In case you spend an excellent portion of your waking hours behind a desk, merely slapping an ergonomic mouse and keyboard in your desk gained’t clear up the actual drawback, which is sitting nonetheless for too lengthy. However after you’ve peppered in a couple of walks and added some stretches for good measure, your workstation ergonomics is the subsequent factor to think about. Hunching, twisting and contorting are all more likely to result in discomfort in the long term.
Ergonomic keyboards can assist: these boards break up, tilt and/or angle the keys in ways in which assist preserve your shoulders and chest extra open and your forearms and wrists extra aligned. One ergonomic board gained’t work for everybody, so I examined out 15 totally different fashions, and thought of a mixture of ergonomic options that embrace Alice and totally break up designs, columnar orientations, thumb clusters, programmable keys and extra. Listed here are the perfect ergonomic keyboards we might discover.
Desk of contents
What to search for in an ergonomic keyboard
Alice vs break up
Most ergonomic keyboard layouts fall into two classes: Alice and break up. The previous is a single board with the 2 halves of the keys rotated about 30 levels aside on the backside. The separation varieties an A-shaped house between the keys — which has nothing to do with why it’s known as an Alice format, it’s only a completely happy coincidence. This refined tweak pushes your elbows away out of your ribs whereas protecting a straight line out of your forearm to your center knuckle. Utilizing one, I fairly immediately felt extra open alongside the entrance aspect of my physique. This format extra intently resembles a standard keyboard, so it ought to be simpler for most people to get used to than a totally break up possibility.
Talking of, break up boards break the keys into two separate elements you’ll be able to place individually. You’ll be able to put them shoulder distance aside, convey them nearer collectively or angle them as a lot as feels snug. You can even put your mouse between the halves, which can really feel like a better journey on your cursor hand and will doubtlessly assist with situations like repetitive pressure accidents. Personally, I like having the ability to put my present snack between the 2 elements. I’ve additionally discovered that pairing a break up keyboard with an excellent ergonomic mouse has helped me much more, notably a vertical mice.
Tenkeyless
You will discover ergonomic keyboards with and with out quantity pads. Not having these quantity keys on the precise aspect helps you to preserve your mouse nearer in, minimizing general attain. However if you happen to work with numbers quite a bit, you’ll probably need that pad included. Some programmable boards enable for the usage of layers, which quickly repurpose keys and might offer you a ten-key possibility by way of intelligent remapping of letter keys.
Tenting and destructive tilt
Tenting raises the center of the keyboard up, so your fingers transfer nearer to a “handshake” place. Alice keyboards often angle up in the direction of the center and all the time to a set diploma, because the two sides are related. Cut up boards typically allow you to alter the diploma of tenting, going from flat to refined to excessive carry.
You might have encountered keyboards with an non-obligatory carry behind the board, elevating the highest keys greater than the house bar. Each set of fingers is totally different, however for most individuals, pulling the backs of the fingers in the direction of the forearms will increase pressure. Detrimental tilt has the alternative impact by sloping within the different course, decreasing the highest quantity keys whereas elevating the sting with the spacebar. Many Alice and a few break up keyboards supply an non-obligatory destructive tilt. I discovered it was extra snug to allow that function once I’m standing, and I most popular to have the keys flat when sat at my desk.
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Staggered vs columnar
This determination appears to be one of many extra hotly-contested amongst ergo lovers. A traditional keyboard has staggered keys, with every row barely offset to the rows above and under it — so the A key’s about midway between the Q and W above it. It is a holdover from classic mechanical typewriters, through which every press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper within the form of a letter. To suit the hammers as shut collectively as doable, whereas nonetheless permitting for finger pads, the keys have been staggered.
Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, typically with rows that aren’t linear. Proponents declare this makes the keys simpler to achieve. Whether or not that’s true will probably be as much as your fingers to resolve, however I can say for sure that if you happen to discovered to kind on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar format is hard. It can take days, presumably weeks earlier than you instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys don’t fare significantly better.
Programmable keys
With a couple of exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a normal typing enter, however the usage of operate and sizzling keys might require some remapping. It may be as straightforward as an onboard change to toggle between Mac and PC layouts, or as concerned as downloading software program to alter up the keys. Some boards even embrace (or allow you to purchase) further keycaps to alter, say, the Mac’s Command and Possibility keys to PC’s Begin and Alt buttons.
