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Looking for an ergonomic keyboard that will actually make a difference? We bought and tested the 9 most promising ergonomic keyboards on the market and put them through hundreds of hours of analytical testing and practical use so we could provide you with meaningful buying advice.
We understand that ergonomics is so much more than a fancy gimmick. For some, having an ergonomic keyboard is a proactive choice that will help them protect their bodies from harm. For others, an ergonomic keyboard is an absolute necessity that gives them the ability to perform day-to-day tasks without inhibitive pain or discomfort. Our testers and writers are gamers, desk jockeys, and hardware aficionados—people who have their hands on a keyboard for the vast majority of the day, whether they're at work or engaging with their hobbies. We purchase each product ourselves and test every key metric that would affect our own buying decisions, all to give you an unbiased review.
Our process revealed that the Kinesis Freestyle2 is the best overall choice for most people seeking a great ergonomic keyboard. If you are simply looking for a keyboard that can help you improve typing posture, a budget option like the Arteck Ergonomic Wired Keyboard or Logitech Wave Keys might be right for you.
Of course, manufacturers tend to sacrifice some style, customizability, or even functionality in the pursuit of making a great ergonomic keyboard. If these ergonomic keyboards are missing a must-have feature for you, check out our reviews for the best wireless keyboard, gaming keyboard, or the best keyboard overall.
Editor's Note: This review was completely revamped on May 22, 2025, with a new lineup and fresh testing.
The Kinesis Freestyle2 is my favorite ergonomic keyboard, and I think it is ideal for just about anyone. It has a versatile split design that lets you place the panels however you like to make sure your shoulders are straight and aligned. You can even mount the panels to the arms of a chair, making it an excellent choice if you have a limited range of movement. If you've never used a split keyboard before, I think you'll be surprised by how quickly and easily your muscle memory adapts to the change. According to our lead tester, Austin Palmer, “I think it's easier than the all-in-ones that are split,” such as the Arteck Ergonomic Wired Keyboard. The keys have a nice, soft press, too. My testing team measured the operation force at just 43 gram force, making it an effortless typing tool that can really help reduce strain and fatigue, even if you do not have injuries in the fingers or wrists.
SPECIFICATIONS
Palmrest
Sold Separately
Measured Operation Force
43.26 gf
Measured Noise
41 dBa
Remappable Keys
No
Backlighting
No
The Kinesis Freestyle2 does not come with the VIP3 Kit by default. Our team purchased this kit and tested the product with it because we judged that the Freestyle2 would not be a strong enough contender for my list without it. On its own, the only ergonomic features worth noting are its split design and a few conveniently placed hotkeys. I also wasn't a fan of this product's bland, outdated design. One tester put it aptly when he said it “could use an update” to look more modern. If you are willing to pay the extra price for the VIP3 Kit, though, it becomes a standout product with comfortable palm rests and tenting you can adjust from 0º to 5º, 10º, or 15º to meet your specific ergonomic requirements.
Wired keyboards are still popular for their responsiveness, plus they tend to be slightly less expensive. That's precisely the case with the Arteck Ergonomic Wired Keyboard, which I recommend to anyone looking for decent ergonomic features at a great value point. The first thing you might notice when you look at the Arteck is its sleek and modern design. This isn't like many other ergonomic keyboards that look like they came out of a 90s high school computer lab. The keys are low profile, with a smooth and short travel distance of just 1.78 mm. Compared to a higher-profile ergonomic keyboard like the ZSA Moonlander Mark I with an almost 4 mm travel distance, typing on the Arteck makes you feel like you are gliding effortlessly from key to key. Austin described the experience with satisfaction, saying that it has a “short keypress with a lot of tactile feedback.” One last thing I thought was cool was the toggleable backlight, another rare feature among ergonomic keyboards that contributes to this product's modern aesthetic and helps you see the keys even in a dim room.
