The best ergonomic keyboards for 2024

1 / 5

Staggered vs columnar

This resolution appears to be one of many extra hotly-contested amongst ergo fanatics. A standard keyboard has staggered keys, with every row barely offset to the rows above and beneath it — so the A secret’s about midway between the Q and W above it. This can be a holdover from classic mechanical typewriters, during 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, usually with rows that aren’t linear. Proponents declare this makes the keys simpler to succeed in. Whether or not that’s true can be as much as your fingers to resolve, however I can say for sure that for those who realized to kind on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar structure is hard. It’ll take days, probably 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 typical typing enter, however the usage of perform and scorching keys might require some remapping. It may be as straightforward as an onboard swap 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 a vital characteristic. Gaming peripherals have further keys which you could set to execute a sequence of keystrokes with the push of a single button. Keyboards that work with layers, during which a single button can carry out a number of features, usually permit you to 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 simply function along with your thumb. You’ll additionally be capable to program these.

Different issues

Ergonomic keyboards are available in mechanical, membrane, and scissor swap variations. Which works greatest for you is, once more, as much as your choice. I received’t get too deep into the particulars right here, as now we have a whole information devoted 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 hold your desk much less cluttered.

Some ergonomic keyboards include everlasting or detachable wrist or palm rests, which may be cushioned or exhausting. That is one other space the place opinions diverge: proponents declare they enable you keep a impartial hand place, whereas detractors say they put stress on the tendons in your wrist and may exacerbate situations like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms ought to be resting, not your wrists, and also you may discover you want having that assist or chances are you’ll discover the stress uncomfortable.

A closeup shot of an ergonomic keyboard that shows the two sides splitting apart. — Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

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 take into account manufacturers with good reputations that we’ve heard good issues about from colleagues and take a look at keyboard critiques in boards and different trusted publications. For this information, I appeared for keyboards with ergonomic options like tenting, cut up keys, palm assist 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 every one for wherever from a couple of days to a couple weeks. I attempted out the remapping and macros software program and thought of the consolation, design, worth 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

The Ergo K860 from Logitech carefully resembles a typical, full-size keyboard, so there’s not a lot of a studying curve. However refined modifications just like the Alice structure, tented center and non-obligatory unfavourable tilt make typing noticeably extra ergonomic. Logitech makes a few of our favourite PC equipment, and the the explanation why are all evident with this keyboard: it connects shortly and reliably by way of Bluetooth, the construct is strong and feels high-quality and it is moderately priced at $130 (and is usually on sale for round $100).

It’s suitable with more moderen iterations of Home windows, MacOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS and Linux, although you’ll want software program to assist non-basic key features for the latter two working techniques. There are three switching buttons that swap between beforehand linked gadgets, and the board speedily swapped between a MacBook and a PC laptop computer in my checks. Constructed-in perform keys like quantity and brightness labored properly and the Possibility/Begin and Command/Alt combo keys labored appropriately relying on which pc was linked 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 a substitute of forcing them flat. The palm relaxation is springy however agency (albeit not detachable) and the arrow keys and a numeric keypad on the suitable facet put all doable keys inside attain. Sadly, that provides size to that facet of the board, which forces your mouse farther out. The scissor swap keys can really feel mushy for those who’re coming from a mechanical board, however they’re responsive sufficient. Logitech affords software for programming the keys, however this mannequin will probably attraction most to these in search of a plug and play choice.

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 strong construct, low profile switches, RGB lighting, comfy tenting and some further programmable keys.

Execs

Rotated keys and palm wrest make typing comfy
Wirelessly connects shortly to a few devides
Hotkeys work with MacOS and Home windows

Cons

Takes up a big footprint
Wrist wrest is just not detachable

$110 at B&H Photo

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

For those who (expertly) sawed a mechanical keyboard in two, it could seem like the Keychron Q11. You may even push the 2 halves again collectively to make it seem like a typical, 75 p.c 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 formidable construct high quality that aren’t astronomically costly. Like all Keychron gadgets, you should buy this one assembled or barebones, to which you’ll add your personal keycaps and switches. I examined a completely assembled mannequin with Gateron G Professional Pink linear mechanical switches, which give 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 swap on the prime of the board toggles between the 2 working techniques, making certain the perform keys act appropriately. Further keys embrace the 2 customizable knobs on the prime corners and 5 macro keys to the left of the board. These and the remainder of the board may be programmed with open supply keyboard firmware QMK and VIA, which most Keychron boards are suitable with out of the field.

