Ergonomic equipment is equipment designed to increase safety and efficiency in the workspace, and your desktop setup is no exception. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to best suit the natural body positioning of humans, reducing any potential hand or wrist strain. Whether you are dealing with long-term issues or looking to avoid any future ones, using the best ergonomic keyboard for your setup will help reduce pain.
We've researched and found 10 ergonomic keyboards that reviewers love. Our top pick is the Freestyle Edge keyboard from Kinesis Gaming since it offers versatility through its split layout, four mechanical switch options, customizable backlighting, and dedicated key remapping button. For more of our favorites, please read on! Also, don't forget to check out our buying guide for tips on how to choose the best ergonomic keyboard for you.
If you want to read further on these criteria, head over to our Buying Guide below!
Image | ![]() Kinesis Gaming | ![]() Logitech | ![]() Microsoft | ![]() Cloud Nine | ![]() Perixx | ![]() Perixx | ![]() Logitech | ![]() Kinesis | ![]() iClever | ![]() Kinesis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Freestyle Edge | Ergo | Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard | Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard | Periduo-505 | Periboard-512 | Wireless Wave Keyboard | Freestyle2 for Mac | Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard | Advantage2 Ergonomic Keyboard |
Features | Best for Highly Versatile, Heavy-Duty Typing | Best for Multi-Device Use | Best Compact But Robust Keyboard | Best Mechanical Ergonomic Keyboard With Many Features | Best Ergonomic Keyboard with a Built-in Scroll Wheel | Best for Movement Heavy Typing | Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Older Computers | Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Mac Users | Best for On-the-Go Typing | Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Programmers |
Price | $199.00 | $129.99 | $53.45 | $189.99 | $69.60 | $44.99 | $29.99 | $144.00 | $32.99 | $339.00 |
Key layout | Split, attached | Split, attached; attached numeric keypad | Split, attached; separate numeric keypad | Split, re-attachable; attached numerical keypad | Split, attached; attached numerical keypad | Split, attached; attached numerical keypad | Single keyboard | Split, reattachable | Split, attached | Split, attached |
Keyboard style | QWERTY, with easy remapping | QWERTY | QWERTY | QWERTY | QWERTY | QWERTY | QWERTY | QWERTY | QWERTY | QWERTY, Dvorak |
Adjustable? | Yes, with separate accessory | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Switch type | Blue, red, silver, brown | Scissor (tactile) | Scissor (tactile) | Blue, brown, red | Rubber dome | Rubber dome (tactile) | Rubber dome (tactile) | Membrane | Scissor switch | Brown |
Connection | USB wired | Bluetooth, USB wireless dongle | USB wireless dongle | USB wired | USB wired | USB wired or USB wireless dongle | USB wireless dongle | USB wired | Bluetooth | USB wired |
Extra features | SmartSet Key for remapping, RBG backlighting, palm cushions | Adjustable palm lift, customizable 'Fn' keys | Palm rest, arced key layout | Smart control wheel, RGB backlighting, built-in tenting | Scroll wheel, 17 macro keys, comes with an ergonomic mouse | Media keys and macro keys, built-in tent tilt | Palm rest, customizable hot keys | Built-in tenting accessory, palm supports, office macros | Foldable | Palm supports, built-in tent tilt |
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Ergonomic keyboards can really change your life for the better, especially if you spend long periods of time at your computer desk. We've gathered a list of 10 ergonomic keyboards with different sizes, layouts, designs, and features.