SPECIFICATIONS
Palmrest
Integrated
Measured Operation Force
55.96 gf
Measured Noise
40 dBa
Remappable Keys
No
Backlighting
Yes
The backlight is important because there is a noticeable learning curve if you're using this type of keyboard for the first time. The split design places the keys at an angle that, while great for your shoulder posture, will have you looking down at the keyboard a lot until you're accustomed to your new finger and wrist positions. Austin also commented that “the keys feel farther apart than normal and more so than most of the other keyboards we tested,” which further escalates the learning curve. One major caveat I want to mention is that this keyboard will not provide much relief if you already experience symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or RSI. It does not include features like adjustable tenting or concave key wells that are important for accommodating motion limitations. However, I can still highly recommend this Arteck keyboard if you want an ergonomic keyboard that will improve your typing posture and help prevent the onset of such conditions.
This Arteck keyboard features a nice palm rest, a split design, and minor non-adjustable tenting that will naturally place you into a more ergonomic typing position.
The Logitech Wave Keys is a wireless keyboard that I can easily recommend to almost anyone, even if they have little or no ergonomic requirements. I just think it's a blast to type on, with one discerning tester rating it as an “overall excellent and fun typing experience.” Part of that comes from the effortless actuation of the keys. My team and I measured that the tactile bump is just 0.8mm into the keystroke, and it only takes 48 gram force to carry out the press the rest of the way to the 1.88mm actuation point. To put it simply, you will never strain your fingers even after hours of nonstop typing on this keyboard. The other factor that makes it so immediately fun is the low learning curve. For the most part, the Wave Keys look and feel almost exactly like a traditional keyboard. However, the key rows are arranged in a “wavy” pattern with some slight upward swelling. This is where the ergonomic factor comes in—your wrists and fingers will fall into a more natural position, as opposed to how you force them into a more unnatural position on a harshly horizontal keyboard.
SPECIFICATIONS
Palmrest
Integrated
Measured Operation Force
48.38 gf
Measured Noise
38 dBa
Remappable Keys
A few
Backlighting
No
That being said, some of our testers felt a bit cramped while using the Wave Keys. This is a full-sized keyboard with 101 keys, including a number pad, but it's a compact design that's only 14.8 inches wide. This is undeniably restrictive compared to a typical 16-17-inch wide keyboard, and one tester commented, “I wish the layout was slightly wider… I find my left hand kinda hanging off the wrist pad.” Another point to keep in mind is that this is another ergonomic keyboard that does little more than correct your typing posture. If you need a product that will accommodate restrictive conditions, such as a repetitive stress injury, you're better off looking at something like the Kinesis Freestyle2 with VIP3 Kit or MoErgo Glove80. Even so, I'm confident that the Logitech Wave Keys would be a welcome addition to your workstation if you do not have pre-existing conditions.
If you're looking for maximum pain relief for almost any RSI or inhibitive condition, the MoErgo Glove80 deserves your consideration. It comes with a steeper price tag, but it also has practically every ergonomic feature you could possibly want. This includes an adjustable split design, adjustable tenting, mountability, a columnar key layout, concave key wells, and even remappable thumb keys that put more functions within reach without requiring additional movement. This keyboard is highly customizable, not only in how it suits your ergonomic needs but also your personal preferences. You can reprogram the entire keyboard layout or download layouts other users have devised. It's even possible to customize the RGB backlighting, another rare luxury among ergonomic keyboards. The Glove80 also has built-in battery depletion prevention measures to counteract the effects of the backlighting. The lights will automatically dim at 20% battery, then shut off entirely at 10%, which is a nice extra boost to ergonomics by mitigating the frequency with which you have to move to plug in the USB charger.
SPECIFICATIONS
Palmrest
Integrated
Measured Operation Force
48.09 gf
Measured Noise
46 dBa
Remappable Keys
Yes
Backlighting
Yes
There's clearly a lot to appreciate about the Glove80, but that also means there's a steep learning curve. The biggest hurdle for my testing team was the column key rows. As opposed to a traditional keyboard with staggered key rows, the keys on the Glove80 are perfectly aligned vertically. This is a great ergonomic feature that minimizes lateral movements and eliminates strenuous reaching, but adapting one's muscle memory to this layout is a massive challenge if they are unaccustomed to it. Our fastest typist, who can regularly achieve a typing speed above 80 words per minute, struggled to reach 40 WPM even after a day of using the Glove80. “Using this for the work I do is a bit infuriating,” he said, though we wholeheartedly acknowledge that getting used to the columnar layout would be beneficial in the long run. The concave shape of the keyboard is another design element that's meant to minimize finger movements, but testers with smaller hands felt that it only increased the reaching they had to do. Ultimately, though, I firmly believe that the steep learning curve is a small obstacle to overcome in exchange for the relief the MoErgo Glove80 can offer for people with painful typing restrictions.
