Too much time spent by the computer, especially typing on a keyboard, can cause wrist pains. In the worst-case scenario, it could even cause a repetitive strain injury! An ergonomic and properly positioned keyboard tray can significantly help alleviate those pains and stresses.
Take 3M's keyboard tray, for example. You can install it under the desk to keep your arms and elbows at the optimal position while typing. When not in use, simply stow it away. We've included nine more worthwhile options to choose from in our top 10 list. You can also check out our buying guide to find out how to find a suitable keyboard tray for you.
Quick List - Top Keyboard Trays
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An ergonomic and properly positioned workstation setup can have a lot of benefits. For one, it reduces the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is the compression of the median nerve on the wrist resulting in pain, tingling sensation, and weakness of the finger functions.
Tendonitis, or the inflammation of the tendons, is another common issue caused by improper keyboard and mouse positioning that leads to pain and inability to use the hands properly.
When your desk or chair is at the wrong height and your keyboard is positioned incorrectly, you can also suffer from neck, back, and shoulder pain. That's why you should opt for a well-adjusted work desk to ensure no pain or aches, less work fatigue, and increased productivity.
When picking out a keyboard tray, there are a few things you should keep in mind. For example, you need to look at your desk size, the clearance underneath, and the tray's material. The buying guide below should get you pointed in the right direction.
The first thing to look at is the keyboard tray's design and how it will be set up. Some are mounted with screws or clamps onto a desk, while others you can attach to your chair or the wall.
An under-desk keyboard tray is one of the most common types available in the market. These are positioned under the desk through the use of side railings or an articulated arm (a single attachment holding the keyboard tray). An under-desk tray can also be mounted directly under the desk through clamps.
One thing to remember with this type of keyboard tray is that the ability to adjust its height and tilt is limited. However, you can quickly store it underneath the desk, where it will be out of sight.
Whether you should choose railings or articulated arm will greatly depend on your current desk. More specifically, the available space between the desk and chair. Make sure you find a tray that works with your existing layout to ensure ease of installation as well as use.
You can also find keyboard trays attached directly to your chair, meaning wherever your chair goes, your keyboard goes with you. These are often adjustable according to your arm height and are a great alternative if you find it comfortable to type in a reclined position.
Given that ergonomics is all about the comfort of the user in relation to the object of interest, a chair-mounted keyboard tray could be the solution if you don't like typing in an upright position in front of a desk.
Another mounted keyboard tray version is one attached to the wall. These also use an articulated arm and are frequently positioned underneath a wall-mounted monitor. These are best paired with unconventional work stations, standing desks, no desk at all, or beside a work station that doubles as an exercise station with a treadmill or exercise bike.
One thing to note with wall-mounted trays is that they require a high level of support. Installing the trays on non-concrete or solid walls can result in the whole thing falling off.
To make sure you're getting the most out of your keyboard tray, remember to check out its key features. Take a look at the tray’s adjustability in height, reach or tilt, and if it offers other add-ons to make typing more comfortable.
The best keyboard trays are fully customizable and cater to your needs. This means you can adjust its tilt and height. The adjusting features may come from the clamps for the height and the tray platform for the tilt. You can also check if the tray can turn left or right at an angle. A rotating keyboard tray - usually one with a swiveling articulated arm - would work best.
If you sit and stand while typing, then a keyboard tray that can be adjusted according to your needs would work much better. Reading through the product description helps confirm if the tray height can be adjusted because most can only be altered to a maximum of 10 inches in height.
A wrist rest-pad is an often forgotten but well-appreciated bonus feature that some keyboard trays offer. A wrist pad on the edge of the tray plus another one (or an extra-long one) to accommodate the mouse makes your experience so much more comfortable.
If there is no wrist pad, check to see if the edges are rounded, smooth, and flat. This means nothing will poke and cause extra pressure on your palms and wrists.
The installation or set up of the tray is another crucial consideration because this can make or break your overall experience. Measurements need to be taken and hardware checked.
Most keyboard trays are mounted, which means they require some time and effort to set up. Look at the instruction manual and check that all the components are there, like the clamps, screws, and bolts. It might also be handy to know whether any drilling or screwing is required, as it may permanently alter your desk or wall.
