Coworking space vs cafe: Which actually makes you more productive?

I see so many nomads swearing by cafes for 'energy' but I tracked my output over a month in Chiang Mai and got 40% more done at a proper coworking space. Does the vibe of a busy cafe actually help you focus or are we just fooling ourselves?

3 comments

3 Comments

lopez.simon13d ago

Oh man, I gotta jump in on this! You're totally right about the cafe struggle being real, but I'd push back on one thing. "Unpredictable noise" isn't always bad - it's more like unpredictable interruptions that kill focus, like someone shouting on their phone or a blender going off right next to you. I've found that background chatter that stays at the same level can actually help me get into a flow state, but the second something changes, it's game over. So it's not really about cafe vs coworking being better for everyone, it's about knowing what kind of noise your brain can handle without getting derailed. Most people just haven't paid close enough attention to what actually throws them off, like you said.

willow11423d ago

But that busy cafe buzz works wonders for creative types though.

jessica_ross3823d ago

Have you actually tried both for more than a few days? Because I used to think cafes were better for getting in the zone until I actually paid attention to how much I was getting done. The problem with cafes is you end up spending half your time finding a seat and the other half fighting for outlets or dealing with noise that's unpredictable. Coworking spaces might cost money but at least the internet works and you know what to expect every time. That consistency alone makes a huge difference for focus. Most people just like the aesthetic of working in a cafe more than the actual productivity.