The most effective keyboards for 2025

An excellent keyboard could make all of the distinction in your work setup. If you happen to primarily work on a laptop computer, switching from the built-in keyboard to a wired or wi-fi keyboard could be extra comfy and ergonomic whereas including performance like additional keys and shortcuts into the combo. In case your every day driver is a desktop, a keyboard will likely be a vital accent that may elevate your rig whether or not you are utilizing it to work a 9-to-5 with it or play AAA video games in your free time.

However the world of keyboards is huge, and we at Engadget have tried out dozens through the years together with gaming keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, mechanical keyboards and extra. If you happen to’re simply beginning to consider the most effective keyboard for you, otherwise you’re able to improve from an getting old peripheral, we gathered all of our high picks for the most effective keyboards you will get proper right here.

Finest keyboards for 2025

Logitech

Connectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Measurement: Full-size structure | Materials: Plastic chassis with low-profile scissor switches | Switches: Scissor switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Sure, good illumination with ambient gentle sensors | Software program: Logi Choices+

Logitech is aware of how one can make a strong keyboard, and the Grasp sequence has been a wonderful one over the previous few years. The MX Keys S is the most recent full-sized version and it combines a low-profile design with comfy keys and useful customization instruments. It seems fairly glossy in black, white or graphite, measuring slightly below 17 inches in width and solely 0.8 inches excessive off your desk. Its spherically-dished keys cradle your fingertips each time you press, and whereas I wouldn’t go thus far to say they completely prevented me from placing any typos on this information, the form positively helps greater than different, flatter keycaps I’ve used.

It is a backlit keyboard with “good illumination,” which simply means the backlight will kick on when your fingers method the board and regulate relying on the lighting in your surroundings. I’ve a good quantity of pure gentle in my house workplace throughout common working hours, so I opted to show the backlight off — when you do the identical, you possibly can rise up to 5 months of battery life out of the MX Keys S (Logitech estimates 10 days with good illumination on). The keyboard has a built-in USB-C port for charging as effectively.

Along with the low-profile design that also features a quantity pad, the largest kickers for the MX Keys S are its broad compatibility and customizable options with Logi Choices+. This peripheral works with Home windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux and iPadOS, and it has three gadget pairing buttons so you possibly can join it to as much as three units without delay and swap between them as obligatory. Logi Choices+ is free software program that many Logitech equipment use, and for the MX Keys S, it permits you to customise brightness ranges and period, set good actions (one-key shortcuts you program to your liking) and extra.

The Grasp Collection additionally features a “mini” version of this keyboard that nixes the quantity pad and $10 from the value tag. I’ve used that and revel in it as effectively, however while you’re solely saving $10, the full-sized model seems like a greater worth. Can you discover cheaper wi-fi keyboards than both of those? In fact. However Logitech’s experience on this area actually shines within the Grasp sequence, and with the MX Keys S particularly because it stands out as a high-quality wi-fi keyboard with a bunch of additional options at a good value. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor

Execs

Good construct high quality
Comfy typing expertise
Logi Choices+ supplies a ton of customization choices
Works throughout all main OSes

Cons

Not the most affordable keyboard on the market
Not an enormous value distinction between the full-sized model and the mini mannequin with out the quantity pad

$130 at Amazon

Logitech

Logitech’s Pop Icon Keys takes lots of notes from the Grasp sequence and interprets them right into a extra enjoyable (and cheaper) bundle. The $50 keyboard doesn’t embrace a quantity pad, however as an alternative has a row on the suitable facet that features 4 buttons that you would be able to customise utilizing Logi Choices+. I’ve mine programmed to activate macOS’ mission management, open the emoji keyboard and to maneuver web page up and down, respectively. However these aren’t the one buttons you possibly can customise — 11 of the highest perform keys can be programmed to your liking as effectively.

The Pop Icon keycaps have a slight indentation to them, although not as dramatic as these on the Grasp sequence keys, and the typing expertise is a cushty and quiet one total. Whereas this isn’t billed as a journey keyboard, it’s sufficiently small to suit into a typical work bag or backpack, so you could possibly take it with you with out a lot trouble.

