5 Must Have Gadgets Every Developer Needs
Tags: gadgets, gifts, developer, ideas
Published: 2020-10-10 11:04:44

---
title: 5 Must Have Gadgets Every Developer Needs
published: true
description: We as developers love gadgets and gadgets that enhance our development experience are even better. Here are 5 gadgets that I think every developer should have.
tags: gadgets,gifts,developer,ideas
cover_image: https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1602326871545/fheA0Y1-f.jpeg
canonical_url: https://samwalpole.com/5-must-have-gadgets-every-developer-needs
---

We as developers love gadgets and gadgets that enhance our development experience are even better. Here are 5 gadgets that I think every developer should have.

## Blue Light Glasses
As developers, we spend a lot of time in front of display screens. These screens emit a lot of blue light that can be harmful for a number of reasons. Prolonged exposure to blue light has been linked to eye strain, poor sleep, and long term negative outcomes, such as poor eyesight and migraines.

For this reason, [blue light glasses](https://amzn.to/33IHoMX) have been developed to filter out the blue light and help lessen these negative affects. They are a must have for developers to protect their eyesight and health in the long term.

<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vetoo-Computer-Blocking-Eyestrain-Eyeglasses/dp/B07W96YT49/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=blue+light+glasses&qid=1602270853&sr=8-8&linkCode=li3&tag=samwalpole-21&linkId=fffe7e06ca294320d454284489272c23&language=en_GB" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07W96YT49&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB" ></a><img src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB&l=li3&o=2&a=B07W96YT49" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

## Laptop Stand
A lot of us choose to use a laptop as our main coding device because of the versatility and portability that it gives us. However, just placing a laptop on a desk or your lap isn't ideal from an ergonomic point of view.

Putting your laptop on a laptop stand will raise the screen to eye level, which helps reduce neck strain and improve posture. Some people even use a laptop stand to allow them to stand at their desk, which itself has a [number of health benefits](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-a-standing-desk). 

Laptop stands are also good for your laptop. Raising the laptop from the desk improves airflow, which stops it from overheating.

[This laptop stand](https://amzn.to/3nvvgXP) is a great example.

<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aluminum-Removable-Ventilated-Notebook-Compatible-Grey/dp/B07P6X63SD/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=laptop+stand&qid=1602273523&sr=8-6&linkCode=li3&tag=samwalpole-21&linkId=2419cdbdeee46e86c020711e94e8959d&language=en_GB" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07P6X63SD&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB" ></a><img src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB&l=li3&o=2&a=B07P6X63SD" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

## Pomodoro Timer
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management technique that is popular among developers. It's a way of splitting down a task into small chunks of time, to make it easier to stay focussed and productive.

The basic premise is to set a timer for 25 minutes and work on the task uninterrupted for that period of time. Once the timer rings, take a short break, then start again. Do this a total of 4 times before taking a longer break. Read about the Pomodoro Technique in more detail [here](https://lifehacker.com/productivity-101-a-primer-to-the-pomodoro-technique-1598992730).

[This timer](https://amzn.to/3lw2Cnr) is shaped like a tomato in honour of the Pomodoro Technique.

<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASEOK-Kitchen-Mechanical-Rotating-Minutes/dp/B07L69LTD9/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=tomato+timer&qid=1602271890&refinements=p_72:419153031&rnid=419152031&sr=8-6&linkCode=li3&tag=samwalpole-21&linkId=19a7356cbdb2ba2d9c14b8a1db3f1256&language=en_GB" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07L69LTD9&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB" ></a><img src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB&l=li3&o=2&a=B07L69LTD9" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

## Stickers
Who doesn't love a good laptop sticker? They're a great way to show off your personality and add a bit of playfulness to your coding setup. Many developers choose to adorn their laptops with stickers of their favourite language or framework, or a good coding related pun!

[This sticker pack](https://amzn.to/3lxx0hs) has a large selection of popular logos and other coding related stickers. It is a great option to start or to top up your collection.

<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Programmer-Stickers-Motorcycle-Skateboard-No-Duplicate/dp/B08741JB15/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=developer+stickers&qid=1602266772&refinements=p_72:419153031&rnid=419152031&sr=8-4&linkCode=li3&tag=samwalpole-21&linkId=b786c9c421d69d8256066d7fce714bff&language=en_GB" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B08741JB15&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB" ></a><img src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB&l=li3&o=2&a=B08741JB15" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
 
## Dotted Notebook
Taking notes is a great way of processing your ideas, remembering tasks or planning projects. [Research has shown](https://effectiviology.com/handwriting-vs-typing-how-to-take-notes/) that taking notes on paper is more effectively than keeping them digitally. 

[This dotted grid notebook](https://amzn.to/2GCmhU6) is super versatile and a great choice for programmers. As well as taking notes, the dotted grid can be used to create wireframe mock-ups for your project.

<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clever-Fox-Dotted-Journal-2-0/dp/B084RFPBSX/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=3RZPE2UUKX4KQ&dchild=1&keywords=dot+grid+notebook&qid=1602316773&sprefix=dot+grid+,aps,191&sr=8-20&linkCode=li3&tag=samwalpole-21&linkId=d58df9197f593e2113f482a3982c3a95&language=en_GB" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B084RFPBSX&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB" ></a><img src="https://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=samwalpole-21&language=en_GB&l=li3&o=2&a=B084RFPBSX" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

## Conclusion
These are my picks for useful and fun gadgets that every developer should have. Do you think I've missed anything? Write your thoughts in the comments.

I post mostly about full stack .NET and Vue web development. To make sure that you don't miss out on any posts, please follow this blog and [subscribe to my newsletter](https://samwalpole.com). If you found this post helpful, please like it and share it. You can also find me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/dr_sam_walpole). If you are able to, please feel free to [buy me a coffee](https://ko-fi.com/samwalpole). It helps support the writing that I do for the community. 😊