KB975
$199.00
Key layout | Split, attached |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY, with easy remapping |
Adjustable? | Yes, with separate accessory |
Switch type | Blue, red, silver, brown |
Connection | USB wired |
Extra features | SmartSet Key for remapping, RBG backlighting, palm cushions |
K860
$129.99
Key layout | Split, attached; attached numeric keypad |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | Yes |
Switch type | Scissor (tactile) |
Connection | Bluetooth, USB wireless dongle |
Extra features | Adjustable palm lift, customizable 'Fn' keys |
5KV-00001
$53.45
Key layout | Split, attached; separate numeric keypad |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | No |
Switch type | Scissor (tactile) |
Connection | USB wireless dongle |
Extra features | Palm rest, arced key layout |
C989M
$189.99
Key layout | Split, re-attachable; attached numerical keypad |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | No |
Switch type | Blue, brown, red |
Connection | USB wired |
Extra features | Smart control wheel, RGB backlighting, built-in tenting |
$69.60
Key layout | Split, attached; attached numerical keypad |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | Yes |
Switch type | Rubber dome |
Connection | USB wired |
Extra features | Scroll wheel, 17 macro keys, comes with an ergonomic mouse |
$44.99
Key layout | Split, attached; attached numerical keypad |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | No |
Switch type | Rubber dome (tactile) |
Connection | USB wired or USB wireless dongle |
Extra features | Media keys and macro keys, built-in tent tilt |
K350
$29.99
Key layout | Single keyboard |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | Yes |
Switch type | Rubber dome (tactile) |
Connection | USB wireless dongle |
Extra features | Palm rest, customizable hot keys |
KB820HMB-US
$144.00
Key layout | Split, reattachable |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | Yes |
Switch type | Membrane |
Connection | USB wired |
Extra features | Built-in tenting accessory, palm supports, office macros |
BK06
$32.99
Key layout | Split, attached |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY |
Adjustable? | No |
Switch type | Scissor switch |
Connection | Bluetooth |
Extra features | Foldable |
KB600
$339.00
Key layout | Split, attached |
---|---|
Keyboard style | QWERTY, Dvorak |
Adjustable? | No |
Switch type | Brown |
Connection | USB wired |
Extra features | Palm supports, built-in tent tilt |
Ergonomic keyboards can decrease long-term strain on your hands and arms. Before you go shop, here are some tips on how to choose the right ergonomic keyboard for you.
Certain ergonomic keyboards are better than others for certain activities, so you should get a keyboard according to your most frequent activity. Whether you spend your time gaming, programming, or typing up reports, there will be keyboard layouts, designs, and key options to best suit your tasks.
When it comes to keyboard layouts, nearly everyone is familiar with the QWERTY layout. Every piece of technology from smartphones to tablets will offer QWERTY as the default layout, so it's a great option for those looking to use their ergonomic keyboard for regular computer functions without any learning curve.
However, if you're looking for a keyboard layout that will improve your gaming or programming skills, you can invest in a keyboard with a Dvorak and Colemak layout. The Dvorak layout was invented to prioritize high use letters, like vowels, along the central line. Thus, you don't have to overextend your fingers when typing, reducing potential for strain and pain.
The Colemak layout is based off QWERTY, making it easy to learn, but prioritizes high use letters on the central line, like Dvorak. It is arguably the most efficient keyboard layout, as you won't have to move your fingers across the board unless you are spelling an unusual word. However, this is also the least common layout out there.
Making the switch to the Dvorak or Colemak is not hard. You can remap your keyboard on your computer, either through a third party app or through software from your keyboard.
There are stickers you can buy to visually display the layouts on your keyboard as well. If you want to type faster and with reduced finger strain, using these layouts can boost your ergonomic set up.
In general, finding a keyboard the suits the breadth of your hands will decrease strain. However, traditional non-split keyboards can still be too narrow for people, such as those with broad shoulders or who have difficulty bringing their hands close together.
Split keyboards can operate as a single keyboard, widened by plastic, or be physically split into multiple parts. Split keyboards allow more freedom in positioning your arms. If you prefer sitting with one arm flung to the side, a split keyboard can readily accommodate that.
Additionally, with a physically split keyboard you can further customize the tilt of your keyboard to each individual hand. By tenting your keyboards from side-to-side, appropriate to the right and left hands, you can reduce a lot of wrist sprain.
