If you work primarily off a laptop, you’re likely already aware of the productivity and comfort benefits that a few small gadgets can provide. The best part is that many of them can make a meaningful difference without draining your wallet.

There’s no need to splurge on expensive gear to create a more enjoyable setup. That’s why I put together this list of affordable accessories and peripherals for your laptop, all under $20.

At the time of writing, all items and similar variants were available under $20. Prices may change over time due to inflation or retailer updates.

Kensington Laptop Lock

If you frequently use your laptop in coffee shops, libraries, and other public spaces, you will likely have to leave your laptop unattended at some point. After all, it’s much easier to leave your laptop on the desk to show that the space is occupied when you go to make another order or to the restroom than dragging it with you. However, we don’t live in a perfect world, so this isn’t really an option because theft is a real risk.

Fortunately, if your laptop has a Kensington Security Slot (common on many business laptops), you can use a Kensington lock to secure it to the desk. Think of it as a bike lock for your laptop: just loop it around a desk leg or nearby rail and lock it in place by shuffling the number combination.

While it’s not entirely foolproof, it should be fine if you need to leave for a few minutes. For extra protection, lock your screen and use biometric security so that a nosy passerby can’t access your private information.

Microphone

It doesn’t matter if you have a $500 or a $1,500 laptop; the vast majority of built-in microphones simply aren’t good. Laptops are thin and have little room for a large diaphragm, and since the capsule is built into the chassis, it often picks up fan noise, keystrokes, and room echo.

If you have frequent online meetings, good sound quality is arguably more important than video quality. Not to mention that, unlike the microphone, your laptop’s built-in webcam is usually good enough for online calls. Even if you use earbuds with your laptop, the microphone probably still isn’t great.

Upgrading to a simple standalone gooseneck USB microphone will be a noticeable improvement over the built-in mic. Even if you can’t get a brand-name option for $20, it’s still a big jump in sound quality. The fact that the microphone is physically larger and sits in front of your mouth rather than inside the chassis makes the price worthwhile on its own. The JOUNIVO USB condenser microphone even includes a physical mute button and LED indicator, which is far more convenient than relying on mute options in video conferencing apps.

I also have to mention the Amazon Basics USB condenser microphone, as it’s an even better option, though it’s a bit above our $20 budget. You might catch it on sale for around $20—according to camelcamelcamel, its lowest price was $20.98, which is a fantastic deal for this sleek, professional-looking mic.

Wrist Rest

If you typically use your laptop at a desk and spend a lot of time typing and using a mouse instead of the built-in trackpad, consider investing in a memory foam wrist rest for both of your hands.

The thick pads encourage a more neutral wrist position and provide a soft, cushioned surface so that your wrists aren’t pressing directly against the hard desk. While it can’t completely prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, it helps reduce strain and lowers the risk of injury.

It’s an affordable but substantial upgrade for your comfort. Just make sure to get super thick wrist rets, like this Gorilla Grip set, as they’ll promote a more neutral wrist position.

Magnetic Phone Holder

If your job requires frequent phone use, or you find a secondary device for tools like ChatGPT more convenient than your laptop, a magnetic phone holder is a must-have. It’s a small but handy gadget that keeps your phone in view.

Whether you want to catch notifications and calls, control music or podcasts, or even use it as a mini secondary monitor via an app like spacedesk, it’s an essential accessory for anyone with a laptop. The CloudValley magnetic phone holder is sturdy and sleek, compatible with MagSafe; for Android phones, simply use a MagSafe case to take advantage of the strong magnets.

Desk Pad

If you prefer working from your laptop at a desk, a large, thick mousepad is a must-have accessory. In addition to being a decent alternative to wrist rests, a mouse pad provides a smooth surface for your mouse to glide on. The pad protects the surface of your desk and is much easier to clean, as most mousepads are water-resistant and can be cleaned with a microfiber towel. It also adds an aesthetic touch by creating a tidy workspace that helps set the right mood for work.

The best part is that there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you want sleek PU leather, a fancy felt pad, or a classic smooth cloth mousepad, you can find a variety of colors, patterns, and designs, all under $20 (and often even under $10).

