Put Your Finger on the Right-Fit Keyboard
You can use this mouse to easily connect a maximum of three Windows or Mac computers using Bluetooth Smart or Unifying receiver. The use of this mouse has been extremely easy since you only need to touch a button to switch it between computers.
- The MX Ergo is very comfortable and allows you to navigate your Mac without having to move your hand or wrist around on a mouse pad all day. It is a fantastic mouse for those looking for something with an ergonomic design.
- The best ergonomic keyboards, ergonomic mouses, vertical mouses, and wrist pads to prevent wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, according to physical therapists, ergonomists, and personal trainers.
Maybe your trusty old keyboard has typed its last letter or absorbed its last bagel crumb. Perhaps your gaming ambitions have outstripped the mushy, mediocre typer that came with your PC. Or maybe your hands are simply shouting: Hey, cut me some slack here! Whatever the reason, anyone can benefit from a better keyboard. After all, is any part of your computer more hands-on?
Before you go shopping, though, it pays to know what makes a keyboard a good fit. Modern models come in a bunch of subtypes, from boards optimized for typing efficiency to sculpted ergonomic designs that cradle your hands and relieve stress on the joints. Let's dig into the features to look for.
Connectivity Options: Wired and Wireless
The simplest way to connect a wired keyboard to your PC is via a standard USB port. Non-gaming keyboards are usually plug-and-play devices, with no additional software to install, meaning that plugging in the keyboard cable is all the setup you'll need. Gaming keyboards, the exception, will typically work as soon as you plug them in, but come with their own software that lets you adjust features such as onboard RGB lighting and the assignment of macro keys. (More on that in a bit.)
Besides transferring your keystrokes to the computer, a USB connection also powers the keyboard, so there are no batteries to worry about. A few expensive gaming models with lots of customizable buttons and lights come with two USB cables, one for power delivery (and/or to feed extra USB ports on the keyboard itself) and one for the data connection, which means it will occupy two available USB ports. This isn't usually a problem, since you'll likely be connecting one of these keyboards to a large gaming desktop with many available USB ports.
If you want more freedom and less cable clutter on your desk, however, it's hard to beat a wireless keyboard. Wireless models transmit data to your PC through one of two primary means: an RF connection to a tiny USB dongle, or via a Bluetooth connection with no dongles required. Both have their pros and cons. But if you want to reduce the number of cables on your desk and gain the flexibility to use your keyboard at a distance—whether that be on your lap at your desk, or from across the room—wireless is the way to go.
Most wireless keyboards that use USB dongles transmit over the same 2.4GHz wireless frequency used for cordless phones and Wi-Fi routers. The dongle itself is usually a tiny rectangle—small enough to plug in and forget about. Not only is the dongle unobtrusive, but we find that the 2.4GHz signal tends to offer more stable connectivity than Bluetooth. Note that in some situations, these USB dongles can provide connectivity to more than one device, meaning you can use the single adapter for your wireless keyboard as well as a wireless mouse, assuming that both are the same brand and both support the same scheme. (Logitech, for example, refers to this single-dongle arrangement as 'Logitech Unifying'; some, but not all, of its peripherals support it.)
Bluetooth options make sense in certain situations; they don't monopolize a USB port, and newer versions of Bluetooth—the current one is 5.0—are stable, easy to manage, and offer compatibility with more mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. In regular use, a Bluetooth connection gives you roughly 30 feet of wireless range; we find, however, that Bluetooth keyboards tend to not match devices with a USB dongle on battery life. New innovations, including hand-proximity sensors, improve the battery life versus older Bluetooth devices, which maintained an always-on link, draining battery quickly.
Among the only major drawbacks of mainstream wireless keyboards is that few of them feature key backlighting, which hampers one of their most useful roles: controlling a home theater PC in a softly lit living room. If you do find a wireless model with backlighting, be prepared to change its batteries or recharge it frequently.
Layout and Ergonomics
Not all keyboards are created equal. In fact, not all keyboards are even laid out the same beyond the standard QWERTY letter keys.
Most mainstream and gaming models offer a 10-key numeric pad, which laptops frequently lack and is a necessity for anyone who needs to tally numbers or enter data into a spreadsheet. So-called 'tenkeyless' models slice off the numeric pad in the interest of space savings and keeping your typing and mousing hands closer together. Bear that in mind if you're looking at gaming keyboards, as tenkeyless models are a recent trend especially in that subclass.
