
- 2TB – 4TB: Great for photographers, video editors, or digital pack rats
- 5TB and more: For the serious data collectors and professionals
For most users, I recommend at least a 1 TB drive. If you work with large files or have an extensive media collection, consider 2 TB or more. Some popular brands I trust include Samsung T7 for SSDs and Western Digital My Passport for HDDs.
3. Wireless Mouse: Faster Control than Trackpad
- Smooth navigation and precision control.
- Enhanced airflow to prevent overheating.
Using a trackpad or mouse really depends on personal preference and how comfortable you are with your laptop’s trackpad. In my experience, I typically use a wireless mouse when using a Windows laptop, but I am extremely use the trackpad on an Apple MacBook. While the trackpad on a Windows laptop is certainly good, just the advanced features of the MacBook trackpad largely eliminate the need for a mouse.
For simple tasks with trackpad navigation, you don’t need a mouse to bring it. But for those who do creative and professional work such as photo editing, video editing, and graphic design, a wireless mouse may make it easier for you to perform complex controlling tasks.
Why I recommend a wireless mouse over a wire mouse is because wireless is simple to pack, use, and bring without carrying the tangled wires. In my experience, the wire mouse often becomes entangled with my laptop or other items on my desk, which can be quite annoying. Moreover, wireless technology allows for a longer range than wired technology, enhancing the convenience of controlling from a longer distance.
Yes, definitely get a mouse to enhance your gaming experience, but must be a wired mouse? Wired mouse typically have lower latency compared to wireless mouse and provide you with high precision and accuracy control. In fact, I use a 2.4 GHz wireless mouse, and it is not inadequate in terms of gaming performance compared to a wired mouse.
Notice that a 2.4 GHz wireless mouse uses the USB receiver, not the Bluetooth mouse – it has a general higher latency, just suitable for general use.
4. Headphones: Immerse Yourself in Focus
- Noise cancellation to concentrate and focus better.
- Enjoy an undisturbed and immersive sound experience.
I really like to have headphones; not only do I like to listen to music, but they also help me a lot to isolate myself from a noisy environment everywhere (busy offices, cafes, and libraries) while I am working. I like a quiet and relaxing environment; it helps me focus better without unavoidable distraction.
Here are my reasons why you can benefit from a headphone:
- Avoid disturbing others when you listen to music, podcasts, or even the movie in a public area. On the contrary, others also do not disturb you.
- Some high-quality headphones with noise cancellation help you block external noise when you are in a noisy environment, which is very helpful if you have a call or meeting there.
- Privacy is the main point; you listen to anything that you want without worrying others.
- Maybe some of you, like me, really love immersive music around my ear. Headphones provide a better audio experience with music.
But there are wired and wireless headphones; how do you choose?
| Wireless Headphone | Wired Headphone | |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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For me, wireless is better than a wired one because of the carryability, and I like to take it everywhere. If you truly value high-quality sound quality and long-lasting durability, then a wired headphone would definitely be the way to go.
Consider that headphones are still a bit too large and opt for an earbud instead. Despite their smaller size, earbuds work similarly to headphones and can be carried in your pocket or palm.
5. USB-C Hub: Expand Your Connectivity
- Expand connectivity with multiple ports for added functionality.
- Compatible with various devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Did you notice that the modern laptop now pursues portability and sleek design—reduces the number of ports on the laptop to make it thinner and lighter for us more convenient use. In the era of wireless technology, we primarily utilize Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even transfer data wirelessly to online cloud services. Some ports for data transfer have become unnecessary ports on laptops today.
You might wonder why it’s a USB-C hub and not the many other types of ports, like USB-A? Well, USB-C, otherwise known and referred to as the USB Type-C specification, was finalized and published in 2014 with the purpose of creating one universal port to replace a variety of confusing ports. And in 2024, its usage will become standard in most new laptops and desktop computers. Here are the reasons why, today, USB-C can be popular:
- USB-C connectors are reversible; you can plug in either way, unlike USB-A.
- USB-C supports various USB standards, including USB 3.1, 3.2, and USB4, with data transfer rates up to 40 Gbps for USB4.
- USB-C supports USB PD, allowing devices to receive up to 100 watts of power.
- Its multi-functionality, data transfer, power delivery, and video output reduce the number of different ports needed on a device.