The Glove80 is not for everyone, but it absolutely earns our top pick as the ergonomic keyboard most likely to relieve pain, discomfort, and certain frustrations related to RSI.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
A Customizable Ergonomic Keyboard with Mechanical Feel
An honorable mention goes to the ZSA Moonlander Mark I for bringing the full experience of mechanical keyboards to the ergonomic space. It has many of the same features as the MoErgo Glove80, such as its split design, adjustable tenting, columnar key layout, and thumb keys. Unlike many other ergonomic keyboards, though, the Moonlander has high-profile keys with fully hot-swappable switches. I tried it out with the Cherry MX Brown tactile switches, but there are 12 options you can choose from at checkout, including tactile, clicky, and linear varieties. The freedom of customization extends to its software, which is easy to use and gives you the ability to completely remap the keyboard's functionality. One other factor I really appreciated was this keyboard's portability. The Moonlander comes packaged with a slim carrying case that's easy to take with you between home, work, and wherever else you need to set up base.
SPECIFICATIONS
Palmrest
Integrated
Measured Operation Force
47.65 gf
Measured Noise
48 dBa
Remappable Keys
Yes
Backlighting
Yes
Another similarity this keyboard shares with the Glove80 is its steep learning curve. The ortholinear, column-shaped key rows presented a challenge for our testers here as well. Our lead tester reported that “I won't get faster [at typing] unless I spent a good bit of time [practicing].” The Moonlander does not have concave key wells, which is a small dock against it for ergonomics but did smooth the learning curve slightly. The split design didn't particularly add to the challenge, but it's worth mentioning that the two halves of the board are connected via cable—this can present some inconvenience if you want to mount the two panels to the arms of a chair. My biggest gripe with this keyboard is actually its typing noise. My team and I used a decibel reader to measure the volume as we typed. The average volume was 48 dBa, which wasn't as loud as the Kinesis Advantage2 KB600 at 53 dBa, but the scratchy clicky-clacky sound profile made it somewhat grating to me and my office mates. This is a small inconvenience in exchange for having a keyboard that genuinely helps you overcome inhibitive physical limitations, though, so I can still highly recommend the ZSA Moonlander Mark I for anyone looking for an ergonomic keyboard with a mechanical feel.
The Moonlander Mark I excels in ergonomics and providing a satisfying typing experience, but the typical user won't necessarily need all of its specialized design elements.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
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How We Test Gaming Keyboards
At GearLab, we are always keeping tabs on the latest advancements in hardware. When a promising new ergonomic keyboard hits the market, we know about it, and we are only too eager to go out and buy it ourselves. We use specialized testing devices and carefully devised methodologies to compare each product side-by-side using precisely measured data.
To give you a fully comprehensive review, we closely evaluated five rating metrics in total:
Ergonomics (40% of overall score weighting)
Comfort (25% weighting)
Typing Experience (20% weighting)
Learning Curve (10% weighting)
Typing Noise (5% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
As a full-time writer, I, Jonathan Sayers, cannot afford to underestimate the importance of ergonomics in my routine of typing out thousands upon thousands of words per day. I take our testing and review process very seriously because these are products that make a genuine difference in my own life. Each ergonomic keyboard underwent a thorough evaluation and was used extensively by our team of expert testers. The testing team is led by Austin Palmer, Senior Review Analyst at GearLab and a serious hardware aficionado in his free time too. As a hardcore gamer and someone who spends much of his workday behind a desk, Austin has developed a keen eye for the design elements that make a keyboard comfortable, practical, and efficient. What's more, we acknowledge that many ergonomic keyboards we tested were designed to accommodate physical limitations we do not personally experience, so we want to convey that we strove to remain mindful and respectful of that fact in our effort to provide you with the best buying advice possible.
