Best Keyboards 2023

For someone who spends a lot of time working with a computer, choosing the right keyboard can improve your typing speed and accuracy. And when combined with an adjustable standing desk and the right office chair, the best keyboards can reduce stress on your wrists, arms and shoulders which could otherwise lead to carpel tunnel syndrome and other short- and long-term discomforts.

The best computer keyboards can improve your typing speed and accuracy, plus provide better comfort ... [+] for your wrists.

Whether you're a writer, a gamer or an office worker, having one of the best keyboards under your fingertips can make the world of difference in whatever you're doing. A keyboard must be comfortable to type on, respond quickly to your commands and come with some wonderful quality of life features.

Whatever style of keyboard you're looking for—be it a mechanical keyboard, ergonomic keyboard, a tenkeyless keyboard, or one simply to comfortably get you through your work day—there's something here for you. Through extensive research and testing, we’ve compiled our picks for best keyboards, taking into account various specs like key switch type, compatibility, comfort and more.

Amazon

Keyboard type: Wireless | Size: Full size | Key type: Mechanical | Special features: Silent linear keyboard switches with ergonomic design and soft-touch coated keys | Backlit keys: Yes

Best for: Office workers or anyone who needs a reliable, comfortable and durable keyboard.

Many features designed into the Razer Pro Type Ultra Wireless Keyboard make it our top pick. For the price, you’ll get high-quality, ergonomic backlit keys with nearly silent keystrokes. There's even a detachable wrist rest that's included. Connect this keyboard with up to four devices.

We love that the keys are fully programmable with macro recording for a customizable option. Battery life is also impressive—up to 214 hours (without backlighting) or 13 hours with Bluetooth and backlighting turned on. The keys use Razer Yellow mechanical switches.

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Amazon

Keyboard type: Wired | Size: Full size | Key type: Mechanical | Special features: Tactile Cherry MX Brown switches, media controls, volume knob, aluminum enclosure | Backlit keys: Yes

Best for: People who do a lot of typing while listening to audio.

Audio listeners will love the volume dial and media controls located in the top right corner on the Das Keyboard 6. It makes it easier to stream audio or control multimedia content while working.

The Das Keyboard 6 Professional Wired Keyboard offers white LED backlighting behind each key. Choose between premium Cherry MX brown or blue switches underneath the laser-etched ABS keycaps; the brown switches offer a soft tactile feel while you get a clicky feel with the blue switches. To add a slight tilt to the keyboard for better ergonomics, it comes with two screw-on feet.

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Best Buy

Keyboard type: Mechanical | Size: 60% | Key type: Mechanical with compact Redragon Brown switches | Special features: Compact and portable, impressive switches for the price | Backlit keys: Yes

Best for: Beginners who are just jumping into the mechanical keyboard scene.

Mechanical keyboards are often expensive, with $70 being the typical floor for their pricing after discounts. Redragon bucks that trend with a range of very affordable mechanical keyboards, the most affordable of which is the K630. This compact, budget-friendly keyboard relies on mechanical switches that make it great for gaming and typing. You even get some versatile and visually appealing RGB backlighting. It's not per-key, but it does have color zones, so there are some customization options besides color choice and brightness.

The compact design makes the K630 great for travel or for smaller desk spaces. Thanks to anti-ghosting technology, you don't need to fear key presses not registering, no matter how many you mash at once.

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Amazon

Keyboard type: Wireless | Size: Full size | Key type: Mechanical | Special features: Designed for all-day comfort, mic mute/unmute button, web navigation buttons, multiple shortcut keys| Backlit keys: No

Best for: People who work long hours at their computer and who need a quiet, comfortable and versatile keyboard to match their workflow.

You don't need to spend a fortune to get yourself a decent computer keyboard. Case in point: Check out the Logitech Signature K650, priced under $50. This is a full size, wireless keyboard with an integrated palm rest and deep-cushioned keys which add comfort to your typing. The keyboard is also equipped with a few specialty keys, including a Screenshot and Mic on/mute key, along with two web navigation keys—all located near the top of the keyboard and that double as function keys.

Don't worry about compatibility—the Signature K650 works with Windows, MacOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android and Chromebook using a Bluetooth connection with up to a 33-foot connection radius.

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Amazon

Keyboard type: Wireless | Size: Full size | Key type: Cherry SX scissor mechanism | Special features: Battery life up to 12 months, rubberized feet, quiet operation | Backlit keys: No

Best for: Meeting your everyday typing needs.

