engadget review of ergo keyboards

From the «cursing limitations of the human body» department:
Title: The best ergonomic keyboards for 2024
Author: Amy Skorheim
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:00:35 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ergonomic-keyboard-130047982.html?src=rss
Podcast Download URL: https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2024-04%2F221bede0-f036-11ee-bfb7-419c58b73b9b&resize=1400%2C787&client=19f2b5e49a271b2bde77&signature=7eabea7f39fe4a6ca77a97ea23cd7878b1b95d7d

If you spend a good portion of your waking hours behind a desk, simply slapping
an ergonomic mouse[1] and keyboard on your desk won’t solve the real problem,
which is sitting still[2] for too long. But after you’ve peppered in a few
walks and added some stretches[3] for good measure, your workstation ergonomics
is the next thing to consider. Hunching, twisting and contorting are all likely
to lead to discomfort in the long run.

Ergonomic keyboards can help: these boards split, tilt and/or angle the keys in
ways that 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, and considered a mix of ergonomic features that
include Alice and fully split designs, columnar orientations, thumb clusters,
programmable keys and more. Here are the best ergonomic keyboards we could
find.

Table of contents

*
Best ergonomic keyboards for 2024[4]
*
What to look for in an ergonomic keyboard[5]
*
How we tested ergonomic keyboards[6]

What to look for in an ergonomic keyboard

Alice vs split

Most ergonomic keyboard layouts fall into two categories: Alice and split. The
former is a single board with the two halves of the keys rotated about 30
degrees apart at the bottom. The separation forms an A-shaped space between the
keys — which has nothing to do with why it’s called an Alice layout, it’s just
a happy coincidence. This subtle tweak pushes your elbows away from your ribs
while keeping a straight line from your forearm to your middle knuckle. Using
one, I pretty instantly felt more open along the front side of my body. This
layout more closely resembles a traditional keyboard, so it should be easier
for most folks to get used to than a fully split option.

Speaking of, split boards break the keys into two separate parts you can
position individually. You can put them shoulder distance apart, bring them
closer together or angle them as much as feels comfortable. You can also put
your mouse between the halves, which may feel like an easier trip for your
cursor hand and could potentially help with conditions like repetitive strain
injuries. Personally, I like being able to put my current snack between the two
parts. I've also found that pairing a split keyboard with a good ergonomic
mouse[7] has helped me even more, particularly a vertical mice.

Tenkeyless

You can find ergonomic keyboards with and without number pads. Not having those
number keys on the right side lets you keep your mouse closer in, minimizing
overall reach. But if you work with numbers a lot, you’ll likely want that pad
included. Some programmable boards allow for the use of layers, which
temporarily repurpose keys and can provide you with a ten-key option through
clever remapping of letter keys.

Tenting and negative tilt

Tenting raises the middle of the keyboard up, so your hands move closer to a
“handshake” position. Alice keyboards usually angle up towards the middle and
always to a fixed degree, since the two sides are connected. Split boards often
let you adjust the degree of tenting, going from flat to subtle to extreme
lift.

You may have encountered keyboards with an optional lift at the back of the
board, raising the top keys higher than the space bar. Every set of hands is
different, but for most people, pulling the backs of the hands towards the
forearms increases strain. Negative tilt has the opposite effect by sloping in
the other direction, lowering the top number keys while raising the edge with
the spacebar. Many Alice and some split keyboards offer an optional negative
tilt. I found it was more comfortable to enable that feature when I’m standing,
and I preferred to have the keys flat when sat at my desk.

Staggered vs columnar

This decision seems to be one of the more hotly-contested among ergo
enthusiasts. A conventional keyboard has staggered keys, with each row slightly
offset to the rows above and below it — so the A key is about halfway between
the Q and W above it. This is a holdover from vintage mechanical typewriters,
in which each press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper in the shape
of a letter. To fit the hammers as close together as possible, while still
allowing for finger pads, the keys were staggered.

Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, often with
rows that are not linear. Proponents claim this makes the keys easier to reach.
Whether that’s true will be up to your fingers to decide, but I can say for
certain that if you learned to type on a staggered keyboard, switching to a
columnar layout is tough. It will take days, possibly weeks before you
instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys don’t fare much better.

Programmable keys

With a few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a
standard typing input, but the use of function and hot keys may require some
remapping. It can be as easy as an onboard switch to toggle between Mac and PC
layouts, or as involved as downloading software to change up the keys. Some
boards even include (or let you buy) extra keycaps to change, say, the Mac’s
Command and Option keys to PC’s Start and Alt buttons.

For some boards, remapping or programming keys is a crucial feature. Gaming
peripherals have extra keys that you can set to execute a series of keystrokes
with the push of a single button. Keyboards that work with layers, in which a
single button can perform several functions, typically allow you to change what
those are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters
with multiple keys near the space bar that you operate with your thumb. You’ll
also be able to program those.

Other considerations

Ergonomic keyboards come in mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch versions.
Which works best for you is, again, up to your preference. I won’t get too deep
into the particulars here, as we have an entire guide devoted to mechanical
boards[8], but the short of it is that membrane and scissor switches are less
customizable than mechanical and typically cheaper. Typing on them tends to be
quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are more customizable, offer a more
responsive typing experience and are usually pricier.