For some boards, remapping or programming keys is an important function. Gaming peripherals have further keys that you may set to execute a sequence of keystrokes with the push of a single button. Keyboards that work with layers, through which a single button can carry out a number of capabilities, usually help you change what these are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters with a number of keys close to the house bar that you just function together with your thumb. You’ll additionally be capable to program these.
Different issues
Ergonomic keyboards are available in mechanical, membrane, and scissor change variations. Which works greatest for you is, once more, as much as your desire. I gained’t get too deep into the particulars right here, as we have now a whole information dedicated to mechanical boards, however the in need of it’s that membrane and scissor switches are much less customizable than mechanical and usually cheaper. Typing on them tends to be quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are extra customizable, supply a extra responsive typing expertise and are often pricier.
You’ll even have the choice of wired or wi-fi ergonomic boards. All different issues being equal, wired fashions are cheaper. Aggressive avid gamers who depend on split-second responses might desire the zero-lag of wired keyboards. Wired fashions additionally by no means run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity points. However wi-fi keyboards preserve your desk much less cluttered.
Some ergonomic keyboards include everlasting or detachable wrist or palm rests, which will be cushioned or onerous. That is one other space the place opinions diverge: proponents declare they assist you keep a impartial hand place, whereas detractors say they put strain on the tendons in your wrist and might exacerbate situations like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms ought to be resting, not your wrists, and also you would possibly discover you want having that help or you could discover the strain uncomfortable.
How we examined ergonomic keyboards
All our guides start with intensive analysis to determine what’s on the market and what’s price testing. We think about manufacturers with good reputations that we’ve heard good issues about from colleagues and have a look at keyboard evaluations in boards and different trusted publications. For this information, I regarded for keyboards with ergonomic options like tenting, break up keys, palm help and so forth. I additionally zeroed in on boards that didn’t require a deep quantity of familiarity with the huge and exhaustive world of customized keyboards.
As soon as I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each for wherever from a couple of days to some weeks. I attempted out the remapping and macros software program and thought of the consolation, design, value and sturdiness of every mannequin earlier than arriving at picks I believe will work greatest for the most individuals on the market.
Finest ergonomic keyboards for 2024
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Alice break up, middle tenting, non-obligatory destructive tilt, wrist relaxation | Host connection: Bluetooth or USB receiver | Swap kind: Scissor | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Home windows | Ten key: Sure | RGB lighting: No | Programing interface: Logi Choices+ (app) | Language/Structure: QWERTY
The Ergo K860 from Logitech intently resembles a normal, full-size keyboard, so there’s not a lot of a studying curve. However refined modifications just like the Alice format, tented center and non-obligatory destructive tilt make typing noticeably extra ergonomic. Logitech makes a few of our favourite PC equipment, and the the reason why are all evident with this keyboard: it connects rapidly and reliably by way of Bluetooth, the construct is stable and feels high-quality and it is moderately priced at $130 (and is usually on sale for round $100).
It’s appropriate with newer iterations of Home windows, MacOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS and Linux, although you’ll want software program to help non-basic key capabilities for the latter two working techniques. There are three switching buttons that swap between beforehand related gadgets, and the board speedily swapped between a MacBook and a PC laptop computer in my exams. Constructed-in operate keys like quantity and brightness labored properly and the Possibility/Begin and Command/Alt combo keys labored appropriately relying on which pc was related to.
The rotated Alice-split design and raised middle made a distinction in the way in which I held my arms as I typed, permitting me to maintain my elbows comfortably away from my ribs and my palms rotated inward as an alternative of forcing them flat. The palm relaxation is springy however agency (albeit not detachable) and the arrow keys and a numeric keypad on the precise aspect put all doable keys inside attain. Sadly, that provides size to that aspect of the board, which forces your mouse farther out. The scissor change keys can really feel mushy if you happen to’re coming from a mechanical board, however they’re responsive sufficient. Logitech gives software program for programming the keys, however this mannequin will probably attraction most to these on the lookout for a plug and play possibility.
For a mechanical Alice keyboard with each wi-fi and wired capabilities, I like to recommend the Periboard 835. The Mac and Home windows-compatible board has a stable construct, low profile switches, RGB lighting, snug tenting and some further programmable keys.
