Staggered vs columnar
This determination appears to be one of many extra hotly-contested amongst ergo lovers. A traditional keyboard has staggered keys, with every row barely offset to the rows above and beneath it — so the A secret is about midway between the Q and W above it. It is a holdover from classic mechanical typewriters, through which every press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper within the form of a letter. To suit the hammers as shut collectively as doable, whereas nonetheless permitting for finger pads, the keys had been staggered.
Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, usually with rows that aren’t linear. Proponents declare this makes the keys simpler to achieve. Whether or not that’s true will likely be as much as your fingers to resolve, however I can say for sure that if you happen to discovered to sort on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar structure is hard. It should take days, presumably weeks earlier than you instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys don’t fare significantly better.
Programmable keys
With just a few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a regular typing enter, however the usage of operate and scorching keys could require some remapping. It may be as simple as an onboard swap to toggle between Mac and PC layouts, or as concerned as downloading software program to alter up the keys. Some boards even embody (or allow you to purchase) further keycaps to alter, say, the Mac’s Command and Choice keys to PC’s Begin and Alt buttons.
For some boards, remapping or programming keys is an important characteristic. Gaming peripherals have further keys that you could set to execute a sequence of keystrokes with the push of a single button. Keyboards that work with layers, through which a single button can carry out a number of features, sometimes assist you to change what these are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters with a number of keys close to the house bar that you simply function along with your thumb. You’ll additionally have the ability to program these.
Different concerns
Ergonomic keyboards are available in mechanical, membrane, and scissor swap variations. Which works greatest for you is, once more, as much as your choice. I gained’t get too deep into the particulars right here, as we have now a whole information devoted to mechanical boards, however the in need of it’s that membrane and scissor switches are much less customizable than mechanical and sometimes cheaper. Typing on them tends to be quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are extra customizable, supply a extra responsive typing expertise and are normally pricier.
You’ll even have the choice of wired or wi-fi ergonomic boards. All different issues being equal, wired fashions are inexpensive. Aggressive players who depend on split-second responses could favor the zero-lag of wired keyboards. Wired fashions additionally by no means run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity points. However wi-fi keyboards maintain your desk much less cluttered.
Some ergonomic keyboards include everlasting or detachable wrist or palm rests, which might be cushioned or laborious. That is one other space the place opinions diverge: proponents declare they allow you to preserve a impartial hand place, whereas detractors say they put strain on the tendons in your wrist and might exacerbate circumstances like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms needs to be resting, not your wrists, and also you may discover you want having that assist or you might discover the strain uncomfortable.
How we examined ergonomic keyboards
All our guides start with intensive analysis to determine what’s on the market and what’s value testing. We think about manufacturers with good reputations that we’ve heard good issues about from colleagues and have a look at keyboard opinions in boards and different trusted publications. For this information, I regarded for keyboards with ergonomic options like tenting, break up keys, palm assist and so forth. I additionally zeroed in on boards that didn’t require a deep quantity of familiarity with the huge and exhaustive world of customized keyboards.
As soon as I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each for wherever from just a few days to some weeks. I attempted out the remapping and macros software program and regarded the consolation, design, value and sturdiness of every mannequin earlier than arriving at picks I feel will work greatest for the most individuals on the market.
Greatest ergonomic keyboards for 2024
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Alice break up, heart tenting, elective destructive tilt, wrist relaxation | Host connection: Bluetooth or USB receiver | Swap sort: 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 regular, full-size keyboard, so there’s not a lot of a studying curve. However delicate adjustments just like the Alice structure, tented center and elective destructive tilt make typing noticeably extra ergonomic. Logitech makes a few of our favourite PC equipment, and the the reason why are all evident with this keyboard: it connects rapidly and reliably through Bluetooth, the construct is stable and feels high-quality and it is fairly priced at $130 (and is usually on sale for round $100).
It’s appropriate 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 techniques. There are three switching buttons that swap between beforehand related gadgets, and the board speedily swapped between a MacBook and a PC laptop computer in my exams. Constructed-in operate keys like quantity and brightness labored effectively and the Choice/Begin and Command/Alt combo keys labored accurately relying on which pc was related to.