You’ll be able to join the Pop Icon keys to as much as three units without delay and swap between them simply, and the keyboard helps macOS, Home windows, Linux, Chrome, iPadOS, iOS and Android units. Apart from there being no choice for a quantity pad configuration, arguably the largest draw back to this keyboard is the truth that it runs on two AAA batteries. Logitech estimates it should last as long as three years earlier than you’ll want to substitute them, so possibly that’s a professional for some moderately than a con. I additionally respect that, when related to a Mac pc over Bluetooth, you possibly can nonetheless monitor the Pop Icon Keys’ battery life from the Bluetooth menu.

That is additionally an excellent value for a strong wi-fi keyboard. Logitech itself makes even cheaper ones, however the Pop Icon Keys strikes a superb steadiness between design and capabilities at this value level. The most important query, when you select this keyboard, is which colorway you fancy probably the most out of the 5 choices. — V.P.

Execs

Low cost!
Compact design with a low profile
Comfy typing expertise
Programmable keys with Logi Choices+
Works throughout all main OSes

Cons

Key journey might be higher
No quantity pad

$50 at Amazon

Logitech

Learn our full information to the best ergonomic keyboards

The Ergo K860 from Logitech combines 4 useful ergonomic options in a keyboard that operates very similar to any commonplace board. The Alice break up shifts your elbows aside whereas protecting your forearms and wrists lined up. The tenting raises the keys upward within the center, rotating your palms subtly towards each other. The optionally available unfavourable tilt slopes the underside edge above the highest edge to maintain the backs of your fingers straighter. And there’s a palm relaxation inbuilt, which some discover extra comfy throughout lengthy typing classes.

In contrast to different extra aggressively ergonomic boards, there’s no studying curve right here. Typing on the Ergo K860 feels rather a lot like typing on a typical set of keys. The low profile, scissor-switch keys are springy and straightforward to hit. You even get a ten-key quantity pad, navigation keys and arrow buttons, all of which make it a full-featured and acquainted accent. You’ll be able to program the keys with Logitech’s software program, however this can probably attraction most to those that simply desire a plug-and-play board for a Mac or PC setup. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Execs

Rotated, tented keys make typing comfy
An ergonomic board with no studying curve
Wirelessly connects shortly to 3 units
Hotkeys work with MacOS and Home windows

Cons

Wrist relaxation will not be detachable
Takes up lots of area

$150 at Amazon

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Learn our full information to the best ergonomic keyboards

If you happen to’re able to make a severe dedication to growing your ergonomics, I like to recommend the ZSA Voyager. I take advantage of it on daily basis and, although it’s not tremendous transportable, I introduced it with me once I labored away from my house workplace for every week. However at first, it took me a minimum of three weeks earlier than I used to be comfy typing on it. Not solely will you’ll want to reprogram the keys (and bear in mind what they do), you’ll want to make use of your fingers differently than you’re used to. For one, your thumbs will do excess of simply hit the spacebar. They’ll function the return, shift, management and even layer buttons, relying on the way you program the board.

However the ergonomic advantages are equally important. The totally break up board lets me open up my arms and chest. On days once I’m feeling notably tight, I’ll put the 2 halves a full foot aside. Relocating the return, command and forward-delete key to the thumbclusters saves me from shifting my fingers across the board and the layers perform permits for a lot extra performance than a typical keyboard.

That mentioned, it additionally provides to the safety of my pc, making all of it however unimaginable for different folks to kind with the Voyager. It comes with magnetic knobs for the middle tenting characteristic, however I want it got here with the choice to elevate the center just a little increased. I created additional elevate by including rubber bumpers to the board, however for the value, it’d be good to not must MacGuyver it. Nonetheless, at any time when I’m compelled to make use of a daily keyboard, I really feel like I am toiling within the typing pool at Sterling Cooper. — A.S.