Priced below $50, the Cherry Stream keyboard offers adjustable feet with rubber grips, quite keys and an LED battery life indicator. The keys take advantage of Cherry SX scissor mechanisms that make for a fast typing experience, and you’ll also get up to 36 months battery life with only two AA batteries.

While the keys are not backlit, the Caps Lock, NUM and Scroll keys all have LED status lights. The accompanying six-button mouse offers a complimentary design.

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Amazon

Keyboard type: Wireless | Size: Full size | Key type: ROG RX Red and RX Blue optical mechanical switches | Special features: Detachable numeric keypad, wired or wireless mode option, 18 hour battery life | Backlit keys: Yes

Best for: Gaming with top titles while optimizing everyday computing tasks.

There are several impressive features of the ASUS ROG Claymore II Wireless Gaming Keyboard. While a low price is not one of them, the removable numeric keypad can be placed on the left or right side of the keyboard or removed altogether. You can also choose between a wired or wireless mode. The RGB lighting features gorgeous visuals with built-in Aura Sync.

When gaming, you’ll get excellent tactile control that utilize ROG RX Optical Mechanical Switches with customizable hotkeys. Choose between ROG RX Red or Blue switches, either of which offer 1 ms response and a 100-million keystroke lifespan. With RGB lighting on, the keyboard's battery life is up to 43 hours. Without the backlights, expect the keyboard to be operational for up to 144 hours between charges.

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SteelSeries

Keyboard type: Wired | Size: Full size | Key type: Mechanical | Special features: Adjustable optical switches, OLED display, per-key RGB lighting, comfortable wrist rest | Backlit keys:

Best for: Adjusting keys to your personal preferences.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro's omnipoint switches offer a unique feature in that they’re finely tunable, so you can adjust their individual actuation point, making them faster or slower to respond. That makes it easy to load up a super fast gaming profile, and then you can switch to something more sedate for typing where you might want to bottom out the key more for increased accuracy.

Rated for 100 million keypresses, the switches were built with durability in mind, and with the comfortable magnetically attachable wrist rest, you can enjoy long term comfort when using this keyboard. With the built-in OLED display, it manages your media with the touch of a minimalist set of controls. For additional customization, you can tweak everything in the SteelSeries engine software, as well as adjust the gorgeous RGB backlighting, which can sync up with other SteelSeries peripherals.

What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs says, "One of the great perks about the Apex Pro is that you can program one key to do two different things. So, if you want a half-pressed key to walk, you can. Then, you can program the fully pressed key to run. It's a game-changer during my gaming."

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Amazon

Keyboard type: Wireless | Size: Full size | Key type: Tactical scissor switches | Special features: Ergonomic shape for comfortable typing, padded wrist rest, responsive scissor switches | Backlit keys: No

Best for: Improved wrist comfort while typing.

If you want to manage carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury, an ergonomic keyboard can help alleviate some of your discomfort. The Logitech Ergo K860 features an ergonomic split in the keys down the middle, helping you to hold your wrists at a more neutral angle, encouraging long-term wrist health. The keys themselves use a responsive and springy scissor switch design, making them fast and comfortable to type on. Plus, the keycaps are low-profile and smooth to the touch.

There's no backlighting on this understated design, so you won't be able to do much typing in the dark, but that helps the two AAA batteries it runs off of last for several years without needing to be replaced. The wireless design makes this keyboard super versatile. Compatible with MacOS and Windows, you can connect to up to three devices at once and switch between them with the touch of a button.

What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs says, "As someone who needs a little more ergonomics in her home setup, the Logitech ERGO K860 offers much-needed wrist and finger pain relief for me. Pair it with the matching ergonomic mouse for long hours at your desktop."

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Microsoft

Keyboard type: Ergonomic Wireless | Size: Tenkeyless | Key type: Mechanical | Special features: 4-way scroll wheel, split keyset design, natural arc, separate number pad | Backlit keys: No

Best for: An ergonomic, split keyboard with a natural arc for home or office use.

The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop Keyboard offers a separate (wireless) numeric keypad, so the keyboard itself is considered tenkeyless. You get a split keyboard layout with a cushioned palm rest. The keyboard also features a domed shape with a natural arc that makes it more comfortable for your wrists when you’re typing. The curve of the keyboard and keys mimics the shape of human fingers.

Integrated into the keyboard is a Windows button for one-touch access to the Start Menu. If you're looking for a true ergonomic keyboard that will protect both your wrists and your wallet, the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop Keyboard is a perfect option. The keyboard is powered using two AAA batteries.