Taking a typing speed test on an ergonomic keyboard - are you up for the challenge?
Our team knows exactly what makes an ergonomic keyboard great, so we measured them in many ways and used them in our daily work to see which were the best.
Analysis and Test Results
Our meticulous analysis of ergonomic keyboards was both subjective and objective. Our testers used each of the keyboards for at least one full day of work. This gave them the opportunity to form a subjective yet informed opinion of their personal experiences and whether or not they would use the products to promote ergonomics in their everyday lives. At the same time, we understand that every person reading this review has a different body from our team. That's why we also take a thorough and objective approach when evaluating every single metric and data point surrounding these keyboards—all so we can provide the best buying advice we possibly can.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
The market for ergonomic keyboards is relatively niche, which unfortunately means that some of the most feature-rich options can be very expensive. If you're looking for a keyboard that is highly effective at reducing wrist strain and shoulder fatigue but without breaking the bank, I think you'll get amazing value from the Arteck Ergonomic Wired Keyboard. It has a split design that will keep your shoulders aligned, plus some slight tenting to reduce forearm pronation. If you prefer a wireless keyboard, check out the Logitech Wave Keys. As the name implies, it has a wavy key layout that naturally draws your fingers into a more ergonomic placement. Both of these keyboards come in at well under $100, so there's a surprisingly low barrier to entry to start typing with better posture.
For just a bit more of an investment, though, the Kinesis Freestyle2 will greatly expand the range of ergonomics at your disposal. The keyboard itself has an adjustable split design, making it perfect for correcting your posture no matter what kind of layout your workstation has. By making the extra purchase of the VIP3 Kit, though, you get a comfortable palm rest, the ability to adjust the tenting of the keyboard panels to better relieve wrist or forearm discomfort, and a mounting base that's compatible with the arms of most desk chairs. Anyone dealing with all but the most severe ergonomic risk factors can likely get considerable bang for their buck with the Kinesis Freestyle2.
We pore over every component of each ergonomic keyboard, regardless of its price, to make sure we understand its full practical value.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ergonomics
It goes without saying that we needed to scrutinize the ergonomic factors more than any other in this category. I rated ergonomic keyboards based on how many ergonomic features they had and how adjustable or customizable those features were. My team and I also considered how far we had to reach for various keys across the keyboard, keeping in mind that many people shop for ergonomic keyboards due to a limited range of movement in their fingers.
A highly ergonomic keyboard will keep you in a healthy posture while minimizing finger movement and forearm twisting.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ergonomic Features
My team and I went down the checklist with each ergonomic keyboard, keeping track of how many features it had and how well-implemented they were. A split-design keyboard separates the board into two halves so your shoulders will align better. If a keyboard is tented, it means it tilts toward the middle so you can keep your arms and wrists in a natural (not twisted) position while typing. Every person is different, so I add points if these features are adjustable to accommodate various needs and preferences.
Ergonomic Features
Palm Rest
Thumb Keys
Columnar Layout
Concave Key Well
Arteck
Yes
No
No
No
Goldtouch Elite
No
No
No
No
Kinesis Advantage2
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Kinesis Freestyle2 with VIP3 Kit
Yes
No
No
No
Logitech Ergo K860
Yes
No
No
No
Logitech Wave Keys
Yes
No
No
No
MoErgo Glove80
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Perixx Periboard 512
Yes
No
No
No
ZSA Moonlander Mark I
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
As you can see in the table above, the Kinesis Advantage2 KB600 and MoErgo Glove80 have a full range of desirable ergonomic features. Having a palm rest matters not only for comfort but also for supporting the wrist and placing your hand high enough to reach all the keys. The addition of thumb keys further reduces the need to reach by placing several remappable buttons in the exact area where your thumb naturally rests. A columnar key layout is preferable over a typical staggered key layout because aligning the keys in perfect vertical rows will reduce the need for lateral finger movements. This pairs nicely with concave key wells that place all keys equidistant from one another, which is yet another way to minimize finger strain.
