Ergonomic equipment is equipment designed to increase safety and efficiency in the workspace, and your desktop setup is no exception. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to best suit the natural body positioning of humans, reducing any potential hand or wrist strain. Whether you are dealing with long-term issues or looking to avoid any future ones, using the best ergonomic keyboard for your setup will help reduce pain.
We've researched and found 10 ergonomic keyboards that reviewers love. Our top pick is the Freestyle Edge keyboard from Kinesis Gaming since it offers versatility through its split layout, four mechanical switch options, customizable backlighting, and dedicated key remapping button. For more of our favorites, please read on! Also, don't forget to check out our buying guide for tips on how to choose the best ergonomic keyboard for you.
Quick List - Top Ergonomic Keyboards
Cloud Nine
Best Mechanical Ergonomic Keyboard With Many Features
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Ergonomic keyboards can decrease long-term strain on your hands and arms. Before you go shop, here are some tips on how to choose the right ergonomic keyboard for you.
Certain ergonomic keyboards are better than others for certain activities, so you should get a keyboard according to your most frequent activity. Whether you spend your time gaming, programming, or typing up reports, there will be keyboard layouts, designs, and key options to best suit your tasks.
When it comes to keyboard layouts, nearly everyone is familiar with the QWERTY layout. Every piece of technology from smartphones to tablets will offer QWERTY as the default layout, so it's a great option for those looking to use their ergonomic keyboard for regular computer functions without any learning curve.
However, if you're looking for a keyboard layout that will improve your gaming or programming skills, you can invest in a keyboard with a Dvorak and Colemak layout. The Dvorak layout was invented to prioritize high use letters, like vowels, along the central line. Thus, you don't have to overextend your fingers when typing, reducing potential for strain and pain.
The Colemak layout is based off QWERTY, making it easy to learn, but prioritizes high use letters on the central line, like Dvorak. It is arguably the most efficient keyboard layout, as you won't have to move your fingers across the board unless you are spelling an unusual word. However, this is also the least common layout out there.
Making the switch to the Dvorak or Colemak is not hard. You can remap your keyboard on your computer, either through a third party app or through software from your keyboard.
There are stickers you can buy to visually display the layouts on your keyboard as well. If you want to type faster and with reduced finger strain, using these layouts can boost your ergonomic set up.
In general, finding a keyboard the suits the breadth of your hands will decrease strain. However, traditional non-split keyboards can still be too narrow for people, such as those with broad shoulders or who have difficulty bringing their hands close together.
Split keyboards can operate as a single keyboard, widened by plastic, or be physically split into multiple parts. Split keyboards allow more freedom in positioning your arms. If you prefer sitting with one arm flung to the side, a split keyboard can readily accommodate that.
Additionally, with a physically split keyboard you can further customize the tilt of your keyboard to each individual hand. By tenting your keyboards from side-to-side, appropriate to the right and left hands, you can reduce a lot of wrist sprain.
The most obvious difference depends on your computer. Most keyboards come with the default Windows keys, as they are applicable to many users. But if you own a Mac, getting a Mac specialized keyboard will help.
If you use numbers or mathematical symbols often, finding an ergonomic keyboard with a number pad will expedite your typing. But, it will also make the keyboard longer, so make sure it suits your desk space. Finally, if you enjoy remapping your keys to best suit your personal typing style, some ergonomic keyboards come with dedicated software and buttons for doing so.
The angle that your keyboard tilts at can create long-term wrist strain. Most keyboards tilt upwards so that the top keys are higher than the bottom ones. While this angle is ergonomic for your hands, tilting your keyboard up too high can overextend your wrists. The ideal angle comes from your wrists being comfortably straight and not bent.
To best control this, you can adjust your keyboard's tilt with a keyboard tray or a keyboard riser that lifts your keyboard, similar to a laptop stand. An ideal ergonomic keyboard will come with multiple built-in options for controlling the tilt of the keyboard, all to mitigate any potential wrist strain.
Most keyboards use rubber dome switches, as they provide a relatively quiet and smooth typing experience. The main downside to these switches is their durability, as the rubber can wear out over time. Other than that, they are a great choice for those looking for variety in keyboard choices, affordability, and basic tactile feel.
Both of these switches will provide a familiar typing experience, if you are accustomed to typing on laptops and regular keyboards. However, if you are looking to tightly control your typing experience, you should look for keyboards offering mechanical switches.
Mechanical switches are set upon a sliding track, making each button press highly accurate and precise. Depending on which color switch you get, they can be helpful for those with finger pain. For instance, red and brown switches don't require much force to press and are nearly silent, making them easy to type with and suitable for shared work spaces.
On the other hand, blue and silver switches require more force to press down and are clicky. Some enjoy the resistance and sound, such as gamers playing with sensitive controls, but extended typing sessions with these keys can cause more stress for those with wrist and finger pain.