The rotated Alice-split design and raised heart 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 a substitute of forcing them flat. The palm relaxation is springy however agency (albeit not detachable) and the arrow keys and a numeric keypad on the suitable aspect put all doable keys inside attain. Sadly, that provides size to that aspect of the board, which forces your mouse farther out. The scissor swap keys can really feel mushy if you happen to’re coming from a mechanical board, however they’re responsive sufficient. Logitech presents software for programming the keys, however this mannequin will doubtless attraction most to these on the lookout for a plug and play possibility.
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, snug tenting and some further programmable keys.
- Rotated keys and palm wrest make typing snug
- Wirelessly connects rapidly to a few devides
- Hotkeys work with MacOS and Home windows
- Takes up a big footprint
- Wrist wrest shouldn’t be detachable
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Absolutely break up | Host connection: USB-C port | Swap sort: Mechanical (tactile or linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Home windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Sure | Programing interface: QMK/VIA (browser) | Language/Format: QWERTY
When you (expertly) sawed a mechanical keyboard in two, it might seem like the Keychron Q11. You’ll be able to even push the 2 halves again collectively to make it seem like a regular, 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 gadgets, you should buy this one assembled or barebones, to which you’ll be able to add your individual keycaps and switches. I examined a completely assembled mannequin with Gateron G Professional Purple linear mechanical switches, which offer smoother motion and a quieter clack than tactile or clicky switches. The keycaps are produced from PBT, a higher-quality polymer than the ABS plastic keys present in inexpensive 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 sort.
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 techniques, 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 might be programmed with open supply keyboard firmware QMK and VIA, which most Keychron boards are appropriate with out of the field.
I’ve very primary keyboard wants so I used VIA to provide the suitable knob zoom capabilities, make the M1 key open a clipboard supervisor and have the M2 key execute a screenshot. Programming with VIA requires the usage of keycodes and also you’ll must outline macros inside 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 dearth of tenting and the fairly quick USB-C bridge cable connecting the 2 sides. I discovered I needed slightly extra separation than 9 inches, so I swapped it for an extended wire. However there’s no simple repair for the dearth of heart elevate.
- Prime quality construct
- Easy and buttery mechanical keys
- Absolutely break up keys maintain your fingers at a cushty distance aside
- Simply toggle between Mac and Home windows techniques
- No heart tenting
- Quick bridge cable included
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Absolutely break up, heart tenting, thumb cluster | Host connection: USB-C port | Swap sort: 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 way to sort, 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 (notably 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 necessary 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. Nonetheless, now that I’ve the cling of how the Voyager works, it feels magical. Not often do my fingers want to depart the house place, but each key I would like regularly is well accessible.
Because you don’t must reorient your fingers whenever you use arrow keys, hit the mute button or sort with the quantity pad, you’re at all times 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 might even initialize layers. The totally break up and additional compact design allow you to place the 2 boards wherever they really feel snug and the elective magnetic legs give it a delicate however efficient heart tenting.
The place some keyboards supply remapping capabilities as a nice-to-have characteristic, nearly all of folks will doubtless 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 approach that labored for me, so I acquired fairly accustomed to Oryx. It doesn’t require you to lookup keycodes, as a substitute supplying you with an enormous library of searchable instructions. However adjustments aren’t carried out routinely — you must flash the keyboard’s firmware by pushing a button on the high fringe of the system to make the adjustments.
Sure system-specific features, just like the Mission Management key on a Mac, must 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 regularly allows a second operate). I additionally flashed the board as soon as and misplaced all use of the suitable aspect, however reflashing fastened it.
The Voyager shouldn’t be for somebody on the lookout for 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 keep 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.
In order for you one thing totally break 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 prefer it comes from an ‘80s-era IBM workplace however is someway additionally from the long run. The tenting goes from low to intense and the keys curve concavely to satisfy your fingers the place they naturally land. The 360 is per-key programmable, works with layers and has 4 macros keys.