Smaller distinctions include the placement of the directional-arrow, Page Up and Down, and Home and End keys. Additionally, most current keyboards have basic media-file-control features, usually volume, play, pause, and track-change controls. These are typically dedicated media buttons located above the numeric pad, or built into the top row of Function (Fn) keys as shared-key shortcuts. Bonus points if the keyboard maker implements the volume control as a dial or roller, like on some high-end Corsair and Das Keyboard models.
To help users stave off carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injury, many keyboards are available with designs that put your hands into a neutral position as you type. The result is not only greater comfort, but reduced stress to the joints and tendons, ultimately helping you to avoid painful inflammation and the potential for worse: expensive surgery. Ergonomic features can range from the simple (padded wrist rests) to the elaborate (a key layout that is sculpted to curve and slope, or a split design).
One very important ergonomic feature to look for is the ability to perform angle adjustment. This is usually accomplished by flipping out two plastic feet on the back of the keyboard to alter its angle relative to your wrists and forearms. Many keyboards—not only models designed specifically to be ergonomic—have these feet, and research has shown that it's important to experiment with them until your keyboard is flat or, ideally, angled slightly away from your wrists.
Keys and Switches: The Basics
One aspect of keyboard design that you'll see mentioned in reviews—but about which most people don't give a second thought—is the type of switches used for individual keys. You may not care about the specific mechanisms that reside beneath the keys, but you will feel the difference. The three primary types of switches are silicone dome switches, scissor switches, and mechanical switches.
Most budget keyboards, such as those that come bundled with new desktop PCs, use silicone-dome switches, which use two dimpled layers of silicone membrane that form a grid of rubber bubbles or domes as the springback in the switch for each key. The springiness of the silicone rubber makes for a soft, mushy feel as you press each key. The switch type also requires you to 'bottom out' with each keystroke, pressing the key to the bottom of the key well to type a letter. Because repeated flexing of the rubber membrane causes it to break down, silicone dome switches lose their springiness and responsiveness over time.
Some newer keyboards mimic the low-profile, chiclet-style keyboards found on full-size laptops and ultraportables. While a few of these use plain silicone-dome switches, many use scissor switches, which add a mechanical stabilizer to each key for a uniform feel, and an attached plunger under each keycap allows for shorter key travel. As a result, scissor-switch keyboards have a shallow typing feel, but they are generally more durable than rubber-dome switches alone.
Models That Just Click: Mechanical Keyboards
Most keyboard enthusiasts, however, won't have much to say for either of the two above styles—instead, they'll be singing the praises of mechanical keyboards.
The switches used in these are a bit more intricate, with a spring-loaded sliding keypost under every key. Lots of variations are available, each tweaked to provide a slightly different feel or sound, but generally, mechanical switches provide better tactile feedback and many emit the 'clickety-clack' sound associated with typing. The sturdy switch mechanisms and springs are significantly longer-lasting, too. These switches can also register each keystroke with a much shorter amount of travel, making them ideal for touch typists.
The downside to mechanical switches? They usually require a lot more vertical space than silicone dome switches, which means the keyboards tend to be thicker. You won't often find them on shallower, low-profile keyboards. That could change now that venerable switch maker Cherry has introduced a new low-profile mechanical switch, but the vast majority of mechanicals are chunky.
In the past, most mainstream mechanical keyboards made use of switches from Cherry Industrial, with the switches coming in various-feel MX Blue, Red, Black, and Brown varieties. (Each 'color' has a slightly different click feel, acoustic aspect, and pressure characteristic; see our roundup of the best mechanical keyboards for a lot more detail on that.) Cherry switches are still popular, but nowadays you'll also see homebrew mechanical switches from leading keyboard makers such as Logitech and Razer, as well as 'imitation Cherry' switches, using the same color nomenclature, from makers such as Kaihua.
Deep Customization: Gaming Keyboards
While all keyboards offer the necessary QWERTY layout of keys for everyday typing, sometimes typing isn't your main concern. Gaming keyboards are designed for competitive use, and they emphasize different things.
Gaming boards are equipped for maximum specialization and control, optimized for specific styles of gameplay, and built to exacting standards of responsiveness and durability. They also appeal to the gamer aesthetic, with designs that impress and intimidate with pulsing backlighting and dramatic color schemes.