While clamps promise minimal assembly, the benefit of a fully-mounted keyboard tray is a more seamless and clean look. Often, you can also slide these trays entirely out of view.
In most cases, you can install keyboard trays on your own, but we recommend looking at the reviews and product descriptions before committing to a product, to make sure the installation is feasible. This is especially important if you have specific challenges like wrist pains.
The best is to get metal railings or extendable arms as it is the most durable material. Meanwhile, the platform is usually made with durable hard plastic, wood, or metal. Metal keyboard trays are often touted to offer the best support because non-metal railings can cause your keyboard to bounce when typing.
Another crucial thing to remember is the tray's size. Make sure your keyboard and mouse, if needed, will fit in the tray! Furthermore, you should check your desk underside's existing space to see if it can accommodate a rail, track, or base support that is usually 10-20 inches long.
If your desk can't support railings, a clamped tray would be the next best option. Remember to check that the clamp's width fits the thickness of your desk.
You should also check that there is enough clearance from the keyboard tray to your legs or knees when sitting. Carefully look through the measurements to ensure a seamless fit of the tray with your work station.
A stand-alone keyboard tray is one of the simplest ways to ensure good ergonomics. These tilted trays sit on top of your desk to make typing more comfortable. This type of tray works best on a desk and chair setup that is already at an optimal height but needs minimal tilting for the forearms and elbows.
When choosing a stand-alone tray, check the tilt's angle and height levels. The edges should be discreet and smooth enough for your wrists to rest on. Anti-slip features are also essential to keep your keyboard securely in place.
The benefit of a stand-alone keyboard tray is portability; you can bring it anywhere to accommodate your wireless keyboard, for example. You can also position it on any surface, in case you need to move work stations frequently.
Equally important is the mouse, which is often used as much as a keyboard. Positioning your keyboard ergonomically and leaving the mouse in an uncomfortable location on the desk can be counterproductive.
With that said, you can consider a separate mouse tray or a keyboard tray that is wide enough to fit a mouse on the side. We recommend keeping these two side-by-side to minimize unnecessary strain on the wrists and hands.
There are also keyboard trays that are equipped with a retractable mouse tray under them. You simply slide out the mouse tray from the left or right side and position your mouse accordingly.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3M Keyboard Tray | ![]() | A Comfortable and Adjustable Tray | |
2 | Vivo Adjustable Computer Keyboard and Mouse Platform Tray | ![]() | A Sturdy, Metal Under-Desk Tray | |
3 | Stand Steady Easy Clamp On Keyboard Tray | ![]() | An Easy-to-Assemble Keyboard Tray | |
4 | Richboom Acrylic Tilted Computer Keyboard Stand | ![]() | A Portable Keyboard Tray for the Desktop | |
5 | Fellowes Office Suites Underdesk Keyboard Drawer | ![]() | A Keyboard Tray With an Accompanying Mouse Tray | |
6 | S Stand Up Desk Store Large Clamp-On Retractable Adjustable Keyboard Tray | ![]() | Tool-Free and Height Adjustable Keyboard Tray | |
7 | Defy Desk Clamp On Keyboard Tray | ![]() | A Low-Clearance Clamp-On Tray | |
8 | 3M Adjustable Under-Desk Keyboard Drawer | ![]() | An Ergonomically Designed Keyboard Tray | |
9 | Ergotron LX Wall Keyboard Arm | ![]() | A Heavy-Duty Wall-Mounted Keyboard Tray | |
10 | Mount-It! Keyboard Drawer Under Desk with Mouse Platform | ![]() | A Keyboard Tray That Slides Smoothly |
This keyboard tray has a wooden platform for stability and minimal bouncing when typing. It comes with a mousepad in a battery-saving design. The platform can swivel fully and be stowed underneath a desk when not in use.
A few reviewers found it difficult to adjust the height or tilt of the tray with precision. The instructions were a bit tricky to understand. Still, many attested to how comfortable the tray was. They loved the fully adjustable features and sturdy quality of the product.
This keyboard tray is made with solid steel to ensure stability and sturdiness. It comes with a gel wrist pad for added comfort. It's big enough to fit most keyboard types. Furthermore, the platform can swivel 360 degrees and the height is adjustable by five inches. It can also slide back during storage on its 18-inch track.
