Do We Really Need AI Tools For Productivity?
Think about your inbox for a second. How many unread emails are lurking there right now? Ten? Fifty? Hundreds?
It's not your fault—emails have become a dumping ground for everything from important work updates to random newsletters you didn’t even sign up for (thanks, online shopping and Black Friday sales!)
The problem isn’t just the sheer volume. It’s the mindless, repetitive tasks—sorting through promotions, deleting duplicates, replying to the same types of questions over and over. You spend hours on this stuff every week when you could be tackling bigger, more meaningful projects (or, you know, just enjoying a coffee without clicking "mark as read" a dozen times).
In these instances, AI strides in, cape billowing dramatically in the wind. AI takes those draining, time-sucking tasks and just… does them for you. It can automatically sort emails into categories that actually make sense (unlike some half-hearted attempts at color-coded flags).
I've also learned to use AI tools to automate repetitive tasks. Especially because AI also learns your habits, like which kinds of emails you tend to ignore, and adapts to your preferences. It’s not just faster; it’s smarter about how it handles your inbox, giving you back precious hours each week.
So yeah, you can use AI to be more productive at work.
I'd like to share the love. So, without much further ado, here are five of the best AI tools that have whipped my inbox into shape. I've personally used these tools, and they are now part of my day-to-day tech stack for inbox management. I strongly vouch for them!
For Inbox Management
1. Clean Email
Managing your email feels like herding cats, right? Clean Email is one of the top AI email organizers I've used—and plan to use in 2025. It’s like having a super-organized (verging on obsessive-compulsive) bestie who keeps your inbox under control without breaking a sweat.
📌 Technically speaking, Clean Email isn’t really an AI tool, but its smart algorithms are so sharp that they might as well be. The way it organizes your inbox is all about automation and intelligent capabilities.
For instance, one of its features (and my personal favorite) is called Smart Folders. What it essentially does is automatically group emails in ways that actually make sense.


Promotions? Check. Social notifications? Yep. Random newsletters you forgot you subscribed to? Tick.
Think of it like your inbox reading your mind and automatically filing each message into its respective folders.
Another one is Cleaning Suggestions. This is where this tool earns its weight in gold (or saved hours). If you ever feel like hitting “delete all” (and the temptation to do so is just too strong) but don't really want to because you might miss something important, then Clean Email sort of does that with this feature. It scans everything and gives you suggestions for what’s worth keeping and what can hit the Trash can.


When I first used this feature, I literally felt so much lighter after clearing out all that junk.
In fact, the first few times I used Clean Email, I couldn’t believe how oddly satisfying it was. It felt like it plucked clutter right out of my life—like watching my robot vacuum inhale all the crumbs on my carpet floor. Only this time, it's this tool getting bad inbox decisions I’d made over the years out of my sight (and my mind).
No endless tutorials or head-scratching settings—it’s intuitive in the best way. In just 15 minutes, I cleared the worst clutter and set up a bunch of Auto Clean rules to keep my inbox that way. It’s that simple!


You can access all Clean Email features on the web, desktop (Mac), and mobile apps for Android and iOS. And no matter where you use it, Clean Email’s strong focus on privacy and security has you covered.
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Helps tackle inbox overwhelm quickly
- Ideal for keeping your inbox perpetually clean—like a digital Marie Kondo
- I genuinely can’t find any flaws worth mentioning
For Email Composition and Writing
2. Grammarly
Who hasn’t hit “send” on an email only to cringe moments later, spotting a typo that somehow made it through? Yeah, we've all been that person.
Grammarly is not just a glorified spell-checker. Think of it as your subcontracted copy editor, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice.
Here’s the thing. Grammarly is well-known for correcting grammar and spelling errors. But I find that it's also one of the best AI email assistant tools.
Grammarly’s real-time AI feedback is like having a sixth sense for better communication. Shooting off a quick reply? Consider it done—to the words of Olivia Pope. It ensures every word is clear, concise, and oozing professionalism, at least if that's how you want your copy to sound.


And the best part? It’s not just about catching typos or misplaced commas (though it’s got those on lockdown). Grammarly helps finesse your tone (you can also choose casual and conversational), so you don’t accidentally come off too blunt—or worse, like you’ve handed the keyboard over to a robot.
I also like to use Grammarly's Tone Detector so it can—well, detect the tone—and help me strike the right note every time.
No more post-send “oops” moments. Just smooth, polished emails every single time.
- Works across various platforms—Gmail, Outlook, and even social media
- The free version covers most basic needs
- Smart suggestions for non-native English speakers
- The tone suggestions sometimes overly soften professional emails
- It can miss nuanced grammar rules in complex sentences
3. Gmail Smart Compose
Ever sat there, staring at your screen, trying to find the perfect way to start an email? Yeah, same.
Gmail Smart Compose has saved me from the dreaded “writer’s block” and overthinking which words to use for certain moments. Or simply not wanting to repeat myself using the same words.


