I Tested WFH-Friendly Tech Accessories. Here’s What’s Worth Buying

Welcome to Skimm Tested, a series where we put viral products to the test and give you our honest, unfiltered reviews.

What I Tested…

• Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk  ($179.99)

• Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable Charger ($44.99+)

• Anker 525 Charging Station ($49.99+)

Why I Tested...

How I Tested…

I added all three of these tech products into my daily work-from-home routine over the last month. I noted how they fit into my space, how easy they were to integrate into my work flow as a newsletter producer, and general aesthetics. I also took them to coffee shops and carried them around in my bag to test out weight, portability, and efficiency. I know that tech accessories can be expensive, so I wanted to determine if these were going to be worth their higher price tags.

Test Results...

• Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk: I don’t know how I ever lived without this laptop stand. Its corresponding keyboard and touchpad fit into the base of the stand, and it folds up like a book. This made working at my kitchen table (or even my coffee table) feel like I had access to all the tech accessories my coworkers do at the office. It took away neck strain and helped me maintain good posture. The keyboard is sturdy and substantial. Plus, I love how its book-like storage means I can store it anywhere in my apartment and no one will notice it.

• Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable Charger: My biggest gripe with portable chargers is that there’s a lot to consider — if you need to pack an extra cord, whether it’s charged enough, etc. This portable charger from Anker takes away all those concerns because it comes with a built-in cord, has another USB-C dock for an extra cord, and charges via a standard wall outlet. My favorite detail: It has a display that will show its battery life so you aren’t left guessing.

• Anker 525 Charging Station: I was instantly drawn to this charging station for its aesthetics. It’s far sleeker and more design-forward than other charging stations and power strips I’ve seen. I also love its soft green color (though it comes in black and white, too). This station allows me and my boyfriend to charge our devices at the same time. It has three AC outlets along the back, and two USB-A and USB-C ports on the front. I love it for keeping our space visually clean. The best part is the fact that it charges devices quickly, while monitoring its temperature so you don’t have to worry about overheating.

Sidenotes...

• Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk: While its book-like design makes it easy to take on the go, I noticed that it felt heavy while carrying around. That said, it’s worth the $180 price tag for someone who works in nontraditional office environments.

• Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable Charger: If you’re like me and still have an iPhone that needs to be charged via lightning cable, Anker makes a version with one built-in. It has an extra USB-C port for optionality, which I love because all my other devices charge that way. This one increases my phone charge by about 30% in 25 minutes. Do you absolutely need to spend $45+ on a portable charger? Definitely not. But do I find myself reaching for it more than my Walmart one because of how convenient it is.

• Anker 525 Charging Station: If I were to tell you to invest in two products from this review, I’d say to skip this one. You can get the same effect from any power strip. But if you’re a creative who mainly works from home, are sick of tangled cords, or care about building out your home office, you’ll get use out of this. The only thing I didn’t like about this charging station is its 5-foot cord that plugs into the wall. It’s too thick (and in turn, not very malleable). I realize that this is good for durability in the long run, but not for maneuvering around a desk area.

The Fine Details...

• Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk, $179.99.

• Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable Charger, $44.99+.

• Anker 525 Charging Station, $49.99+.

• Shop Logitech at select retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Logitech.com.

• Shop Anker at select retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Anker.com.