Over the years, I've tested a ton of trading gear. Everything from chairs, to laptops, backpacks, monitors and more.
…and I continue to test new gear that looks useful.
Here is the best stuff that I have found.
This page contains affiliate links. All proceeds go towards supporting this site and helping me test more gear. A portion is also donated to my favorite causes.
Trading Performance Optimization Tools
These tools can help you maintain focus while trading.

Gamma Ray Computer Glasses
Eye fatigue is a trading hazard.
When you are tired, you are more likely to make mistakes and lose money.
These glasses help cut down on eyestrain, so you can be at your computer for as long as you need to be. This helps a lot during long trading sessions, or when you are testing/journaling.
I've compared these to more expensive brands like Gunnar and these are just as good…if not better. The only downside is that they aren't quite as stylish as the more expensive brands.
But let's face it, you are going to look like a nerd, regardless of which brand you wear, so you might as well choose the one that works best. These are also significantly cheaper, so they have that going for them too.
You can learn more about these glasses here and see other models.

Muse Headband for Meditation
Getting started with mediation can be difficult.
Sitting still and trying to calm your mind is much harder than you may think.
But the benefits are tremendous. Meditation has been shown to improve cognition, focus and intuition.
So if you want to get the benefits of meditation, without wondering if you are doing it right, the Muse Headband is the way to go.
It gives you quantifiable data on how each of your meditation sessions went and the app gives you feedback on how you can improve. You can also use this headband to measure the efficacy of different meditation tools and techniques…like I did here.
Learn more about this meditation tool here.

HeartMath Inner Balance Device + App
Heart-brain coherence is the proven way to get yourself in the optimal state for peak performance.
It's used by professional sports teams, top hedge fund coaches and more. Watch this video to learn more.
Luckily, independent traders can take advantage of this technology too.
Just use this device for 5 minutes before you trade. As you get better at maintaining coherence, you will eventually be able to carry it through your entire trading session.
Coherence gives you laser focus and the ability to tap into your intuition. Of course, this is not a replacement for education, screen time and journaling.
But once you have the skills, coherence helps you access that information.
To find out more about this device, go here.
Computer Equipment for Trading
Here's everything computer related that I use and recommend.

Macbook Air
This is the ultimate balance between power and portability.
Some people buy a Windows PC because of the lower up-front cost.
I would argue that it actually costs more to own a Windows PC because of the time you spend fixing viruses and other issues that are common with Windows.
If you want to graduate to a real trading computer, this is what I would recommend. I switched to a Mac in 2011 and haven't looked back.
This has been my second Mac and I haven't had any major problems with either of them. The macOS operating system is great and super easy to use.
Highly recommended.
Learn more about the MacBook Air here.
iPad Mini
There are a lot of second screen options for traders, but I love using the iPad Mini.
It's light, super portable and acts as a backup computer, just in case I have issues with my primary laptop.
What else do you need?
Be sure to get Duet Display to use it as a second screen. I plug in the cable and it works right away. It's very responsive and works well.
Learn more about all of the different types of iPads here.
Western Digital MyCloud NAS Backup Hard Drive
Backing up your computer is essential.
This is especially true if you use MetaTrader or any other software that you have to download.
But it's very easy to forget to backup your computer.
I've found that the best solution is the WD MyCloud NAS hard drive. You attach it to your home router and connect to it wirelessly via WiFi.
Then you setup automated backups on your computer and you don't have to worry about.
If you setup RAID on this hard drive, then you don't have to worry about one of the hard drives crashing. You can simply replace the drive and you will still retain all of your data.
I'm also not a fan of putting all of my information in the cloud, so this is a great compromise.
Learn more about this drive here.
Elecom Deft Pro Mouse
I've always liked how rollerball mice felt, but they used to be gigantic. Not very useful for travel.
But this rollerball mouse is different.
It's not much bigger than a regular mouse, but the ball is still a good size and works well.
The best thing about this mouse is that it has so many buttons. There are 7 programmable buttons, plus the mouse wheel adds an 8th button.
I love the fact that I don't have to worry about desk space with a rollerball mouse. Just plant the mouse in one spot and it doesn't need to move.
It's well made and feels very solid. Battery life is excellent, one AA battery is supposed to last a year. I was changing the battery on my Magic Mouse every 3 weeks.
Tracking on this mouse is precise and scroll wheel makes it super easy to navigate through charts. I can zoom by scrolling the wheel and zoom in/out by clicking the wheel up and down.
There is one issue with this mouse however. You can use it with a Mac and the basic functions work well:
- Left click
- Right click
- Forwards
- Backwards
- Scroll wheel
But if you want to custom program the buttons, you can't do it with their Mac software. The Windows software works perfectly apparently, but the Mac software would crash when I tried to use it.
So you have to purchase a third party software called SteerMouse, which adds an extra $20 to the cost of the mouse. However, the software works perfectly and is transparent.
You can learn more about the Elecom Deft Pro here.
Also check out their other flavors of rollerball mice. They have an excellent selection of different styles.

