5 things under $100 that actually helped my productivity
Recently, there was an article that caught my eye entitled 5 Products Under $100 that Helped my Productivity. I’m always looking for ways to help my workflow, so I was intrigued. But instead of helpful recommendations, what I found were suggestions for things like a pen and legal pad from the Dollar Store.
While it is true that writing things down is helpful for productivity, the suggestion to purchase paper was hardly helpful. Still, I’m sure there are tons of people out there who are legitimately looking for ways to increase their productivity and want legitimately useful suggestions.
So, I decided to write my own list!
Here are my 5 things under $100 that have actually helped my productivity.
Headphones
I don’t know that there is a single product out there that has improved my productivity more than a simple pair of headphones. Especially when I’m trying to work in the same space that my kids are doing school or not doing school, depending on the time of day.
I tend to get distracted by the noises of life, so having something to block out that noise is essential. On top of that, music with a steady beat helps me get into a good rhythm with my writing, so my headphones end up pulling double duty.
Very productive.
Headphones can get really expensive if you let them, but they don’t have to be. My current pair is the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds, and I am loving them. Not only do they block out up to 98.5% of sounds, but they last up to 50 hours without needing to charge the case, meaning I pretty much never have to go without. And, as promised, they cost less than a $100!
You can pick up a pair for $99 from Amazon, or less if you’re shopping during a sale. (I got mine for around 30% off, for Black Friday.)
If that’s still too much, then I would instead suggest a pair of the Anker Q20 over-ear headphones. These aren’t quite as portable, since they are full-size headphones, but the still block out most sounds, last 40 hours between charges, and only cost about 1/3 of the price of their newer cousin.
If you're looking for great headphones on a budget, these are an incredible value. Not only do they does the battery on these things last for basically an entire work week between charges, but the sound canceling is incredible for this price point. And they're comfy!
I loved these headphones, and really the only reason I upgraded to the Liberty 4 ANC Earbuds was because the Q20's size made them a bit hard to pack. I usually ended up wearing them around my neck while traveling, and it's just easier to slip earbuds in my pocket.
There is a really good chance I have these in my ears right now. I picked a pair of these up during last year's Black Friday sale, and if I have any regrets, it's that I didn't pick up a pair for every member of my family.
The noise cancelling on these is absolutely amazing, especially for a sub-$100 pair of earbuds. The battery lasts through most of my workday without me needing to take a break, and if I do manage to run the battery down, the earbuds charge quick enough that a short coffee break will get me enough charge to last through the rest of my day.
Just get these. You will not regret it.
A Wireless Mouse
Yes, your laptop has a trackpad, but let’s be honest. It’s not the best option.
I love having a mouse. With as much time as I spend on the computer, the ability to quickly and easily click and drag is invaluable. There’s no telling how much time I’ve saved.
Currently, I’m using the Lenovo Go Wireless Vertical Mouse, because I have old man wrists and need the extra support. Though I suppose, vertical mice are technically good for everyone. It’s a good mouse that looks nice, too, and I’d definitely recommend it.
Need more customizable buttons, so you can be extra productive? Check out the Logitech MX Master 3S instead. It has special software for customizing buttons just so, and at $99.99, it just squeezes under the $100 limit.
I bought this a replacement for a Jellycomb vertical mouse that I used for about 2 years, and which I can't find anymore. I'm loving the way the cork looks and feels, and the mouse itself works great! My only complaint is that the wireless USB connector doesn't connect as sturdily as I'd like. If I bump it, it can sometimes disconnect, but tapping it again reconnects it without a problem. I've been using it for 2 months now, and I would buy it again.
This is basically the most premium mouse you can buy, and I.... don't really have that in my budget. Still, it is extremely well reviewed, and looks to be an excellent choice if you are willing to spend $100 on a mouse. Keep your eye out for sales!
Extra Screen Real Estate
I’m cheating a little bit here because the absolute best second screens for travel are all over $100, but there are some tricks for getting a second screen that will help increase your productivity on the cheap.
First and foremost, shop the sales. This 15.6″ USB-C monitor is only $95.99 right now, thanks to extended Black Friday sales. It isn’t from a brand I’ve used, but for that price, a lot can be forgiven. And if there’s no sales going on? Well, there are a few screens that go for under $100, like this one from Ingnok. Again, at that price, you aren’t getting bells and whistles, but it should definitely get the job done!
Portable screens are the best way to go, but in a pinch you could also just buy an HDMI cord and set up with whatever TV is at hand!
A Decent To Do List
One of the best ways to stay productive is to stay organized, and a great to-do list is essential for that. I’ve used the paid version of TickTick for years at this point, and could not see myself changing away from it short of them going out of business. (RIP Wunderlist)
Smart lists, tags, and calendar views are all here, but so are habit trackers, pomodoro timers, and, my personal favorite, a timeline view where I can see how my tasks stack up over time.
A Dedicated E-reader
One of the reasons I like finding productivity tips is because I have a tendency towards being pretty distractable. That’s why I love having a dedicated e-reader for those times when I need to focus on a book or resource. I personally use the Kindle Paperwhite, and it works great for me, but if you want to stick under $100, the “plain-old” Kindle gets the job done. Either one is directly connected to Amazon’s Kindle library, which makes it super easy to buy a new book, whether for research or entertainment.
I like that I can leave my phone in my pocket and not worry about getting distracted from reading by an email notification. And I love being able to read even in direct sunlight, thanks to the e-ink screen.
If you don’t want to get locked-in to Amazon’s ecosystem for books, you could also check out “Renewed” Kobo Readers, which are pretty comparable to the regular Kindles, but which read ePubs instead of Kindle books. Yes, the renewed readers are used, but don’t let that put you off. These are still great devices with a lot of life left in them!
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Budget Option
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My Personal Pick
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Take Handwritten Notes
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$99.99
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$339.99
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