Mechanical Keyboard

You probably weren’t expecting to see an actual mechanical keyboard on this list, as even the cheapest options tend to be over $50. However, mechanical keyboards have come down in price significantly, and you can find some surprisingly decent options for just $20.

Of course, you can’t expect much in the way of features, keycaps, or switch quality. The good news is that you can mod even cheap keyboards to improve the sound and feel using things you might have around the house, like packing foam and painter’s tape.

In my opinion, even a cheap mechanical keyboard is more satisfying and enjoyable to type on than most laptop keyboards, especially membrane ones. A membrane keyboard is still an okay option if you need an external keyboard to use with a laptop stand.

As for which mechanical keyboard to get, there aren’t that many options under $20. If possible, look for used keyboards on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Otherwise, there are occasional deals that bring the price down to $20. Right now, the Redragon 60% K633CGO-RGB is on sale for $20. It’s a solid 60% keyboard that lacks an F row but has RGB lighting and hot-swappable switches, making it easy to upgrade the switches later.

If you need an F row and a number pad, the Newmen GM325Pro is a solid option that somehow has hot-swappable switches and a metal backplate despite its $20 full price.

USB-C Hub

If your laptop only has a couple of USB-C ports, and you have lots of accessories and storage devices that you’d like to keep connected, a good USB-C hub will quickly turn into your all-time favorite gadget.

Although USB-C isn’t perfect, it allows you to use that small high-bandwidth port to connect everything from HDMI cables and SD cards to other USB-A and USB-C devices. On top of that, USB-C hubs can still function as a USB-C PD port for fast charging, making it a true extension of your laptop’s USB-C I/O rather than just another dongle.

Laptop Stand

Once you have a mouse and an external keyboard, a laptop stand quickly becomes a must-have accessory. A laptop stand offers two major benefits: first, it raises the laptop to eye level, making it far more ergonomic for daily use at your desk. That’s especially handy if you use your laptop as a desktop computer.

Second, the stand lifts the bottom cooling vents off the desk, giving the internal fan all the airflow it needs to keep the laptop cool. I’ve tried a similar setup with my own laptop, which I call “laptop tenting,” and noticed a clear performance improvement thanks to the increased cooling efficiency.

Headphones or Earbuds

Admittedly, $20 isn’t a high budget for an accessory like headphones, but if my options for listening to audio were between $20 headphones and the laptop’s built-in speakers, you know which option I’d pick. If you work on the go, headphones are a must-have gadget and actually aren’t even optional when it comes to video conferencing.

I managed to find a couple of decent Bluetooth headphones for under $20: the Picun B8 and the Uliptz wireless Bluetooth headphones. Both are over-ear and have built-in media controls and a microphone, which is impressive considering their super low price.

Over-ear headphones aren’t the only audio solution, though.

You can also get some surprisingly decent wireless earbuds for the price, which will provide all the same features as the headphones and arguably better sound quality, at least from my subjective experience. They’re also much more portable if that’s a concern. Right now, the extremely popular Soundcore by Anker P20i are on sale for $20, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for other earbuds deals.

Wireless Mouse

If there’s one must-have accessory for anyone who works on a laptop, it’s a mouse—specifically, a wireless mouse, which is even more comfortable and convenient than a regular one.

No matter your job or workflow, a wireless mouse provides significantly faster and more precise input than your laptop’s trackpad or touchscreen. It’s the one thing I always miss when working on my laptop, and whenever I know I’ll be spending more than a few hours on it, I bring my trusty Logitech G502 Lightspeed.

However, you don’t really need to invest in a fancy high-end Logitech gaming mouse, as a budget option like the Logitech M185 will provide a very similar experience. If the shape of the M185 doesn’t suit you, the Amazon Basics Wireless Mouse is a decent ergonomic alternative for people with large hands. It even has a fast-scrolling wheel and side buttons!

