Expert Picks for Superior Laptop Gadgets

Read update

• We’ve reviewed our recommendations and updated our picks for the best laptop bag and best laptop stand.

Laptop accessories are a great way to make the most of your portable PC, especially with the current crop of slim and light laptops sometimes lacking in ports and extra features. From laptop bags and lap desks to portable monitors and USB hubs, we highlight some of the best laptop accessories.

UPDATE: 06/27/2024

We’ve reviewed our recommendations and updated our picks for the best laptop bag and best laptop stand.

• 
  
  Timbuk2

Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack

Best Laptop Bag
$159 at Amazon

• 
  
  Logitech

Logitech MX Master 3S

Best Laptop Mouse
$100 at Amazon

• 
  
  ASUS

Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV

Best Portable Monitor
$373 at Amazon

• 
  
  Mophie

Mophie Powerstation Pro AC

Best Portable Charger
$200 at Amazon

• 
  
  EZQuest

EZQuest USB-C Hub

Best USB-C Hub
$46 at Amazon

• See More

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  LapGear

LapGear Designer Lap Desk

Best Lap Desk
$30 at Amazon

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  Lamicall

Lamicall adjustable laptop stand

Best Laptop Stand
$36 at Amazon

What to Look for in a Laptop Accessory

The size and fit are some of the first things to consider when buying laptop accessories. If you want a laptop bag , you’ll have to make sure it has enough room to house your laptop, particularly if you have a large-screen device. Size remains an important consideration when shopping for lap desks and laptop stands.

Your laptop’s operating system also plays an important role. Some laptop accessories, like wired or wireless mice and keyboards , might only be compatible with Windows, macOS, or Linux. While platform-specific accessories will provide the best experience with a particular OS, look for universal compatibility if you plan to use these accessories across multiple devices and platforms.

Finally, there’s connectivity. A USB hub is the best way to expand your laptop’s capabilities with the addition of extra ports and various connectivity options. But ensure that you can easily connect the hub to your laptop. Most current laptops have additional USB-C ports for this purpose, while you might need a USB-A hub for older devices.

How-To Geek’s product recommendations come from the same team of experts who have helped people fix their gadgets over one billion times. We only recommend the best products based on our research and expertise. We never accept payment to endorse or review a product. Read More »

Best Laptop Bag: TIMBUK2 Authority Laptop BackPack

Timbuk2

The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack is a premium laptop backpack with a 28-liter capacity and a dedicated laptop storage compartment. This interior pocket can comfortably store most 15- to 17-inch laptops, with plenty of additional storage space for all your other devices. In addition to its large laptop compartment, it provides two main compartments and a small pocket to store smaller items.

Thanks to ultra-padded and supportive straps, the Authority Backpack is comfortable to carry around all day. It sports an Airmesh ventilated back panel that provides extra comfort for the wearer, and it features a water-resistant exterior and waterproof bottom to keep your devices well-protected against rain.

Despite its large capacity, the Timbuk2 Authority manages to be reasonably compact. It comes with a side storage pouch for a large water bottle and ample room for clothing or any extras you might need. It has a sturdy carry handle on the top, as well as a handy luggage pass-through for attaching to your suitcase’s wheelie handle.

This amount of storage and durability comes at a premium, and there’s no denying that the Authority backpack is an expensive option. However, if you’re looking for a hard-wearing laptop backpack that will last for years, with storage space to spare, the Timbuk2 Authority is well-worth the investment.

Best Laptop Bag

Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack

A premium solution for laptop transportation, the Timbuk2 Authority features dedicated laptop storage with ample room for all your extras, and is highly water-resistant, too.

$159 at Amazon

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Best Laptop Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3S

Logitech

The Logitech MX Master 3S /MX Master 3S for Mac is a well-built, super comfortable, and ergonomic wireless mouse . A decent upgrade over the 2019 MX Master 3, the MX Master 3S comes with an 8,000 DPI sensor and a 90 percent quieter mouse click, making it one of the quietest mice available. You’ll love it if you hate noisy and clicky mice.