Premium gaming models almost exclusively use high-grade mechanical key switches and sculpted keycaps, and offer lots of customizable features, such as programmable macro keys, textured WASD keys, and swappable keycaps. Others let you tweak the color and intensity of the backlighting to make finding certain keys faster and to personalize the look of your keyboard. On cheaper boards, the backlight coloration tends to be just one hue, but as you go up the market, you get programmable RGB lighting, sometimes customizable by zone, and at the very top end, assignable by each individual key (so-called 'per-key RGB').
Anti-ghosting is an essential feature, allowing multiple keystrokes hit at the same time to be registered simultaneously—something not all standard keyboards can do. Other extras include pass-through USB ports or audio connections on the keyboard, which simplify the process of connecting peripherals to a desktop PC whose ports may be inconvenient to reach under a desk.
Best Ergonomic Mouse For Carpal Tunnel
Finally, any gaming keyboard worthy of its name comes outfitted with dedicated software and discrete keys for triggering macro commands, letting you pre-arrange complex strings of commands and activate them with a single press of a button. The number of macro commands that you can save, and the ease with which you can create them, vary from one model to the next; our reviews are handy for summaries of this kind of software. These aren't the sorts of customization features that everyone will use from day to day, but for players who invest time and money into gaming, these keyboards offer a competitive edge. Again, check out our guide to the best gaming keyboards for more on the gaming-software aspect.
Ready for Our Recommendations?
The keyboard market is vast, so start your search with our roundup below of the best keyboards available. In the market for a mouse, too? Check out our top mouse picks, as well as our favorite mice for gaming.
The Best Keyboard Reviews Featured in This Roundup:
Corsair K68 RGB Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: Authentic Cherry MX Red switches. Superior software. Dust/spill proof.
Cons: Ho-hum plastic wrist rest. Help button poorly explains the 'static' lighting option.
Bottom Line: This durable mechanical keyboard comes paired with great software. The custom lighting is a bit tricky at first, but once you figure it out, the possibilities are endless.
Read ReviewCorsair K95 RGB Platinum Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Dedicated media controls. Smooth, responsive keys. Attractive brushed aluminum finish. Easy-to-use customization utility.
Cons: Expensive. No audio jack.
Bottom Line: The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is a pricey gaming keyboard with an ideal blend of aesthetics and functionality that leaves little room for improvement.
Read ReviewKinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review
MSRP: $219.00Pros: True Cherry MX switches in a choice of three varieties. Comfortable ergonomic design, once you're accustomed to it. Superb, plush wrist rest. Per-key customizable RGB lighting.
Cons: Driverless SmartSet app is more work than we'd like. Optional 'lift kit' costs extra. Steep learning curve.
Bottom Line: In the Freestyle Edge RGB, Kinesis brings best-in-class ergonomics to the gaming-keyboard scene for players serious about minding their wrists and hands in the course of their gaming endurathons.
Read ReviewDas Keyboard 4Q Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Aluminum top plate. Dedicated media controls. Nifty RGB lighting.
Cons: Q software can be frustrating to use.
Bottom Line: The Das Keyboard 4Q carries on the mechanical-keyboard company's hardware legacy, but it's the RGB lighting, not the quirky 'Q' alerts software, that will justify the price premium for most of the Das faithful.
Read ReviewLogitech G513 Carbon Review
MSRP: $149.99Pros: Choice of Linear and Tactile switch types. Comfortable and quiet for typing and gaming. Slick design. Roomy palm rest. Per-key RGB lighting.
Cons: Software takes patience to learn. No dedicated macro or media keys. Subdued RGB illumination.
Bottom Line: Though it cries out for media/macro keys, the minimalist Logitech G513 Carbon gaming keyboard justifies its price with custom, RGB-lit mechanical switches that feel great and won't wake up your household.
Read ReviewRoccat Vulcan 120 AIMO Review
MSRP: $159.99Pros: Stately look can serve gamers, productivity users alike. High-quality switch feel and sound. Dedicated media keys and volume dial. Per-key RGB lighting, plus zone-based lighting.
Cons: No dedicated macro keys. No USB or audio pass-through.
Bottom Line: With custom Roccat key switches, elaborate RGB lighting, and a kitchen-sink feature set, the Vulcan 120 AIMO mechanical gaming keyboard is well worth the price of admission.
Read ReviewSteelSeries Apex M750 Review
MSRP: $139.99Pros: Very fast switches. Unobtrusive, compact design. Excellent backlighting and function customization options.
Cons: No dedicated media keys, G-keys or USB pass-through. No adjustable feet.