The Kinesis Advantage2 KB600 is a great example of an ergonomic keyboard with a tented split design, dedicated palm rest area, thumb keys, columnar key rows, and concave key wells.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
If a keyboard lacks many of these features, it will affect the score we give it, but that does not mean it's a poor purchasing decision. It just means it has fewer ergonomic applications. The Goldtouch Elite Adjustable, for example, lacks a palm rest and dedicated thumb keys, but just having adjustable tenting and splitting makes it a very effective product if your main goal is to improve your posture while working.
Even just having a couple of ergonomic features is enough of a selling point, depending on your specific requirements.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Reaching for Keys
One of the main reasons to buy an ergonomic keyboard is that you might have a condition that makes it painful to reach across the keyboard. Alternatively, you might be eager to reduce reaching so you can avoid developing those types of conditions in the future. I judge how difficult key-reaching is based on how the keys are staggered and by acutely measuring the actual distance between the keys. I also accounted for each tester's subjective evaluation of how much they had to move their hands and fingers after personally using a keyboard for a full day.
The MoErgo Glove80 is specifically designed to reduce reaching in every way possible.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
An ortholinear, or columnar, key layout like you see on the MoErgo Glove80 is ideal for keeping the user from having to reach for any key. Coupled with a concave keyboard shape and an accessible set of thumb keys, this product is easily my top pick when it comes to key-reaching. These are the features to prioritize if you have concerns about being able to move your fingers across a board.
A staggered keyboard layout, such as with the Perixx Periboard 512, is objectively less ergonomic than a columnar key layout.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Perixx Periboard 512 is an example of a keyboard with a typical staggered-row layout. The biggest point against this board is the travel distance of actually pressing the keys down. The testing team measured that the key's bottom out at 3.45 millimeters. While this may not seem like a significant distance by itself, it becomes strenuous when you add it to the distance your fingers have to travel between staggered keys, especially after hours of typing.
The result of our testing is that even some keyboards that are “certified ergonomic” received quite low scores on our ergonomics scale. I believe this is fair because we want to convey at a glance that a keyboard rated low in ergonomics is still effective at correcting your posture and mitigating strain, while a highly rated one can go above and beyond to relieve pain and discomfort from existing injuries or conditions.
Even being the least ergonomic keyboard we tested, the Logitech Wave Keys can be a fun product to use while putting in some work to improve your posture.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Comfort
Our comfort category covers design elements that are not strictly present for the sake of ergonomics. I believe that these types of comfort features do make a product easier to use and are therefore important if the manufacturer aims to be conscientious of the user's special needs.
I assigned a comfort rating to each keyboard based on whether or not it had a palm rest, the quality of that palm rest, and how the overall design of the keyboard contributed to a sense of fatigue during use. I also used a specialized force-displacement testing rig to precisely measure the amount of force it took to press the keys of each keyboard.
Our force-displacement tester showed that it only takes 43 gram force to press the keys on the Kinesis Freestyle2.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Kinesis Freestyle2 was among the most comfortable ergonomic keyboards tested. By purchasing it with the VIP3 Kit, you get an excellent palm rest that really makes a difference. The keyboard itself also has a split design that lets your shoulders rest easy, plus the keys had the lowest operating force we tested, making the typing experience effortless and not at all fatiguing.
Operating force isn't everything, though, as evidenced by the Logitech Ergo K860. This was a keyboard that also earned a high comfort rating for its curved wrist pad that received glowing praise from each of our testers, despite the keys having a fairly high operating force of 64gf.
