10 Best Keyboard Trays in 2022 (Fellowes, Vivo, and More)

An ergonomic and properly positioned workstation setup can have a lot of benefits. For one, it reduces the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is the compression of the median nerve on the wrist resulting in pain, tingling sensation, and weakness of the finger functions.

Tendonitis, or the inflammation of the tendons, is another common issue caused by improper keyboard and mouse positioning that leads to pain and inability to use the hands properly.

When your desk or chair is at the wrong height and your keyboard is positioned incorrectly, you can also suffer from neck, back, and shoulder pain. That's why you should opt for a well-adjusted work desk to ensure no pain or aches, less work fatigue, and increased productivity.

When picking out a keyboard tray, there are a few things you should keep in mind. For example, you need to look at your desk size, the clearance underneath, and the tray's material. The buying guide below should get you pointed in the right direction.

The first thing to look at is the keyboard tray's design and how it will be set up. Some are mounted with screws or clamps onto a desk, while others you can attach to your chair or the wall.

An under-desk keyboard tray is one of the most common types available in the market. These are positioned under the desk through the use of side railings or an articulated arm (a single attachment holding the keyboard tray). An under-desk tray can also be mounted directly under the desk through clamps.

One thing to remember with this type of keyboard tray is that the ability to adjust its height and tilt is limited. However, you can quickly store it underneath the desk, where it will be out of sight.

Whether you should choose railings or articulated arm will greatly depend on your current desk. More specifically, the available space between the desk and chair. Make sure you find a tray that works with your existing layout to ensure ease of installation as well as use.

You can also find keyboard trays attached directly to your chair, meaning wherever your chair goes, your keyboard goes with you. These are often adjustable according to your arm height and are a great alternative if you find it comfortable to type in a reclined position.

Given that ergonomics is all about the comfort of the user in relation to the object of interest, a chair-mounted keyboard tray could be the solution if you don't like typing in an upright position in front of a desk.

Another mounted keyboard tray version is one attached to the wall. These also use an articulated arm and are frequently positioned underneath a wall-mounted monitor. These are best paired with unconventional work stations, standing desks, no desk at all, or beside a work station that doubles as an exercise station with a treadmill or exercise bike.

One thing to note with wall-mounted trays is that they require a high level of support. Installing the trays on non-concrete or solid walls can result in the whole thing falling off.

To make sure you're getting the most out of your keyboard tray, remember to check out its key features. Take a look at the tray’s adjustability in height, reach or tilt, and if it offers other add-ons to make typing more comfortable.

The best keyboard trays are fully customizable and cater to your needs. This means you can adjust its tilt and height. The adjusting features may come from the clamps for the height and the tray platform for the tilt. You can also check if the tray can turn left or right at an angle. A rotating keyboard tray - usually one with a swiveling articulated arm - would work best.

If you sit and stand while typing, then a keyboard tray that can be adjusted according to your needs would work much better. Reading through the product description helps confirm if the tray height can be adjusted because most can only be altered to a maximum of 10 inches in height.

A wrist rest-pad is an often forgotten but well-appreciated bonus feature that some keyboard trays offer. A wrist pad on the edge of the tray plus another one (or an extra-long one) to accommodate the mouse makes your experience so much more comfortable.

If there is no wrist pad, check to see if the edges are rounded, smooth, and flat. This means nothing will poke and cause extra pressure on your palms and wrists.

The installation or set up of the tray is another crucial consideration because this can make or break your overall experience. Measurements need to be taken and hardware checked.

Most keyboard trays are mounted, which means they require some time and effort to set up. Look at the instruction manual and check that all the components are there, like the clamps, screws, and bolts. It might also be handy to know whether any drilling or screwing is required, as it may permanently alter your desk or wall.

While clamps promise minimal assembly, the benefit of a fully-mounted keyboard tray is a more seamless and clean look. Often, you can also slide these trays entirely out of view.

In most cases, you can install keyboard trays on your own, but we recommend looking at the reviews and product descriptions before committing to a product, to make sure the installation is feasible. This is especially important if you have specific challenges like wrist pains.

The best is to get metal railings or extendable arms as it is the most durable material. Meanwhile, the platform is usually made with durable hard plastic, wood, or metal. Metal keyboard trays are often touted to offer the best support because non-metal railings can cause your keyboard to bounce when typing.

Another crucial thing to remember is the tray's size. Make sure your keyboard and mouse, if needed, will fit in the tray! Furthermore, you should check your desk underside's existing space to see if it can accommodate a rail, track, or base support that is usually 10-20 inches long.

If your desk can't support railings, a clamped tray would be the next best option. Remember to check that the clamp's width fits the thickness of your desk.

You should also check that there is enough clearance from the keyboard tray to your legs or knees when sitting. Carefully look through the measurements to ensure a seamless fit of the tray with your work station.

A stand-alone keyboard tray is one of the simplest ways to ensure good ergonomics. These tilted trays sit on top of your desk to make typing more comfortable. This type of tray works best on a desk and chair setup that is already at an optimal height but needs minimal tilting for the forearms and elbows.

When choosing a stand-alone tray, check the tilt's angle and height levels. The edges should be discreet and smooth enough for your wrists to rest on. Anti-slip features are also essential to keep your keyboard securely in place.

The benefit of a stand-alone keyboard tray is portability; you can bring it anywhere to accommodate your wireless keyboard, for example. You can also position it on any surface, in case you need to move work stations frequently.

Equally important is the mouse, which is often used as much as a keyboard. Positioning your keyboard ergonomically and leaving the mouse in an uncomfortable location on the desk can be counterproductive.

With that said, you can consider a separate mouse tray or a keyboard tray that is wide enough to fit a mouse on the side. We recommend keeping these two side-by-side to minimize unnecessary strain on the wrists and hands.

There are also keyboard trays that are equipped with a retractable mouse tray under them. You simply slide out the mouse tray from the left or right side and position your mouse accordingly.

We've picked out some of the bestselling and typist-approved keyboard trays on Amazon and compiled this top 10 list for you. You can find keyboard trays of varying sizes and mounting styles below.

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Author: Hana Otsuka