Logitech Wave Keys Review

In addition to the wave-like curves of the key rows, the Wave Keys also features a slightly tented shape and a memory foam palm rest, both of which boost the ergonomic factor. It's a solid product that combines a variety of practical elements into an efficient typing tool designed for the user's well-being. To see how it actually compares to other ergonomic keyboards, we evaluated its performance in a series of analytical tests and rated it on five key metrics.

Ergonomics

The Logitech Wave Keys has an undeniably ergonomic design. However, when compared to other ergonomic keyboards, it's clear that the Wave Keys fails to accommodate many of the special needs that are likely the reason a person started shopping in this category in the first place.

Individuals with pronounced repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or motion limitations may require a split design, adjustable tenting, columnar key rows, or concave key wells. The Wave Keys has none of these features, so it is difficult to rate it highly in ergonomics despite our positive personal experience.

However, we can praise the Wave Keys for its emphasis on prevention. The waveform rows and swelling shape of the keyboard will naturally put you into a more ergonomic typing position. When laying our hands on the keyboard, our finger placement feels natural, our wrists and forearms don't twist unnaturally, and our shoulders are straight. This is a keyboard for people who have not experienced RSI and want to keep it that way.

It's easy to reach all the keys, especially with the support of a built-in palm rest that keeps your wrists comfortably elevated. You can even push the ergonomic factor slightly further by taking advantage of the remappable function keys. Using the Logi Options+ software, you can change the functions assigned to these keys or map a frequently-used shortcut command to them. This can be a great way to cut down on keystrokes, hand movements, or mouse clicks in the long run.

Comfort

The Logitech Wave Keys is a fairly comfortable keyboard due in part to the built-in palm rest. It's thickly padded with memory foam and covered in a soft material similar to faux leather. The dense padding can be a source of discomfort for users with sensitive wrists, but its height ensures that the keys don't feel too tall to reach comfortably.

The main factor that holds the Wave Keys back from achieving a higher comfort score is its cramped dimensions. It has a width of 14.8 inches, which is compact for a keyboard that includes a number pad. Many full-sized keyboards fall in the range of 16-17 inches. Our testers reported feeling like their hands were hanging slightly off the palm rest, particularly on the left side. However, users with smaller hands might feel right at home.

Pressing the keys is a pleasant, strain-free experience. They do not feel as hard and plastic-y as some competitors, and the curved shape of the board can reduce discomfort for the index fingers in particular. We measured the operating force it takes to press the keys at just over 48 gram-force, meaning it requires notably less exertion to type compared to some keyboards in this category.

Typing Experience

Satisfaction often takes a backseat to practicality when manufacturers design ergonomic keyboards, but that is not necessarily the case with the Wave Keys. It comes with rubber dome tactile switches that provide a smooth press with a gentle bottoming out. We had a genuinely fun time using this keyboard, which stands out as a shining positive considering that fun is rarely a priority in the field of ergonomics.

Using the Wave Keys can be a convenient experience, too. It connects with up to three devices over a USB wireless connection or Bluetooth. The keyboard is also conveniently light and pleasantly smooth, yet it doesn't feel overly hollow or cheap.

Our testers described the keys as having a matte finish with a slight grip to them. This lends to the quality feel of the keyboard and helps prevent typos from having your fingers slide all over the place.

Using our force-displacement tester, we combined our personal experiences with stone-cold measurements. We were able to see that the bump in the key switches was just 0.8mm into a keystroke. The keys are easy to press, but they require just enough force that overcoming the bump will naturally carry you through to the actuation point that's just 1mm further into the stroke. Overall, it's a short, smooth, and gentle key press that makes you feel like you can fly from key to key without worrying about missing an actuation along the way.

Learning Curve

The learning curve for the Logitech Wave Keys is practically nonexistent. While many ergonomic keyboards have a radically different user experience by necessity, the Wave Keys differs from traditional keyboards only slightly. It's a model you can use to improve your typing posture without affecting your typing speed or productivity whatsoever.

The term “learning curve” implies a period of time during which you might not be as efficient while you become accustomed to an unfamiliar situation. However, some of our testers reported that they actually like the unusual shape of the Wave Keys more than that of a traditional keyboard. The keys that caused the most mistakes and typos for our testers were the function, arrow, and number pad keys. They all felt a little too closely squished together, but a minor tweak to your muscle memory is all it takes to overcome this trivial hurdle.

Typing Noise

This is a quiet keyboard with a sound that will not distract your coworkers or grate on their ears. There is a plasticy sound when the keys top out after a press and a hint of clatter as the keys wiggle under your fingers, but it will only detract from your experience if you are looking for a very specific sound profile.

Our testers were mostly neutral on the sound of the Wave Keys, saying that it is more of a subtle “clack” rather than a rich “thock.” They universally praised the low volume of the keyboard's typing sound. We used a decibel reader to determine the exact volume. The measured average was 38 dBa, making it indisputably discreet in a category where most keyboards we tested were above 40 dBa.

Should You Buy the Logitech Wave Keys?

The Logitech Wave Keys is a great wireless keyboard that is worth your consideration if you are shopping on a budget. It has an ergonomic design that will gently nudge you toward better posture, plus it's compact enough to help you save a couple of inches on a cluttered desk. Even though it's designed with ergonomics at the forefront, we can honestly say that we prefer it over many keyboards we've tested, ergonomic or otherwise. However, we cannot recommend this keyboard to anyone who needs special ergonomic features that will relieve pain or discomfort from existing conditions.

What Other Ergonomic Keyboards Should You Consider?

While there is no doubt that the Wave Keys has an ergonomic design that improves posture, it must be said that it is among the least ergonomic among all ergonomic keyboards we tested. If you are seeking a keyboard that will not trigger the symptoms of your carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injury, or similar conditions, we highly recommend the MoErgo Glove80 as the product most likely to accommodate your needs. For an in-between option that lends itself to better ergonomic results without having to totally rewire your typing memory, consider the Kinesis Freestyle2 with the VIP3 Kit.