The best ergonomic keyboards for 2026

Engadget · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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If you experience discomfort after long hours behind a desk, simply slapping an ergonomic mouse and keyboard on your desk won’t solve the problem. First, you have to address the root issue of sitting still for too long by standing up and walking around each hour or so. But after that, it’s worth considering your workstation ergonomics. An ergonomic keyboard can prevent the hunching, twisting and contorting that leads to discomfort. With split, tilt and angled keys, these boards help keep your shoulders and chest more open and your forearms and wrists more aligned. One ergonomic board won’t work for everyone, so I tested out 15 different models. I found my personal favorite and hope this guide will help you find the best ergonomic keyboard for you, too.Quick OverviewBest ergonomic keyboards for 2026Ergonomic features: Alice split, center tenting, optional negative tilt, wrist rest | Host connection: Bluetooth or USB receiver | Switch type: Scissor | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Windows | Ten key: Yes | RGB lighting: No | Programing interface: Logi Options+ (app) | Language/Layout: QWERTY The Ergo K860 from Logitech closely resembles standard, full-size keyboard designs, so there’s not much of a learning curve. But subtle changes like the Alice layout, tented middle and optional negative tilt make typing noticeably more comfortable. I could keep my elbows comfortably away from my ribs, my wrists were straight and my palms could rotate naturally inward. The board connects quickly and reliably via Bluetooth, the build is solid and the price of $150 isn’t outrageous. It’s Mac, Windows, Chrome and Linux compatible (though you’ll need software for non-basic key functions for the latter two). Buttons allow you to swap between three previously connected devices, which worked great for me, even between a MacBook and a PC. Function keys like volume and brightness and the Option/Start and Command/Alt combo keys worked correctly on each machine. My only qualms are that the palm rest is not removable (though it’s springy and firm). The arrow keys and a numeric keypad on the right side adds length to that side of the board, which forces your mouse farther out. The scissor switch keys can feel mushy if you’re coming from a mechanical board, but they’re responsive enough to make this one of the best wireless ergonomic keyboards. ProsRotated keys and palm rest make for comfortable typingWirelessly connects quickly to three devicesHotkeys work with MacOS and WindowsConsTakes up a large footprintWrist rest is not removableErgonomic features: Alice split, center tenting, optional negative tilt, wrist rest | Host connection: Bluetooth or USB-C | Switch type: Mechanical Gateron low-profile Brown | Hotkey compatibility: Mac or Windows (two models) | Ten key: Yes (with layers) | RGB lighting: No, just backlighting | Programing interface: Kinesis Clique (browser) | Language/Layout: QWERTY (programmable) The mWave from Kinesis has very similar ergonomics to our top pick from Logitech. A unibody, tented, Alice-split design that makes typing more comfortable while not being difficult to learn. But this adds mechanical keys, a tenkeyless design and programmable layers — plus it’s about $30 cheaper. You also get three magnetic feet to create an optional negative tilt. The missing number pad lets right handed folk put their mouse closer but you can still use tenkey input using the layers function. In fact, all keys are programmable using Kenisis’ browser-based Clique software. It’s not the simplest programming software and there aren’t a ton of extra or blank keys for you to mod, so if you want a lot of programmability, you’ll likely rely on layers. The mWave should also appeal to people who just want a plug-and-play option. It comes in two models, a white board with macOS function keys and a black PC version. The latest model of the mWave fixed my two complaints. The original Gateron Brown switches were springy and responsive but produced a loud, hollow clunk as I typed. It was distracting in my quiet office. The board also came with a USB-C to A cable, which was a little dated for Mac users. Now both of those issues have been put to rest. You now have the option of quiet Gateron Red switches and now the typing sounds in my office are subtle and soft. Plus there's a generously long USB-C to C cable in the box. The newer model costs $10 more, so if noise and outdated cables don’t bother you, you can save with the tactile version. And for those of you looking for a replacement for the now-discontinued Microsoft Sculpt, this is it. The Kinesis rep confirmed the mWave was designed as a replacement for that fan-favorite board — but with a few upgrades like mechanical keys, no dongle, and programmability. ProsSpringy mechanical key switchesPlug and play versions for Mac or PCTenkeyless design is more compact, but layers offer an