Buying guide for best ergonomic keyboards
Working on a computer all day can be exhausting and takes a toll on your wrists and hands if you do it consistently. That’s why using an ergonomic keyboard is essential if you spend hours working on a computer every day. It may not be noticeable initially, but your wrists and hands will feel less tired in the long run.
Not all keyboards feel the same to everybody, so you’ll want to spend time with a keyboard and see how it feels as you type away. Most high-quality ergonomic keyboards have a curvy design for natural wrist and hand placement, responsive keys and a comfortable resting pad for your wrists.
Our top pick, the Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard, was tested in the BestReviews Testing Lab and is praised for its ergonomic shape, durability and responsiveness. We also tested the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Wireless Desktop Keyboard and Mouse, an excellent split-design model with superior overall performance.
Our list: The best ergonomic keyboards
There are many excellent ergonomic keyboards, but our favorite is the Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard for several reasons. We thoroughly tested it and were pleased with its overall performance, build quality and design.
This keyboard stays in place even on smooth surfaces, and the wrist support is superb thanks to the adjustable palm lift, making it one of the best options for anybody concerned about carpal tunnel syndrome. It has a 33-foot range and three buttons for quickly pairing it with devices other than computers, such as tablets and smartphones. Keystrokes are responsive, and you won’t experience any stuck keys. It works great with Macs and Windows PCs.
We also tested this keyboard and mouse combo, which is versatile and highly capable. Our testers love this keyboard for its flexible stand, and the split design is easier to get used to than some other keyboards with similar layouts since the space between the two components is minimal.
Hands and wrists feel secure and balanced while using this set, and the number pad is separate from the rest of the keys, a neat feature for accountants or anyone who works with numbers. Plus, the mouse performs well, and we didn’t notice any stuttering when used on various surfaces.
This keyboard has a refined split design for reducing fatigue and plenty of terrific features for boosting productivity in the office. It’s not wireless and connects via a wired USB connection, which may be a turn-off for some. But the benefit is a reliable and stable connection with no batteries to buy.
The palm rest is covered in soft, premium fabric for improved comfort and neutral wrist posture, and the mouse offers responsive, smooth tracking on various surfaces. It has time-saving dedicated shortcut keys for Microsoft 365, emojis, media controls and more, and the scrolling wheel is optimized for smooth navigation and features two programmable buttons.
The design of this keyboard caught our eye as it’s unlike anything else most people are accustomed to. Unlike other keyboards marketed as split keyboards, this keyboard is split in two, with two separate components joined only by a single cord. It offers flexibility and versatility you won’t get with any other keyboard as well as several premium features.
You can reduce forearm pronation by using the tenting feature, which lets you to lift each component by 5, 10 or 15 degrees. The compact design allows for closer mouse placement, and you can separate the components from each other with as much as 9 inches of space between them. It can pair with up to three Bluetooth devices and has Mac-specific hotkeys, shortcuts and media keys.
If you want a straightforward budget-friendly keyboard with an ergonomic build, you won’t be disappointed with this wireless keyboard. The wave design gives it a curve layout that guides the hands and wrists into a natural position, effectively reducing fatigue over extended periods.
The contoured cushioned palm increases comfort, and although it’s a wireless keyboard, the battery life can last up to 3 years with regular use. The receiver offers long-range connectivity and features 128-bit AES encryption for superior security. Plus, there are three options for leg height, and you can customize the F-keys through the Logitech SetPoint Software to perform various functions.
Although it’s by a brand that isn’t as recognizable as Microsoft or Logitech, this keyboard shouldn’t be overlooked as it’s a solid bargain pick. It has a premium, durable leather cover, and the backlit keys are adjustable to 30%, 60% or 100% brightness.
The 2.4GHz Bluetooth channel offers a stable high-speed wireless connection and lets you sync it with your devices quickly and effortlessly. Its curved, split design provides a natural typing position and it provides dedicated keys for shortcuts to multimedia functions. One neat feature is the one-button system switching that lets you toggle between Mac and Windows key layouts.
If you’re in the market for a wired keyboard, this is an excellent choice with a unique design built to reduce fatigue and promote productivity. The curved keys and split-key slope guide the wrists and hands into a natural position, meaning you won’t experience any discomfort after prolonged use, and the wrist pad gives your wrists an elevated typing angle.
Other features include high-quality key switches for superior responsiveness and integrated shortcut keys for quick access to media controls and popular apps. It works with computers running Windows 7 or later, and there’s no number pad so it’s nice and compact with only a short distance between the keyboard and mouse.
This keyboard has a split design, but the space between the key sets is minimal, so it’ll be easy to get used to if you’re switching over from a keyboard with a traditional layout. The cushioned palm rest helps combat wrist and hand fatigue, and the design promotes a natural placement of the hands while typing for improved posture.
It can pair with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth, and it’s a membrane keyboard, so it’s highly responsive and quiet. Plus, it offers premium features such as 17 multimedia shortcut keys, a numeric keypad and LED indicator lights. Installation is quick and effortless, and the Bluetooth connection works on a 2.4GHz channel for superior speed and responsiveness.
This jazzy keyboard is an excellent option for those who want something ergonomic that pops with style thanks to its colorful backlit design. It’s a large keyboard, making it suitable for desktops, and it has split key zones and a gentle slope for natural hand and wrist placement.
The hotkeys give you shortcuts for media controls, email, browsers and other applications and membrane key switches provide improved responsiveness for smooth and quieter typing, built to last up to 5 million keystrokes. The backlit keys are perfect for working in low-light environments, and you can switch between red, green or blue LED lights with a single button.
How we tested
We researched the best ergonomic keyboards and what each one offers. However, we thoroughly examined and tested the Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard and the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Wireless Desktop Keyboard and Mouse set to see how they fared in the following areas.
