Gaming and ergonomic keyboards, weirdly enough, don’t typically go hand in hand. There are some compromises that ergonomic keyboards need to make in the name of comfort that don’t suit most gaming styles. Flat keyboards don’t allow users to hold their wrists in natural resting positions, leading to a lot more wrist strain and long-term side effects. On the other hand, most ergonomic keyboards rely on a curve in the middle to get the wrists into a more natural position. However, for users who don’t mind a more significant learning curve, there are split keyboards that can put the users' hands almost entirely vertically.
With gamers spending most of their free time and probably many working hours using a keyboard, it is worth looking at an ergonomic keyboard. Whether it is a curved unibody or a split keyboard, ergonomic keyboards offer aton of health benefitsthat can keep gamers healthy and ready to game, even if they don’t have good gaming performance.
Keychron Q8
Factors for Choosing an Ergonomic Keyboard
When looking for an ergonomic keyboard, there are a few factors to keep in mind:
The Best Ergonomic Keyboards in 2024
Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
With ERGO K860 users don’t have to trade ergonomics for productivity. An integrated numpad, easy-switch capabilities, long battery life, and easy onboarding ensure that work can get done efficiently and comfortably. The ERGO K860 stays powered for up to two years on the included AAA batteries. ERGO K860’s dual layout is designed for both Mac and Windows users, and the experience has been optimized for both operating systems.
Logitech is well known for its Ergo lineup, which includes mice and keyboards that are incredibly well-designed and, for the most part, reasonably affordable. The Logitech Ergo K860 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a keyboard that will make general computer work much more comfortable. It comes with a USB receiver for wireless connectivity and is powered by two AAA batteries. Having swappable batteries rather than a rechargeable keyboard means there is no need for a cable and the keyboard can be back to full battery in seconds.
Instead of mechanical or membrane switches, this keyboard uses scissor switches like the ones found on laptops or the controversial Apple Magic Keyboard from 2017. Logitech has nearly perfected the feel of these scissor switches; they have a light and responsive feel that makes it easy to type quickly, but not light enough where there is a big concern for typos.
The Ergo K860 is a unibody keyboard with a relatively gentle wave shape that doesn’t introduce a huge learning curve for users switching from a traditional flat keyboard. The spacebar is split into two, so users can easily press the spacebar with either thumb.
This is a full-sized keyboard with a numpad and some extra programmable function keys, so it does take up a fair amount of desk space. However, one of the things that makes the K860 so comfortable is that it forces users to have a good amount of separation between their hands, making it easier to have proper posture when typing. The fixed padded wrist rest has adjustable feet to make the front higher than the back, creating a negative angle that reduces strain.
For users just getting into ergonomic keyboards, the Ergo K860 is an excellent place to start; the price is reasonably affordable, there is not a huge learning curve, and it provides a ton of ergonomic comfort.
Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB
The Freestyle Edge RGB is the first split mechanical keyboard designed specifically for gaming. Gamers can move the right module out of the way for one-handed FPS play or split the modules apart to place a microphone in between for an incredibly comfortable streaming setup. There is no wrong way to set up the Freestyle Edge! This keyboard promises to deliver excellent performance and make sure a gamer’s hands are healthy and comfortable.
One of the best wired ergonomic keyboards also happens to be an excellent choice for gaming. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB is a split design keyboard that allows gamers to place the two halves however close or far (within 20 inches) apart they want. Gamers can also drop one of the sides to make more room for their mouse when gaming. By default, the Freestyle Edge RGB comes with Cherry MX Brown switches, but it can also come with Blue and Red Cherry MX switches.
As far as ergonomics go, this keyboard is incredibly comfortable, and the included padded wrist rest makes it even better. It doesn’t have any incline adjustments out of the box, but users can pick up a lift kit separately to get more adjustment options. Because of the split design, this keyboard does have a bit more of a learning curve, but after using it for a while, it almost becomes second nature.
Overall, the Freestyle Edge RGB has a very premium build quality that feels sturdy and doesn’t move around the desk even when typing on it without a lot of pressure. Because it is a gaming keyboard, naturally, it includes per-key RGB lighting. Plus, all the keys are completely reprogrammable, allowing for a ton of customization options. Both games and casual users will appreciate the fact that it does not require any software for customization or programming of the keys.