A few reviewers complained about the positioning of the adjustment knob which can hit the knees. Meanwhile, many confirmed that the tray was very sturdy. They liked the long track that made it more stable. The fully adjustable features were also a hit.
This is a keyboard tray that is very simple to install; it only takes five minutes! It also has a wide 27-inch platform for your keyboard, mouse, and even a few essential items like a phone. The edge is beveled to add comfort during use.
The tray takes up more space underneath your desk and may not work with lower desks, however. A few reviewers complained about wobbling. Still, many liked that it had a large clamp size, so it can fit most desk widths. The clamps also come with padding to protect the desk, and it's easy to remove and use elsewhere.
It may not look like a typical tray, but this one tilts your keyboard at a comfortable angle and can be used anywhere. All edges are smoothly finished to avoid discomfort during use. The front lip is also low, so your wrists rest comfortably on the keyboard. It has silicone anti-slip back support for stability.
A few found it to be flimsy and wish it was made with more durable or weighty material. Still, many liked how their wrists were positioned while using the tray. They confirmed that the front area doesn't stick out or hurt the wrists.
This tray is easy to install and works for desks that have limited space underneath them. It offers smooth motion when pulling or pushing the tray. It also comes with a keyboard stopper to keep it in place. The accompanying mouse tray that can be mounted on the left or right of the tray is a bonus.
It might be difficult to use this tray on keyboards with built-in wrist support. Some keyboards may not fit due to the platform's size. Many liked the overall design of the product, noting it's very easy to install and works as advertised. It may be plastic, but it's surprisingly durable.
This tray can be adjusted to three height settings to ensure the most comfortable position. It is wide and can accommodate a mouse. The non-skid surface keeps your devices in place. What's more, it doesn't require additional tools to set up. The design is recommended for curved or beveled desk types.
A few reviewers noted the extending and retracting of the desk could be uneven due to the individual moving parts of the clamp. It doesn't slide out smoothly in one motion. Meanwhile, many shared this is exactly what they needed. It's ergonomic and worked with desks that have minimal clearance underneath.
The heavy-duty stainless steel side rails and wooden platform of this tray ensure stability during use. It is also one of the few ones in the market that can clamp onto thicker desks while requiring little clearance (three and a half inches) underneath.
After some time, a few reviewers experienced issues with the pulling and pushing motion of the tray. However, many reviewers said it's easy to install, easy to clean, of the perfect size, and very sturdy.
This tray is equipped with a gel wrist pad for comfort while typing and a retractable mouse tray to keep it at the optimal location. There are slots at the back to accommodate wirings and a barrier to keep the keyboard in place. The mouse surface also has a battery-saving feature.
A few reviewers found the tray challenging to install or mount. It needs better instructions. They also said they had to be careful not to apply too much pressure on the mouse tray as it could bend.
On a positive note, many liked all the features included with the product. It's functional and works as advertised. It slides in and out smoothly.
This professional-grade keyboard tray extends up to 35 inches and can be adjusted in height and tilt to get an ergonomic typing position. It can also be retracted within a few inches from the wall during storage. You get an extending arm, the platform with a wrist pad, the base, and a mouse tray with this tray.
A few reviewers had issues with the tray, noting it could be wobbly if not fastened securely. It is only suitable for concrete walls or wooden panels due to the heavy-duty arm. However, many used it for sitting, standing, or mobile work stations with no issues. They noted the arm was built solidly.
This is a keyboard tray with a large platform that accommodates most keyboard sizes. The height can be altered to three settings while the steel ball-bearing glides ensure smooth operation. Furthermore, the product comes with a mouse platform for added convenience.
A few found the mouse tray to be flimsy and wished it had a stability bar underneath. The screws are also long and may damage a thin desk. Still, it had a large platform that could fit even long gaming keyboards. Many reviewers commented it slides in and out smoothly. Installation was relatively easy.
A cluttered work space leads to a cluttered mind and can hinder your productivity. Keep your office or work station organized with these recommended products.
No. 1: 3M|Keyboard Tray
No. 2: Vivo|Adjustable Computer Keyboard and Mouse Platform Tray
No. 3: Stand Steady|Easy Clamp On Keyboard Tray
No. 4: Richboom|Acrylic Tilted Computer Keyboard Stand
No. 5: Fellowes|Office Suites Underdesk Keyboard Drawer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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