## Ergonomic Keyboards: An In-Depth Guide to Comfort and Effectiveness
Logging long hours on a computer can take a toll on your body. If you’ve noticed discomfort in your wrists, shoulders, neck, or other areas, it may be time to consider an ergonomic keyboard. The ergonomic design alters the positioning of your arms and wrists, which can relieve tension and strain for many users. After several months using a fully split keyboard, I’ve experienced reduced shoulder tension. However, split keyboards do require some adjustment. Semi-split, or Alice boards, are simpler to adapt to while still creating distance between your elbows. Additionally, features like tenting and negative tilt can further alleviate discomfort. Since there’s no universally perfect ergonomic keyboard, this guide aims to help you determine which style may best meet your requirements.
What to Consider When Choosing an Ergonomic Keyboard
Alice vs Split
Ergonomic keyboard designs primarily fall into two groups: Alice and split. The Alice layout consists of one keyboard with the two halves angled about 30 degrees away from each other at the base. This configuration creates an A-shaped space between the keys — which has no relation to its name, merely a coincidence. This minor adjustment helps move your elbows away from your torso while maintaining a straight alignment from your forearm to your middle knuckle. Using one, I felt a more open sensation along the front of my body almost immediately. This layout resembles a conventional keyboard more closely, potentially making it easier for most users to adapt compared to a fully split version.
Conversely, split keyboards divide the keys into two independent sections that can be arranged separately. You can set them apart to shoulder width, bring them closer together, or tilt them to whatever angle feels most comfortable. Additionally, you can position your mouse between the two halves, making it easier to reach for your cursor. Personally, I enjoy placing my current snack between the two sections. I’ve also discovered that using a split keyboard along with a quality ergonomic mouse enhances my comfort.
Tenkeyless
Ergonomic keyboards are available both with and without number pads. Omitting the number keys on the right allows you to keep your mouse closer, reducing overall reach. However, if your work heavily involves numbers, a number pad may be essential. Some programmable keyboards offer layering options that allow for temporary key repurposing, giving you the functionality of a ten-key through ingenious remapping of letter keys.
Tenting and Negative Tilt
Tenting elevates the center of the keyboard, allowing your hands to achieve a more “handshake” position. Alice keyboards generally angle upwards toward the center and are fixed at a specific degree due to the connection between the two sides. Split keyboards usually enable you to modify the tenting angle, from flat to subtle to significantly raised.
You might have encountered keyboards with an optional lift at the keyboard’s rear, elevating the top keys above the space bar. Each individual’s hands are different, but for many, drawing the backs of the hands towards the forearms leads to increased strain. Negative tilt works in the opposite direction, lowering the top number keys and elevating the edge with the spacebar. Many Alice and some split keyboards feature optional negative tilt. I found this adjustment more comfortable while standing, while I preferred the keys flat while seated at my desk.
Ergonomic Keyboard Hand Positions
A conventional keyboard keeps your arms tucked close to your body and forces your wrists to angle outward.
Staggered vs Columnar
This choice appears to be a heated topic among ergonomic enthusiasts. A standard keyboard includes staggered keys, where each row is slightly offset relative to the rows above and below it — meaning the A key is about midway between the Q and W keys above it. This design is a remnant from old mechanical typewriters, where each key press activated a hammer that struck ink onto the paper. To position the hammers as closely as possible while accommodating finger placement, the keys were staggered.
Columnar or ortholinear keyboards align the keys in straight columns, often with rows that aren’t linear. Supporters argue that this arrangement makes the keys easier to reach. Whether this is accurate remains up to your fingers to determine, but I can confidently say that if you learned to type on a staggered keyboard, transitioning to a columnar layout can be challenging. It may take days, or even weeks, before you instinctively reach for the C key, while the N, M, and B keys don’t fare much better.
Programmable Keys
With few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards function with PCs or Macs as standard typing devices, though the use of function and hot keys might require some remapping. This can be as simple as an onboard switch to switch between Mac and PC configurations, or as complex as installing software to customize key functions. Some models even come with (or offer for purchase) extra keycaps to change the Mac’s Command and Option keys to the PC’s Start and Alt buttons.