Bottom Line: The SteelSeries Apex M750 is excellent for seasoned gamers who care less about bells and whistles and more about fast actuation and fine control of backlighting and key assignments.
Read ReviewCorsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard Review
MSRP: $99.00Pros: Slim construction. Decent battery life and low latency rating for a wireless keyboard. Sensitive touchpad.
Cons: Default key mapping changes from device to device. Bluetooth worked inconsistently on our sample. Cannot access iCUE software over Bluetooth.
Bottom Line: The Corsair K83 is a solid living-room keyboard, great for navigating streaming sites and videos, though its ambitions as a keyboard-shaped 'universal remote' and gamepad replacement are a reach.
Read ReviewRazer BlackWidow (2019) Review
MSRP: $119.99Pros: Compact for a full keyboard. Very nice build. Chroma Studio lighting.
Cons: No macro keys, USB pass-through, or media controls. Price seems a little high for what it brings to the table.
Bottom Line: The 2019 edition of Razer's BlackWidow gaming keyboard is a smart compromise for budget-conscious players, offering top-of-the-line fundamentals at the expense of some quality-of-life features we've come to expect in high-end devices.
Read ReviewRazer Huntsman Elite Review
MSRP: $199.99Pros: Fast, tactile switches with light touch. Per-key RGB backlighting and underglow. Dedicated media keys and volume dial. Onboard memory for profiles and settings. Magnetic leatherette wrist rest.
Cons: Expensive. Only one switch type. No dedicated macro keys.
Bottom Line: With a new kind of key switch, plus wild RGB backlighting, dedicated media keys, and a volume dial, Razer's Huntsman Elite gaming keyboard offers plenty, but for the price, it's missing a few bits some gamers will deem crucial.
Read Review
There’s nothing quite like using the best mouse to get around your desktop, even if laptop and tablet manufacturers might try and convince you otherwise. No matter whether you’re on Windows 10 or macOS Mojave, a trackpad or touchscreen just doesn't offer the same level of control and functionality as the best mouse – or any mouse, for that matter. For one, the best mouse won’t be limited to a tiny space on your laptop chassis, and is thus much more accurate.
Picking up the best mouse on the market will make an older mouse seem like a relic of some bygone age. But, before you go online to purchase the best mouse, there are a couple things you need to consider. Are you thinking about going for a wireless mouse or would a wired one be more appropriate? Are you just looking for one of the best gaming mice or do you want one that's best for productivity?
Whatever you’re looking for, the best mouse can make your entire computing experience better. Every best mouse on this list is packed with important features that can only be found in high-end peripherals. Let’s dive into our best mouse list, so you'll find one that's most ideal for you.
1. Logitech MX Master 2S
DPI: 4,000 | Interface: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless | Buttons: 7 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Scrolling wheel, Customizable buttons, Thumb wheel, ergonomic build
The Logitech MX Master 2S is expensive, but don’t let that price tag scare you away. This is the best mouse 2019 has to offer, particularly for productivity and creative tasks. While most mice in this price tag appeal to gamers with ridiculous button setups and edgy designs, this mouse is created for productivity alone. Trust us, you may not think you need a high-end wireless mouse for your day to day office work, but once you get your hands on the Logitech MX Master 2S, you’ll never want to go back.
Read the full review: Logitech MX Master 2S
2. Logitech MX Anywhere 2S
DPI: 200 to 4000 | Interface: Bluetooth and Unifying Receiver | Buttons: 7 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Logitech Flow, 4000-dpi Darkfield sensor, Logitech Unifying Receiver, Logitech Easy-Switch
A much improved version of the Logitech MX Anywhere 2, the compact MX Anywhere 2S is easy to underestimate due to its small size. Yet, give it a chance, and it’ll show you just exactly how powerful, versatile and efficient it is. The best mouse for productivity – as well as productivity on the go – this is one’s feature-rich, offering seamless workflow as it allows you to easily switch between computers, track flawlessly and get a full day’s charge in just 3 minutes of charging. And that’s just to start.
- After finding a great mouse, get the best keyboard
3. Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse
DPI: 3200 | Interface: Wired | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Classic design, Programmable buttons, Subdued white lighting
While it seems like all of our peripherals are either being fitted with unnecessary lighting or morphed into odd shapes, there are still some mice out there that you can take seriously from looks alone. The Microsoft Classic Intellimouse, for example, touts a classic design and appealing white lighting, and it is a breath of fresh air. It also beefs up the sensor, allowing users to ramp up the DPI to 3,200. It’s not wireless, and it’s hardly made for gaming, but if you’re in the market for a mouse that’ll help you get all your work done, the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse may be the best mouse for you.