A keyboard with any type of switches can provide you with an ergonomic set up, as switches don't contribute as much to hand pain as other elements of a keyboard. However, if you want full control over the tactile feel and sound of your keys, you should look for keyboards offering mechanical switches.
Ergonomic keyboards can be wired, wireless, or both wired and wireless. Wired keyboards have no delay, making them great for gaming or other tasks requiring immediate feedback. However, depending on your desk set up, the cord may get tangled up with other cords or items, and these have a limit to how far you can put them away from your computer.
Wireless keyboards connect to your computer either through Bluetooth or through a plugged-in USB receiver. Since it isn't tethered to your computer, a wireless keyboard is more portable and compact compared to a wired one.
They allow for more freedom in placement, which can help ergonomics when you’re not using your keyboard at a desk. However, they type at a delay, so they're not as useful for time-sensitive tasks.
Some features can reduce any potential wrist, finger, or overall hand strain by reducing the need to make weird, overextended hand gestures while typing. For instance, many ergonomic keyboards come with macro and media buttons. With these buttons, you can access keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+C or volume controls with a single push of a button.
Another great ergonomic feature is a backlit keyboard. Having the keys lit up, either with white light or a colorful array, will make the characters easier to read, even in dark rooms. This reduces the need to peer closely at your keyboard if you're looking for the Home button. Additionally, if your keyboard offers customizable backlighting, you can color code your keys for extra clarity.
An additional feature that doesn't necessarily improve ergonomics but is still useful is wrist rests. While wrist rests do not necessarily reduce potential strain, as they can put pressure on your wrists from below, they can add additional comfort when resting between typing sessions.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kinesis Gaming Freestyle Edge|KB975 | ![]() | Best for Highly Versatile, Heavy-Duty Typing | |
2 | Logitech ERGO K860|920-009166 | ![]() | Best for Multi-Device Use | |
3 | Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard|5KV-00001 | ![]() | Best Compact But Robust Keyboard | |
4 | Cloud Nine Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard|C989M | ![]() | Best Mechanical Ergonomic Keyboard With Many Features | |
5 | Perixx | ![]() | Best Ergonomic Keyboard with a Built-in Scroll Wheel | |
6 | Perixx Periboard-512 | ![]() | Best for Movement Heavy Typing | |
7 | Logitech Wireless Wave Keyboard|K350 | ![]() | Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Older Computers | |
8 | Kinesis Freestyle2 for Mac|KB820HMB-US | ![]() | Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Mac Users | |
9 | iClever BK06 | ![]() | Best for On-the-Go Typing | |
10 | Kinesis Advantage2 Ergonomic Keyboard|KB600 | ![]() | Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Programmers |
Pros:
Cons:
This RGB backlit keyboard is split and padded for maximum ergonomic comfort, making it a breeze to type after getting over the learning curve of typing on separate keyboards. It comes with 10 customizable lighting effects, 95 fully programmable keys, and a SmartSet app so you can create shortcuts or macros to work more efficiently.
Some reviewers found buying separate keyboard risers to be a little annoying, as otherwise, the keyboards tilt forward. However, gamers, programmers, and office workers all loved how versatile the detached keyboards and remappable keys are. One mentioned a tip of using a custom lighting effect to highlight their high-use shortcuts.
Pros:
Cons:
Logitech's Ergo has a curve to fit your natural body position. It has a curved pillowed wrist rest that supports your arms and scooped keys to match your fingertips. Including the fact that the palm lift can be adjusted to three different tilts, this keyboard offers multiple ways to avoid wrist strain. Plus, this keyboard can connect to multiple devices, making it easy to seamlessly switch between tasks on different devices.
Some reviewers state that lack of backlighting makes seeing the characters difficult, and that the wrist rest has a cloth-like texture and gets dirty easily. Others mention that the keyboard is optimized for ergonomics during typing, but it may not be as optimal for using designing shortcuts. But if you work in a multi-device environment and type frequently, this keyboard can help expedite your work tasks.
Pros:
Cons:
Microsoft's Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard has a split design on a single board, with a separate numeric keypad for more workspace flexibility. While the tilt isn't adjustable, the keyboard has a gradual arc with curved keys along with a cushioned palm pad. The arced design mimics the natural relaxed position of human hands.
Reviewers warn that there is no "FN" key, which is a key commonly used for shortcuts. Some reviewers also complain that this keyboard gets dirty easily, especially from your skin's oils. Regardless, most are impressed by how comfortable the arced design of this keyboard is, especially considering the price point. They like that it is compact compared to other keyboards and gives firm feedback without much noise.