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With these affordable laptop accessories, you can significantly boost your productivity and improve your setup. Whether it’s a pair of earbuds to keep you focused, a wireless mouse that’ll blaze through spreadsheets, or a simple desk mat to enhance comfort, these small upgrades can add up to make a big difference.

Some reviewers compare this to the Hue LightStrip and prefer this option, considering it’s a fraction of the price!

I own the old version of this light (before this newer model released) and still absolutely love it. First of all, it’s SOOO easy to put on the wall — it comes with these little adhesive plastic brackets that you just slide onto the rope and then press against the wall, and continue adding them as needed to support the shape you’re making. The Govee app makes it so easy to program the lighting however I like, and it’s upgraded my nighttime cozy vibes in a MAJOR way. Also, I recently moved apartments and re-mounted my Govee rope light in a different shape on my new wall, and it was just as easy as the first time (just be careful removing the adhesive brackets as it can rip paint off — this happened to me with one of them, but we patched it easily).

I’ll probably come back for this improved model eventually, which is made of even more flexible, softer materials and has improved lighting effects and upgraded bend clips. Plus, they now only offer this light in 9- and 16-foot lengths, which totally makes sense — mine is the old 6-foot version that they don’t even sell anymore, probably because it’s not quite long enough to make elaborate shapes with. You might not think you need that much length, but once you start creating waves and shapes on your wall, you’ll realize it’s very much needed to get the full effect!

Get it from Amazon for $49.98+ (available in three lengths and two colors).

Remote jobs aren’t just for digital nomads! What about those students who are currently at school, but are looking to travel and live abroad once they graduate?

College tuition and travel isn’t cheap, so earning money matters. The good news is that today’s high paying remote jobs let students do just that without sprinting across campus or skipping lectures.

With only a laptop and Wi-Fi, a learner can build real experience, fatten a bank account, and still finish homework on time.

Because of course, schoolwork doesn’t just disappear. A lot of students these days rely on digital tools to stay on top of everything. If that’s you, you can consider using Write Paper For Me during exam crunch weeks so you still have time to hunt for online jobs!

This guide explores the 10 highest paying remote jobs for college students, shows why they pay well, and explains how to balance work with studies.

Each role can be started with skills a student already owns or can learn quickly, often through short courses or online degrees that pay well later on.

This post will help you discover top work from home jobs, how to land them, and how to stay sane while juggling class projects and paychecks.

Let’s get started!

Coding

• Typical pay: $25–$60+ an hour depending on the language and complexity
• Good for: small projects like bug fixes, plugins, or short app builds
• Where to look: Stack Overflow, GitHub Jobs, Upwork, or internship postings
• What helps: having a solid portfolio and being reliable with deadlines
• Extra perk: repeat clients often lead to full-time offers after graduation

Coding has long been one of the highest-paying remote jobs, for good reason. Businesses frequently hire student freelance developers as cost-cutting measures while taking advantage of innovative ideas generated from young programmers. Computer science majors often possess many of the core skills that make coding bootcamps effective, yet anyone can benefit by enrolling.

Hourly rates typically range from $25 to over $60 depending on language expertise; small projects such as bug fixing or developing plugins fit seamlessly between lectures.

Stack Overflow, GitHub Jobs and Upwork are great places to discover work from home gigs; larger companies may advertise year-round internship programs that may allow a person to find remote roles from home.

A strong portfolio with strong communication skills and meeting deadlines often results in repeat gigs which may then turn into full-time remote employment upon graduating college or university.

Tutoring

• Typical pay: $20–$30 an hour (STEM tutors often earn more)
• Good for: math, science, test prep, or even writing help
• Where to look: Chegg Tutors, Wyzant, Tutor.com
• What helps: clear lesson plans, using tools like online whiteboards
• Extra perk: strong ratings can push your rate higher pretty quickly

Helping students master calculus or chemistry can not only be extremely satisfying but can be one of the top online jobs with high earning potential.

Virtual tutoring platforms, like Chegg Tutors, Wyzant and Tutor.com connect educated individuals with learners around the globe who require assistance – creating reliable income potential as an added perk!

