Some jobs have always been on the go, but more people working remotely means more people turning their cars into offices. There are some logistical challenges, such as how to power all those electronics, but also many products to address such technicalities. From passenger-seat desks to portable printers and self-heating lunch boxes, here’s what you need to make a car office work for you.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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Auto Steering Wheel Desk
$15 from Amazon
It’s hard to beat this sturdy plastic tray that hooks onto a steering wheel for convenience and simplicity. One side features a cup holder and recessed area so things don’t fall off, and the other is flat for writing or laptops.
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AutoExec GripMaster Car Desk
$200 from Amazon
This more complicated desk sits on the passenger seat and features a pull-out writing surface plus a non-slip surface for a laptop. It secures with the seatbelt and has storage for hanging files and small odds and ends such as pens and USB drives.
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weBoost Car Cellphone Signal Booster
$500 from Amazon
You won’t have to worry about dropped calls with this phone signal booster. It features a small magnetic mount antenna for the top of your car, is compatible with 5G, and can boost multiple phones at once.
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Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler
$25 from Amazon
The days of dropping a phone, keys, or pens into the abyss between the console and seat will be over with this gap filler that secures around the seat belt catch.
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Lusso Gear Front Seat Car Organizer
$30 from Amazon
Instead of throwing things haphazardly onto the passenger seat, stow them neatly in a front-seat organizer. It hangs off the headrest and can hold electronics, files, a water bottle, and anything else needed within arm’s reach.
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Arctic Zone Zipperless Hardbody Cooler
$43 from Amazon
Avoid extra trips to the drive-thru or convenience store by keeping a small cooler in the car. This 16-can size is big enough to store a few drinks and a lunch and can keep ice for two days.
Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
$85 from Amazon
This little portable espresso maker is hand operated so you never have to worry about batteries or chargers. Just tamp coffee grounds in the morning and add hot water whenever you need a caffeine fix.
Thermos Stainless Insulated Travel Tumbler
$25 from Amazon
If you’d rather just make coffee at home, keep it warm with a Thermos travel mug all morning. There are a number of colors to pick from and it keeps hot beverages warm for up to seven hours.
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Bestek 12V Power Inverter
$30 from Amazon
You’ll use a lot of electronics in a car office; this power inverter will help charge them off the car battery. It’s small and weighs less than a pound, but features two outlets and two USB ports.
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Cup Holder Tablet Mount
$30 from Amazon
Working off an iPad or tablet is a great idea in a car office, since space is at a premium. This sturdy tablet mount sits in a cup holder and is endlessly adjustable for maximum ergonomic comfort.
Arteck Compact Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
$30 from Amazon
Make yourself more comfortable by using a wireless keyboard and mouse for your laptop. This set is compact so it fits easily on your lap or console and uses a tiny USB receiver to interface with a computer.
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Topgo Cup Holder Phone Mount
$20 from Amazon
Cup holder phone mounts aren’t just for using GPS anymore — though they’re perfect for that. No matter what you do on your phone, operate it hands free and safely with this adjustable mount that fits into an empty cup holder.
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Car Vent Phone Mount
$9.50 from Amazon
If your cup holders are usually filled or you’d like your phone mounted on your dash, this model that attaches to an air vent gets the job done. It rotates 360 degrees so a phone will always be at the right angle.
Car Cleaning Gel
$6 from Amazon
Spending more time working and eating in a car means more mess. Cleaning gel is a detailer’s dream to get inside all the nooks and crannies where dust and crumbs like to settle.
Fortem Car Trunk Organizer
$25 from Amazon
Chances are your car is just going to accumulate more stuff the longer you work out of it, so a good truck organizer is a must for keeping it tidy. This one has a number of compartments, straps, and pockets, plus a cover so people can’t see what it holds in the back of an SUV.
Canon Pixma TR150 Wireless Mobile Printer
$230 from Canon
You have to figure you’re going to be working from your car for a while to justify a portable printer, but it’s worth it if you are. It can print in full color, is smaller than a shoebox, and weighs 4.5 pounds for printing anywhere.
Headrest Hangers
$6 from Amazon
Keep things organized and off the backseat of a car with headrest hangers. This pack of four is simple and inexpensive so you can hang a couple off each headrest for purses, laptop bags, and cold-weather gear.
Sandure Headrest Coat Hanger
$41 from Amazon
For business attire, nothing beats one of those coat hangers. It hooks onto the back of a headrest, holding a jacket high so it doesn’t drag on the car floor and helping the jacket hold its shape.
Electric Lunchbox
$32 from Amazon
No time to hit up a drive-thru, or are you trying to avoid them altogether? This electric lunchbox warms your food for you, from cold to piping hot in about an hour. It plugs into a car outlet and comes with its own stowed-away cutlery.
Amazon Basics Steel Security Safe
$90 from Amazon
If you’re going to transport important documents and expensive electronics, it might be wise to store them in a safe in the trunk. This one with an electronic programmable keypad will fit a laptop and plenty of paperwork.
Jabra Tour In-Car Bluetooth Speakerphone
$77 from Amazon
Built-in car phone bluetooth systems can be spotty; upgrade to this speakerphone if yours keeps cutting out. The speaker clips to a visor and features voice controls, noise canceling, and auto off to conserve battery.
Cup Holder Garbage Can
$9 from Amazon
Don’t let all those little wrappers, napkins, and Post-it notes pile up on the floor. Stick them in this mini trash can that fits inside a cup holder and has a spring-loaded door that stays closed.
Memory Foam Car Seat Cushion
$30 from Amazon
We spend hundreds of dollars on ergonomic office chairs, so why not upgrade your car seat if you’re going to be in it eight hours a day? It’s made of memory foam, has a non-slip rubber bottom, and a removable machine-washable cover.