I’ve very fundamental keyboard wants so I used VIA to provide the suitable 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 must outline macros inside 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 somewhat quick USB-C bridge cable connecting the 2 sides. I discovered I needed somewhat extra separation than 9 inches, so I swapped it for an extended twine. However there’s no straightforward repair for the shortage of middle carry.

Execs

Prime quality construct
Clean and buttery mechanical keys
Totally cut up keys hold your arms at a cushty distance aside
Simply toggle between Mac and Home windows techniques

Cons

No middle tenting
Brief bridge cable included

$220 at Amazon

Kensington

The compact Kensington Pro Fit Ergo sells for $70 at full worth, however is usually on sale for round $55. That makes it an excellent price range board, but it surely feels rather more premium than the worth tag suggests. The membrane keys are surprisingly springy and the low profile keycaps make typing straightforward. The wrist relaxation, particularly when mixed with the unfavourable tilt, hits my palms at simply the suitable spot, not placing stress on my tendons whereas protecting the backs of my wrists straight. In fact, totally different hand sizes can have totally different experiences, however my males’s medium/ladies’s massive mitts have been comfy.

It linked simply by way of Bluetooth or radio dongle to each the Mac and PC I attempted, staying reliably linked and woke shortly from sleep. And the LED indicator for the rechargeable battery stayed inexperienced (full) over the month or so of testing during which I used it and saved it intermittently. Recharging is straightforward by way of the USB port. Whereas it’s easy to change to a Mac or Home windows structure, the keyboard works higher as a PC peripheral.

Kensington’s software program lets you reprogram the perform 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 advantageous with my PC laptop computer, however this most likely is not the keyboard to get in order for you minute, personalized key remapping anyway. For those who simply need a comparatively cheap keyboard that’s much more comfy to kind on than most, it is a good one to seize.

$55 at Amazon

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

A rep I spoke with at ZSA warned me concerning the Voyager, saying the board has an impact “like a mind harm: A second in the past you knew how you can kind, and now you do not.” That’s precisely how I felt after plugging within the impossibly compact accent. For one, the columnar structure places keys (significantly 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 necessary keys like return. Lastly, the board makes use of layers, giving every key as much as three features.

I truly needed to interrupt testing at one level and plug in one other keyboard as a result of I simply felt too gradual 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. Hardly ever do my arms want to go away the house place, but each key I want regularly is well accessible.

Because you don’t must reorient your fingers if you use arrow keys, hit the mute button or kind with the quantity pad, you’re at all times in the identical place, which might prevent some critical collected 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 may even initialize layers. The absolutely cut up and additional compact design allow you to place the 2 boards wherever they really feel comfy 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 characteristic, the vast majority of folks will probably wish to use both the browser-based Oryx configurator or Zsa’s Keymapp app to change up what these keys do. It took me a number of tries to get them set in a method that labored for me, so I obtained fairly acquainted with Oryx. It doesn’t require you to lookup keycodes, as a substitute supplying you with an unlimited library of searchable instructions. However modifications aren’t carried out mechanically — you must flash the keyboard’s firmware by pushing a button on the prime fringe of the system to make the modifications.

Sure system-specific features, just like the Mission Management key on a Mac, must 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 frequently permits a second perform). I additionally flashed the board as soon as and misplaced all use of the suitable facet, however reflashing mounted it.

The Voyager is just not for somebody in search of 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 structure in your desktop for reference till you keep in mind which keys do what. That mentioned, as soon as issues begin clicking, the Voyager actually does maximize your output whereas minimizing your actions.

In order for you one thing absolutely cut up with thumb clusters and a columnar structure however that’s rather less minimal — and wi-fi besides — the Advantage 360 from Kinesis, makers of the popular Advantage 2 is an efficient one to take a look at. It seems to be prefer it comes from an ‘80s-era IBM workplace however is in some way additionally from the long run. The tenting goes from low to intense and the keys curve concavely to satisfy your fingers the place they naturally land. The 360 is per-key programmable, works with layers and has 4 macros keys.