- The USB-C connector has a smaller design compared to others.
Okay, why do we still need the USB-C hub? Because it sounds wonderful today. Because complete universality of USB-C for all accessory devices is still a work in progress, and not every device is compatible with USB-C, I list down the ports in the table to give you a clear overview of common types of ports:
| Port Type | Common Use Cases |
| USB-A (3.0/2.0) | Connecting to keyboards, wired mouse, and printers. |
| HDMI | Connecting to external monitors or projectors |
| Ethernet | Wired network connection |
| SD/MicroSD Card Readers | Transferring data from cameras, smartphones, or other devices |
| Power Delivery (USB-C) | Charging laptops and other devices while using the hub |
| Thunderbolt 3/4 | High-speed data transfer, connecting high-end peripherals |
| USB-C (Data) | Connecting modern peripherals and devices |
When you want to connect a device to your laptop, but there are no suitable ports available, it can be frustrating and troublesome. That’s why USB-C Hub is introduced to solve our port limitation problem.
Here, I believe that having a hub with you can be a lifesaver at times, not just for accessories.
6. Laptop Cooling Pad: Avoid Overheating
- Prevent overheating during demanding tasks and long sessions.
- Efficiently cool down your laptop to maintain performance.
I don’t know whether you ever had laptop overheating, touch and feel excessive heat on the laptop’s surface, particularly near the vents. If you’re a gamer or frequently perform demanding tasks that overload your gaming laptop, you may have encountered this issue. Overloading your CPU and GPU leads to laptop overload and excessive heat generation.
Here are the signs of a laptop overheating:
- You will hear excessively loud fan noise (especially fans in gaming laptops), which indicates the system is struggling to cool itself.
- Touch the laptop surface (vent, keyboard) and feel hot.
- Unexpected shutdowns or blue screens signal a critical level of overheating.
- You’re experiencing a noticeable slowdown in your running application or lagging in your gaming.
Please avoid frequently letting your laptop overheat, as this can lead to performance issues, hardware damage, and a shorter laptop lifespan. Actually, we have a passive cooling method: you can purchase a laptop stand instead of a cooling pad, which is still useful in preventing your laptop from overheating easily. Elevate the laptop off the desk or surface, allowing air to circulate underneath. This increased airflow helps dissipate heat that naturally rises from the laptop.
If you frequently overheat your gaming laptop, you should consider purchasing a cooling pad to cool down your laptop effectively. Before you make a purchase, let me share my experience with using a cooling pad effectively:
- Make sure your laptop has an air vent, ideally located at the bottom or on the sides, as this is a common feature in gaming laptop designs.
- Using active cooling pad that employs a fan system to actively extract heat from the laptop’s surface and direct it into the cooler, which then releases it into the surrounding environment.
- Be prepared for louder noise due to its high speed fan system for active cooling.
- It is typically heavy, so it is best to place it in a permanent location, such as at home; it is not suitable for portability.
7. Portable Power Bank: Stay Charged on the Go
- Store and backup power whenever you need it.
- Stay charged during travel, outdoor activities, or emergencies.
The available options are usually for portable power banks for mobile phones, but there are also options for laptops. If one is working far from the office with a laptop and in a place where the laptop is not fixed, the power bank is valuable as a power backup in case you forget to carry the charger or have not found the power outlet.
Before making a purchase, the following information is important:
1. Determine the power rating requirement of your laptop battery: Laptop batteries have power ratings ranging from 30Wh to 100Wh. Consumer Ultrabooks can require about 50Wh, while a powerful gaming laptop might, as a result, need 90Wh or sometimes more.
If the output power of your power bank is not enough wattage for your laptop’s battery to charge, it may not charge at all, or the rate of charging could be very slow. So choose the higher output power; I recommend at least about 65W, enough for most laptops.
2. Capacity: Ideally, a power bank should have at least the same capacity as your laptop’s battery, in a complete recharge cycle. For multiple cycles of recharge or prolonged usage, you can consider a power bank with double or triple the capacity regarding the latter. A 20,000-30,000mAh capacity power bank should be sufficient for most laptops.
3. Make sure your laptop has a USB-C port that support power delivery (PD), rated either 65W or 100W. Make sure the power capacity of the power bank is compatible with the laptop. For a 65W input to your laptop, choose a power bank with at least 65W PD output.
