1<\/span> \/ 5<\/p>\n A standard keyboard keeps your arms tight to your body and makes you splay your hands outward at the wrists.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This decision seems to be one of the more hotly-contested among ergo enthusiasts. A conventional keyboard has staggered keys, with each row slightly offset to the rows above and below it \u2014 so the A key is about halfway between the Q and W above it. This is a holdover from vintage mechanical typewriters, in which each press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper in the shape of a letter. To fit the hammers as close together as possible, while still allowing for finger pads, the keys were staggered.<\/p>\n Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, often with rows that are not linear. Proponents claim this makes the keys easier to reach. Whether that\u2019s true will be up to your fingers to decide, but I can say for certain that if you learned to type on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar layout is tough. It will take days, possibly weeks before you instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys don\u2019t fare much better.<\/p>\n With a few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a standard typing input, but the use of function and hot keys may require some remapping. It can be as easy as an onboard switch to toggle between Mac and PC layouts, or as involved as downloading software to change up the keys. Some boards even include (or let you buy) extra keycaps to change, say, the Mac\u2019s Command and Option keys to PC\u2019s Start and Alt buttons.<\/p>\n For some boards, remapping or programming keys is a crucial feature. Gaming peripherals have extra keys that you can set to execute a series of keystrokes with the push of a single button. Keyboards that work with layers, in which a single button can perform several functions, typically allow you to change what those are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters with multiple keys near the space bar that you operate with your thumb. You\u2019ll also be able to program those.<\/p>\n Ergonomic keyboards come in mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch versions. Which works best for you is, again, up to your preference. I won\u2019t get too deep into the particulars here, as we have an entire guide devoted to mechanical boards<\/a>, but the short of it is that membrane and scissor switches are less customizable than mechanical and typically cheaper. Typing on them tends to be quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are more customizable, offer a more responsive typing experience and are usually pricier.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also have the option of wired or wireless ergonomic boards. All other things being equal, wired models are less expensive. Competitive gamers who rely on split-second responses may prefer the zero-lag of wired keyboards. Wired models also never run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity issues. But wireless keyboards keep your desk less cluttered.<\/p>\n Some ergonomic keyboards come with permanent or removable wrist or palm rests, which can be cushioned or hard. This is another area where opinions diverge: proponents claim they help you maintain a neutral hand position, while detractors say they put pressure on the tendons in your wrist and can exacerbate conditions like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms should be resting, not your wrists, and you might find you like having that support or you may find the pressure uncomfortable.<\/p>\n All our guides begin with extensive research to figure out what\u2019s out there and what\u2019s worth testing. We consider brands with good reputations that we\u2019ve heard good things about from colleagues and look at keyboard reviews in forums and other trusted publications. For this guide, I looked for keyboards with ergonomic features like tenting, split keys, palm support and so on. I also zeroed in on boards that didn\u2019t require a deep amount of familiarity with the vast and exhaustive world of custom keyboards.<\/p>\n Once I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each one for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I tried out the remapping and macros software and considered the comfort, design, price and durability of each model before arriving at picks I think will work best for the most people out there.<\/p>\n Photo by Amy Skorheim \/ Engadget<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Ergonomic features<\/strong>: Alice split, center tenting, optional negative tilt, wrist rest | Host connection<\/strong>: Bluetooth or USB receiver | Switch type<\/strong>: Scissor | Hotkey compatibility<\/strong>: Mac and Windows | Ten key<\/strong>: Yes | RGB lighting<\/strong>: No | Programing interface<\/strong>: Logi Options+ (app) | Language\/Layout<\/strong>: QWERTY<\/p>\n The Ergo K860 from Logitech<\/a> closely resembles a standard, full-size keyboard, so there\u2019s not much of a learning curve. But subtle changes like the Alice layout, tented middle and optional negative tilt make typing noticeably more ergonomic. Logitech makes some of our favorite PC accessories, and the reasons why are all evident with this keyboard: it connects quickly and reliably via Bluetooth, the build is solid and feels high-quality and it’s reasonably priced at $130 (and is often on sale for around $100).<\/p>\n It\u2019s compatible with more recent iterations of Windows, MacOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS and Linux, though you\u2019ll need software to support non-basic key functions for the latter two operating systems. There are three switching buttons that swap between previously connected devices, and the board speedily swapped between a MacBook and a PC laptop in my tests. Built-in function keys like volume and brightness worked well and the Option\/Start and Command\/Alt combo keys worked correctly depending on which computer was connected to.<\/p>\n The rotated Alice-split design and raised center made a difference in the way I held my arms as I typed, allowing me to keep my elbows comfortably away from my ribs and my palms rotated inward instead of forcing them flat. The palm rest is springy but firm (albeit not removable) and the arrow keys and a numeric keypad on the right side put all possible keys within reach. Unfortunately, that adds length to that side of the board, which forces your mouse farther out. The scissor switch keys can feel mushy if you\u2019re coming from a mechanical board, but they\u2019re responsive enough. Logitech offers software<\/a> for programming the keys, but this model will likely appeal most to those looking for a plug and play option.<\/p>\n For a mechanical Alice keyboard with both wireless and wired capabilities, I recommend the Periboard 835<\/a>. The Mac and Windows-compatible board has a solid build, low profile switches, RGB lighting, comfortable tenting and a few extra programmable keys.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nErgonomic keyboard hand positions<\/h2>\n
Staggered vs columnar<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Programmable keys<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Other considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
How we tested ergonomic keyboards<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best ergonomic keyboards for 2024<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n