You’ll also have the option of wired or wireless ergonomic boards. All other
things being equal, wired models are less expensive. Competitive gamers who
rely on split-second responses may prefer the zero-lag of wired keyboards.
Wired models also never run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity
issues. But wireless keyboards keep your desk less cluttered.

Some ergonomic keyboards come with permanent or removable wrist or palm rests,
which can be cushioned or hard. This is another area where opinions diverge:
proponents claim they help you maintain a neutral hand position, while
detractors say they put pressure on the tendons in your wrist and can
exacerbate conditions like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms should be
resting, not your wrists, and you might find you like having that support or
you may find the pressure uncomfortable.
[image 9] Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

How we tested ergonomic keyboards

All our guides begin with extensive research to figure out what’s out there and
what’s worth testing. We consider brands with good reputations that we’ve heard
good things about from colleagues and look at keyboard reviews in forums and
other trusted publications. For this guide, I looked for keyboards with
ergonomic features like tenting, split keys, palm support and so on. I also
zeroed in on boards that didn’t require a deep amount of familiarity with the
vast and exhaustive world of custom keyboards.

Once I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each one for anywhere
from a few days to a few weeks. I tried out the remapping and macros software
and considered the comfort, design, price and durability of each model before
arriving at picks I think will work best for the most people out there.

Best ergonomic keyboards for 2024

Other ergonomic keyboards we tested

Goldtouch Elite Adjustable

I remember wondering if something like the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable[10]
existed when I first started testing ergonomic keyboards. It didn’t at the
time, as far as I could tell, but now a connected yet adjustable split board is
indeed a product you can buy. It’s a solidly-built board and the ball joint
connecting the two halves feels like it will put up with a lot of use. A
squeeze of the lever at the top of the keys lets you set the board just how you
like, adjusting both the vertical tenting and the angle between the two halves.
There’s no programming to speak of, just the ability to swap a few function
keys like print screen and home.

Unfortunately, the tenting doesn’t work for me. Because of the extra keys at
the outer edges, raising the middle edges upwards lifts the center keys
considerably, which brings my wrists and forearms off the desk instead of
letting them rest. Holding them like that created extra neck and shoulder
strain on my part, which is sort of the opposite of the goal. But if you’re not
into tenting anyway and want a flat, Alice-split board with an adjustable
splay, this works quite well.

Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard

The idea behind the Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard[11] is pretty
ergonomic: put the trackpad between the two halves and minimize travel for your
mouse hand. The distance between the two puts your elbows at a comfortable
distance and keeps your wrist nearly in-line with your forearms. The build is
excellent, with low profile mechanical switches that feel smooth and just the
right amount of clacky. The trackpad is responsive, but gestures only work with
Windows computers. Even dragging and dropping doesn’t work on a Mac here, so I
don’t see Apple users getting much use out of the board. I also found myself
wishing for the slightest rotation of the keys — though they’re a good distance
apart, a slight angle would keep my wrists fully unbent. There’s no tenting or
negative tilt either, both of which could help a bit more, ergonomically
speaking.

Logitech Wavekeys

While it's a perfectly fine and affordable Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech
Wavekeys[12] has minimal ergonomics. The keys rise up slightly in the middle
and there's a comfortable wrist rest attached, but the layout is the same as
any other keyboard, with no splitting of the keys to open up your arms or keep
your wrists straight.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ergonomic-keyboard-130047982.html?src=rss

Links:
[1]: https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ergonomic-mouse-120004931.html (link)
[2]: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5618737/ (link)
[3]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox6NxmOpeLs (link)
[4]: http://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-best-ergonomic-keyboards-for-2024 (link)
[5]: http://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-what-to-look-for-in-an-ergonomic-keyboard (link)
[6]: http://www.engadget.com/rss.xml#jump-link-how-we-tested-ergonomic-keyboards (link)
[7]: https://www.engadget.com/best-ergonomic-mouse-120004931.html (link)
[8]: https://www.engadget.com/best-mechanical-keyboard-120050723.html (link)
[9]: https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-03/9aaf3e80-ee04-11ee-bfdf-4cbd60b1e877 (image)
[10]: https://shop.goldtouch.com/products/elite-adjustable-ergonomic-keyboard-pc-mac (link)
[11]: https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/form/ (link)
[12]: https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=9d8b417f-05d3-461d-8465-21e1a10e527d&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=be94f161-d53c-4a53-91ef-ca670995efc7&featureId=text-link&merchantName=Logitech&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5sb2dpdGVjaC5jb20vZW4tdXMvcHJvZHVjdHMva2V5Ym9hcmRzL3dhdmUta2V5cy1lcmdvbm9taWMtd2lyZWxlc3MuOTIwLTAxMjI3NS5odG1sIiwiY29udGVudFV1aWQiOiJiZTk0ZjE2MS1kNTNjLTRhNTMtOTFlZi1jYTY3MDk5NWVmYzciLCJvcmlnaW5hbFVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmxvZ2l0ZWNoLmNvbS9lbi11cy9wcm9kdWN0cy9rZXlib2FyZHMvd2F2ZS1rZXlzLWVyZ29ub21pYy13aXJlbGVzcy45MjAtMDEyMjc1Lmh0bWwifQ&signature=AQAAAYRSm-cmGMxJHwoBHA3gqDmW0YNffbwyYp3Nd1BUQVpH&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.logitech.com%2Fen-us%2Fproducts%2Fkeyboards%2Fwave-keys-ergonomic-wireless.920-012275.html (link)