Execs

Ergonomic, totally break up board
Programmable thumb cluster minimizes hand journey
Low profile, mechanical keys make typing simple
Compact measurement and intelligent key mapping hold your fingers within the house place

Cons

Takes a pair weeks to relearn how one can kind
Heart tenting might be increased

$365 at ZSA

Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Learn our full information to the best mechanical keyboards

The Keychron Q Max series doesn’t come low-cost, nevertheless it has nearly the whole lot we would like out of a high-end mechanical keyboard. Its full aluminum case is exceedingly sturdy, hefty and funky to the contact. Whereas its PBT-coated keycaps are on the taller facet, they’ve a stunning texture and are sculpted in a means that lightly hugs your fingertips. There are a number of swap choices obtainable, all of that are hot-swappable, whereas a double gasket-mount design contained in the keyboard provides every press a cushioned but springy really feel by default. Mixed with a number of layers of froth, these presses have a delightfully poppy and even sound.

We examined the tenkeyless Q3 Max, however Keychron affords a number of different size and layout options as effectively. Every can join over a wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth or USB-C and contains additional Home windows- and Mac-specific keycaps within the field. There are nonetheless issues to nitpick — there’s a faint little bit of rattle to a few the bigger keys; you possibly can’t regulate the keyboard’s top; and Keychron’s one-year warranty is fairly quick — however when you simply need to purchase a mechanical keyboard that delivers a premium expertise from the bounce, this can get you there. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter

Execs

Very good typing really feel and sound
Premium aluminum case
Crisp PBT keycaps
Scorching-swappable
Dependable wi-fi efficiency
Tons of structure choices
Knob!

Cons

A bit dear
Keycaps aren’t shine-through and could also be too tall for some
Heavy
Slight rattling with some stabilizers

$189+ at Keychron

Picture by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Learn our full information to the best mechanical keyboards

We advocate the Keychron C3 Pro if you wish to spend as little as doable for a pleasant mechanical keyboard. It’s a stellar worth at slightly below $50, with factory-lubricated switches, a gasket mount, a number of layers of inside foam and different touches we don’t often see on this value vary. The stabilizers keep away from any aggressive rattling, and there’s not one of the pinging noise you get from many cheaper instances. All of this helps really feel comfy for typing, whereas the tactile Brown switches in our take a look at unit sound pleasantly clacky.

As with all finances keyboard, it’s important to make some sacrifices. It solely works wired, for one, and the ABS keycaps really feel slicker and cheaper than the most effective PBT caps. Whereas the case doesn’t exhibit any severe flexing, it’s nonetheless fabricated from plastic. You additionally must pay $10 additional to get a version with RGB backlighting and hot-swappable switches — the bottom mannequin remains to be an excellent purchase for these seeking to get into the pastime on a budget, nevertheless it saddles you with a red-only backlight and prevents you from simply popping in new switches down the street. – J.D.

Execs

Cheap
Great typing expertise for the cash
Programmable with software program
Shine-through keycaps

Cons

ABS keycaps are a bit slick
Wired solely
RGB lighting and hot-swappable swap value just a little bit additional

$45 at Amazon

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

Learn our full information to the best gaming keyboards

The Wooting 80HE is our favourite keyboard for avid gamers because of its magnetic Hall effect switches, which might reply to various ranges of stress. This allows you to customise the actuation level of every particular person key, so you could possibly make them extra delicate throughout quick-twitch capturing video games or extra deliberate while you simply need to kind. One other characteristic referred to as rapid trigger helps you to repeat inputs sooner, with out having to attend for a given key to return to a hard and fast reset level. That may be an actual boon for, say, strafing backwards and forwards extra exactly throughout a 1v1 shootout in Overwatch. You too can tie a number of instructions to at least one key: In Halo Infinite, for instance, you could possibly make it so frivolously urgent W makes you stroll extra stealthily, whereas urgent all of it the best way down makes you run at full pace.

Does everybody want all of this? In fact not. Any keyboard generally is a “gaming keyboard,” and nothing right here will magically make you good at video games. However for extra hardcore sorts in search of any additional little bit of granular management, they’ll make a tangible distinction.