What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs says, "This is my go-to keyboard for long days typing at the computer. They keys feel effortless to press on my fingers and I love the ergonomic comfort this keyboard provides me. Extra props go to the separate tenkey pad so I can adjust my setup to my needs."

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Amazon

Keyboard type: Wireless | Size: Full size | Key type: Scissor switch | Special features: TouchID sensor built in, document navigation controls, full size arrow keys | Backlit keys: No

Best for: General purpose computing from any Mac that uses an Apple Silicone processor.

If you’re an iMac user, upgrading to this optional Apple Magic Keyboard With Touch ID And Numeric Keypad gives you the added benefit of a numeric keypad and integrated TouchID sensor that can be used to unlock the computer or approve online purchases, for example. The 109-key keyboard has a familiar silver frame and it's also remarkably thin, relying on scissor switch keys. Keep in mind this keyboard only works with Mac models that run using Apple silicon-based processors. You also need to run MacOS 11.4 OS or later.

You get document navigation controls and full-size arrow keys for scrolling and gaming. Plus, the rechargeable battery will last about a month. A USB-C lightning cable is provided for charging the keyboard using your Mac. Otherwise, it pairs with the computer wirelessly via Bluetooth.

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When buying a keyboard, there are a number of factors you want to consider before finally making your decision.

Are you going to use it for gaming or mainly for work? Do you type a lot? Do you need key customizability or backlighting? These are all questions you should ask yourself before buying a keyboard.

Typists should target tactile or clicky mechanical switches, while gamers might want to look for something with linear switches or even optical switches for a faster and more responsive keyboard. More casual users might make do with rubber dome switches, or if you prefer laptop-style keys, low-profile scissor switches are an option.

Meanwhile, If you want to use your keyboard on the go or with multiple devices, you might want to consider a portable unit that can connect to multiple devices at once.

If you're buying a mechanical keyboard, then you'll want to know the switch type that's best for you.

Linear: These switches are best for gamers, offering a fast and responsive keyboard design.

Tactile: Good for gaming, but a favorite among writers and typists too, as the tactile bump can make you a faster typist thanks to knowing when the key has actuated — no need to bottom out like you do with rubber dome keyboards.

Clicky: Often a solo typist's favorite—and one that is likely to annoy your co-workers. After all, clicky switches are extra noisy, but they can be very satisfying to use.

Optical: The fastest possible switches today are optical. Some are adjustable for added speed, but most are more responsive than even the fastest mechanical switches. Consider an optical keyboard if you want a super fast design.

Whatever operating system you use, be it Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, iOS or Android, make sure your keyboard supports it. Most companies are upfront about whether or not their keyboards are compatible across various systems. Be sure to check the fine print before you add it to your cart.

Wired keyboards work best at desks where you don't need to move the keyboard itself around much. If you want the versatility of changing location, switching devices, or just want to be able to move your keyboard to eat at your desk, a wireless keyboard is a great alternative.

The fastest wireless keyboards are just as responsive as their wired counterparts. Although you have to monitor battery life, most modern wireless keyboards recharge very quickly and last for a while between charges.

Ergonomic keyboards give you the most wrist comfort long term, but any keyboard with an included wrist rest can help a little if you find typing or gaming for long periods strenuous. Look out for keyboards with soft touch keycaps and mechanical boards with lighter actuation switches, as those tend to be far less demanding on the fingers.

Many keyboards offer a bunch of features that, while nice to have, aren't really necessary. RGB backlighting can give your setup a fun, unique look, and can deliver important information in certain games. Detachable USB cables can help for travel or long-term upkeep. Underside cable routing can make your desk appear neater, with less cable clutter.

Swappable switches and easily swappable keycaps can offer comfort for those who want to adjust the feel of individual keys. Some swappable keys will illuminate with RGB lighting, too. You‘ll want to ensure compatibility with other peripherals for synchronized lighting or macro switching, however.

We combined research with hands-on testing and experience, and we spoke with product experts and industry leaders to help us determine the products that made the cut. We carefully evaluated each keyboard's size, price, features and more. We also paid attention to what sets each keyboard apart from its competition.

The Forbes Vetted tech team strives to offer accurate and trustworthy product assessments that are the result of intensive research and hands-on testing. Our writers and editors have years of experience writing about PC peripherals and have the background and expertise to help you make the best buying decisions possible.

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