Ease of use
- Setup: We tested the entire setup process, from opening the package to connecting the keyboards to Windows and Mac computers.
Design and performance
- Comfort and feel: We paid close attention to how comfortable we felt as we typed on both keyboards and how natural the wrist and hand placement felt at rest and while typing.
- Build: We examined the dome and split keyboard designs and considered how intuitive they felt.
- Strain reduction: We paid close attention to the level of hand and wrist fatigue after prolonged use.
- Key responsiveness and noise: We analyzed how responsive typing felt and how quiet the keys were when pressed.
Additional features
- Wrist pad: We analyzed the comfort of the wrist pad.
- Multi-device setup: We tested how well the keyboards interacted with three connected Bluetooth devices.
- Mouse: We tested the precision of the mouse control and analyzed the ergonomic design.
What to consider before buying an ergonomic keyboard
Traditional vs. split keyboard
Traditional keyboards are the most common ergonomic keyboard and feature all letter keys connected in one grid. Despite standard keyboards sharing a layout, general quality and overall functionality can vary across models. For example, some ergonomic keyboards offer whisper-quiet soft-touch keys that don’t require much force.
Split keyboards physically separate the keys down the center and place each half of the keyboard at an inward angle to support a more natural placement of one’s hands. While split keyboards can feel awkward at first if you’re used to traditional keyboards, those who stick with them for longer than a month usually become lifelong converts.
Design
Most ergonomic keyboards are black, with glossy keys and a handful of dedicated function buttons. The best ones have curved designs to promote natural hand and wrist placement for increased comfort over prolonged periods.
It’s important to note that ergonomic keyboards are designed to be primarily practical, so they’re a less-than-ideal choice for most gamers. While you’ll find the occasional gaming rig with an ergonomic keyboard, it’s rare because most gamers rely on gaming keyboards designed to support complex gaming customizations and ideal control setups.
Wireless vs. wired connectivity
A wired keyboard is best for those who want a stable connection and to never worry about changing or recharging batteries. However, a wireless keyboard can go a long way toward keeping your workspace clutter-free. Most wireless keyboards connect to your computer using an included USB adapter that attaches to an available USB port. Other ergonomic keyboards feature Bluetooth connectivity, which can make a difference if you don’t have an available USB port.
Features to look for in a quality ergonomic keyboard
Backlit keys
Some ergonomic keyboards include backlighting, which makes the keys light up in one or more colors. Backlit keyboards can be handy for poorly lit environments, and some keyboards even have customizable LED lights that let you choose between two or more colors based on your mood or preference.
Dedicated function buttons
Most ergonomic keyboards include buttons in addition to the standard letter and number keys on the keyboard. These buttons are typically dedicated to a single task. For example, some have volume up and down buttons for easy audio adjustments or a print button to send whatever is onscreen to your printer.
Mice
Some ergonomic keyboards come as a bundle with a matching mouse. While some people prefer to purchase a mouse separately, there are advantages to buying mouse-and-keyboard bundles. Many bundles allow the mouse and the keyboard to connect to your computer using the same USB adapter. If you purchase a mouse separately later, you have to account for how your mouse and keyboard connect to your device simultaneously.
Tips
Before buying an ergonomic keyboard, consider these tips:
- Test your keyboard for actual ergonomic benefits. There are no official standards for classifying keyboards as ergonomic, which means that for some keyboards, it’s simply a marketing term. Once you’ve purchased an ergonomic keyboard, it’s best to pay attention to how your wrists and hands respond as you try it out. If you don’t feel any benefits or the keyboard doesn’t properly lift your wrists, consider exchanging it for a different model.
- Ergonomic keyboards are a preventative measure, not a standalone solution for wrist problems. Ergonomic keyboards are intended to reduce the wear and tear on your hands and are not a form of physical therapy or rehabilitation. If you experience any pain in your hands that may be related to your keyboard, consult a physician.
- Give yourself time to adjust. Most ergonomic keyboards feel a bit funny initially and can take some getting used to. For most people, the benefits of ergonomic keyboards outweigh the initial awkwardness, so when you make the switch, try it for at least a month.
- Get a can of compressed air and a vacuum. Most ergonomic keyboards have bigger nooks and crannies than standard ones, meaning there’s much more room for dust, crumbs, hair and dirt to slip through the cracks. Keep cleaning tools like a compressed air can and a hand vac nearby to keep your ergonomic keyboard in good shape.
- Introduce an ergonomic mouse or mouse pad at the same time. Wrist ergonomics aren’t just about your keyboard – there’s a proper and a wrong way to hold a mouse, too. If you switch to an ergonomic keyboard, switch to an ergonomic mouse or buy an ergonomic mouse pad simultaneously. It’s easier to adapt to your new hardware all at once than it would be one component at a time.
FAQ
Q. How much does an ergonomic keyboard cost?
A. You can find a straightforward wireless ergonomic keyboard for $30 to $60. However, if you want something with several premium features and a more durable build, you can expect to spend up to $150 for an ergonomic keyboard.
Q. Does getting accustomed to a split keyboard take a long time?
A. Every user is different, but most people report that they can adjust within 30 to 45 days. After the initial learning curve, many users can type faster on a split keyboard than with a traditional keyboard.
Q. Are mechanical keyboards ergonomic?
A. Not inherently. Mechanical keyboards are a popular type of keyboard based on the spring-activated keyboards of the 1980s. A few models include built-in wrist rests, but those models represent only a small portion of the market.
Q. Will an ergonomic keyboard work on my Mac?
A. Yes. Most ergonomic keyboards are plug-and-play with Mac computers, meaning there’s no complicated process for installation. However, some advanced features may require manual key mapping in your computer’s system preferences.
