There’s a certain kind of warmth that arrives with the holidays, twinkling lights, familiar laughter echoing through the house, and that first cup of hot chocolate you didn’t have to rush to finish before a meeting. But even now, work doesn’t pause just because we’re swapping city snow for childhood bedrooms or airport terminals. Deadlines still tap us on the shoulder, and emails still blink on our screens. That’s where your remote office in a backpack comes in.
As we trade office desks for grandma’s dining table, and ergonomic chairs for a cottage window, here a some portable work essentials that fit your backpack.
Tablets (portable, flexible, and great for notes & media)
These tablets let you stay creative, connected, and light on the move. They bridge the gap between work and play, powerful enough for meetings, note-taking, or content creation, yet compact enough to slip into your bag beside a novel or a travel mug.
Under $500 (everyday to mid-range travel-friendly tablets)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
With the S-Pen included that’s great for writing and sketching, this compact tablet gives you smooth performance for emails, notes, videos, and Google Workspace. It’s a balanced budget pick that feels premium for the price.
Lenovo Tab M11
The slim, student-friendly Lenovo Tab features crisp 11″ screen, Android 13, and great battery life. It’s powerful enough for research, video calls, and everyday productivity apps.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite
This large 10.9″ display, with smooth 90Hz scrolling and slim 6.6mm build, offers a lightweight feel great for travel and work on the go. Plus, it comes with an S-Pen.
Apple iPad (11th Gen)
Reliable and fast, with great camera for FaceTime, this Apple iPad is perfect for digital planners, docs, and reading. Pair it with Apple Pencil + keyboard (sold separately) for laptop-style productivity.
$1,000 and up (pro-level tablet workstations)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 / S10+
This stunning OLED display with S-Pen included, features strong multitasking capabilities and Samsung ecosystem features, a dream device for digital creatives and travellers.
Apple iPad Pro
The iPad Pro has ultra-smooth ProMotion display, desktop-grade power, and best-in-class cameras. It’s ideal for pro content workflows, from editing video to presentations.
Laptops (full power, full productivity)
A lightweight laptop is the anchor, powerful enough for real work, yet portable enough to fit your daily flow. It’s the kind of companion that slips effortlessly between coffee tables and cabin desks.
Under $500 (smart starters for basic work)
HP 14″ laptop
A traditional Windows 11 laptop option under $500 with Intel N100 processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is enough for basic workflows, emails, documents, browsing and hybrid working without fuss.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″
This detachable 2-in-1 design (tablet + keyboard) gives you flexibility. With the MediaTek Kompanio 838 chip, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, it’s very well-suited for note-taking, light productivity, and travel use.
$900 and up (premium laptop for productivity)
Acer Aspire 14″
The laptop’s 14″ size strikes a balance between screen space and portability. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, 16 GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and Windows 11, it’s ideal for power users who travel but still demand performance.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x
A 15.3″ screen with a Snapdragon X processor, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, offers premium build, great for creators or frequent flyers who want near-top-tier specs in a travel-friendly body.
Apple MacBook Air/Pro
The MacBook Air is ideal for travellers who want light performance and all-day battery life, while the MacBook Pro steps things up for editors, creators, and power users who need more processing muscle. Either way, you’re getting a thin, reliable, premium machine that handles everything from video calls to creative workflows with ease.
HP Omnibook X 14″
This laptop blends portability and powerhouse specs: AMD Ryzen AI 7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, all in an aluminium chassis with 14″ size. For the hybrid professional who demands serious performance while staying mobile, this is a top-tier pick.
Foldable or compact keyboard + mouse
Compact accessories like these can turn any surface from a café counter to a train tray into a workspace that’s truly yours. Light, wireless, and designed for movement, these portable companions make sure comfort and efficiency travel right alongside you.
Best Buy Essentials wireless 2.4G ergonomic keyboard & mouse combo
A full-size wireless keyboard and six-button mouse bundle delivers a comfortable typing experience and efficient navigation. The 2.4 GHz wireless connection keeps your setup tidy without sacrificing performance.
Logitech K400 Plus wireless keyboard with touch pad
This compact and ultra-slim wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad is designed for portability and ease of use. With quiet low-profile keys and a 10-metre wireless range, it’s ideal for working from a couch, a small table, or on the go.
Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 universal keyboard with cover
Ultra-slim and incredibly portable, it works with most devices (iOS, Android, Windows), ideal for travellers who want a colourful, lightweight typing companion.
MX Keys S Bluetooth Combo
The gold standard for productivity setups, this combo gives you a quiet keyboard with backlit keys, precision tracking mouse, and comfortable palm rest. This is a dream bundle for serious remote professionals.
Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds
Good audio gear keeps your remote office quiet and focused, even when the world around you isn’t. Whether it’s chatter at the airport or a bustling family home, noise-cancelling headphones carve out a calm space wherever you are.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE has active noise cancellation, crisp audio, and up to 30 hours of battery life (with case). They’re great for travellers who want premium sound without the premium price.
JLab Epic Air Sport
Experience a sport-friendly fit with adjustable ear hooks, solid ANC, and impressive 70 hours total playtime with the charging case. They’re perfect for gym-to-airport multitasking.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Flagship ANC with immersive spatial audio gives you plush comfort and 24-hour battery life, making them a favourite for frequent flyers.
Sony WH-1000XM6
Industry-leading ANC, lightweight comfort, and crystal-clear mic, these Sony headphones are a consistent editor’s choice for travel and remote productivity.
Portable power & charging accessories
These reliable charging gear keep every device powered through the day. From portable chargers to adapters, they are the unsung heroes of mobile productivity, the quiet reassurance that your laptop won’t fade mid-call and your tablet won’t die just as inspiration strikes.
Energizer MAX 20,000mAh USB-C/USB-A power bank
High-capacity pack fits long travel days, multiple devices, and can even help a laptop in a pinch.
Anker Nano 5,000mAh power bank with MagSafe
Compact and pocket-friendly with enough juice for phone/tablet top-ups during travel, this power bank is ideal for tossing into a backpack without adding bulk.
Webcam cover + privacy screen
Remote work often means working in shared spaces, where privacy can be tricky. From webcam covers that protect your camera when not in use to privacy filters that block unwanted glances, these small tools add a layer of comfort and security to your digital workspace.
Webcam cover, camera cover slide 6-pack
Budget and simple these ultra-thin slider covers for laptop/tablet webcams are perfect for travel and public spaces.
Kensington FP140W10 14 inch laptop privacy screen
A full privacy filter for 14″ laptops, limits viewing angle and reduces glare & blue light, ideal for cafés or airplanes.
Kensington MagPro Magnetic Privacy Screen
The screen’s sleek magnetic attachment design makes it easy to put on and remove. It reduces glare and limits viewing angles to protect sensitive work data in public spaces.
Compact tech organizer or backpack
Every remote worker’s best friend is an organized bag. Between laptops, chargers, headphones, and notebooks, a good backpack or tech organizer helps keep everything safe, accessible, and tangle-free. These sleek picks combine durability, style, and travel convenience perfect for a mobile lifestyle.
Solo 15.6″ Duane hybrid laptop backpack/briefcase
With it’s hybrid design, you can carry it like a briefcase or use as a backpack, stylish and practical for hybrid professionals.
Targus Voyager II backpack
Featuring a durable build, water-resistant exterior, and smart compartments, this backpack is a quality pick for frequent travellers with a ton of room.
The perfect gift for life on the move
This remote office in a backpack is a lifestyle starter pack. It’s for the student balancing assignments between classes and coffee runs, the freelancer hopping between cafés, or the professional squeezing in a quick meeting before a family dinner. Each item—the lightweight laptop, foldable keyboard, noise-cancelling headphones, and compact power bank—adds up to something greater freedom to work anywhere.
It also makes an incredibly thoughtful holiday gift. Instead of giving yet another gadget, you’re gifting time, flexibility, and comfort. Bundle a few of these essentials together, add a sleek tech backpack, and use Best Buy’s holiday gift-wrap or express shipping options to deliver a ready-to-go productivity setup for someone special.
Visit Best Buy for your portable work essentials
Explore our wide selection of laptops and MacBooks as well as computer accessories. Your remote office is ready to go wherever the holidays take you.
