The Best Ergonomic Keyboards of 2022 – Reviews | Buyer’s Guide

There is no doubt that two of the most fashionable adjectives in technology today are smart and ergonomic. Whatever the reason, the truth is that the smart keyboard concept has not quite taken off when it comes to personal computers. A very different case is the ergonomic keyboard.

Its popularity has not stopped growing in recent years as its advantages have become known and new designs have been presented. However, not all ergonomic keyboards are as ergonomic as they claim to be, nor are they all suitable for all users. Therefore, it is essential that you choose the one that best suits your needs.

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The Most Important

• Ergonomic keyboards are designed to promote a more comfortable posture for your hands and arms. In this way, they can help reduce muscle fatigue.
• Today there is a wide variety of ergonomic keyboard designs. However, not all are suitable for the same users.
• When choosing an ergonomic keyboard, it can help you to take into account purchase criteria such as its design, whether it is connected by cable or wirelessly, whether it is a membrane or mechanical, and the additional function keys available.

The Best Ergonomic Keyboards on the Market: Our Recommendations

In this section, you can consult our careful selection of ergonomic keyboards. The five included items offer great value for money. Of course, we have chosen them after conducting a careful analysis of the main options currently available on the market.

The Standard Ergonomic Keyboard

This ergonomic keyboard from Perixx is one of the most popular models on the online market. It is a device that you can buy at an affordable price and that will give you all the advantages of a standard ergonomic keyboard.

It is a wired mechanical type keyboard. It has a numeric keypad on the far right, but there are no programmable function keys. There are some shortcut keys to go to websites, search the Internet, and control volume, among others.

The Ergonomic Split Keyboard

This Kinesis model is an ergonomic split keyboard. That is, it consists of two independent parts, but joined by a cable. With this type of keyboard, the user can adjust the direction of each part to the comfort of each hand.

It is a wired keyboard with standard keys. It has no programmable keys or a numeric keypad. But it does have some shortcut keys.

The Ergonomic Keyboard with Wrist Rest

Logitech has its Ergo K860 ergonomic keyboard model. It is a keyboard that has a surface to rest the wrists, thus providing an extra level of comfort for those who spend a lot of time at the computer.

This keyboard is wireless and connects through a USB port or Bluetooth connection. The Bluetooth connection has a signal range of up to 32.8 feet. It does not have programmable keys, but it does have several hotkeys.

The Ergonomic Keyboard with a Separate Numeric Keypad

This model is a fairly standard ergonomic keyboard, but it stands out because it includes a numeric keypad separate from the main body. It is from Microsoft, so many buyers are confident in the quality of the device.

It is a wireless keyboard with a membrane. It connects to the computer through a sensor that is put into the USB port. It also has a surface to rest the wrist.

The Ergonomic Keyboard for Gamers

This ergonomic keyboard is from Kinesis and is designed particularly for gamers. It is of the mechanical type and divided to allow it to be accommodated to the user’s liking.

The keyboard is backlit with RGB lights, a look that all gamers appreciate. In addition, it has surfaces to rest the wrists and give maximum comfort.

Buying Guide: Everything You Should Know About Ergonomic Keyboards

Not all keyboards that are advertised as ergonomic really are. Hence, it is essential that when purchasing one you are clear about the characteristics of ergonomic keyboards and their operation. So that you have no doubts about it, we have prepared this complete section for you.

What exactly are ergonomic keyboards?

The keyboards are computer peripherals that allow you to enter alphanumeric information. In particular, ergonomic models feature tailored designs to allow users to adopt more natural and organic postures when using them. In this way, it is intended to reduce muscle and joint fatigue and avoid possible associated injuries.

What makes a keyboard ergonomic?

To begin with, it is important to make it clear that not all ergonomic keyboards may be suitable for everyone. In any case, in general, it is often said that a keyboard is ergonomic when it allows you to keep your hands in a natural posture. In that sense, they try to avoid lateral wrist flexion, pronation, and wrist extension.

To achieve this, engineers design keyboards with separate or curved key rows. They also bet on raising the central part of the keyboard or dividing it into two parts and including palm rest. Another common strategy is to make compact designs that free up space for the mouse. The best models have keys that require little force.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of ergonomic keyboards?

Since the appearance of the first ergonomic keyboards almost thirty years ago, their popularity has continued to grow. It is not surprising when you consider the significant benefits they offer. You can consult them, and also their main drawbacks, in the following table.

For whom is it advisable to buy an ergonomic keyboard?

Ergonomic keyboards are especially interesting for people who work long hours on the computer. Therefore, they are recommended for administrators, programmers, journalists, and editors, among others. Of course, they can be an interesting solution for those who suffer from the discomfort derived from carpal tunnel syndrome.