Individual Tester Comfort
Product
Tester 1 - Large Hands
Tester 2 - Medium Hands
Tester 3 - Small Hands
Logitech Ergo K860
6
10
9
Kinesis Freestyle2 with VIP3 Kit
8.5
9
7
Arteck
4.5
9
9
Logitech Wave Keys
6.5
9
7
Kinesis Advantage2
7.5
7
6.5
ZSA Moonlander Mark I
8.5
7
5
MoErgo Glove80
9
7
2
Goldtouch Elite
5
6
6.5
Perixx Periboard 512
4
6
6
The above chart shows how each of our testers rated the comfort of each keyboard. Notice how the size of each tester's hands made a significant difference. For example, Tester 1 had a wonderful time using the MoErgo Glove80, while Tester 3 felt that its concave pockets were too deep and made it overly difficult for her to reach the keys with her smaller hands.
One keyboard that received a middling comfort rating from each of our testers was the Perixx Periboard 512. The main offender in its design is actually its built-in palm rest. It has a slanted shape that does not provide adequate support when you're in a proper typing position. One tester reported that the palm rest only felt good if he slouched back in his chair, which is very much not an ergonomic posture.
The Perixx Periboard proves that a built-in palm rest is not always a benefit. It needs a shape that will provide proper support, especially when ergonomics are a priority.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Typing Experience
Ergonomic keyboards are all about practicality and maintaining the well-being of your body. However, I believe that they deserve to be fun to use, too. That's why the typing experience makes up 20% of our overall rating of ergonomic keyboards. I evaluate this category by using a force-displacement testing rig to measure the operating force it takes to press a keyboard's keys, the distance you have to press to actuate a key and press it all the way down, and the distance of the key's tactile bump, if it has one. To account for the fun factor and my personal experiences, I also factor the subjective type feel into the final rating.
Each ergonomic keyboard my team tested used tactile switches. This means that there is a bump you can feel in the middle of a keystroke, and overcoming that bump serves as a tactile confirmation that you actuated the key. This can be a great ergonomic factor because it helps you minimize your finger movements by telling you when to stop pressing the key—it is rarely necessary to push the key all the way down. There are some keyboards on this list, namely the MoErgo Glove80 and ZSA Moonlander Mark I, that let you choose linear or clicky switches instead if you prefer.
Force Displacement
Tactile Bump
Distance
Actuation Force
Actuation Point
Distance
Total Travel
Distance
Arteck
0.50 mm
55.96 gf
1.47 mm
1.78 mm
Goldtouch Elite
0.86 mm
47.17 gf
2.25 mm
3.52 mm
Kinesis Advantage2
1.26 mm
52.91 gf
2.23 mm
4.01 mm
Kinesis Freestyle2 with VIP3 Kit
1.00 mm
43.26 gf
2.96 mm
3.70 mm
Logitech Ergo K860
0.55 mm
64.61 gf
1.36 mm
1.81 mm
Logitech Wave Keys
0.80 mm
48.38 gf
1.88 mm
2.17 mm
MoErgo Glove80
1.04 mm
48.09 gf
1.62 mm
2.78 mm
Perixx Periboard 512
0.85 mm
48.26 gf
2.39 mm
3.45 mm
ZSA Moonlander Mark I
1.12 mm
47.65 gf
1.90 mm
3.96 mm
The above chart shows measurements for tactile bump distance, actuation point distance, and overall travel distance in millimeters, as well as operating force measured in gram force. Lower distance measurements are great for the sake of ergonomics, demanding less finger movement from the user. A lower operating force is also a plus, as it means you will exert yourself less throughout a work session.
My favorite keyboards in terms of typing feel were the Logitech Ergo K860 and Logitech Wave Keys. Both of these Logitech keyboards have very low tactile bump distances of less than 1mm and actuation points near the 1.5mm mark. This makes for fast and fluid typing, and since there's very little vertical travel distance necessary, you can practically slide your fingers from place to place across the board.
With our force-displacement testing setup, we can chart the keystroke in real time to get a visual representation of what it's like to press the keys on a fun keyboard like the Logitech Wave Keys.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Kinesis Advantage2 KB600, MoErgo Glove80, and Perixx Periboard 512 performed less well in this category. These keyboards all suffered from a poor typing feel in our subjective experiences. The Kinesis Advantage2 has wiggly keys that feel somewhat plasticy and slippery. Bottoming out the keys feels hard, which can be jarring and uncomfortable. The Glove80 had a different type of complication with the typing experience, with one tester commenting that it “felt like a brain game” to figure out how to navigate the columnar key layout. As for the Periboard, there was a hint of an unpleasant mush from its rubber dome switches, and the keys felt scratchy during a press.