Read the full review: Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse
4. Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse
DPI: 1000 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: Vertical | Features: No
Don’t let its odd design and annoying tongue twister moniker fool you. The Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical mouse is only off putting until you get your hands on it. From the moment you start using this mouse, you’ll know it’s the best mouse for you. Sure, it’s built a little more cheaply than other ergonomic mice. But look at it this way: it’s an affordable way to prevent RSI.
5. Apple Magic Mouse 2
As ever, Apple thinks different
DPI: 1300 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 0 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous | Features: Multi-touch
When Apple isn’t busy making very expensive phones and even more expensive PC powerhouses like the new Mac Pro 2019, it’s hard at work crafting one of the strangest yet most effective mice we’ve ever laid our hands on. If you find yourself doing a double take when looking at the specs, as there are no buttons on the Magic Mouse 2. This mouse is completely controlled by gestures, giving it all the benefits of a trackpad, as well as a mouse.
6. Logitech MX Vertical
DPI: 4,000 | Interface: Bluetooth (pairs with up to three devices); USB-C | Buttons: 6 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Ergonomic build, Easy-Switch and Flow-Enabled, Fast recharging, Cursor speed switch
Best Rated Ergonomic Mouse
If you’re looking for an extremely comfortable mouse that will make your work day a little less rigorous, you’ll need the best mouse that’s ergonomically-focused like the Logitech MX Vertical. It’s a great example of what these mice are capable of. As the name suggests, it’s a vertical mouse, but it actually feels a lot more natural in your hand that you would think. Plus, it helps reduce the amount of stress you have to exert on your wrist and hand muscles. As an added bonus, there’s a handy little button at the top that lets you seamlessly swap between different computers for an even more seamless productivity process.
Read the full review: Logitech MX Vertical
7. Logitech MX Ergo Wireless
DPI: 512 – 2048 | Interface: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless | Buttons: 8 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Trackball, USB dongle, Logitech ‘Flow’ software compatibility for use with up to three PCs simultaneously, micro USB charging, precision mode
The third trackball mouse Logitech has put out since 2008, the MX Ergo Wireless is an anomaly in an industry that is otherwise crowded with optical laser mice. As such, it certainly charms those who haven’t quite moved on to the gesture-based desktop trackpads of the present. With the option to lay it flat or use it at a 20-degree angle, this mouse is uniquely satisfying, and the best mouse if you’re looking for versatility.
Read the full review: Logitech MX Ergo Wireless
8. Logitech M330 Silent Plus
It's as quiet as a....
DPI: 1,000 | Interface: 2.4GHz wireless | Buttons: 3 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: Quiet buttons, 10-meter wireless connectivity, 2 x AA batteries (claimed 24-month battery life)
If you’re looking for something that’s seen and not heard, then this is the best mouse for you. Because the Logitech M330 Silent Plus is so compact and silent, it’s the perfect mouse for using on an airplane tray next to a sleeping neighbor or at a cafe. Just slip it into your laptop bag when you’re ready to go, and weighing less than a quarter of a pound, you won’t even notice the added bulk.
9. Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600
It's cheap! It's cheerful! It lasts forever!
DPI: 1000 | Interface: Bluetooth | Buttons: 2 | Ergonomic: Ambidextrous | Features: No
Sure, the Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse that came out late last year is tempting, but sometimes you just need a cheap, reliable mouse that you can throw in your laptop bag without worry. That’s one of the things the Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 is great for. This may be the best mouse for anyone looking for an inexpensive pointing device that they can rely one – it’s one of the most dependable wireless mice you can buy today, and it’s from a brand you can trust.
10. Razer DeathAdder Chroma
When plain old death isn't enough
DPI: 10,000 | Interface: USB | Buttons: 5 | Ergonomic: Right-handed | Features: lighting effects
Razer products aren’t for everyone. Specifically, they appeal to an audience that enjoys the svelte industrial design of an Apple gadget, but with a gamer-centric slant. That’s especially the case with the DeathAdder Chroma, a mouse that comes with 16.8 million LED-backlit color options out of the box, along with a hyper-accurate 10,000 DPI sensor.
Read the full review: Razer DeathAdder Chroma
Michelle Rae Uy, Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article
Image Credits: TechRadar