So many people have found the confidence to start their own businesses and join the world of freelancing this year. What better way to show the freelancer in your life you support them than with an innovative tech gift to improve their workday?
Whether you’re shopping for a friend, a relative, or a business partner, these techy presents are perfect for all types of freelancers! Plus, if you get any of these for your own business … just count them as tax write-offs.
Check out our list of seven ingenious tech gifts we know every freelancer would love to find under their tree.
1. Ergonomic Keyboard
From wrist pain to carpal tunnel, the freelancer who sits at a computer all day is no stranger to typing discomfort. A well-designed ergonomic keyboard can make a huge difference in the longevity of a workday. This wireless one by Logi is so lightweight and sleek, it’s ideal for a more minimal work from home set-up. Plus, it’s the highest-rated ergonomic keyboard anywhere you look for reviews, which should tell you something about how much freelancers love it.
Tip: To create an ergonomic gift basket, throw in this mouse and this mousepad for a fully functional ergonomic desktop. Their wrists will thank you.
2. Noise Cancelling Headphones or Earbuds
Working from home is certainly not without its distractions. Kids running around, the dog barking, package deliveries, your roommate watching TV. You try going to a coffee shop for a little focused work time, but the chatter and the hustle and bustle are more distracting than the noise at home! If only there were some way to cancel out all of that noise…
Noise-canceling technology is probably one of the best things ever to happen to freelancers. With noise-canceling headphones from Sony, you can actually block out all the external noise and hear nothing but your work playlist (or literally nothing at all, if you prefer). If headphones aren’t your style, try a less obtrusive form of noise-canceling tech in a good pair of earbuds, like AirPods or these less pricey ones from Soundcore.
3. Laptop Docking Station
Many freelancers work from laptops, due to the convenient portability. But when it’s really time to sit down at a desk and power through a few hours of work, having a more efficient set-up can make a huge difference for posture and back health as opposed to slouching down to look at that low laptop screen. Combine this two-in-one monitor stand and docking station from j5create with a nice new monitor for that extra special someone (like your cousin who won’t stop talking about their latest side hustle).
4. Temperature-Controlling Coffee Mug
There’s no liquid quite so essential to the freelancer’s productivity as coffee (or a well-caffeinated tea) and nothing quite so disappointing as discovering your coffee has gone cold in the midst of countless meetings and projects.
Enter: the Ember mug. This temperature-controlling smart mug will keep your caffeine hot and tasty for as long as it takes you to drink it all up. Worry less about the little things and focus your energy on that next client meeting. Especially for freelancers who aren’t desk-bound all day, like construction workers or other more active entrepreneurs, it’s so nice to have your coffee still warm and toasty when you come back to home base!
5. Blue Light Glasses
Along with staring at a computer screen all day comes tired eyes and constant headaches, but blue-light-blocking glasses can help ease the strain. You can find many different styles of these online, but Gunnar has a great selection and has a prescription option for those who already require regular glasses.
6. Wireless Phone Charger
Among the boom in work from home jobs are the work from phone freelancers. Social media managers, virtual assistants, and many other freelancers often find themselves on their phones more than at a computer, which can seriously take a toll on their battery life. A portable power bank is a great way to keep your phone juiced for those on-the-go workdays.
7. Phone Tripod
Social media is essential to small business owners today, as it provides great opportunities to network with potential clients and market their offerings. With it comes the need for social media content to promote your services. A phone tripod like this one from UBeesize will turn your smartphone into a photoshoot or video recording station, and can even double as a phone dock for Zoom meetings.
Give the Gift of Technology This Year
Freelancers have a lot on their plate in the day-to-day of juggling clients, contracts, and countless projects. Worrying about taking care of themselves easily drops into last place on the task list.
By giving the freelancer in your life one of these innovative tech gifts, you’re empowering them to work better and healthier without stressing over investing their own revenue in these home office improvements. These gifts are more than some helpful technology — they’re investments in an entrepreneur’s future.