integrated keypadFully programmableConsWrist rest not removableErgonomic features: Fully split | Host connection: USB-C port | Switch type: Mechanical (tactile or linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Yes | Programing interface: QMK/VIA (browser) | Language/Layout: QWERTY If you (expertly) sawed a mechanical keyboard in two, it would look like the Keychron Q11. You can even push the two halves back together to make it look like a standard, 75 percent mechanical board. Keychron dominates our mechanical keyboard guide because the company makes such great boards. I tested a model with Gateron G Pro Red linear mechanical switches which were smooth and not too clacky. The PBT keycaps are luxurious and the machined aluminum body feels substantial. It’s honestly dreamy to type on. A switch at the top of the board toggles between Mac and Windows, and there are two customizable knobs at the top corners as well as five macro keys to the left of the board. Those and the rest of the board can be programmed with open source keyboard firmware QMK and VIA, which may take a little effort for someone new to keyboard programming — but once you get the hang of it, it’s powerful and effective software. The fully split board lets me sit nice and upright, without hunching, though I wish the provided cable that links the halves were a touch longer. I’d also like the option of getting some center tenting to keep my palms from having to rotate downwards. But if those things aren’t dealbreakers for you, this is a lovely ergonomic keyboard. ProsHigh quality buildSmooth and buttery mechanical keysFully split keys keep your hands at a comfortable distance apartEasily toggle between Mac and Windows systemsConsNo center tentingShort bridge cable includedErgonomic features: Alice split, center tenting, optional negative tilt, wrist rest | Host connection: Bluetooth x2 or USB receiver | Switch type: Membrane | Hotkey compatibility: Windows | Ten key: Yes | RGB lighting: No | Programing interface: Kensington Konnect | Language/layout: QWERTY If you’re just looking for a keyboard with good ergonomics at a decent price, the Kensington Pro Fit Ergo KB680 hits the spot. It doesn’t feel cheap like some budget boards — you shouldn’t expect the buttery clack of mechanical keys or the cool texture of PBT keycaps — but the membrane switches are springy and the low profile keycaps make typing extra quick. Ergonomic features include an Alice split and optional negative tilt that’s just enough to make the integrated wrist rest hit right at the heel of my hand, instead of pressing against my wrists. Of course, larger or smaller hands will have a different experience, but my men’s medium/women’s large mitts were comfortable. Unlike some budget boards, the wireless connection is strong and quick to reestablish after the computer goes to sleep. There’s nothing worse than being ready to type out genius thoughts but your keyboard is taking its sweet time waking up. It’s rechargeable via USB-C, and Kensington says a charge will last around four months. I didn’t use it that long, but I’ve used other rechargeable Kensington keyboards with the same 500mAh battery and it lasted for months. There’s a built-in Copilot AI key and the keycaps are all coded for Windows use. It worked fine with my Mac for all basic functions, but only a few of the function keys worked as labeled. Kensington’s Konnect software allows you to remap some of the keys, but again, I’ve never had much luck getting it to work with my MacBook. That said, this isn’t the board to buy if reprogrammability is important. This is just a solid way to bring some basic ergonomics to your setup, making it one of the best ergonomic keyboards for under $100. One last thing to note is that most ergonomic keyboards don’t have a tenkeypad, but this one does. True, the extra width on the righthand side forces the mouse outwards by quite a bit for us righties, but if you input numerical data regularly, it’s a must-have. For a ten-keyless option, I also like Kensington’s Pro Fit Ergo KB675. It’s also a solid board that’s similarly priced with just the right amount of ergonomics. ProsFeels more premium than the price would suggestComfortable low-profile keysResponsive typing experience for membrane switchesConsTenkey makes it rather long on the rightProgramming software has trouble with MacsErgonomic features: Fully split, center tenting, thumb cluster | Host connection: USB-C port | Switch type: Mechanical (tactile, clicky, linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Yes | Programing interface: Oryx (browser) | Language/Layout: QWERTY (programmable) A rep I spoke with at ZSA warned me about the Voyager, saying the board has an effect “like a brain injury: A moment ago you knew how to type, and now you don't.” That’s exactly how I felt after plugging in the impossibly compact accessory. For one, the columnar layout puts keys (particularly those on the bottom row) in spots you don’t intuitively reach for. Then there’s a thumb cluster where you’ll find not