You’ve come to the right place if you need a keyboard that will keep you comfortable no matter how long you program and code daily. Today, we’ll look at the top five contenders for the best ergonomic keyboard for programmers. Let’s help you find a comfortable keyboard.
Comparison Chart
Best Ergonomic Keyboard for Programmers: Reviews
Nulea Ergonomic Keyboard
This is an affordable keyboard that is USB wired, ergonomically designed, and comes with a few other features.
Review
We like that this is a wired keyboard because you never have to worry about battery life. On that note, although it will use a USB port on your computer, the keyboard has two extra ports. This means that although it consumes a USB port, you get an extra one just by using this keyboard.
The keyboard features an ergonomic design, split in half down the middle, allowing for good spacing between your hands. The keyboard is also tilted so that your wrists are naturally positioned.
The padded wrist and palm support are made of PU leather and memory foam, which is pretty soft and durable. This model also has an adjustable palm lift feature, so you can adjust the angle for comfort.
Moreover, this keyboard has 107 keys and 17 multimedia shortcut keys, a numeric keypad, and more. It also features LED indicator lights. The fact that this is a full-sized keyboard does come in handy, especially for people who have large hands. We also appreciate that this is a fairly affordable keyboard.
Pros
- Many ergonomic features
- Wrist pad
- Adjustable tilt
- Full functionality
- Dual integrated USB ports
- Great price
Cons
A bit bulky
Perixx Periboard-612 Wireless Ergonomic Split Keyboard
This reasonably priced wireless keyboard has numerous ergonomic features designed for comfort.
Review
Some people will like that this is a wireless keyboard, and you never have to deal with cables being in your way. At the same time, it has dual connectivity options, including a wireless 2.4 gigahertz wireless system and Bluetooth connectivity. It is also compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
In addition, this keyboard features tactile, responsive keys that have a long travel distance, which allows for a satisfying feeling and decreases the chances of you making a mistake.
Moreover, an integrated palm rest supports your wrist and keeps your arms in a natural position.
You also get an adjustable tilt function, so you can easily adjust the keyboard’s angle. It features a split design to help keep your hands at a proper distance from each other.
You get all the keys you need, combined with a numeric keypad and a media control center. We think this keyboard is an excellent option for its price. Be aware that a wired option is available for about $30 less.
Pros
- Responsive tactile keys
- Ergonomically friendly
- Adjustable tilt
- Padded wrist pad
- Full functionality
- Wireless and Bluetooth
Cons
Battery life isn’t great
ProtoArc Backlit Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
This is another wireless keyboard, slightly more expensive than the previous model.
Review
This keyboard features dual connectivity options, allowing you to use either the USB dongle or Bluetooth to connect. The Lithium (1100 mAH) battery is rechargeable and holds power for 100 hours of use on a single charge; although it is wireless, you never have to worry about battery life, plus no cables will get in the way.
The keys are highly responsive. You don’t have to push down very far to get a response, which means you can type quickly. At the same time, the keys are also backlit, so they’re easy to see even in dark conditions.
This is another split keyboard design, thus keeping your hands out a proper distance from each other.
It also has large and well-padded wrist protectors to keep your hands and wrists off hard surfaces and in a natural position. This keyboard has an adjustable tilt function, so you can adjust it to the proper position to keep your wrists and hands comfortable.
The keyboard has multimedia controls, a numeric keypad, and the other essential keys you expect any good keyboard to have.
Pros
- Dual connectivity options
- Good battery life
- Backlit
- Ergonomic design
- Cons
- Keys may start to stick after a while
Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Wireless Desktop Keyboard and Mouse
This is a relatively expensive keyboard with excellent ergonomic features, plus it comes with a mouse included.
Review
As with other wireless keyboards on our list, here you get dual connectivity options, which include standard USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The battery life should last for quite some time without needing replacement or recharging. Moreover, you never have to worry about cables or wires getting in the way.
In addition, this keyboard has advanced encryption technology to protect your information by encrypting all your keystrokes. There’s an ergonomically friendly mouse to keep your hand and wrist in a natural and relaxed position, and a thumb scoop keeps your thumb in a natural position.
The keyboard features a large and well-padded wrist rest to keep your wrist in a natural position and off hard surfaces. Moreover, the keyboard is split and features a domed design to keep your hands, wrists, and elbows in a natural position. There’s a separate numeric keypad that is not connected to the rest of the keyboard.
All in all, this is one of the most ergonomically friendly units on our list. However, you need 150 megabytes of hard drive space to use this model with your computer. It’s not the cheapest keyboard on our list, but we think it is one of the best and most ergonomically friendly.
Pros
- Many ergonomic features
- Padded wrist rest
- Adjustable tilt function
- Domed design
- Split design
- Ergonomic mouse included
- Keystroke encryption
Cons
Requires hard drive space
Cloud Nine ErgoTKL Ergonomic Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard
If you are looking for a high-quality, ergonomically friendly keyboard and are willing to spend more, this is a fantastic option.
Review
First, this is a wired keyboard, so you never have to worry about battery life. A wired connection is also reliable and fast. The keyboard is relatively compact, so it won’t take up too much space. Moreover, this keyboard is also backlit, and it features rainbow-colored backlighting.
In addition, this keyboard is split, with two sections connected with a wire; you can adjust the distance between the two halves to provide a natural and relaxed wrist position.
However, a magnetic strap is included to connect the two halves. There is an aluminum smart wheel in the middle, where the two halves connect, so you can easily control volume, scroll through web pages, switch applications, etc.
This keyboard has tented palm support with a side slope of 7° to help keep your hands at a natural inward angle. Moreover, you also get a padded wrist rest with a good angle to keep your hands, wrists, and elbows in a natural position and help keep them off hard surfaces.
There is an adjustable tilt function. The wrist rest is made of premium vegan leather, so it’s comfortable, easy to remove for cleaning, and durable. This is a mechanical keyboard, so it is pretty responsive. This is the most expensive keyboard on our list and the most ergonomic.
Pros
- Wired reliability
- Backlighting
- Split design – option to connect the two halves
- Padded wrist rest
- Tented design
- Adjustable tilt
- Responsible keys
Cons
Very expensive
Buyer’s Guide
Before you shop for an ergonomic keyboard for programming, there are a few essential features and factors to consider.
Wired vs. Wireless
First, consider whether you want a wired keyboard or a wireless keyboard. Wired keyboards don’t have to worry about battery life and feature a reliable connection, but those cables can get in the way. Wireless keyboards are convenient because no wires get in the way, although the connection might not be as reliable, and you have to worry about battery life.
Backlighting
Some people prefer keyboards that come with backlighting because it makes the keys easier to see in the dark.
Responsiveness – Type of Keyboard
You should also pay attention to the type of keyboard in terms of mechanical properties. When it comes down to it, although we aren’t going to go into all the different types of keyboards, we recommend you stick with a mechanical keyboard, as they are highly responsive and allow for easy typing.
Ergonomic Features
You also want to pay attention to the ergonomic features of a keyboard. The keyboard should be split to prevent your hands from being too close to each other. Then, having a keyboard with a tented design that slopes down from the middle to the left and right is ideal for keeping your hands in a natural tilt.
You also want to look for a keyboard with an adjustable tilt function at a vertical angle, which helps keep your wrists in a natural position. The other thing to look for is a keyboard that features a padded wrist rest, something else that helps keep your hands in a natural position and your wrists off the desk.
Conclusion
We think the best keyboard for programming is the Cloud Nine ErgoTKL Ergonomic Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard. It might be expensive, but its features are unrivaled by anything else.
