The perfect ergonomic keyboards for 2024

Ergonomic options: Alice cut 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/Format: QWERTY

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

It’s suitable with newer 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 programs. There are three switching buttons that swap between beforehand related units, and the board speedily swapped between a MacBook and a PC laptop computer in my assessments. Constructed-in operate keys like quantity and brightness labored effectively and the Choice/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 correct facet put all potential 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 possible enchantment 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 stable construct, low profile switches, RGB lighting, comfy tenting and some additional programmable keys.

Ergonomic options: Totally cut 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/Format: QWERTY

If you happen to (expertly) sawed a mechanical keyboard in two, it will 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 units, 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 Purple linear mechanical switches, which give smoother motion and a quieter clack than tactile or clicky switches. The keycaps are constituted of 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 high of the board toggles between the 2 working programs, guaranteeing the operate keys act appropriately. Further keys embody 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 could 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 correct knob zoom capabilities, make the M1 key open a clipboard supervisor and have the M2 key execute a screenshot. Programming with VIA requires using 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 fairly brief USB-C bridge cable connecting the 2 sides. I discovered I wished a little bit extra separation than 9 inches, so I swapped it for an extended twine. However there’s no simple repair for the shortage of middle elevate.

Ergonomic options: Alice cut 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/structure: QWERTY

The compact Kensington Pro Fit Ergo sells for $70 at full worth, however is commonly on sale for round $55. That makes it an excellent finances board, but it surely feels far more premium than the worth tag suggests. The membrane keys are surprisingly springy and the low profile keycaps make typing simple. The wrist relaxation, particularly when mixed with the destructive tilt, hits my palms at simply the correct spot, not placing stress on my tendons whereas preserving the backs of my wrists straight. After all, completely different hand sizes can have completely different experiences, however my males’s medium/ladies’s massive mitts had been comfy.

It related simply through Bluetooth or radio dongle to each the Mac and PC I attempted, staying reliably related 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 easy through 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 permits you to 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 fantastic with my PC laptop computer, however this most likely is not the keyboard to get if you’d like minute, custom-made key remapping anyway. If you happen to simply desire a comparatively cheap keyboard that’s much more comfy to kind on than most, it is a good one to seize.

Ergonomic options: Totally cut 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/Format: QWERTY (programmable)

A rep I spoke with at ZSA warned me concerning the Voyager, saying the board has an impact “like a mind damage: A second in the past you knew the right way to 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 vital keys like return. Lastly, the board makes use of layers, giving every key as much as three features.

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. Hardly ever do my arms want to go away the house place, but each key I want frequently 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 may even initialize layers. The totally cut up and additional compact design allow you to place the 2 boards anyplace they really feel comfy and the non-obligatory magnetic legs give it a delicate however efficient middle tenting.

The place some keyboards provide remapping capabilities as a nice-to-have characteristic, the vast majority of folks will possible 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 manner that labored for me, so I bought 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 mechanically — it’s a must to flash the keyboard’s firmware by pushing a button on the high fringe of the machine to make the modifications.

Sure system-specific features, 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 frequently permits a second operate). I additionally flashed the board as soon as and misplaced all use of the correct facet, however reflashing fastened it.

The Voyager just isn’t for somebody in search of a fast adjustment to enhance their ergonomics. It’ll take weeks of observe and reprogramming (each the board and your mind) earlier than typing feels fluid once more. I like to recommend preserving a screenshot of your newest Oryx-configured structure in your desktop for reference till you bear 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.

If you would like one thing totally 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 one way or the other additionally from the long run. The tenting goes from low to intense and the keys curve concavely to fulfill your fingers the place they naturally land. The 360 is per-key programmable, works with layers and has 4 macros keys.

Ergonomic options: Totally cut up, columnar keys, thumb cluster, wrist relaxation, non-obligatory tenting and destructive tilt (further value) | Host connection: Wired or Bluetooth and USB receiver (wi-fi prices additional) | 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 totally cut up, columnar board with thumb clusters and keys and layers which are per-key programmable. It has a little bit extra happening 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 simple 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 effectively designed and the (removable) wrist rests have a just-right consistency.

Optionally, you may 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 totally 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 embody tenting knobs, however the elevate is minimal at a couple of 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 finest for individuals who favor a maximalist working setup and want a lot of additional choices for programmable keys. I discovered myself at a loss for what to do with all of the keys and had a troublesome time preserving 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 steadiness between providing additional keys and taking on minimal desk actual property.

Ergonomic options: Totally cut 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/Format: QWERTY

As I stated 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 admire not having to deal with the correct facet 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 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 offer you three top 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 will enchantment for those who’re in search of a programmable gaming keyboard with just a few ergonomic methods. Simply remember the fact that all of these options add as much as a considerably cumbersome peripheral.