Execs

Totally cut up board
Heart tenting for a pure hand place
Thumb cluster lets your thumb do extra work
Compact measurement and intelligent key mapping hold your arms within the dwelling place

Cons

Tough to relearn ortholinear structure
Takes time to program and study the suitable key features

$365 at ZSA

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Ergonomic options: Totally cut up, columnar keys, thumb cluster, wrist relaxation, non-obligatory tenting and unfavourable tilt (extra value) | Host connection: Wired or Bluetooth and USB receiver (wi-fi prices further) | Swap kind: Mechanical (tactile, linear or clicky) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac, Home windows, Linux, iOS & Android | Ten key: Programmable | RGB lighting: Sure | Programing interface: Bazecor | Language/structure: QWERTY (however programmable to any structure)

Just like the Zsa Voyager, The Dygma Defy is one other absolutely cut up, columnar board with thumb clusters and keys and layers which can be per-key programmable. It has somewhat extra occurring than the Voyager, with full sized keycaps, built-in wrist rests and twenty extra keys, together with eight keys in every thumb cluster. The programming software program, Bazecor, is tremendous easy to determine, making it straightforward to program shortcuts, macros and layers (once more, sticking a screenshot of your keys structure in your desktop will assist as you study 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 worth by $70, $80 and $90, respectively. That introduced the absolutely kitted-out model I examined to $609. With out these, it’ll run you $369. That’s very shut in worth 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 few half an inch. At its most setting, the Defy’s tenting brings the halves almost vertical.

The Defy is a well-made, deluxe board, particularly with the add-ons. It’s most likely greatest for many who desire a maximalist working setup and want a number of further choices for programmable keys. I discovered myself at a loss for what to do with all of the keys and had a troublesome 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.

Execs

Premium construct
16 thumb cluster keys
Programming software program is simple to make use of

Cons

Costly, particularly with non-obligatory options
Excessive studying curve

$369 at Dygma

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

As I mentioned in our guide to ergonomic mice, my sporadic, console-only gaming doesn’t make me a gamer. However I’ve a good understanding of what avid gamers may like. PC avid gamers who depend on the WASD keys might recognize not having to cope with the suitable facet of a keyboard in any respect, and as a substitute use that house for his or her mouse. The Freestyle Edge from Kinesis is a gaming variation on the model’s authentic Freestyle 2 is a completely cut 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 peak choices for tenting and may also be eliminated utterly.

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 may increasingly attraction for those who’re in search of a programmable gaming keyboard with a couple of ergonomic tips. Simply remember the fact that all of these options add as much as a considerably cumbersome peripheral.

Execs

Totally cut up means you’ll be able to simply use the left half
Excessive diploma of non-obligatory tenting
Extra programmable shortcut keys

Cons

Considerably cumbersome
Constructed-in cables usually are not customizable

$199 at Amazon

Different ergonomic keyboards we examined

Goldtouch Elite Adjustable

I keep in mind questioning if one thing just like the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable existed after I first began testing ergonomic keyboards. It didn’t on the time, so far as I may inform, however now a linked but adjustable cut up board is certainly a product you should buy. It’s a solidly-built board and the ball joint connecting the 2 halves appears like it is going to put up with loads of use. A squeeze of the lever on the prime 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 perform keys like print display screen 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 a substitute 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 purpose. However for those who’re not into tenting anyway and need a flat, Alice-split board with an adjustable splay, this works fairly properly.

Kinesis Type Cut up Touchpad Keyboard

The concept behind the Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard is fairly ergonomic: put the trackpad between the 2 halves and decrease journey in your mouse hand. The gap between the 2 places your elbows at a cushty distance and retains your wrist almost in-line along 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 good way aside, a slight angle would hold my wrists absolutely unbent. There’s no tenting or unfavourable tilt both, each of which may assist a bit extra, ergonomically talking.

Logitech Wavekeys

Whereas it is a completely advantageous and reasonably priced Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech Wavekeys has minimal ergonomics. The keys stand up barely within the center and there is a comfy wrist relaxation hooked up, however the structure is similar as another keyboard, with no splitting of the keys to open up your arms or hold your wrists straight.

Source link