Fuse Side Kick Cable Winder
I only have one complaint about the MacBook Air. The cable winding system doesn't work.
The Side Kick solves this problem.
You attach this to your MacBook AC adapter and it keeps your cables wound, no matter how much you toss your bag around. When you have your laptop plugged in, this also allows you to adjust the length of cable that is extended, so it doesn't get in the way.
If you have your cable extended all the way, the Side Kick folds down, to prevent it from getting caught on random things.
Genius!
Learn more about it here.

iPhone
As you've probably guessed by now, I have an iPhone. I currently have a XR, which I love.
They are easy to use and I have no problems trading on them, when I'm away from my computer.
My previous phone was an iPhone 6, which goes to show how long they last.
Yes, Android phones are cheaper.
But when it comes to ease of use, compatibility and thoughtful design, iPhones are second to none.
Learn more about them here.
Gear for the Traveling Trader

GORUCK Rucksacks
I've been using GORUCK packs since 2012. They have been with me on countless international flights and trips to coffee shops.
Whenever possible, I only bring my ruck on a trip.
The seams are built to hold 400 pounds and the external laptop pocket in the back makes it a breeze at the airport security check.
They make high quality products and stand behind their gear. I had an issue with the zipper on my first ruck and they replaced it…and even upgraded me to a higher model, for free.

Anker Rechargeable USB Battery Pack
This is a must-have for me.
When you have this battery pack in your bag, you never have to worry about running out of phone juice.
The bigger battery packs can charge your phone several times over and can even charge larger devices like tablets. Get the model with two USB ports so you can charge two devices at once.
Totally worth the peace of mind!

Booq Viper Hard Case
As traders, our laptops are our most valuable piece of equipment.
So we should protect them accordingly.
The Booq Viper case has been the best laptop case that I have ever used.
It also holds 2 iPad Minis on top of my Macbook Air 11.

Hydro Flask Water Bottles
Hydration is important for keeping your mind and body running at optimal levels.
So it's a good idea to have a high-quality water bottle that you can use at home or on the road.
These bottles are super durable and keep any drink hot and cold for a long time. It also helps keep plastic bottles out of landfills and they are more sanitary than plastic.
I have been using them for awhile now and I love them.
JLab Wired Earbuds
Lugging around big-ass headphones isn't for everyone. If you are a minimalist, or you simply want a pair of backup headphones, I would highly recommend these.
I have tried a bunch of other brands and I always come back to these. The sound quality is just as good as more expensive brands, in my opinion.
They don't have active noise cancelling, but they block out noise exceptionally well.

The Heroic Adventure Shirt
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
— Joseph Campbell
Life's too short to wear a monkey suit every day.
It's all about comfort and enjoying the ride!
This premium t-shirt comes in a variety of fun colors and is super comfortable. It's the perfect kit for a day at the beach, a busy day of international travel or another profitable trading session.

The Wealth Manifestation Formula Shirt
Did you know that Einstein's famous formula also applies to trading?
The amount of deliberate energy you put into learning to trade (E) usually determines the amount of wealth you get out of it (m), and is multiplied by your level of consciousness (c)…squared.
In other words, focused energy and specific intention can create physical matter.
Why is the formula backwards?
So you can only see it correctly in a mirror.
This is a reminder that it's up to you to make it happen.
Trading Desk Gear
Here's more excellent gear that I find useful at my trading desk.

Trading Chair
A good trading chair matters because you will be spending a lot of time in that chair.
Once you use a gaming chair, you cannot go back to regular office chairs.
…at least that's been my experience.
They are way more comfortable and some of them have the ability to adjust the angle of the back, which make them much more versatile. You can even lay them all the way back and take a nap in them.
This is the chair that I currently use.
I like it, but once it breaks down, I'm going to get a chair that has a wider seat. Everything else about this chair is great.

Samsung Monitors
Samsung makes excellent monitors for trading.
I like using Samsung TVs as trading monitors because I like the additional TV features.
But the trade-off is the picture isn't quite as sharp as a dedicated computer monitor. Either way, Samsung monitors are excellent and can be very affordable.
I would recommend going for 27″ or bigger, with 1080p resolution or better.
Their curved TVs are epic.

Monitor Desk Mount
A monitor mount for your desk may not seem essential…until you start using it.
It's a small thing, but this can make your workspace more pleasant to be in. This is especially true if you have a large monitor.
When I use this mount, I have a lot more space on my desk and don't feel so cramped.
Moleskine Notebooks
In this digital age, there is still a lot to be said for physical notebooks.
It has been shown that since writing with a pen stimulates more muscles, so it also stimulates your brain more than typing. I get my best ideas when writing them out on paper.
Use them as a trading journal, a success journal, or a place to keep your trading ideas.
These are the best notebooks I've found, at a reasonable price.
I prefer the blank pages, but find out what works for you.

Leather Cover for Moleskine Notebooks
Even though Moleskine notebooks are well made, they take a beating when you take them everywhere…like I do.
When I started using a leather cover, it was a game changer.
They preserve the notebook for as long as I need it.
There are a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from, so you are sure to find something that you like.

Pilot juice up 04 Pens
This is one of those small things that you don't realize you are missing until you start using them.
Having a super smooth pen that always works and doesn't cost a fortune, is harder to find than you might think. I get super annoyed by pens that don't work perfectly.
So I've tried dozens of recommendations, in search of the best daily-use pen.
This is it.
Give it a try now and thank me later.

Velcro Cable Ties
These are more a lot more useful than you may think.
In our increasingly electronic lives, your cables can get out of hand pretty quickly. Keep a box of these around and you can tidy up the wires in your computer bag, office and car.
Watch out, these can be addictive!
You might also find yourself cable tying your kitchen appliances, pet leashes, shopping bags, kids clothes and more.

The Trading Commandments Mugs
Need a reminder to do the right thing?
One of our mugs have got your back.
They can be a friendly reminder when things get hot and heavy in the markets.

AmazonBasics Rechargeable Batteries
If you have devices that use AA batteries, rechargeable is the way to go!
You keep more toxic batteries out of landfills and you don't have to run to the store every time you run out of batteries.
It's a win-win!
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