WFH This Summer? Here’s How to Make Your Setup Cooler, Smarter — and Infinitely More Comfortable

A woman sitting at her desk
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Working from home in the summer? It’s a dream—until it isn’t. Sure, you can roll out of bed five minutes before your 9 am call, or sneak in a midday food shop when the aisles are empty. But remote working in warmer months brings its own challenges.

The heat. The humidity. The sheer impossibility of focusing while your laptop transforms into a bag-sized furnace. And then there's the joy of trying to work from a single 13-inch screen—while your flatmate binge-watches reality TV at full volume in the next room.

The solution? A curated WFH space that works harder, keeps you cool and brings a sense of calm, control and comfort to your everyday. Here are six smart (and stylish) devices to upgrade your home office.

1. A second screen that changes everything

Still juggling a dozen tabs on a single screen? It's time to upgrade. A monitor is one of the simplest upgrades that makes a huge difference, especially when you’re working on multiple documents, spreadsheets or meetings at once.

Whether you’re editing visuals, jumping between Google Docs or tracking campaign stats in real time, having an external monitor can help you work faster and reduce that all-too-familiar eye strain. EE offers a range of options, from ultra-sharp displays for design work to lightweight setups perfect for smaller spaces. Bonus: it instantly elevates your desk setup.

A woman using the mouse on her computer

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2. A wireless keyboard and mouse (because posture matters)

Hunching over your laptop all day isn't ideal. One of the best ways to bring a touch of ergonomics into your summer setup is by adding a wireless keyboard and mouse. It may seem simple, but this setup offers instant ergonomic benefits: this duo lets you sit back, adjust your posture and position your monitor at eye level without sacrificing comfort.

Whether you’re working from your kitchen table or a makeshift desk in the sunniest corner of your flat, a wireless setup gives you the freedom to work with ease and intention

3. A speaker that brings the mood

The silence of WFH can be blissful… until it gets too quiet. No low-level office chat. No background clatter. Just you and the sound of your upstairs neighbour’s overzealous vacuuming.

Enter: the Bluetooth speaker. Whether you want to replicate the calm vibes of your favourite café or energise your afternoon slump with a playlist, a speaker adds just enough background atmosphere to help you feel focused and, well, not alone.

Pro tip: For better focus, opt for instrumental or lo-fi playlists.

Someone pressing the on button of their EE speaker

(Image credit: Getty Images)

4. External storage (because tech failures derail everything)

Let’s be honest: nothing ruins your flow faster than losing an important file. And when you're working remotely, particularly on personal devices, your chances of forgetting to back things up are... high.

That’s why investing in external storage, whether it’s a USB drive, SSD, or portable hard drive, is essential. It protects your work, gives you peace of mind and saves you from ever having to say the words: “I could've sworn I saved it…”

EE has plenty of secure and reliable storage solutions that look sleek and work fast without a premium price tag.

The EE speaker in someones home

(Image credit: Getty Images)

5. A fan that saves the day (and your face)

You know the feeling. The sun’s out, the air’s still and suddenly your face is melting mid-Zoom.

A desk fan is the unsung hero of every summer work setup. Small but mighty, the right fan can keep your space feeling breezy and help you stay calm and clear-headed: even when the temperature rises or your inbox gets a little spicy.

Working from home doesn’t have to mean sweating through deadlines or dealing with second-rate tech. With a few thoughtful upgrades, you can transform your WFH setup into a calm, comfortable space built for focus—no commute required.

6. A Wi-Fi enhancer that keeps you in the zone

Nothing kills your momentum faster than a glitchy video call or a frozen screen mid-presentation. That’s where EE’s Wi-Fi Enhancer comes in. Available on EE Broadband with a range of flexible deals, it lets you prioritise your broadband for what matters most—like Zoom calls, seamless file transfers or uninterrupted streaming - so your connection stays strong even when the heat is on. Just switch to Work Mode in the EE app and enjoy a smoother, more stable WFH experience. Think of it as a productivity boost—for your connection.

To learn more, visit EE Broadband Deals For July 2025 | Home Broadband | EE

Discover more smart, stylish tech for summer-friendly WFH home tech at ee.co.uk

Niamh McCollum

Niamh McCollum is Features Assistant at Marie Claire UK, and specialises in entertainment, female empowerment, mental health, social development and careers. Tackling both news and features, she's covered everything from the rise of feminist audio porn platforms to the latest campaigns protecting human rights.

Niamh has also contributed to our Women Who Win series by interviewing ridiculously inspiring females, including forensic scientist Ruth Morgan, Labour MP Stella Creasy and ITV’s former Home Affairs Editor Jennifer Nadel.

Niamh studied Law in Trinity College Dublin. It was after enrolling in a Law & Literature class on her year abroad in Toronto that her love of writing was reignited. In no particular order, her big likes are Caleb Followill, hoops, red wine, sea swimming, shakshuka and long train journeys.