It features a sculpted design with a left thumb rest for your right hand and offers a very comfortable feel. You’ll also get two scroll wheels for horizontal and vertical scrolling with ratcheting and free-spinning modes. The second wheel can be programmed to perform specific functions using Logitech’s Option Plus software. All in all, it offers a smooth, one-of-a-kind scrolling experience.

You can connect the MX Master 3S to your laptop using the supplied USB-A dongle or via Bluetooth, and you can easily switch between devices. Another cool feature of the MX Master 3S is that it has a built-in battery that charges while you work. Moreover, this long-lasting battery can keep average users going for months.

Best Laptop Mouse

Logitech MX Master 3S

The Logitech MX Master 3S takes a great mouse and makes it even better. Keeping the comfortable form factor that will fit the needs of every user, as long as they’re not left-handed.

$100 at Amazon

Best Portable Monitor: ASUS ProArt Display PA148CV

ASUS

If you’re looking for a solid portable monitor to improve your productivity while on the go, we recommend the ASUS ProArt Display PA148CV . It is super easy to set up and comes with a factory-calibrated 14-inch Full HD touchscreen for superb clarity. Its high pixel density and blue light filter make it ideal for professionals like freelancers, photo editors, and content creators.

It is also slim and lightweight, weighing just 1.63 pounds, so it can easily fit in your laptop bag. When it’s time to set up, you can easily connect it using any of its two USB-C ports or micro HDMI input. To make the most of your viewing experience, the portable monitor has a built-in kickstand that lets you tilt the screen and prop it up in landscape and portrait orientations.

A scrolling wheel on the side (when in landscape) provides an easy way to adjust the monitor’s settings. It also works with apps like Photoshop and hardware like Microsoft’s Surface Dial . On-screen menus also allow you to customize the display for parameters such as color hue, temperature, and gamma adjustments.

Best Portable Monitor

Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV

$373 $399 Save $26

The Asus ProArt Display PA148CTV is a fantastic monitor for pretty much everything except gaming. If you want a dual-screen setup on the go for productivity, you can’t go wrong with it.

$373 at Amazon See at Target

Best Portable Charger: Mophie Powerstation Pro AC Portable Charger

Mophie

Even the best laptops will eventually run out of juice, and you’re out of luck if you don’t have access to a convenient charging point when on the go. That’s where a portable charger can save the day, and the Mophie Powerstation Pro AC Power Charger is our top recommendation. It packs an impressive 27,000mAh battery and supports fast charging via its 60W USB-C PD port.

The Mophie Powerstation Pro AC has a 100-watt AC port, a 60-watt USB-C PD port, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port so that you can simultaneously charge up to four devices, from laptops to smartphones. The large battery capacity makes for a heavy accessory, but you should still be able to house it in a laptop bag or carry-on with no problems.

Best Portable Charger

Mophie Powerstation Pro AC

With 27,00 mAh of internal battery capacity,100 watts of AC, and 60 watts of USB-C fast charge, the Mophie Powerstation Pro AC packs enough juice to get your laptop up and running again in no time.

$200 at Amazon See at Walmart

Best USB-C Hub: EZQuest USB-C Hub

EZQuest

One consequence of laptops getting slimmer and lighter is the lack of ports to connect external accessories and peripherals. Most current-gen laptops come with just USB-C ports for charging and connectivity, so you’ll need a good USB-C hub to compensate for missing ports. There are plenty of excellent USB-C hubs out there, offering a varied selection of ports. Our top pick, though, is the EZQuest USB-C hub .

This robust 8-in-1 USB-C hub comes with three USB-A ports, each with data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps and 10W power output, and a USB-C PD port with 85W pass-through charging. It also supports a 4K resolution at 30Hz, microSD and SD card slots, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

The EZ Quest USB-C hub is compatible with all laptops with USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and USB-C smartphones and tablets with OTG support.