This AI tool has been my writing buddy, giving spot-on suggestions for words, phrases, or even full sentences.
The best part is that I didn't have to download anything. Nope, no apps or plug-ins. It comes automatically within Gmail.
So it's like it's sitting quietly in the background while you type, picking up on the context of your email and predicting what you’ll say next. You must have seen this feature at work at some point. If you've ever seen those grayed out text suggestions, that's Gmail's Smart Compose.


And I love how it completes my thought with either a quick tap or swipe to the end of the sentence. It's like my BFF; we finish each other's sentences. (And yeah, it’s a bit like a mind-reader—creepy or genius, you decide.)
📌 Even better, Gmail now includes the Gemini AI assistant in all workspaces. You can ask it to refine your email, adjust the tone, or even write the entire message for you—making it easier than ever to communicate with confidence.


For these reasons, I see this tool as one of the best AI email tools for personalization.
- Built right into Gmail (no downloads or extra costs)
- Extremely easy to use
- Speeds up routine email tasks like scheduling meetings or replying with quick confirmations
- Suggestions can feel generic in nuanced conversations
- Only works within Gmail, so users of other clients miss out
For scheduling and follow-ups
4. Boomerang for Gmail
Ever sent an email and immediately thought, “Wait, what if they don’t reply?” Or maybe you meant to follow up, but life (and 1,000 other emails) got in the way.
Well, Boomerang for Gmail can take on the tedious job of timing your emails and follow-ups. This AI tool lets you schedule emails to send later, so you’re not that person emailing at 2 a.m. just because inspiration struck (or you suddenly remember to follow up).
Got a killer idea for a client pitch but want it landing in their inbox first thing Monday morning? Easy-peasy. Just set it and forget it.
Working with clients from a different timezone? This tool is perfect. You can send emails without looking like a tool for sending it to them at 4 a.m. their time.
Now, about those follow-ups you always promise yourself you’ll send. Boomerang’s got this nifty feature that reminds you to follow up if you haven’t heard back. No more scrolling your sent-folder chaos trying to remember who ghosted you. It’s like having a personal assistant whisper, “Hey, you should probably nudge David about that project.”
Bonus points—Boomerang even lets you hit pause on your inbox. I'm not even kidding. You can schedule when emails arrive, so you’re not fielding a flood of distractions all day.


Boomerang is here to perfect your email timing and follow-up game, so you’re not just winging it and sending emails in the wee hours ("Feel free to ignore this email until you clock back in" — eeew.) It’s simple, smart, and honestly one of those tools you wonder how you lived without.
The good news is—it’s super easy to set up. No, you don’t need to hack the mainframe or anything fancy.
Just head to Boomerang’s official website (or type “Boomerang for Gmail” into your search bar.) You’ll need to download a browser extension. (It’s a quick process. Boomerang works smoothly with Gmail, so you’ll just have to click a button for your browser and follow the install prompts.)
Once the extension is up and running, sign in to your Gmail account via the little Boomerang pop-up. Boomerang will seamlessly integrate with your Gmail, and you can start scheduling emails, setting follow-up reminders, and basically turning your inbox into a productivity powerhouse.
- Intuitive and highly customizable
- Keeps important conversations top-of-mind
- “Inbox Pause” is a game-changer for productivity
- Only available as an extension for Gmail
- The free version has limited functionality compared to paid tiers
For Team Collaboration
5. Missive
I first used Missive working with a client more than five years ago. From memory, Missive had this minimalist interface which we all used for collaboration—much like Slack or Notion in today's time.
I remember liking the plain features and how intuitive it was.
I've just checked it out again. So pleasantly surprised at how much it's changed from half a decade ago, and especially how it all integrates into the email.
So Missive isn’t just an email tool—it’s like a shared inbox crossed with a group chat on steroids. Imagine your whole team working together right inside your emails. Got a tricky client message? Instead of forwarding it around like a hot potato, you can discuss it right there in a private chat thread next to the email.


Missive also lets you assign tasks to teammates or even co-draft responses without that weird “you take the first stab at it” awkwardness. It’s email, but smarter and, dare I say, friendlier.
📌 Oh, and about integration. Missive hooks into everything. No more juggling Slack, project management tools, and your inbox. It brings emails, chats, and task management all under one roof. Plus, it works with apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, and CRM tools, so you’re not digging around for important stuff. It’s all here.
I love how Missive has helped me save hours sifting through my email or wasting time writing emails that another team member is working on. Shared inboxes mean no duplicate replies—we’ve all been there, sending the same response just milliseconds apart. It also sorts your emails into neat little threads, so you can focus on what really matters instead of putting out fires all day.
- Outstanding for team collaboration
- Customizable workflows and user permissions
- Supports multiple email accounts in one hub
- The free plan is fairly limited compared to competitors
- Might be overkill for individuals, solopreneurs, freelancers, or small teams
Time To Use AI Tools For Work Productivity
Whether you’re a solopreneur buried in emails or part of a fast-moving marketing team, AI tools for automating repetitive tasks can be a game-changer. From cleaning your inbox with Clean Email to perfecting your tone with Grammarly, these tools prove that email productivity doesn’t have to be a pipe dream.
If you landed on this page trying to look for ways to clean and tidy up your inbox, why don't you give Clean Email a try and see for yourself how easy it can all get.