- Absolutely break up board
- Heart tenting for a pure hand place
- Thumb cluster lets your thumb do extra work
- Compact dimension and intelligent key mapping maintain your fingers within the residence place
- Tough to relearn ortholinear structure
- Takes time to program and study the suitable key features
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Absolutely break up, columnar keys, thumb cluster, wrist relaxation, elective tenting and destructive tilt (extra value) | Host connection: Wired or Bluetooth and USB receiver (wi-fi prices further) | Swap sort: 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 break up, columnar board with thumb clusters and keys and layers which might be per-key programmable. It has slightly extra occurring 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 sort on with springy and responsive mechanical switches. As an entire, the Defy feels effectively designed and the (removable) wrist rests have a just-right consistency.
Optionally, you’ll be able to 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 value 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 few half an inch. At its most setting, the Defy’s tenting brings the halves practically vertical.
The Defy is a well-made, deluxe board, particularly with the add-ons. It’s most likely greatest for many who favor a maximalist working setup and wish a number of further 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 stability between providing further keys and taking over minimal desk actual property.
- Premium construct
- 16 thumb cluster keys
- Programming software program is simple to make use of
- Costly, particularly with elective options
- Excessive studying curve
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Ergonomic options: Absolutely break up, heart tenting, detachable wrist relaxation | Host connection: USB-A cable | Swap sort: 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 players may like. PC players who depend on the WASD keys could respect not having to deal with the suitable aspect of a keyboard in any respect, and as a substitute use that house for his or her mouse. The Freestyle Edge from Kinesis is a gaming variation on the model’s authentic Freestyle 2 is a completely break 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 provide you with three top choices for tenting and can be eliminated fully.
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 attraction if you happen to’re on the lookout for a programmable gaming keyboard with just a few ergonomic methods. Simply understand that all of these options add as much as a considerably cumbersome peripheral.
- Absolutely break up means you’ll be able to simply use the left half
- Excessive diploma of elective tenting
- Further programmable shortcut keys
- Considerably cumbersome
- Constructed-in cables usually are not customizable
Different ergonomic keyboards we examined
Goldtouch Elite Adjustable
I keep in mind questioning if one thing just like the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable existed after I first began testing ergonomic keyboards. It didn’t on the time, so far as I might inform, however now a related but adjustable break up board is certainly a product you should buy. It’s a solidly-built board and the ball joint connecting the 2 halves appears like it’ll put up with lots of use. A squeeze of the lever on the high of the keys permits you to set the board simply how you want, adjusting each the vertical tenting and the angle between the 2 halves. There’s no programming to talk of, simply the power to swap just a few operate keys like print display screen and residential.
Sadly, the tenting doesn’t work for me. Due to the additional keys on the outer edges, elevating the center edges upwards lifts the middle keys significantly, which brings my wrists and forearms off the desk as a substitute of letting them relaxation. Holding them like that created further neck and shoulder pressure on my half, which is form of the alternative of the aim. However if you happen to’re not into tenting anyway and desire a flat, Alice-split board with an adjustable splay, this works fairly effectively.
Kinesis Type Cut up Touchpad Keyboard
The concept behind the Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard is fairly ergonomic: put the trackpad between the 2 halves and decrease journey in your mouse hand. The space between the 2 places your elbows at a cushty distance and retains your wrist practically in-line along with your forearms. The construct is great, with low profile mechanical switches that really feel clean and simply the correct amount of clacky. The trackpad is responsive, however gestures solely work with Home windows computer systems. Even dragging and dropping doesn’t work on a Mac right here, so I don’t see Apple customers getting a lot use out of the board. I additionally discovered myself wishing for the slightest rotation of the keys — although they’re a good way aside, a slight angle would maintain my wrists totally unbent. There’s no tenting or destructive tilt both, each of which might assist a bit extra, ergonomically talking.
Logitech Wavekeys
Whereas it is a completely nice and inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech Wavekeys has minimal ergonomics. The keys stand up barely within the center and there is a snug wrist relaxation hooked up, however the structure is similar as some other keyboard, with no splitting of the keys to open up your arms or maintain your wrists straight.
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