The 80HE isn’t the one keyboard to supply this set of tips, nevertheless it stands out for getting the remainder of the bundle proper as effectively. Wooting’s Wootility software program is best-in-class, making it notably simple to tweak settings and customise the RGB lighting. It can save you a number of management profiles on to the gadget. And whereas the all-plastic case isn’t the highest-quality factor on the market for $200, the inventory {hardware} nonetheless feels and sounds nice, with crisp PBT keycaps, {smooth} pre-lubed switches and a pleasingly thocky tone. – J.D.

Execs

Magnetic switches are deeply versatile for gaming
Simple-to-use software program
Sturdily constructed
Comfy for typing and sounds nice

Cons

Wired-only
A bit costly
80 p.c design is considerably awkward
Solely available for purchase in batches

$200 at Wooting

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired | Measurement: Tenkeyless (TKL) structure | Materials: Aluminum high plate with plastic base | Switches: OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable mechanical switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Per-key RGB | Software program: SteelSeries GG

Learn our full information to the best gaming keyboards

If you would like the Wooting 80HE’s gaming-friendly options in a wi-fi keyboard, we just like the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (Gen 3). It affords many of the similar adjustable actuation and fast set off instruments because the 80HE, plus a “protection mode” that makes it tougher to hit close by keys accidentally and preset profiles for some widespread video games. The typing expertise is a plus as effectively, with crisp and easy-to-reach PBT keycaps, a sturdy aluminum high plate and smooth-feeling switches which can be sufficiently muffled. There’s a magnetic wrist relaxation within the field, and the entire thing can join over a wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth or USB-C.

Our principal points with the Apex Professional contain SteelSeries’ GG app. A lot of the expertise with these analog-style keyboards comes all the way down to software program, and GG is a bit much less refined than Wootility throughout the board. At $270, the Apex Professional is certainly on the upper finish of the value spectrum, too. Nonetheless, the app is straightforward sufficient to grok over time — particularly in comparison with different gaming fashions we’ve used — and the board as an entire will get rather more proper than incorrect. – J.D.

Execs

Quick and deeply versatile magnetic switches
Helpful OLED show
Nice typing expertise
A number of connection modes

Cons

Dear
Software program is not at all times intuitive
Battery life might be higher

$231 at Amazon

What to search for in a keyboard

Design

Measurement

The very first thing you’ll need to take into account on the subject of your subsequent keyboard’s design is measurement. There are a selection of various keyboard layouts to select from, however the commonest are full-sized, tenkeyless and people smaller than tenkeyless.

Full-sized keyboards, or 100%, embrace a perform row on the high and an entire quantity pad with arrow keys on the suitable facet, together with the entire remainder of the alphanumeric keys you’d anticipate. Tenkeyless, or 80 p.c, removes the quantity pad however retains the arrow keys and the perform row, decreasing the general width measurement of the board by a good quantity. Compact keyboards hold issues extremely easy by together with solely the alphanumeric keys and modifiers like Alt, Shift, Ctrl and others they usually come in several sizes like 60 p.c, 65 p.c and extra. These are the preferred sizes on the market, however you will discover loads of different designs that embrace totally different mixes of keys together with the usual letters and numbers all ought to have.

Other than measurement, there are two different massive classes that you could possibly use to outline a keyboard: ergonomic and mechanical. Ergonomic keyboards are designed with, you guessed it, higher ergonomics in thoughts, making an allowance for the place it is best to place your fingers, fingers and forearms to take care of correct posture. Individually, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches (of which there are various sorts) that differ tremendously from the membrane or scissor-switch keyboards you’ll discover dominating most wired and wi-fi choices broadly obtainable at this time. We have now guides to the most effective ergonomic keyboards and finest mechanical keyboards, however we’ll summarize what you’ll want to learn about each right here.

Ergonomic keyboards

If you happen to cope with discomfort from working at a pc all day, ergonomic keyboards may help. These specifically designed boards re-orient the keys, permitting you to carry your elbows farther aside and keep a straighter line out of your forearms to fingers. Some folks discover this refined change extra comfy.