- Rotated keys and palm wrest make typing snug
- Wirelessly connects rapidly to a few devides
- Hotkeys work with MacOS and Home windows
- Takes up a big footprint
- Wrist wrest just isn’t detachable
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Absolutely break up | Host connection: USB-C port | Swap kind: Mechanical (tactile or linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Home windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Sure | Programing interface: QMK/VIA (browser) | Language/Structure: QWERTY
In case you (expertly) sawed a mechanical keyboard in two, it could appear to be the Keychron Q11. You’ll be able to even push the 2 halves again collectively to make it appear to be a normal, 75 % mechanical board (although when you uncover the expediency of a snack bowl between the halves, I don’t know why you’d try this).
Keychron is broadly revered within the mechanical keyboard world as a result of they make keyboards with a powerful construct high quality that aren’t astronomically costly. Like all Keychron gadgets, you should purchase this one assembled or barebones, to which you’ll be able to add your individual keycaps and switches. I examined a totally assembled mannequin with Gateron G Professional Crimson linear mechanical switches, which offer smoother motion and a quieter clack than tactile or clicky switches. The keycaps are produced from PBT, a higher-quality polymer than the ABS plastic keys present in cheaper keyboards. The machined aluminum physique feels substantial and there’s no wobble. All of that mixed creates a luxe and sturdy really feel and a satisfying, buttery clack as you kind.
The assembled model comes with keycaps (and a keycap puller) to arrange the board for both Mac or Home windows. A change on the high of the board toggles between the 2 working techniques, guaranteeing the operate keys act appropriately. Additional keys embrace the 2 customizable knobs on the high corners and 5 macro keys to the left of the board. These and the remainder of the board will be programmed with open supply keyboard firmware QMK and VIA, which most Keychron boards are appropriate with out of the field.
I’ve very fundamental keyboard wants so I used VIA to present the precise knob zoom capabilities, make the M1 key open a clipboard supervisor and have the M2 key execute a screenshot. Programming with VIA requires the usage of keycodes and also you’ll have to outline macros throughout the app to get the knob to do extra superior issues past the pre-selected choices, however the implementation of your new directions is instantaneous (and fairly satisfying).
The one drawbacks are the shortage of tenting and the quite brief USB-C bridge cable connecting the 2 sides. I discovered I needed a bit extra separation than 9 inches, so I swapped it for an extended wire. However there’s no straightforward repair for the shortage of middle carry.
- Top quality construct
- Easy and buttery mechanical keys
- Absolutely break up keys preserve your fingers at a snug distance aside
- Simply toggle between Mac and Home windows techniques
- No middle tenting
- Brief bridge cable included
Kensington
Ergonomic options: Alice break up, middle tenting, non-obligatory destructive tilt, wrist relaxation | Host connection: Bluetooth or USB receiver | Swap kind: Membrane | Hotkey compatibility: Home windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: No | Programing interface: Kensington Konnect | Language/format: QWERTY
The compact Kensington Professional Match Ergo sells for $70 at full value, however is usually on sale for round $55. That makes it an excellent finances board, nevertheless it feels way more premium than the value tag suggests. The membrane keys are surprisingly springy and the low profile keycaps make typing straightforward. The wrist relaxation, particularly when mixed with the destructive tilt, hits my palms at simply the precise spot, not placing strain on my tendons whereas protecting the backs of my wrists straight. After all, totally different hand sizes could have totally different experiences, however my males’s medium/girls’s massive mitts have been snug.
It related simply by way of Bluetooth or radio dongle to each the Mac and PC I attempted, staying reliably related and woke rapidly from sleep. And the LED indicator for the rechargeable battery stayed inexperienced (full) over the month or so of testing through which I used it and saved it intermittently. Recharging is straightforward by way of the USB port. Whereas it’s easy to modify to a Mac or Home windows format, the keyboard works higher as a PC peripheral.
Kensington’s software program lets you reprogram the operate keys and some specialty keys with shortcuts or macros however I couldn’t get the software program to work with my Mac. It carried out tremendous with my PC laptop computer, however this in all probability is not the keyboard to get if you would like minute, personalized key remapping anyway. In case you simply desire a comparatively cheap keyboard that’s much more snug to kind on than most, it is a good one to seize.
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Absolutely break up, middle tenting, thumb cluster | Host connection: USB-C port | Swap kind: Mechanical (tactile, clicky, linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Home windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Sure | Programing interface: Oryx (browser) | Language/Structure: QWERTY (programmable)
A rep I spoke with at ZSA warned me concerning the Voyager, saying the board has an impact “like a brain injury: A moment ago you knew how to type, and now you don’t.” That’s precisely how I felt after plugging within the impossibly compact accent. For one, the columnar format places keys (notably these on the underside row) in spots you don’t intuitively attain for. Then there’s a thumb cluster the place you’ll discover not simply the house bar, however different essential keys like return. Lastly, the board makes use of layers, giving every key as much as three capabilities.