The most obvious difference depends on your computer. Most keyboards come with the default Windows keys, as they are applicable to many users. But if you own a Mac, getting a Mac specialized keyboard will help.
If you use numbers or mathematical symbols often, finding an ergonomic keyboard with a number pad will expedite your typing. But, it will also make the keyboard longer, so make sure it suits your desk space. Finally, if you enjoy remapping your keys to best suit your personal typing style, some ergonomic keyboards come with dedicated software and buttons for doing so.
The angle that your keyboard tilts at can create long-term wrist strain. Most keyboards tilt upwards so that the top keys are higher than the bottom ones. While this angle is ergonomic for your hands, tilting your keyboard up too high can overextend your wrists. The ideal angle comes from your wrists being comfortably straight and not bent.
To best control this, you can adjust your keyboard's tilt with a keyboard tray or a keyboard riser that lifts your keyboard, similar to a laptop stand. An ideal ergonomic keyboard will come with multiple built-in options for controlling the tilt of the keyboard, all to mitigate any potential wrist strain.
Most keyboards use rubber dome switches, as they provide a relatively quiet and smooth typing experience. The main downside to these switches is their durability, as the rubber can wear out over time. Other than that, they are a great choice for those looking for variety in keyboard choices, affordability, and basic tactile feel.
Both of these switches will provide a familiar typing experience, if you are accustomed to typing on laptops and regular keyboards. However, if you are looking to tightly control your typing experience, you should look for keyboards offering mechanical switches.
Mechanical switches are set upon a sliding track, making each button press highly accurate and precise. Depending on which color switch you get, they can be helpful for those with finger pain. For instance, red and brown switches don't require much force to press and are nearly silent, making them easy to type with and suitable for shared work spaces.
On the other hand, blue and silver switches require more force to press down and are clicky. Some enjoy the resistance and sound, such as gamers playing with sensitive controls, but extended typing sessions with these keys can cause more stress for those with wrist and finger pain.
A keyboard with any type of switches can provide you with an ergonomic set up, as switches don't contribute as much to hand pain as other elements of a keyboard. However, if you want full control over the tactile feel and sound of your keys, you should look for keyboards offering mechanical switches.
Ergonomic keyboards can be wired, wireless, or both wired and wireless. Wired keyboards have no delay, making them great for gaming or other tasks requiring immediate feedback. However, depending on your desk set up, the cord may get tangled up with other cords or items, and these have a limit to how far you can put them away from your computer.
Wireless keyboards connect to your computer either through Bluetooth or through a plugged-in USB receiver. Since it isn't tethered to your computer, a wireless keyboard is more portable and compact compared to a wired one.
They allow for more freedom in placement, which can help ergonomics when you’re not using your keyboard at a desk. However, they type at a delay, so they're not as useful for time-sensitive tasks.
Some features can reduce any potential wrist, finger, or overall hand strain by reducing the need to make weird, overextended hand gestures while typing. For instance, many ergonomic keyboards come with macro and media buttons. With these buttons, you can access keyboard shortcuts like CTRL+C or volume controls with a single push of a button.
Another great ergonomic feature is a backlit keyboard. Having the keys lit up, either with white light or a colorful array, will make the characters easier to read, even in dark rooms. This reduces the need to peer closely at your keyboard if you're looking for the Home button. Additionally, if your keyboard offers customizable backlighting, you can color code your keys for extra clarity.
An additional feature that doesn't necessarily improve ergonomics but is still useful is wrist rests. While wrist rests do not necessarily reduce potential strain, as they can put pressure on your wrists from below, they can add additional comfort when resting between typing sessions.
An ergonomic keyboard alone will not make your workspace more efficient. If you're looking for other accessories to streamline your desktop setup, check out these other ergonomic products!
If you are still split between a conventional flat keyboard and an ergonomic keyboard, check out what reviewers have to say on Amazon's Best Selling Keyboards list.
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