Best Ergonomic Keyboard 2021: Our Top Picks For November

Finding the best ergonomic keyboard is essential if you're looking to have a more comfortable typing experience.

Much like many of the devices we use for work or gaming, sometimes with prolonged usage we can find that mild strains and discomfort arise, which is why we're now seeing some amazing ergonomic mice hit the scene too, alongside more long-established setup components like comfortable office chairs.

But more often than not, keyboards are sometimes a bit of an afterthought, even though we use them arguably more than mice.

We've picked a few unique ergonomic keyboards based on specs, reviews, and features they offer to help you with your search.

From a brilliant budget choice in the CHERRY KC 4500 ERGO to a cracking gaming keyboard in the X-Bows Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard, we've got you covered right here.

Let's get to it!

Best Ergonomic Keyboard

• Kinesis Freestyle Pro
• CHERRY KC 4500 ERGO
• X-Bows Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard
• Kinesis KB6000 Advantage2
• Logitech Ergo K860

Best Ergonomic Keyboard - Kinesis Freestyle Pro

Manufacturer: Kinesis | Switches: CHERRY MX Browns | RGB: No | Wristrest: Optional | Wireless: No

For one of the best ergonomic keyboards out there, look no further than the Kinesis Freestyle Pro.

This particular board may seem a little more familiar-looking than a lot of the other specifically ergo boards out there, quite simply because with its design, there's little to no learning curve when it comes to usage.

What the Freestyle Pro does by contrast is split the keyboard in two and allow you to position the two halves in places where you feel comfortable using them. This could be useful if you wanted to put a numberpad in the middle, for instance.

Moreover, you’ll find a completely flat surface to type on, as opposed to having the board lift up slightly, which Kinesis say can reduce strain injuries.

In addition, if you do want to make things more comfortable, you can pick up a couple of different wristrests for this Kinesis candidate.

For switches, you'll find some CHERRY MX Browns, largely lauded for being a typist's switch thanks to their tactile bump and slightly heavier force. That bump is what we think makes these switches a joy to use and therefore also what makes the Freestyle Pro a worthwhile pickup.

Best Budget Ergonomic Keyboard - CHERRY KC 4500 ERGO

Manufacturer: CHERRY | Switches: None (Membrane) | RGB: No | Wristrest: Integrated | Wireless: No

The CHERRY KC 4500 ERGO looks to be a great choice if you're looking for an ergonomic keyboard that's on the more wallet-friendly side.

It offers similar gains to others on this list through an angled split layout that puts your hands in a more comfortable typing position to reduce wrist strain. Whilst it may have a bit of a learning curve attached to learn a different layout and angle, the benefits for such can prove useful.

There is a wrist rest included here with an integrated leatherette offering bundled with the keyboard which can just give you something a little plusher and more comfortable to rest your wrists on.

Whilst there aren't any mechanical switches on offer, the membrane mechanism inside the KC 4500 ERGO still provides a snappy typing experience with a certain degree of tactility.

Moreover, this is also a purely wired keyboard that can be configured with the additional CHERRY KEYS software in order to make this a true productivity powerhouse.

To go with this, you can also find the accompanying CHERRY MW 4500 which has been lauded as being a brilliant ergonomic mouse in its own right.

Best Ergonomic Keyboard For Gamers - X-Bows Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard

Manufacturer: X-Bows | Switches: Gaterons (Various) | RGB: Optional | Wristrest: Optional | Wireless: Optional

If you're after the best keyboard for gaming, but want something more ergonomic, then you'll want to check out the X-Bows Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboard.

You'll find a split typing angle on offer with some slightly different placement for the Backspace and Enter keys as X-Bows say having them closer to the centre can be beneficial for productivity and comfort due to the fact you aren't moving your fingers as far as on a usual keyboard.