I really needed to interrupt testing at one level and plug in one other keyboard as a result of I simply felt too sluggish and disconnected like I used to be typing with oven mitts on. Nevertheless, now that I’ve the dangle of how the Voyager works, it feels magical. Not often do my fingers want to go away the house place, but each key I would like regularly is well accessible.
Because you don’t have to reorient your fingers while you use arrow keys, hit the mute button or kind with the quantity pad, you’re all the time in the identical place, which might prevent some critical amassed time. Your thumbs, that are pretty dexterous, are able to doing extra than simply mashing the spacebar; right here, they function the return key, tab button and might even initialize layers. The totally break up and further compact design allow you to place the 2 boards wherever they really feel snug and the non-obligatory magnetic legs give it a refined however efficient middle tenting.
The place some keyboards supply remapping capabilities as a nice-to-have function, nearly all of folks will probably need to use both the browser-based Oryx configurator or Zsa’s Keymapp app to modify up what these keys do. It took me a number of tries to get them set in a approach that labored for me, so I obtained fairly acquainted with Oryx. It doesn’t require you to lookup keycodes, as an alternative providing you with an enormous library of searchable instructions. However modifications aren’t applied robotically — you must flash the keyboard’s firmware by pushing a button on the high fringe of the machine to make the modifications.
Sure system-specific capabilities, just like the Mission Management key on a Mac, have to be programmed utilizing key sequences (on this case, management + down arrow). And sometimes the board will mistake a single faucet for a faucet and maintain (which regularly allows a second operate). I additionally flashed the board as soon as and misplaced all use of the precise aspect, however reflashing fastened it.
The Voyager just isn’t for somebody on the lookout for a fast adjustment to enhance their ergonomics. It’ll take weeks of apply and reprogramming (each the board and your mind) earlier than typing feels fluid once more. I like to recommend protecting a screenshot of your newest Oryx-configured format in your desktop for reference till you keep in mind which keys do what. That stated, as soon as issues begin clicking, the Voyager actually does maximize your output whereas minimizing your actions.
In order for you one thing totally break up with thumb clusters and a columnar format however that’s rather less minimal — and wi-fi in addition — the Benefit 360 from Kinesis, makers of the in style Benefit 2 is an efficient one to take a look at. It seems prefer it comes from an ‘80s-era IBM office but is somehow also from the future. The tenting goes from low to intense and the keys curve concavely to meet your fingers where they naturally land. The 360 is per-key programmable, works with layers and has four macros keys.
- Fully split board
- Center tenting for a natural hand position
- Thumb cluster lets your thumb do more work
- Compact size and clever key mapping keep your hands in the home position
- Difficult to relearn ortholinear layout
- Takes time to program and learn the right key functions
Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic features: Fully split, columnar keys, thumb cluster, wrist rest, optional tenting and negative tilt (additional cost) | Host connection: Wired or Bluetooth and USB receiver (wireless costs extra) | Switch type: Mechanical (tactile, linear or clicky) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS & Android | Ten key: Programmable | RGB lighting: Yes | Programing interface: Bazecor | Language/layout: QWERTY (but programmable to any layout)
Like the Zsa Voyager, The Dygma Defy is another fully split, columnar board with thumb clusters and keys and layers that are per-key programmable. It has a little more going on than the Voyager, with full sized keycaps, built-in wrist rests and twenty more keys, including eight keys in each thumb cluster. The programming software, Bazecor, is super simple to figure out, making it easy to program shortcuts, macros and layers (again, sticking a screenshot of your keys layout on your desktop will help as you learn what you’ve programmed every key to do). The keys are a delight to kind on with springy and responsive mechanical switches. As a complete, the Defy feels properly designed and the (removable) wrist rests have a just-right consistency.
Optionally, you’ll be able to add an LED underglow, tenting mechanisms and wi-fi capabilities (Bluetooth and RF) however every add-on will increase the value by $70, $80 and $90, respectively. That introduced the totally kitted-out model I examined to $609. With out these, it’ll run you $369. That’s very shut in value to the Voyager, which doesn’t have an underglow or wi-fi capabilities. The Voyager does embrace tenting knobs, however the carry is minimal at a couple of half an inch. At its most setting, the Defy’s tenting brings the halves practically vertical.