And the truth is that they are convenient both for those who work with desktop computers and for those who use a laptop. For the latter, it’s a good solution, as laptop keyboards are often a bit limited in ergonomics. Also, they often don’t allow the computer screen to be moved far enough away.

Do I need a special mouse to work with an ergonomic keyboard?

In truth, you can use any mouse in combination with an ergonomic keyboard. However, it is best to bet on one with an ergonomic design. Prolonged use of the mouse is the other fundamental factor in the appearance of discomfort in the arm and in the hand. A very interesting option is the vertical mouse.

Purchase criteria

When buying an ergonomic keyboard, it is important that you take into account a series of purchase criteria. Above all, if you want to choose one that allows you to enjoy a more comfortable posture during long work sessions and that also offers good value for money. Next, you can consult the most important ones.

Design

When it comes to ergonomic keyboard design, you can find a wide variety of options. There are manufacturers that opt ​​for designs that separate the keyboard into two parts, others bet on raising the central part or for elaborate three-dimensional shapes. There are also those who prefer the most compact designs.

Certainly, the possibilities are so wide that it is best to bet on the one that best suits your physiognomy, not all bodies are the same. It can help you to take into account the opinions of previous buyers. Anyway, don’t forget that getting used to ergonomic keyboards takes some time, but it pays off in the long run.

Keyboard profile

It is possible to find ergonomic keyboards of different sizes. Some do not have a numeric keypad, which allows them to have smaller dimensions. These are ideal for people with smaller hands or for those who mainly use the keyboard to write and do not need the numerical part.

On the other hand, there is a wide variety of models of full-size ergonomic keyboards. There are also those whose designs imply that their dimensions are considerably higher than those of traditional designs.

Wired or wireless

Currently, the simplest and most common way to connect a keyboard to a PC is through a USB port. Also, since keyboards are often plug-and-play devices, no installation process is required. However, there is no doubt that wireless connections also offer some important benefits.

So that you can decide which option is best for you, we have prepared the following table comparing the two alternatives. In any case, if video games are your thing, you should use one that connects by cable. For office automation, engineering, or design tasks, wireless is an excellent choice.

	Wired connection	Wireless connection
Advantage	They are usually cheaper. They are not affected by possible interference. They have better latency, which makes them ideal for playing video games.	They free you from cumbersome cables. They allow you to enjoy a neater desktop. They can be used from greater distances.
Disadvantages	They can’t get very far from the computer. They involve occupying a USB port.	It is necessary to charge them or change the batteries from time to time.

Mechanical or membrane

Choosing a mechanical or membrane keyboard has a number of implications that you cannot ignore. To begin with, the first difference is its performance, which will affect issues such as sensitivity, durability, or noise level. Furthermore, it will also affect your design.

And, last but not least, to the user’s typing experience. Therefore, depending on the use you are going to make of the keyboard, one system or another will be more convenient for you. You can check it in the following table.

	Mechanical keyboard	Membrane keyboard
Functioning	Each key has its own independent switch.	They have a silicone membrane common to the entire surface of the keys.
Quality	In general, they offer a higher level of quality. They are much more versatile.	The quality of the keyboard depends mainly on the membrane. Those with lower keys help prevent erroneous keystrokes.
Durability	Much higher due to its higher build quality.	The membrane can wear out, losing sensitivity. Silicone tends to harden over time.
Noise level	Although there are quite quiet models, in general, they are louder.	They are much quieter.
Design	Mechanical models are usually not that thin.	It allows flatter designs since they do not require mechanical elements.
Recommended user type	They are especially valued by video game players.	They are especially recommended for work environments where silence is required. They are also recommended for office automation.
Price	They tend to be more expensive, especially models for playing video games.	They are usually cheaper.

Additional function keys and multimedia keys

Oftentimes, it is an area that is not given due attention. However, the multimedia keys offer interesting functions, such as controlling the volume of the computer’s audio, playing or pausing a video or a song. When it comes to additional function keys, it is important that you check their compatibility with your version of the operating system.

Summary

Ergonomic keyboards are designed to promote a more comfortable posture for your hands and arms. In this way, they can help reduce fatigue and discomfort associated with prolonged keyboard use. They are, therefore, an excellent choice for computer scientists, office workers, engineers, writers, and journalists.

However, not all models are suitable for the same users. To choose the one that best suits you, it is important that you take into account a series of questions. To begin with, you should consider its design, if it is a mechanical or membrane keyboard and, of course, its size. Then you can think about whether a wireless or wired one is better for you.

Finally, if you think this guide has been helpful in your selection process, you can write us a comment or share it through the different social networks.

(Source of featured image: Staff FMS from flickr.com)