There doesn't look to be too much of a learning curve in utilising this X-Bows keyboard thanks to intuitive design elements. These include the fact that keys align with your fingers and that the keycaps are sculpted which can make this a comfortable board to use.

For switches, there's a whole host of Gateron options to suit pretty much everyone including the rather light Yellows with a 35g actuation force, or the heavier linear Blacks at 60g.

They're also hot-swappable meaning if you want to switch them out for a new set, it's just a case of buying a new set and putting them in - there's no soldering required to change switches.

For the Nature variant, you will find RGB lighting too which can be handy for the gamers out there, and there's also some additional QMK software that allows you to remap keys and create shortcuts.

Best Ergonomic Keyboard For Productivity - Kinesis KB6000 Advantage 2

Manufacturer: Kinesis | Switches: CHERRY MX Browns | RGB: No | Wristrest: No | Wireless: No

Kinesis fans are in luck as not one but two boards make our list, with this one being the Advantage2.

As much as its layout may seem odd, the concave key wells and function clusters are all there in order to make this one of the best keyboards out there for productivity.

Everything here has been designed to make the typing experience as comfortable as possible, including the overarching point of straightening your wrists in order to reduce ulnar deviation.

In other words, this is a medical condition that causes your fingers to move the way of your pinky and your wrist the way of your thumb.

Moreover, to give the best typing experience possible, the Advantage2 makes use of CHERRY MX Browns, and even the functions are mechanical too, with CHERRY's compact ML switches used. These can more traditionally be found on their G84 line of industrial keyboards.

We think the build quality on offer here looks pretty good with a predominantly plastic construction that should reduce deck flex, making this a premium feeling keyboard, too.

Best Ergonomic Keyboard For Office - Logitech Ergo K860

Manufacturer: Logitech | Switches: None (Scissor-actuated) | RGB: No | Wristrest: Integrated | Wireless: Yes

Logitech makes some outstanding products for productivity, especially keyboards. The Logitech Ergo K860 represents a fantastic choice for those looking for a stylish ergonomic keyboard for their office, whether at home or at work.

It offers a traditional full-size layout in a professional grey colour that means this board won't look out of place in an office, but also raises the centre up in a bid to make things more comfortable.

Speaking of comfort, you'll also find a bundled fabric wrist rest that both looks the part as well as works towards reducing strain.

The Ergo K860 is also a wireless board with connectivity either through Bluetooth or the usual Logitech Unifying Receiver. Battery life is also exemplary thanks to the bundled AAAs lasting for up to two years before needing to be swapped out.

A good typing experience also looks to be ensured through a scissor-actuated keypress that should be stable and snappy, and be rather familiar to those who use laptops an awful lot.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Ergonomic Keyboard

Is the layout of an ergonomic keyboard different?

For an ergonomic keyboard, most come with what's known as a split layout that quite literally splits the keys in half and angles your wrists into a more comfortable position.

In the process, some function keys such as Backspace and Shift can be moved into a different position, which can have a learning curve attached to it, as you get used to a newer and unfamiliar layout.

Do I need a mechanical ergonomic keyboard?

Boards such as the Kinesis Freestyle Pro make use of CHERRY MX Brown switches which are mechanical and offer a distinct tactile bump.

Traditionally speaking, mechanical boards can be more comfortable to type on through better precision and feeling than their membrane counterparts. For instance, the lauded CHERRY G80-5000 Ergoplus from many years ago utilised MX Browns.

However, more recent times have seen more membrane ergo keyboards enter the fold such as the CHERRY KC 4500 ERGO which is still a handy budget choice.

Can an ergonomic keyboard be used by everyone?

The basic principle of using an ergonomic keyboard is that the board suits the user, and they learn to make use of a split layout or dished key wells, for instance.

Different people will have different experiences with them, and the fact there are different takes on the meaning of 'ergonomic' means there is a wide variety of keyboards out there to try.

It's all about finding one that suits the user.

Read More: Best Keyboards - Our Top Picks