Pros:
Cons:
This beefy split ergonomic keyboard is large, but for good reason. It has a split design, backlit keys, full numeric keypad, and a smart control wheel across the 17 inches of space it takes up. In regard to ergonomics, while this keyboard is not adjustable, it has a seven-degree built-in tent tilt and molded wrist rests that will conform to your hands on a horizontal axis.
Some reviewers dislike that the keyboard's tilt can't be adjusted. Others think the numeric keypad makes it too wide. But most reviewers like the design, quality, and backlighting, which made the keyboard useful for gaming. They found that the built-in tenting fit their hands like a glove.
Pros:
Cons:
This keyboard from Perixx comes in an ergonomic bundle, coming with a split keyboard with three tilt adjustment angles and a bonus ergonomic mouse. The central split of the keyboard also offers a built-in scroll wheel, which can be helpful for quickly adjusting onscreen pages without moving your hands far from their natural position. There are also 17 hotkeys and three indicator locks to denote when certain states, like caps lock, are on.
Some reviewers expressed distaste for the feel of the keys, which, due to their rubber dome switch, felt 'squishy.' Others mentioned that the bonus mouse is a bit large to use if you have small to medium-sized hands. But those who liked the keyboard really enjoyed the convenience of both the mouse and keyboard being ergonomic and noted that their wrist pain faded after switching to this keyboard.
Pros:
Cons:
This ergonomic keyboard is intentionally bigger and bulkier than others on the market so that it doesn't slide around your desk as you intensely type or game. Its shape is molded to fit your hands' natural posture, with the keys even being curved to match the length of your fingers. It also has a built-in wrist rest, numeric keypad, and seven hotkeys.
Reviewers say that this keyboard’s wrist rest is too low to be ergonomic. They also warn that it does not have any legs to adjust the tilt. However, most reviewers praise this keyboard for its curved design, useful hotkeys, and durability. Those who did have technical issues with the keyboard also liked how responsive the customer service representatives are.
Pros:
Cons:
This ergonomic keyboard may have come out several years ago, but it's still useful today, especially if you have an older computer. It has a wave design with a curved layout, cushioned wrist rest, and many extra buttons. It also has up to three years of battery life per full set of new batteries.
Some reviewers complain that this keyboard is too clicky and loud. They also find that the functionality can be limited with newer programs. Regardless, most reviewers praise this keyboard for its ergonomics and performance. They recommend this keyboard for business and typing, but not advanced users.
Pros:
Cons:
The Freestyle2 has a split design that allows up to nine inches of separation between the keyboards. It also has adjustable tenting, which means the keyboards' horizontal tilt can be adjusted to your hands' natural posture. As it's specifically built for use with Apple products, it has Mac-specific hotkeys and follows Apple's keyboard layout. It also has cushioned wrist rests.
Some reviewers complain that this keyboard is not good or efficient for programmers, as the Esc key is in an awkwardly far place. Others dislike how flimsy the tent tilt accessory can be when moving the keyboards around. However, many reviewers say this keyboard has helped them with wrist strain problems, due to the easily adjustable height and tilt. However, they recommend this keyboard for use on a desk.
Pros:
Cons:
This specialized keyboard is both highly portable and ergonomic, making it great for use with smartphones, tablets, and even eBook readers. While it doesn't offer many extra features other than its portability, this keyboard still has a split, U-shaped format so that as you type, you can maintain a somewhat ergonomic posture while working in a small workspace, such as a cafe or train.
Reviewers enjoy how this keyboard offered them some ergonomic support while still being easy to carry. Some noted that due to its folding nature, it must be placed on a flat surface in order to work well, making this keyboard not as useful for use on a car. Despite those drawbacks, many enjoy how they can seamlessly connect from tablet to phone with this keyboard.
Pros:
Cons:
This strange-looking ergonomic keyboard's unique design allows for comfort during many types of work, especially programming. It has onboard memory, split keys with a concave shape, 20 degrees of tenting, and cushioned wrist rests. It can also either be in QWERTY or DVORAK layouts for advanced users.
In consensus, reviewers warn that this keyboard has a steep learning curve, making the switch between it and regular keyboards hard. Some feel it's too big for small- to medium-sized hands. Regardless, most reviewers are highly satisfied with this keyboard's amazing ergonomic support, stating that it helped alleviate most of their wrist or hand pain. Some even mentioned typing faster than they ever had before, due to the reduced strain.
An ergonomic keyboard alone will not make your workspace more efficient. If you're looking for other accessories to streamline your desktop setup, check out these other ergonomic products!
No. 1: Kinesis Gaming|Freestyle Edge|KB975
No. 2: Logitech|ERGO K860|920-009166
No. 3: Microsoft|Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard|5KV-00001
No. 4: Cloud Nine|Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard|C989M
No. 5: Perixx|
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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