No matter your needs or system, the best ergonomic keyboard is out there for you. Beyond its split design, the natural arc keys mimic the curved shape of your fingertips to create a more natural look and feel, which increases overall comfort and reduces strain on your hands and wrists. Rounding out its ergonomic design is a cushioned palm rest that allows your wrists to relax and form a completely natural feel from your fingertips to your wrists. A separate number pad allows you to choose its position for an ideal comfort level beside the Sculpt keyboard. Type: Membrane | Connectivity: Wireless receiver, Bluetooth | RGB: None | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Dedicated Media Controls: No The keyboard has both Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz connectivity for either Windows or Mac OS, and can reportedly operate for up to two years on just a single pair of AAA batteries. The long battery life is certainly a plus, but the lack of backlighting is a bit of a drag. The K860 features an integrated wrist rest that is among one of the most comfortable we’ve used. While it does provide excellent support and is something of a necessity with ergonomic keyboards, the inability to separate the wrist rest from the keyboard itself could present a problem if it ever wears out, forcing you to buy a new unit altogether. The price may be a bit steep, but wireless connectivity and extensive battery life make this ergonomic keyboard one of the best wrist-friendly options available. Type: Membrane | Connectivity: Wireless receiver, Bluetooth | RGB: None | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Dedicated Media Controls: No Designed specifically for Microsoft’s Surface line of computers, this ergonomic keyboard is designed with comfort in mind and is a great choice for finding a natural arc. Powered by Bluetooth 4.0/4.1 and three AAA batteries with a 12-month lifespan, the Surface keyboard is wirelessly compatible up to 32 feet away from your device. When you’re in front of the computer, you’ll find that the double-cushioned palm rest, which is covered in a mix of polyester and polyurethane, is both durable and stain-resistant. Type: Membrane | Connectivity: Wireless receiver, Bluetooth | RGB: None | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Dedicated Media Controls: No The keyboard also features a padded wrist rest and adjustable legs for added comfort. The universal wireless receiver lets you connect mice and even other keyboards without having to use other USB dongles; great for computers where USB ports are at a premium. The Logitech K350 uses two AAA batteries for power and can theoretically run for up to three years before swapping them out. The keyboard features dedicated media keys for streaming music and movies, as well as fully customizable F-keys to help streamline your workflow. Type: Membrane | Connectivity: Wireless receiver | RGB: None | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Dedicated Media Controls: Yes You’ll immediately discover that the negative slope design reduces the required extension of your wrist to hit each key. Available with three different channels, the Bluetooth-based functionality allows for a total of three devices to be synced at one time (switching between the devices requires the single press of a key). Additional buttons include a shortcut for hiding (and showing) the dock, advanced controls for multimedia playback and volume. Type: Membrane | Connectivity: Wireless receiver | RGB: None | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Dedicated Media Controls: Yes Created with Windows machines in mind, the Fellowes includes seven dedicated media playback keys, as well as one-touch web browser access. The dedicated number pad reduces the need for external hardware and having to look for the numerical numbers at the top of the keyboard. While there’s undoubtedly an adjustment period to any ergonomic keyboard, the immediate benefit of reduced pain and stress combined with Fellowes outstanding wrist support will quickly have you asking why you didn’t switch to an ergonomic keyboard sooner. Type: Mechanical | Connectivity: USB | RGB: None | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Dedicated Media Controls: No Weighing only 6.2 ounces and sporting dimensions of 6.2 x 4 inches (with an unbelievable thickness of only half an inch), the tech accessory feels more like a Kindle than a full-sized keyboard when stowed in your bag. It connects via Bluetooth and is laid out into two key sections to support the standard two-hand ergonomic feel. The 110 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery takes about two hours to charge, but that’ll give you up to 30 days of standby time and 40 hours of continuous type time. The company also promises about a 3 million keystroke lifespan, so this keyboard will be kicking for a while. To round out its collection of neat features, this intuitive gadget automatically powers on and off just by opening and closing it. Type: Membrane | Connectivity: Bluetooth | RGB: None | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: No | Dedicated Media Controls: No The keyboard features Cherry MX Blue switches for a clicky, tactile response and durability. Each of the 95 keys can be custom backlit with over 16.8 million color combinations and 10 different effects. They can also be remapped on the fly with Kensis’ SmartSet app, and up to nine different user profiles can be stored in the keyboard’s onboard 4MB memory. This keyboard features plug-and-play functionality for Windows, Mac, and Linux bases systems, so you don’t have to worry about downloading extra drivers or software. Type: Mechanical | Connectivity: USB | RGB: Per-Key | Tenkeys: Yes | Palm Rest: Yes | Dedicated Media Controls: No
What to Look for in an Ergonomic Keyboard
Usage
Where will you be using this keyboard? Is it mostly for personal use, or will you take it to the office? Do you need an ergonomic keyboard made specifically with gamers in mind? While you can use a keyboard for multiple purposes, you may enjoy customizing which one you buy based on how you’re going to use it the most.
Mac vs. PC
Do you have a Mac or a PC? While it seems like keyboards should be usable with both, that’s not always the case. You need to make sure whatever keyboard you buy is compatible with your system (this is usually a bigger problem for Macs rather than PCs). Additionally, the two different systems have slightly different keys. While you can often use mapping software to alleviate these issues, you may want to purchase a keyboard that is specifically designed for your type of machine.
Keyboard size
Do you need a full-size keyboard, complete with a number pad? If you’re inputting a lot of numbers, you probably find the number pad vital. But if you’re used to typing on a laptop, it’s likely you barely use it. Do you need a foldable, portable keyboard? Or do you need something with a small footprint but not necessarily portable? You can find ergonomic keyboards in all sizes—just think about what exactly it is you’ll need.