The materials and textures that you can feel when using a keyboard like the Kinesis Advantage2 can make or break the experience.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Learning Curve
The learning curve of a keyboard refers to how difficult or time-consuming it will be to reach your usual typing speed and efficiency after your new purchase. This is a very relevant factor when rating ergonomic keyboards because many of them have radically different shapes or layouts compared to traditional keyboards. Some of the ergonomic keyboards we tested lowered typing speeds by as much as 50 words per minute upon first use. If you plan to bring your ergonomic keyboard to work or school, it may be worthwhile to consider how much it will affect your productivity until you accumulate enough practice with it.
Tester Learning Curve Ranking
Tester 1 - Large Hands
Tester 2 - Medium Hands
Tester 3 - Small Hands
Arteck
Easy
Easy
Easy
Goldtouch Elite
Easy
Medium
Easy
Kinesis Advantage2
Very Difficult
Difficult
Difficult
Kinesis Freestyle2 with VIP3 Kit
Easy
Easy
Easy
Logitech Ergo K860
Easy
Medium
Easy
Logitech Wave Keys
Very Easy
Easy
Easy
MoErgo Glove80
Very Difficult
Difficult
Difficult
Perixx Periboard 512
Easy
Medium
Easy
ZSA Moonlander Mark I
Difficult
Difficult
Difficult
The keyboard's learning curve was rated by giving them to three different testers to use during their regular work activities. They rated each one based on their initial difficulties and how much their efficiency improved after a day of use. Each tester also underwent a words-per-minute typing and accuracy test upon receiving the keyboard and again after having a day to get used to it. The chart above shows how each of our testers rated the learning curve of each keyboard. Despite having different hand sizes and typing speeds, their evaluations were quite consistent with one another.
For example, the testers all found the Logitech Wave Keys to be exceptionally easy to use. Aside from the rows having some slight waving and swelling for ergonomic finger placement, it is extremely similar to practically any keyboard used before. They also had an easy time with the Kinesis Freestyle2, another keyboard with an exceedingly familiar feel. My testing team was able to type at their usual speeds with both of these keyboards, and in fact, the fastest tester approached a personal best by scoring 90 WPM on the extremely comfortable Wave Keys.
There was basically no learning curve for our testers when they used the Logitech Wave Keys, and its ergonomic shape may have even contributed to better-than-usual typing for them.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Kinesis Advantage2 KB600 and MoErgo Glove80 were, by far, the most difficult keyboards for our testers to use. It's no coincidence that these are also the keyboards on our list with the most ergonomic features. Our testers struggled with the columnar key layouts and concave key wells, with even our fastest typist failing to type more than 40 words per minute on either keyboard even after a full day of practice with each. If you struggle with repetitive stress injuries or motion limitations, don't let these numbers deter you—there is no doubt that a steep learning curve is worth the trouble if the product will help you overcome pain and discomfort.
Even experienced keyboard masters will have to frequently look down at a columnar keyboard until they fully commit the key placements to muscle memory.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Typing Noise
Judging a keyboard by the sound it makes can seem somewhat trivial and shallow when you're talking about products that can make a genuine difference in your physical well-being. That's why this category only accounts for 5% of our overall scoring of ergonomic keyboards. Even so, it's a factor that's worth thinking about, especially if you plan to use your new keyboard at the office where a loud typing sound can cause friction with coworkers.
Of course, I rate keyboards for typing noise primarily based on how loud they are. We use a decibel reader to measure the volume from a couple feet away while a tester types sentences as they normally would. I rate highly if the keyboard is quiet and unobtrusive to those around us, as was the case with the Logitech Ergo K860 that only produced an average of 36 decibels of noise. Our subjective impressions of the sound also affect the final score. The K860 has a low and mellow sound, with just the slightest hint of a satisfying click, and one tester went so far as to say that the sound is soothing even when “rage typing.”