Logitech Wave Keys
Experience the delights of a wave-shaped keyboard with a cushioned palm rest. The Logitech Wave Keys compact wavy design places the user’s hands, wrists, and forearms in a natural typing position for daylong feel-good. Connect the Wave Keys wireless ergonomic keyboard using Bluetooth or the included Logi Bolt receiver, and switch between a laptop, tablet, or phone with a tap using the Easy-Switch keys. Wave Keys has been developed and tested by The Logi Ergo Lab, and certified ergonomic with the stamp of approval from United States Ergonomics.
Users looking for a compact wireless keyboard that offers excellent ergonomic support look no further than the Logitech Wave Keys. Despite its affordable price of $60, this keyboard has a very premium feel. Plus, it is made with 61% recycled plastics for the graphite colorway and 46% for the off-white colorway.
When first looking at the wave keys, it looks like a traditional keyboard, but with some angled keys and a bit of wobble at the edges. After typing on this keyboard, it quickly feels incredibly comfortable. The combination of the wave design and the padded wrist rest puts less pressure on the user’s hands and puts them in a more natural position. The unibody design makes this reasonably easy to switch over without too much of a learning curve, but some users might have trouble with the oddly shaped arrow keys.
Like most of Logitech’s wireless products, this keyboard has an excellent wireless connection via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz. The Wave Keys does not have super low latency like a gaming keyboard, but there is no noticeable lag for typing and typical office tasks. This keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries, which is not ideal as far as sustainability goes, but those two AAA batteries will be able to power this keyboard for three years. So, it is not like users will be burning through two AAAs every week.
Logitech K350
The K350 Wave combines a dynamic curved design with the familiarity of a straight keyboard. Users will get the added ergonomic benefits of a cushioned palm rest and wave-shaped keyboard in a familiar keyboard layout and form factor. With a three-year battery life, users will rarely have to worry about replacing the batteries on this keyboard. The function keys are all completely customizable, giving users control of what macros are there.
The Logitech K350 is not the newest ergonomic keyboard, but it provides excellent comfort for a very reasonable price. The K350 has a unibody design, with a slight hump in the middle to allow the user’s hands to sit more naturally. Although the hump is significant, this keyboard has little to no learning curve when switching from a traditional keyboard.
However, the membrane switches on the K350 are very heavy, requiring a good amount of force to press them down, so extended periods of typing can become a bit strenuous. Despite these switches being rubber domes, the heavy press needed to actuate them can make the K350 a fairly loud typing experience. This isn’t a massive problem for users who work from home alone, but this may be a concern for people in a shared environment.
The back feet can be adjusted to three incline settings: 0, 4, and 8 degrees. These angles give users room to find what is most comfortable for them; however, at 8 degrees, most users' wrists will be flexed a good amount, which is not ideal for good ergonomic positioning. The fixed wrist rest is quite comfortable and allows users to get in a more comfortable position without hovering their hands over the keyboard.
Ergodox EZ Ergonomic Keyboard
A powerful combination of ergonomic support and mechanical switches, Egrodox claims that the EZ is the most customizable ergonomic keyboard available. With a truly split layout, the ErgoDox EZ allows users to position each half where it makes sense. No matter how wide a user would like to hold their shoulders, the split design allows them to customize the position of each half exactly to their liking. Besides the ergonomic features, this keyboard has multiple choices for Gateron switches, and up to 32 layers of programmable macro settings.
The Ergodox EZ is probably not the best place for most users to dive into the world of ergonomic keyboards because of its large learning curve and high price tag. For people who are willing to overcome those hurdles, it offers exceptional ergonomic support. This split keyboard is incredibly comfortable and has an excellent amount of customization options with incline feet that can be adjusted to pretty much any angle, thanks to its rotating feet design. On both sides of the keyboard, there is a bank of blank keycaps that can be programmed to whatever the user likes, including shortcuts or macros.
The Ergodox EZ comes out of the box with a wide variety of Cherry MX or Kailh switches, and thanks to the hot-swappable PCB, users can swap out these switches for whatever they prefer. After getting over the initial learning curve, this keyboard makes typing or gaming for long periods incredibly comfortable. Despite the Ergodox EZ not being explicitly designed for gaming, thanks to its low latency and responsive switches, it can handle gaming.
This keyboard has an incredibly premium feel to live up to its premium price tag. Almost every component on the Ergodox EZ can be user-replaced, such as the cables, switches, and keycaps. So, even if parts start to fail (which they shouldn’t), they can be replaced for a much lower price than buying a whole new keyboard.