Strong STEM tutors are in high demand, leading them to charge steep hourly rates – sometimes reaching over $30 an hour! Highly effective tutors use digital whiteboards to break complex ideas down into manageable steps while offering homework strategies designed to accelerate grade gains quickly.

Flexible Scheduling: tutoring sessions can easily fit around labs and classes for maximum convenience and understanding. Not only is tutoring cost-effective and improves comprehension; it can even result in higher grades – making tutoring an irreplaceable investment!

Education majors develop classroom-ready skills while pre-med and engineering students develop career options that both help others while offering attractive pay. Establishing clear lesson plans and tracking student progress are great ways to keep parents satisfied while increasing ratings can open premium rates early.

Virtual Assistant Services

• Typical pay: $20–$35 an hour
• Good for: handling emails, scheduling, research, or light social media tasks
• Where to look: Belay, Time Etc, Fancy Hands, or VA groups on LinkedIn
• What helps: staying organized and learning new software fast
• Extra perk: can grow into higher-paying roles like project management or bookkeeping

Entrepreneurs, authors and small-business owners require assistance managing emails, calendars and research tasks; virtual assistant jobs provide this essential support.

Virtual assistant services have quickly emerged as one of the top work from home opportunities, often offering hourly rates ranging between $20 to $35 depending on specialized tasks.

Tech-savvy college students excel in this role due to their quick grasp of new software quickly, as well as their ability to compose clear emails.

Virtual assistants usually perform various administrative duties for businesses such as scheduling meetings and making travel arrangements, creating slide decks, monitoring social media mentions immediately upon occurrence and reporting back as quickly as possible, as well as monitoring mentions in social media feeds.

Belay, Time Etc and Fancy Hands all list openings while LinkedIn hosts freelance VA groups where clients post immediate needs for service providers.

Students studying business or communication gain real world application for classroom theories through VA roles. Strong organizational and boundary skills are necessary, using timeblocking as an efficient method to differentiate VA duties from study sessions.

Over time, taking on additional responsibilities – such as bookkeeping or project coordination- can open up additional earnings potential in this remote job role and transform what was originally perceived to be labor-saving into one with significant earning power.

Social Media Management

• Typical pay: $18–$40 an hour
• Good for: creating posts, writing captions, running analytics, trend-spotting
• Where to look: freelance sites, campus job boards, or reaching out to small businesses directly
• What helps: having your own IG/TikTok as a mini-portfolio
• Extra perk: if a campaign goes viral, it can open the door to bigger clients

Brands recognize Gen Z is highly engaged with TikTok trends and meme culture; therefore they often hire college students for social media manager jobs.

Creative thinkers seeking work-from-home opportunities could find this work-at-home venture attractive with hourly wages between $18 and $40 an hour; making it a practical solution.

Marketing majors may perform daily tasks that include creating content calendars and designing graphics in Canva for social posts; writing captions that compliment them; engaging followers through A/B testing tools, analytics solutions or visual storytelling techniques while art students use visual storytelling methods.

Students looking to set themselves apart must develop their own portfolio; perhaps creating an Instagram or TikTok channel highlighting personal or class growth strategies or concepts would suffice.

Freelance marketplaces, campus job boards and direct outreach to local businesses all present opportunities to generate leads while showing clients engagement metrics and securing renewals. If a successful engagement goes viral for either client sales or student income it could quickly become one of the highest paying remote options.

UX/UI Projects

• Typical pay: $30–$80 an hour depending on the project
• Good for: building wireframes, prototypes, or redesigning apps and websites
• Where to look: Toptal, 99designs, Contra, Dribbble, Behance
• What helps: skill in tools like Figma or Adobe XD, plus a portfolio of student work
• Extra perk: specializing in accessibility or motion design tends to boost rates

User experience design (UXD) and user interface design (UID) involve an intricate combination of psychology, art and tech; skills typically obtained by enrolling in courses on Figma or Adobe XD.

Freelancers can make money as web designers utilizing wireframes, clickable prototypes and style guides to craft apps tailored specifically for their target audiences.