The Logitech Ergo K860 has a sound that enhances the typing experience by providing nice aural feedback while remaining discreetly quiet.
Credit: Austin Palmer
On the other hand, the Kinesis Advantage2 KB600 and ZSA Moonlander Mark I show that some of the best ergonomic keyboards are willing to sacrifice a pleasant typing sound in exchange for better functionality. The Moonlander had an average volume of 48 dBa and the Advantage2 went all the way to 53 dBa. Not only are these keyboards fairly loud during typing sessions but they also have sound profiles that are clicky, clacky, and scratchy. It's a bland sound experience at the best of times and sensory overload at its worst.
The Kinesis Advantage2 can help you overcome RSI limitations, but its sound might draw unwanted attention at the office.
Credit: Austin Palmer
How to Choose an Ergonomic Keyboard
When you're shopping for an ergonomic keyboard, you likely have at least one of these goals in mind: Posture, usability, or relief. Do you just want a keyboard that will improve your typing posture and stave off the risk of repetitive strain injuries? Do you have motion limitations that make typical keyboards difficult to use? Or do you have a severe condition that makes typing physically painful unless you have a special keyboard that provides relief? Once you narrow down which one(s) of these apply to you, it will be much easier to choose the right ergonomic keyboard.
An ergonomic keyboard with a familiar shape can still improve posture, one with a heavily tented shape can make it more usable with certain limitations, and one with concave wells and columnar rows can provide noticeable relief.
Features to Consider
If better posture is your goal, you require an ergonomic keyboard with a split design. When the two halves of the keyboard are further apart, your shoulders can rest more naturally, and your arms can reach the board with less twisting. I also consider a palm rest to be non-negotiable—it will support your wrist and help your fingers reach the keys without curling like a praying mantis. The Kinesis Freestyle2 has an adjustable split design in which the two halves of the board are completely separate, allowing you to position them optimally for your needs. The Arteck Ergonomic Wired Keyboard is a great budget option that decently spaces the two halves apart despite being one solid piece of hardware.
Compare the adjustable split design of the Freestyle2 against the static design of the Arteck.
A tented keyboard may feel much more usable if you experience wrist pain or forearm pronation. Having the two halves of the board slant like a tent will let you type while keeping your wrists in a natural, untwisted position, the same as if you were grasping an object like a refrigerator door handle. The Kinesis Freestyle2 with VIP3 Kit is a great example of a keyboard that facilitates broad usability because you can adjust the tenting from 0º to 5º, 10º, or 15º — bonus points for also being able to mount the keyboard panels to the arm of a chair to further reduce strain.
Not everyone will require a tentable keyboard, but it can make a huge difference for certain users.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Certain RSIs and similar conditions can make it seem like there is no relief from the pain and discomfort of using a keyboard. The good news is that there are specially designed products that go all-out with ergonomic features to give you the best chance at relief. The MoErgo Glove80 and ZSA Moonlander Mark I have all of the features listed above, as well as columnar key rows and dedicated thumb keys. These features put every key you need as close as possible to your fingers' natural resting position, greatly decreasing the amount of movement necessary on your part.
The MoErgo Glove80 is the most ergonomic keyboard we tested, with a concave shape and perfectly-aligned column rows to minimize finger movements as much as physically possible.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Conclusion
In order to thoroughly test ergonomic keyboards, I exhaustively analyzed each product's ergonomic features, comfort factor, the quality of its typing experience, the learning curve it takes to master the keyboard, and the effect its typing noise has on the user's experience. If you are shopping for an ergonomic keyboard, you expect it to provide a tangible benefits in the short-term and long-term. That's why our testing team spared no effort in measuring every relevant data point in our ergonomic keyboard testing. I also had an entire team of testers use each keyboard we purchased for at least one full day of actual desk work. I have confidence in these recommendations, and I strive to be fully transparent in our testing process so you can have confidence in us as well.
If you need a mouse to complete your ergonomic workstation, check out our ergonomic mouse review. If none of the ergonomic keyboards on our list sparked your fancy, consider looking at other wireless keyboard or gaming keyboard options instead.