The Keychron Q8 is a 65% Alice layout all-metal mechanical keyboard. With its all-metal CNC machined body, full-size layout, double-gasket design, QMK/VIA support, and knob option, the Q8 meets all practical needs and gives users a high-end typing experience. The hot-swappable sockets are mounted on the PCB, so users can install or change the switches without soldering. The PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
Keychron is known for its excellent keyboards. In its ergonomic or Alice layout category, there are quite a few options available and the Keychron Q8 is among the best. These keyboards are made to be fully customizable from top to bottom. It has ahot-swappable PCBto easily replace the switches, screw-in stabilizers, and an included toolkit to deconstruct the keyboard. Where the Q8 sets itself apart from the rest of the lineup is the Alice layout, which separates the keyboard into two clusters angled toward each other.
This keyboard combines the separation of a split design with the familiarity of the unibody design. To make the learning curve a bit easier, Keychron has included the “B” key on both the left and right-hand sides of the keyboard. There is a switch on the bottom of the keyboard to switch between Mac or Windows mode, and it also comes with customized keycaps for both operating systems, so there is no guessing at keys.
By default, the Q8 can be picked up with Gateron G Pro Red, Blue, or Brown switches, but replacing these with any 3- or 5-pin MX switch is easy. With full QMK and VIA support, users can reprogram every key to their liking, including the knob in the top right of the keyboard, which is excellent for volume control or zooming in and out. While the Q8 is the 65% version, the company also offers a 75% (Q10) and even a 96% (Q13 Pro) ergonomic keyboard.
Comfort Is Key
Ergonomic keyboards can change how people interact with their computers, making them healthier than traditional keyboards. While using an ergonomic keyboard alone won’t prevent RSI or carpal tunnel, it will undoubtedly help make long hours at the computer more comfortable. Choosing the ergonomic keyboard that is right for the user’s needs is critical to having a good experience with the keyboard.
Form Factor
The keyboard’s form factor is an excellent place to start narrowing down the results. Ergonomic keyboards come in two main form factors:unibodyandsplit.Unibody keyboards are more like typical keyboards, but often include a bump or bend in the middle and a wrist rest to make them more ergonomic. On the other hand, split keyboards are cut down the middle, with each half of the keyboard going into two separate pieces that are connected via a wire. Unibody keyboards are often a good place to start for people to get into ergonomic keyboards because the learning curve is less intense. In contrast, split keyboards have quite a significant learning curve that can be intimidating.
Connectivity
Keyboard connectivity also plays a vital role in choosing ergonomic keyboards. There are wired and wireless options, and the latter can be via Bluetooth or a 2.4G USB receiver. Many of these keyboards will not be great for gaming in the first place, so extremely low latency is not as much of a concern. The real deciding factor is if users don’t mind recharging or changing the batteries occasionally for a cleaner desk appearance, or if cables running across the desk are not a big concern. The wireless options typically come with swappable AAA or AA batteries that last extremely long and can be easily swapped out for a full battery. However, with wired options, there is going to be an extra cable on the desk if switching from a wireless keyboard.
Budget
Finally, the budget range for ergonomic keyboards can vary greatly, but for the most part, ergonomic keyboards will be more expensive than traditional keyboards. Game Rant recommends finding features and specs that fit the bill first, then building a budget around those rather than just going off what a keyboard should cost. While in most cases, going with the cheapest option usually works just fine, there are a few factors that need to be considered beforehand, like the build quality, as the higher the price, the better the build quality.
Regardless of the keyboard, everyone who does decide to go with an ergonomic keyboard, in general, will probably feel much better about their wrists after the first time using it.
FAQ
Q: Do ergonomic keyboards really help?
Ergonomic keyboards with the keys curved to match the natural triangle formed by the left and right hands have been medically proven to help wrist posture and prevent RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). Wrist rests have also been found to help keyboard users' hands relax into a more natural position.
Q: Do you type faster on an ergonomic keyboard?
Ergonomic keyboards do not inherently make people type faster. However, the comfort and natural hand position that most provide make it easier to type for long periods, which can lead to an increase in typing speed.
Q: Do ergonomic keyboards help carpal tunnel?
Ergonomic keyboards can’t entirely prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, but they are a helpful tool for anyone who spends many hours each week on the computer.