For certain keyboards, remapping or programming keys is an essential feature. Gaming peripherals often incorporate extra keys designed to execute a series of keystrokes with a single button press. Keyboards that utilize layers, permitting a single button to perform multiple functions, typically allow you to modify what those actions are. Some ergonomic keyboards feature unique layouts, like thumb clusters with multiple keys adjacent to the space bar, designed to be used with your thumb. You can also program those keys.
Additional Considerations
Ergonomic keyboards are available in mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch types. The best option depends on your personal preference. Membrane and scissor switches generally offer fewer customization options than mechanical ones and are typically more affordable. They tend to provide quieter and softer typing experiences. Mechanical switches, on the other hand, are more customizable, deliver a more responsive typing experience, and usually carry a higher price tag.
You also have the choice between wired and wireless ergonomic keyboards. All factors being equal, wired models are typically less expensive. Competitive gamers who rely on split-second responses may favor the zero-latency of wired keyboards. Additionally, wired options never deplete battery life and encounter fewer connectivity problems. However, wireless keyboards contribute to a tidier workspace.
Some ergonomic keyboards come with built-in or detachable wrist or palm rests, which can vary between cushioned and hard surfaces. Opinions diverge in this area: supporters argue that they help maintain a neutral hand position, while critics claim that they apply pressure on wrist tendons and can worsen issues like carpal tunnel syndrome. Ideally, your palms should be resting rather than your wrists; you may find that you appreciate the support, or conversely, the pressure may be uncomfortable.
How We Tested
All our reviews commence with thorough research to identify available products and assess what merits testing. We focus on reputable brands that have received positive feedback from colleagues and examine keyboard reviews from forums and other reliable sources. For this guide, I concentrated on keyboards featuring ergonomic characteristics like tenting, split keys, and palm support. I also targeted models that didn’t demand extensive familiarity with the wide-ranging universe of custom keyboards.
After narrowing my selection to ten boards, I obtained them and utilized each for a duration ranging from a few days to a few weeks. I experimented with the remapping and macros software while evaluating the comfort, design, cost, and longevity of each model before finalizing recommendations that I believe will cater to the needs of the majority of users.
Top Ergonomic Keyboards for 2024
Logitech Ergo K860
The Logitech Ergo K860 is designed in a way that closely mimics a standard keyboard, leading to a minimal learning curve. Nonetheless, features such as the Alice layout, tented center, and optional negative tilt notably enhance typing ergonomics. Logitech is known for producing some of our favorite PC peripherals, and the merits are apparent with this keyboard: it establishes a quick and reliable connection via Bluetooth, boasts a robust and high-quality build, and is priced reasonably at $130 (often discounted to around $100). It’s compatible with recent versions of Windows, MacOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS, and Linux, though additional software may be required to support advanced key functions for the latter two systems.
Keychron Q11
The Keychron Q11 looks like a mechanical keyboard that has been expertly divided in two. It’s even possible to slide the two sections back together, resembling a typical 75 percent mechanical board (although once you experience the convenience of having a snack bowl between the halves, you might question the need to do this). Keychron is highly regarded in the mechanical keyboard community for creating quality devices that are reasonably priced. Like all Keychron keyboards, this can be purchased assembled or as a barebones model, allowing you to customize it with your choice of keycaps and switches.
Perixx Periboard 512
Perixx offers various ergonomic keyboards, and the Periboard 512 provides basic functionality at an affordable price. The standard keys are compatible with a Mac, but the included function and media keys are intended for Windows systems. It performed well on the PC I tested, smoothly accessing the search bar, opening the built-in Mail application, and muting sound with the respective keys. The membrane keys are firm without excessive wobble, and the Alice split and tenting positions your hands comfortably.
ZSA Voyager
During my conversation with a representative from ZSA, they warned me about the Voyager, noting that the board has a unique effect