If you don’t need an Ethernet port, you can save some money and opt for the Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub instead.

Best USB-C Hub

EZQuest USB-C Hub

$46 $70 Save $24

EZQuest offers an all-around solid USB-C hub with a complete selection of ports, fast power delivery, and decent media capabilities.

$46 at Amazon

Best Lap Desk: LapGear Designer Lap Desk

LapGear

While laptops are meant to be highly portable devices you can use anywhere, it’s not the most comfortable experience if you have one on your lap all the time. Lap desks are the ideal accessory if you don’t have access to a desk when out and about, and one of the best you can get is the LapGear Designer Lap Desk .

It comes with a soft padded cushion that acts as a buffer between your laptop and your thighs and is roomy enough to hold a 15.6-inch laptop and more. A device ledge holds your laptop in place and stops it from sliding off, while a built-in phone slot keeps your phone within easy reach. There’s even an elastic band at the corner to hold your notes and other papers in place.

Available in eight fun colors, the soft microbead cushion of the LapGear Designer Lap Desk is super comfortable and assumes the shape of your lap. Weighing just 2 pounds, it is lightweight and portable enough to be carried around the house or taken on a trip to the office or on a vacation, thanks to a handy carry handle.

Best Lap Desk

LapGear Designer Lap Desk

$30 $35 Save $5

The LapGear Designer Lap Desk is an excellent general-purpose lap desk with lots of color and pattern options, with a good balance of price and quality.

$30 at Amazon See at Best Buy

Best Laptop Stand: Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand

Lamicall

If you’re looking for a high-quality laptop stand, look no further than the Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand . This portable laptop riser folds completely flat, allowing it to be conveniently carried in your laptop bag, and it’s large enough to support laptops up to 17.3 inches.

Made from high-quality aluminum alloy, it has a larger, heavier base that adds some welcome stability to this notebook stand. The laptop riser itself can be adjusted in both height and angle to easily accommodate your viewing preference and support your posture. Its design features multiple ventilation holes and openings, allowing for better heat dissipation while working with your laptop.

With its ergonomic design, you can ensure that you’re adopting the correct posture while using your laptop, preventing bad habits from creeping in and risking neck, shoulder, or back pain. With a strong load capacity of around 2.6 pounds, it can easily handle the stress of even the heftiest laptops sitting on it.

Lightweight but durable, the Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand is ideal for integrating your laptop with your workstation. And with its high portability factor, it’s perfect for remote working too.

Best Laptop Stand

Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand

The Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Stand provides a heavier, sturdier base for your laptop, and can be endlessly repositioned to accommodate your work space, and to encourage correct posture.

$36 at Amazon

FAQ

How do I clean my laptop?

First, shut down your laptop and unplug it from the wall. Next, clean the ports, keys, vents, and other openings using compressed air. You can also wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. There are plenty of laptop-friendly cleaning sprays you can buy to keep your screen and keyboard in perfect condition. Some laptop manufacturers even include specific instructions for cleaning their devices.

Should I get a Windows laptop or a MacBook?

Whether you get a Windows laptop or a MacBook depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. If you want an affordable laptop, a wide selection of software/apps, and more user control, then go for a Windows laptop. On the other hand, if you have a bigger budget, want more security, or own other Apple devices, a MacBook might be your best bet.

Do I need a mouse with my laptop?

All laptops come with a built-in touchpad or trackpad that functions as a mouse pointer. However, they’re often less efficient than a traditional mouse. Most people prefer to buy a dedicated mouse to boost productivity and improve ergonomics. There are also wired and wireless options to consider, depending on your usage and budget.

How do I know what size my laptop is?

There are several ways to tell laptop size. Using a ruler, measure the diagonal from the lower left corner to the upper right corner, then convert your measurement to inches. You can also check your laptop’s screen size online, if you know the model number, or look through the user manual. You can also get this information from your laptop’s Display or Screen settings.

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