The Defy is a well-made, deluxe board, particularly with the add-ons. It’s in all probability greatest for individuals who desire a maximalist working setup and wish numerous further choices for programmable keys. I discovered myself at a loss for what to do with all of the keys and had a tricky time protecting all of them straight. Plus my cluttered desk felt prefer it was sacrificing a bit an excessive amount of room to accommodate the 2 sizable halves. For me, the Voyager strikes a greater stability between providing further keys and taking on minimal desk actual property.
- Premium construct
- 16 thumb cluster keys
- Programming software program is straightforward to make use of
- Costly, particularly with non-obligatory options
- Excessive studying curve
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Absolutely break up, middle tenting, detachable wrist relaxation | Host connection: USB-A cable | Swap kind: Mechanical (tactile, clicky, linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Home windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Sure | Programing interface: SmartSet (app) | Language/Structure: QWERTY
As I stated in our information to ergonomic mice, my sporadic, console-only gaming doesn’t make me a gamer. However I’ve a good understanding of what avid gamers would possibly like. PC avid gamers who depend on the WASD keys might admire not having to deal with the precise aspect of a keyboard in any respect, and as an alternative use that house for his or her mouse. The Freestyle Edge from Kinesis is a gaming variation on the model’s unique Freestyle 2 is a totally break up mannequin with Cherry MX mechanical switches. The tactile Brown ones in my tester unit had a satisfying click on and a not overly loud clacky noise. The wrist rests are detachable and intelligent folding legs provide you with three top choices for tenting and can be eliminated fully.
It’s backlit, with per-key RGB lights and 9 macros buttons that may be programmed with the configuration app or with out it utilizing keyboard instructions. All of this will likely attraction if you happen to’re on the lookout for a programmable gaming keyboard with a couple of ergonomic tips. Simply take into account that all of these options add as much as a considerably cumbersome peripheral.
- Absolutely break up means you’ll be able to simply use the left half
- Excessive diploma of non-obligatory tenting
- Further programmable shortcut keys
- Considerably cumbersome
- Constructed-in cables aren’t customizable
Different ergonomic keyboards we examined
Goldtouch Elite Adjustable
I keep in mind questioning if one thing just like the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable existed once I first began testing ergonomic keyboards. It didn’t on the time, so far as I might inform, however now a related but adjustable break up board is certainly a product you should purchase. It’s a solidly-built board and the ball joint connecting the 2 halves appears like it’ll put up with numerous use. A squeeze of the lever on the high of the keys helps you to set the board simply how you want, adjusting each the vertical tenting and the angle between the 2 halves. There’s no programming to talk of, simply the flexibility to swap a couple of operate keys like print display and residential.
Sadly, the tenting doesn’t work for me. Due to the additional keys on the outer edges, elevating the center edges upwards lifts the middle keys significantly, which brings my wrists and forearms off the desk as an alternative of letting them relaxation. Holding them like that created further neck and shoulder pressure on my half, which is form of the alternative of the objective. However if you happen to’re not into tenting anyway and desire a flat, Alice-split board with an adjustable splay, this works fairly properly.
Kinesis Kind Cut up Touchpad Keyboard
The concept behind the Kinesis Kind Cut up Touchpad Keyboard is fairly ergonomic: put the trackpad between the 2 halves and decrease journey on your mouse hand. The gap between the 2 places your elbows at a snug distance and retains your wrist practically in-line together with your forearms. The construct is great, with low profile mechanical switches that really feel clean and simply the correct quantity of clacky. The trackpad is responsive, however gestures solely work with Home windows computer systems. Even dragging and dropping doesn’t work on a Mac right here, so I don’t see Apple customers getting a lot use out of the board. I additionally discovered myself wishing for the slightest rotation of the keys — although they’re a long way aside, a slight angle would preserve my wrists totally unbent. There’s no tenting or destructive tilt both, each of which might assist a bit extra, ergonomically talking.
Logitech Wavekeys
Whereas it is a completely tremendous and inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech Wavekeys has minimal ergonomics. The keys stand up barely within the center and there is a snug wrist relaxation hooked up, however the format is identical as some other keyboard, with no splitting of the keys to open up your arms or preserve your wrists straight.