Their hourly rates typically begin around $30 an hour but may reach $70-80 an hour on complex projects – making these remote jobs particularly high paying jobs. An impressive Dribbble or Behance portfolio will attract clients.

Computer science majors or graphic design majors may use class assignments as work samples on freelancing platforms like Toptal, 99designs or Contra; projects may range from app redesign to website overhauls.

Students can organize design sprints around midterm exams as each milestone provides clear deliverables, and feedback loops serve as real-world problem-solving exercises.

Over time, becoming proficient with accessibility guidelines and motion design opens premium rates as well as longer term retainers.

Remote Sales Development Representatives (SDRs)

• Typical pay: about $18 an hour base + commission
• Good for: researching leads, sending outreach emails, setting up calls
• Where to look: SaaS companies, LinkedIn, remote job boards
• What helps: strong communication skills and persistence with follow-ups
• Extra perk: hitting sales targets can open the door to full-time sales careers

Remote Sales Development Representatives [SDRs] offer SaaS firms invaluable services by conducting lead research, sending outreach emails and scheduling meetings – services which have proven especially cost-efficient when outsourced to reliable part-timers.

Compensation typically comprises an hourly base rate of around $18 and commission; motivated students often surpass this sum when reaching their targets. Tech firms typically offer scripts, CRM access and training – an attractive work-from-home opportunity for students interested in dialogue and goal tracking.

Communication majors may use persuasive writing practice while business majors gain experience analyzing funnel metrics.

Follow-up calls must be conducted across time zones to be effective, which requires resilient communication skills like active listening and time management for successful implementation of targets; meeting them could even open doors to full-time employment upon graduation – turning cold calls into experience that improves confidence as well as bank balance!

Translation and Localization Services

• Typical pay: $0.08–$0.15 per word (specialties like legal or medical pay more)
• Good for: translating documents, games, or websites into another language
• Where to look: ProZ, TranslatorsCafe, Smartling
• What helps: being bilingual plus understanding cultural context
• Extra perk: certifications (like ATA) make it easier to land premium projects

Bilingual students possess an invaluable asset: their ability to bridge cultures. Translator jobs typically range between $0.08-$0.15 per word with legal/medical translation often providing higher pay than average.

Translation gigs from home provide an ideal means of earning extra income at home. Professional localizers go beyond simply translating words – they also adapt jokes, idioms, layouts and designs so software, games and e-books feel familiar in both language and format.

ProZ, TranslatorsCafe and Smartling offer daily translation projects for language services like ProZ. Students studying foreign languages can benefit from practical experience gained with these translation projects while international students may capitalize on native fluency to their advantage.

Maintaining consistent performance while meeting tight deadlines creates an impressive track record, leading to premium rates for their services.

Translation projects typically come in waves, giving translators ample opportunity to dedicate whole weekends for translation work while keeping weekdays free for studying or exams.

Certification such as ATA accreditation provides legitimacy in an ever-increasing global marketplace while offering steady remote income streams which never go out of style.

Video Editing

• Typical pay: $25–$60 an hour
• Good for: editing YouTube videos, gaming clips, or online course content
• Where to look: Fiverr, Upwork, content creator groups on Facebook
• What helps: skill with Premiere Pro, Final Cut, or DaVinci Resolve
• Extra perk: viral edits can get you noticed by brands and bigger creators

YouTube, Twitch and other e-learning platforms generate hours of footage which requires editing to make sense for viewing audiences.

Trimming, color grading and captioning services must then be provided so as to give context back into video clips and restore meaning in them.

Students skilled at video editing with Premiere Pro, Final Cut or DaVinci Resolve and other tools for video editors can charge anywhere between $25-$60 an hour without needing a degree for remote jobs in video editing.

Communication and film majors create showreels of class projects while hobbyists edit friends’ vlogs for fun. Tasks could involve adding lower thirds, synching music tracks or designing motion graphics to keep audiences interested with what’s on screen.

Fiverr, Upwork or production-centric Facebook groups all serve as project leads; editors frequently gain retainers with one content creator by impressing them.

