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Using a keyboard can be uncomfortable and hard on your body. Conventional rectangular keyboards require you to bend your wrists in a way that can be painful for some, especially when typing for hours. Thankfully, many manufacturers are experimenting with bold, unconventional designs to create a more comfortable typing experience. These boards may look unusual and take some time to get used to, but for some, they may be just what you're looking for.
We factor in a keyboard's size and profile, incline settings, wrist rest, overall comfort level, and price to help you choose an option that best suits your needs.
If you're looking for a full-featured ergonomic keyboard for daily use, check out the Logitech ERGO K860. It has an integrated plush wrist rest and a wave-like shape that separates the keys in two clusters on either side of the board, one for each of your hands. This shape aligns your hands, wrists, and elbows in a neutral position designed to be less taxing on your body. It can help you stay comfortable while typing, especially if you use it for a long time. It also features two incline settings, allowing you to elevate the wrist rest above the main board, so you won't have to bend your hands upwards from the wrist while typing.
You can pair this board with up to three devices via Bluetooth, allowing you to seamlessly swap between using it with a laptop, desktop, and tablet. It also has a separate wireless USB receiver if you don't want to use Bluetooth. This keyboard is made entirely of high-grade plastic and feels fairly solid. The switches are light to press, so you don't need to worry about tiring out your fingers while you type. The board makes little noise when in use, which is great if you're worried about bothering those around you in the office or at home.
Check out the Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard if you want something more sturdy and don't mind paying a little more for the privilege. Instead of the Logitech ERGO K860's all-plastic construction, the Microsoft features an aluminum frame and an integrated wrist rest lined with Alcantara, a suede-like fabric you'll find in the interiors of some sports and luxury cars.
It has a split-cluster layout and an integrated palm rest. However, it's only meant to sit flat on a table or desk and doesn't offer adjustable feet to help alleviate wrist fatigue. However, its wide key spacing and easy-to-actuate scissor switches make it very comfortable to type on, even if you're at your desk for hours. That said, its wireless connectivity features are lacking: you can only pair it to one device over Bluetooth at a time, and it isn't compatible with a USB receiver.
The Logitech Wave Keys is our recommendation if you're looking for something cheaper. It's a full-size wireless keyboard with an integrated wrist rest and a tented shape designed to reduce fatigue as you type. However, it has a noticeably smaller overall footprint than other full-size alternatives, resulting in much tighter overall key spacing and a less distinct split between the left and right clusters. While it takes up less room on your desk, some might find the overall typing experience to be a little cramped. It's also worth noting that this keyboard uses rubber dome switches instead of low-profile scissor switches, resulting in a mushier typing feel.
It has a good range of wireless connectivity features, with an included USB receiver and Bluetooth pairing with up to three devices at once. This makes it a great option for use at home and the office.
Ergonomic keyboards occupy a pretty small niche within the market. However, it's still worth noting that there's a lot of variety within that small segment and no shortage of options that offer a more comfortable typing experience than the average keyboard. Our recommendations don't only factor in price, performance, and feature sets; we also have to heavily consider overall availability to the general public.
Written by Evan Jakab, RTINGS.com
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We'll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.