It’s possible to do this, but the charging is awfully slow, and one practically cannot use it with a power bank in performance mode while executing high-performance tasks. It’s the best practice to bring a laptop charger and the power bank just for emergency charging.
8. Laptop Sleeve: Protect Your Laptop
- Extra protection from scratches, dust, and minor bumps.
- Lightweight and convenient way to carry laptop.
Laptops are very expensive and should be used for as long as possible. Protecting your laptop is crucial, especially if you need to carry laptop frequently. One way to extend the lifespan of your laptop is to protect it from physical damage by using a laptop sleeve or case. It can help you:
- Avoid scratches and dents to prevent physical damage to your laptop from accidental drops. Some waterproof cases can keep it safe from spills and rain.
- Keep dust, dirt, and debris away from the laptop when not using it for a long time.
- It is convenient to pack your laptop with additional accessories such as earphones, mouse, chargers, and cables.
- Cases with handles, straps, or backpack-style designs make it easier to carry the laptop.
Selecting a laptop sleeves material with varying durability and protective qualities is also crucial. For me, materials such as polyester or nylon are ideal because they not only last for years with proper care, but they are also lightweight and simple to carry for everyday use.
9. Webcam: Enhance Your Virtual Presence
- Deliver high-quality video for streaming, recording content and calls.
For those who work remotely needs clear and high-quality webcams so that it helps them to communicate clearly during their virtual meetings. Reliable webcams are what online educators need to create engaging, interactive sessions of learning. This is not all about visibility but about involving and interacting with students. If you are into recording yourself and posting high-quality videos over the internet, then a good webcam will be necessary.
External webcam is useful if you are not satisfy to your poor laptop in-built webcam quality, then you can invest a external webcam providing you a high-quality. For clear video, you can choose a webcam with at least 1080p resolution. Need the higher quality, consider a 4K webcam.
Talk the frame rate, it is important to determine how smoothly your video, consider a higher frame rate to ensures smoother video. For most users, 30 fps is sufficient, but gamers and streamers may prefer 60 fps.
Before buying, read expert reviews online and get hands on experience to test the webcam to pick the best webcam for you.
10. Monitor: Boost Productivity with Dual Screens
- Multitasking with extra larger and wider screen.
- Reduces eye strain and better ergonomics compared to laptop screens.
Investing in a monitor is the best decision for me; it really improves my productivity when working. If you like to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, like I do, an additional screen can be quite helpful instead of splitting your screen into two on a small laptop screen.
Having a larger external monitor to view all documents simultaneously not only eliminates the need to constantly switch between windows, but also provides a better visual for managing your documents, whether you are comparing and checking them. In my role as a software developer, I heavily rely on two screens for coding and debugging. This approach not only saves me a significant amount of time but also enhances my productivity.
Not only for the simultaneous task, a high-quality monitor improves the gaming experience from a visual perspective. Invest in a large, high-resolution, and refresh-rate external monitor to enjoy smoother gameplay with reduced motion blur and lag.
Simple guide from me to choose a monitor:
- Size: I recommend at least 24 inches, the most comfortable size for gaming and daily tasks. For watching a movie or video? My suggestion is to opt for the largest screen you can get to optimize your viewing experience.
- Resolution: 1080p is enough for general use, even the gaming, but if you pursue higher quality, skip 1440p or 2K and go straight to 4K.
- Panel Type: IPS (In-Plane Switching) for watching movies and art work (best color accuracy, wide viewing angles), TN (Twisted Nematic) for gaming (faster response times), VA (Vertical Alignment) for general use/office work (lower price, high contrast, and better color depth).
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz is my best line for balance between gaming and general use. The highest rate goes to 144 GHz; you don’t need to pursue a higher rate.
I’m sharing all 10 useful laptop accessories, from boosting productivity with ergonomic stands and portable monitors to transforming how you interact with your laptop, making your tasks easier, your work more efficient, and your computing experience more enjoyable.
Don’t hesitate to upgrade your setup if you think they may be helpful to you; your future self will thank you for the increased efficiency and enjoyment. Which accessory are you most excited to try? Personally, my top three favorite accessories are external monitor, USB-C hub, and ergonomic stand.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope that what I’ve shared will be beneficial to you.