Deadlines tend to coincide with academic calendars: editors can work during breaks or lighter weeks in batches in order to control costs and expand cutting techniques further as they gain sound design or 3D transition skills – eventually increasing earnings even further!

Viral edits could even attract larger brands looking for fresh talent!

Bookkeeping and Financial Analysis

• Typical pay: $20–$45 an hour for basic bookkeeping
• Good for: reconciling accounts, making invoices, creating reports
• Where to look: freelancer sites or small business networking groups
• What helps: knowing QuickBooks or Xero, plus being detail-oriented
• Extra perk: offering analysis (cash flow, budgeting) can raise your rates a lot

While their are plenty of accounting jobs, Bookkeeping and Financial Analysis Accounting students do not require CPA licensure in order to start making money with bookkeeping; basic bookkeeping for small businesses usually pays $20-$45 an hour and involves tasks such as reconciling accounts, creating invoices and quarterly reports using software like QuickBooks or Xero.

As every organization requires financial records to remain compliant and budget secure, this role provides both founders and students with many advantages; regulatory compliance as well as budget security are just two such benefits that arise when keeping proper accounting.

Freelance marketplaces and local entrepreneur networks provide ideal starting points. Gradually integrating financial analysis, like cash-flow forecasting, into work can quickly multiply rates; meticulous attention to detail and secure storage are both key for protecting client information.

Work can easily fit around exams; graduates leave with resume lines that demonstrate both technical expertise and trustworthiness for any employer they encounter on their career journeys.

Writing

• Typical pay: $0.10–$0.25 per word
• Good for: blog posts, email newsletters, SEO articles, product descriptions
• Where to look: Contently, ClearVoice, Freelance Writing Gigs, or direct outreach
• What helps: adapting to a brand’s voice, editing your own drafts well
• Extra perk: retainers (monthly contracts) make income more consistent

Even with AI taking over the web, there are still plenty of freelance writing jobs to be found online.

Words hold incredible power; whether used for blog posts, email newsletters or product pages–so businesses look out for new voices who can give voice to their brand’s story through writing.

Businesses actively look out for talent who will lend their story. Businesses scour for writers willing to lend theirs. Students pursuing English, journalism or marketing degrees could make between $0.10-$0.25 per word writing remotely as part-time part-time work!

Keyword research, headline testing and SEO optimization make writing an attractive remote job with significant earning potential. Contently, ClearVoice and Freelance Writing Gigs all list available writing assignments; cold emailing SaaS startups may also work well.

Experienced writers should first study brand tone guides prior to quickly creating drafts which can then be edited using editing tools before being submitted for final polish. Each article helps build research, persuasion and time management skills applicable across industries.

Consistent delivery results in retainers; complementary skills like basic graphic design or WordPress formatting further add value. Writing also offers students an amazing form of storytelling without ever leaving their dorm! Turn your passion for storytelling into profit without leaving home!

Coax Your Remote Work Into College Life

Successful student freelancers use non-negotiable commitments like classes, labs and exams as an initial point to manage client tasks during free periods. Implementing scheduling apps, setting phone limits and sending mass emails are effective strategies for combatting distraction.

These techniques establish clear boundaries by notifying clients early about finals week and alleviating last minute panic. Students utilizing campus resources such as career centers, alumni networks and professors to assess job prospects and learn professional etiquette are equipped with essential tools.

Students also prioritize self-care through sufficient sleep, exercise and social time in order to prevent burnout. As workloads mount up, more students turn to outsourcing tasks like grocery delivery or campus study groups in order to stay efficient and manage their lives more effectively.

Finding balance may require years of trial-and-error; adjustability becomes key while honest self evaluation pays dividends over time.

Remote work provides students with numerous opportunities for learning, earning, and personal growth at once. Ranging from coding apps and teaching algebra classes to creating viral videos – there’s bound to be something suitable to every major and personality!

Ten roles discussed provide flexible schedules with competitive hourly rates as well as resume-ready experience that may offer flexible hours – perfect time management skills like setting clear client expectations regularly while developing skills!

Digital economies reward initiative so early starters may see quicker career launches with lower student loan burdens as well as financial independence faster!