We spend a lot of time sitting in office chairs and using keyboards. If you’re not using an ergonomic keyboard that’s designed so you can hold your hands naturally, you’re more at risk of injury.
Keyboards can cause repetitive strain injury (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome. That’s until ergonomic design comes along. If you don’t have an ergonomic keyboard, you should get one. Our top picks are, in our opinion, the best buys.
What to Look for in an Ergonomic Keyboard
Lie down in front of you like a walking zombie. You may find that your wrists are slightly twisted so that your index fingers are higher than your little fingers. The thumbs are at the same level as the little fingers. You can draw a straight line on your arms that ends at the end of your index fingers. Your thumbs will be equally spaced 4-8 inches apart and there will be no inward, backward, up or down wrist flex. Is this how they sit on your standard keyboard? Probably not.
This is the natural position of our arms and hands, and in this position you are less susceptible to RSI. Therefore, the correct ergonomic keyboard design should be as close to this comfortable position as possible. Keyboards are often paired with ergonomic mice. Make sure the mouse works for you. There’s no point in getting the bundle to save money if the mouse hurts you.
Types of ergonomic keyboard layouts
Most ergonomic keyboards have layouts that include one or more of the following design features to enhance your typing experience.
Split design: A split keyboard in the middle to adjust the distance between your hands. This helps straighten your wrists.
Adjustable slope: This feature can prevent you from bending your wrists too much up or down when tilting the keyboard up or down.
Store keyboard: The middle line of the keyboard is higher than the left and right edges, forming a tent. Tenting helps reduce forearm rotation, preventing tension similar to tennis elbow.
Curved or contoured keyboard: Smooth U-shaped key positions promote a relaxed and neutral typing position.
Wrist rest or palm rest: Built-in or removable kickstand built into the keyboard prevents pressure on your wrist and palm. Prolonged pressure on these areas can cause RSI.
Concave keys: A serrated keytop that follows the curvature of your fingertip. Anything that makes writing comfortable helps.
Ortholinear keys: The layout of the keys is a straight line from top to bottom on the keyboard. This makes it easier to spread the fingers apart than to move them from side to side.
Mechanical keys: Standard cheap keyboards have switch keys, which require more effort to press, resulting in faster fatigue. Correct mechanical keys respond better and reduce load. It’s also a satisfying tactile sensation.
Programmable: Some keyboards have keys that can be programmed as shortcuts or to run macros. Anything that reduces the number of keys to press reduces fatigue and fatigue and makes you more efficient.
Wireless: An ergonomic wireless keyboard helps you position it comfortably.
Best high-end ergonomic keyboard: ErgoDox EZ
Price: The base price is $295; customizations are extra
Characteristic:
- split keyboard
- Ortholinear keys
- concave keys
- mechanical keys
- adjustable slope
- adjustable tent
- Wrist/palm rest
- Programmable keys
- wireless
- fully customizable
If there’s a more customizable ergonomic keyboard out there, we haven’t found it. The slope, inclination and tent are adjusted to your needs. With all the features, especially ortholinear keys, unique key layers, and the lack of an obvious spacebar, there’s a steep learning curve to master.
Key layers are top-level switch keys, where each key can have up to 32 different outputs. You can also choose from the Cherry MX or Kailh line of key switches to suit your tactile needs and desires. As ErgoDox says, “It’s like a Shift key on steroids.” We think this is all a keyboard on steroids.
Price: $199
Characteristic:
- split keyboard
- concave keys
- mechanical keys
- adjustable tent
- Wrist/palm rest
- Programmable keys
Known for their TKO tournament keyboard, Kinesis also makes the ergonomic Kinesis Freestyle Edge. With Cherry MX mechanical switches and RGB backlit Cherry MX Brown switches, it looks like a gaming keyboard.
Add SmartSet keys that you can use for on-the-fly macros to all the other programmable keys, and you have a complete, wrist-friendly mechanical keyboard. It is however wired, so you will need a device with a USB port to connect it.
Price: $40
Characteristic:
- curved keyboard
- wireless bluetooth
- rechargeable
Yes, Targus makes keyboards, not just backpacks. However, the Targus Ergonomic Folding Keyboard fits easily in a cell phone pocket in a backpack. Ideal for students, digital nomads and other types of people on the go, the Targus Targus Foldable Ergonomic can be programmed to connect to up to 3 devices via Bluetooth wireless connections.
The surface is infused with Defense Guard antimicrobial, which is reassuring these days. It has a 100mAh rechargeable battery and a battery life indicator, so you should never be stuck with a dead keyboard.
Price: $70
Characteristic:
- split keyboard
- Wrist/palm rest
- adjustable slope
- Programmable keys
- curved keyboard
- big tent
- wireless bluetooth
- rechargeable
Technically, only a keyboard made by Apple is a Mac keyboard. However, Apple does not offer an ergonomic wireless keyboard with a padded palm rest. Does Apple even make a comfortable keyboard? The look says Mac, as do the 21 macOS shortcut keys. The built-in numeric keypad is also ideal for the desktop. However, you can connect it to three Bluetooth devices to take it home or even on the road with your iPad or iPhone.
Price: $35
Characteristic:
- Wrist/palm rest
- adjustable slope
- Programmable keys
- curved keyboard
- concave keys
- mechanical keys
- wireless bluetooth
- rechargeable
Curiously, any one-handed keyboard is inherently ergonomic. Since you don’t use both hands, you don’t have to clasp them in front of you in awkward positions. Although there is no numeric keypad, the RedThunder does have function keys.
You will see that you only have the left side of the keyboard, but just playing a key makes it the keys on the right side. Of course, it has the RGB backlighting that all gaming keyboards and blue mechanical switches need. The 2000mAh rechargeable battery will get you through the work day or the game night.
Price: $30
Characteristic:
- Wrist/palm rest
- Programmable keys
- curved keyboard
- concave keys
- wireless
- rechargeable
If you’ve only seen one ergonomic keyboard before, it probably looked something like the Logitech K350 Wireless Wave. It’s also the best wireless keyboard, in our opinion. As common as the office chair is, the Logitech K350 is big and roomy for your hands, connecting to your computer via the Logitech Unifying receiver so you can add your Logitech mouse too.
With Logitech SetPoint software, you can program various features and shortcut keys. They also offer up to three years of battery life. That’s a lot with just 2 AAA batteries.
Find your cut
Ergonomic keyboard design becomes necessary as digital work becomes more ubiquitous, especially when working from home. We’ve shared our top picks for the best ergonomic keyboards for Windows and Apple. Are you using an ergonomic keyboard? Is it one of these or something like the Logitech Ergo k860 or Microsoft Surface ergonomic keyboard? Let us know in the comments, and if you know anyone who suffers from typing, send them this article. Your dolls will thank you.
