The best ergonomic keyboards of 2024

Despite being not the only fixed split keyboard here, the Perixx PERIBOARD-612 ticks an awful lot of boxes for both affordability and all-around ergonomics. One unexpected feature at this price point is the dual Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity.

This means you can pair this with a wide range of devices - including a tablet if you're looking to take your favourite keyboard away with you. It isn't a silent or dampened keyboard, especially in the sub-£100 category, but if you're not bothered by a little keystroke noise this is fine.

In terms of ergonomics, you get a full-size keyboard - which means much less of a learning curve if you're new to these kinds of keyboards - but also the split layout that many people love. There's also a slight upward curve, or contour, to this one - so the angle of your palms when typing is more akin to your natural position.

We had to do a double-take when we saw the design, spec and overall ergonomic feature set of the Artek Universal Wave keyboard. It's an incredible deal at just below £30 right now.

At first look, this appears to be a standard key layout, and it is - but there's a vertical curve/wave to the board. This promotes a healthy wrist and palm position.

And talking of the wrists, there's a fantastic removable magnetic palm/wrist rest to make the wave and tilt of the keyboard even more ergonomic to use. One brilliant added extra is the fact that this can connect to three devices.

Granted, there is no wifi here, but being able to press a button and switch the keyboard between those devices is a godsend for multitaskers.

Microsoft were one of the first brands to champion the curved ergonomic keyboards, and with the L5V it has taken a huge evolutionary step. Clearly, this is a kind of hybrid between a two-part split board and a fixed split board in terms of cosmetics.

But, the fact it's a large but tenkeyless board means you have plenty of wrist room on that giant padded rest. The keys themselves have been arranged and contoured to form a natural arc that mimics the curve and orientation of fingertips.

Office workers and fans of spreadsheets haven't been forgotten in this redesign. Alongside the included mouse, Microsoft has thrown in a separate numpad. This means that anyone swapping between mouse use and numerical input can reach it more easily.

When we looked at the best Logitech keyboards recently, the ergonomic options were a little limited. But here, Logitech has produced its ERGO K860 with efficient ergonomic design principles. Wrapped up in a slim, understated design, the range of comfort features is outstanding.

Firstly, there's a tiltable and substantial wrist rest - a rare feature on many such boards. It's padded with memory foam too for extra support. Secondly, this combines two excellent features in one to a degree not seen on this list yet: a split layout on a pronounced vertical curve.

The angle of that curve is ideal for anyone who struggles to keep their hands parallel to a regular flat keyboard. Lastly, you also get WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, so this pretty much has it all.

The term wave is a little nebulous when it comes to ergonomics, but here we're focussing on it in its most basic form. Anyone who is thinking of making the leap between a standard keyboard and an ergonomic one should take a look at the Wireless Comfort Desktop 5005 from Microsoft.

It really does take a subtle approach to ergonomics, starting with the gentle wave layout of what is essentially a standard flat keyboard. This means that it will be perfect for anyone who needs to let their shoulders, arms and wrists adopt a less parallel stance than is usually demanded by straight boards.

Add to that the included mouse, programmable function keys for productivity and the fact that this has an (American) Ergonomist certification, and you have a really affordable on-ramp to the world of comfortable keyboards.

Perixx makes it back into our line-up with this PERIBOARD 335BR - another split layout mechanical board. Before we look at what makes the mechanical option so good here, let's look at the ergonomics.

Aside from the angled split layout, this also has a 'tented' slope - more of a peak than the usual vertical curve or contour. This really does place each hand with full and even access to each bank of keys for tighter control.

And then there's the palm rest - it's integrated but tiltable, so you'll be supported while using that tented key layout. As for those mechanical keys, they're the brown ones from the much-lauded brand Kailh. They provide good key-press feedback with less-loud clicky sounds than the normal mechanical switch - so, ideal for heavy users with a distaste for excess noise.

The main thing to note about this keyboard from RedThuncer is the layout - it's totally standard. So, why is it on this list? Well, gamers are a special breed of keyboard users.

They often sink an inhuman number of hours into honing their reaction times and rely on familiarity when it comes to keyboard layout. Since many gamers start out on standard flat-layout gaming keyboards, this K10 isn't going to knock them back. That said, this does indeed have some ergonomic features that will help stave off those cramped hands and sore wrists.

First up are the curved keycaps that make for a nice positive feel and reduce typos. Second, the faux leather padded wrist rest that can be placed in various positions to suit your playing style.

RGB lighting is, of course, pretty - but in terms of ergonomics, it's worth mentioning that gaming in dark rooms and having to continually look down to check your keys is not only bad for your score, it's also hard on your neck.

And if you are hammering out those keyboard combos, this has anti-ghosting too. All in all, this is a competent keyboard for gamers with just the right amount of comfort features thrown in.

For optimal comfort, the Logitech Wave Keys is a phenomenally well-designed keyboard at a great price, leaving no stone unturned to bring users the best typing experience possible. A great cheap keyboard that doesn't pull its punches with quality.

The subtle wave aesthetic of the Logitech Wave keyboard and its tasteful grey palm rest looks simply fantastic and its cushioned keys are brilliantly responsive, giving quick typists a new lease on life. The Logitech Waves Keys keyboard also isn't completely radical in its design, there are no split keys or external devices, so it's easy to pick up and feels more natural than a regular keyboard.

Those who typically use mechanical keyboards may find the feel of the Logitech Wave Keys to be a little squishy or unresponsive compared to what they're used to, which may detract the experience for users who prefer a snap to their typing. For most, however, this cushioned, quiet typing feel is a breath of fresh air and only boosts the sheer comfortability of the keyboard itself.

Portable keyboards are really almost throwaway items at this point. Often bundled in with tablet cases and the like, they're often less ergonomic than typing right onto the screen, and that's largely because they're flat and compact, so anyone with hands larger than a teenager may well find themselves trying to type with their wrists and elbows tucked in. But here, MoKo has created a Universal Foldable Keyboard with one all-important feature: each segment of the keyboard is well separated and angled.

As a truly neat and portable keyboard, you won't find WiFi connectivity or wrist support, but you do get the benefit of a wider layout. It also, handily, turns on and off when opened and closed - no more drained batteries while it's packed away in your bag.

Yes, this Kinesis Advantage2 is probably the most overkill and off-the-wall designs here, but it's getting a lot right. Loved by thousands of high-end users, this board is a tenkeyless one that, much like the other TKLs here, means you can place the mouse closer to your body, reducing painful over-reach.

But the real jewel in the crown is the groundbreaking ergonomic shaping of the split keys. They're arranged in concave 'keywells' for total fingertip accessibility that again, reduces travel distance and strain. It's also the only model here that is sporting the vertical column key layout.

When paired with the keywells, the vertical orientation makes for more natural hand and finger movement. Lastly on the ergo-shape front is the 20-degree 'tented' angle - perfect, say Kinesis, for optimal comfort.

As for the switches, the ones on this model are Cherry MX Tactile key switches, so you can expect excellent sound-dampening and tactile feedback. Yes, the innovative range of design features here will take some getting used to, but if the customer feedback is to be believed, the programmability and comfort of the Advantage2 are hard to top.