Ergonomic keyboards sometimes fall into two classes: Alice and break up keyboards. The previous is a single unit with an A-shaped hole within the heart of the keys. Cut up fashions are available two separate items which you’ll organize as you want in your desk. Extra ergonomic options like tenting and unfavourable tilt could make typing really feel much more comfy, and are sometimes obtainable on each Alice and break up boards. Tenting raises the center of the keys up so your fingers tackle extra of a “handshake” place. Detrimental tilting lowers the highest of the keyboard to maintain your wrists angled downward as an alternative of again in direction of your forearms.

The way in which the keys are organized on the keyboard might make typing simpler as effectively. Historically, keyboards are staggered, with one row of letters barely offset from the row beneath it. Columnar keyboards organize the keys in a grid of rows and columns. This type takes just a little getting used to, however some folks discover it permits them to kind sooner. You too can make the keys of some keyboards do extra than simply produce letters. Programmable boards allow you to map shortcuts and different features, which can hold you from reaching for the mouse fairly so typically, saving you time and probably pressure as effectively.

Mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards have blown up in recognition as extra folks have been thrust into creating their very own workspaces at house. It’s simple to see why: In comparison with a conventional membrane keyboard, a superb mechanical board is extra sturdy, extra satisfying to press and, most significantly, infinitely extra customizable. The most effective of them often include a value premium, however even some cheaper fashions allow you to “hot-swap” between keycaps, switches and different supplies, letting you tinker with totally different typing sensations and sound profiles till you discover a mixture that finest expresses your preferences.

Would you like every press to really feel deep and full or quick and light-weight? Do you want them to sound loud and clacky or virtually totally muffled? Do you like your keycaps to look subdued {and professional}, filled with RGB lights or written in an Elvish language from The Lord of the Rings for some motive? With the suitable new keyboard, it’s all as much as you — the one issues actually holding you again are your creativeness and your pockets.

We have now a devoted shopping for information that digs deeper into the important thing points to think about when shopping for a mechanical keyboard, so we encourage you to take a look at that for a full rundown. To maintain issues high-level, probably the most influential a part of your buy is your keyboard’s swap kind. These little mechanisms slot beneath the keycaps and customarily have the largest impact on how your keyboard feels and sounds as you kind away.

You’ll be able to broadly separate mechanical switches into three buckets: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches really feel {smooth} all the best way down; they’re typically widespread with avid gamers since they are usually gentle and quick to actuate. Tactile switches create a tangible “bump” sensation partway via a press; many individuals who spend all day typing want them as a result of they clearly verify every press with out (at all times) being all that loud. Clicky switches are functionally much like tactiles however make an audible “click on” sound to match the bump; your coworkers might hate them, however others love the full-throated sense of suggestions they supply. To be clear, simply because two switches fall inside the similar bucket doesn’t imply they really feel or sound precisely the identical. The one means to determine which swap works finest for you is to do your analysis and, ideally, attempt some out for your self.

Different keyboards have a mechanical-style really feel however are constructed on totally different mechanisms fully. The recent new development in gaming-focused keyboards, for instance, is Hall effect switches, which use tiny magnets to register keystrokes and allow you to customise the sensitivity of every press. Optical switches, in the meantime, supply comparable performance by changing the bodily contact level of a typical mechanical swap with a beam of infrared gentle. Extra lately, we’ve seen a couple keyboards launch with inductive switches, which might work like magnetic switches but use inductive coils within the keyboard’s printed circuit board (PCB) to cater to all switches collectively and don’t require a sensor for every particular person swap. We contact on a few magnetic-switch keyboards in our picks beneath, however for a fuller breakdown of this type of tech, we advocate you take a look at our devoted shopping for information to the best gaming keyboards.

Connectivity

You’ve obtained two choices right here: wired or wi-fi. Wired keyboards sometimes have an connected cable that plugs right into a USB-A or USB-C port in your pc (or docking station), though some include cables that may be eliminated. Wi-fi mechanical keyboards hook up with your machine both through Bluetooth or a wi-fi receiver dongle. There’s at all times the prospect of some latency with wi-fi keyboards, so hold that in thoughts when you’re selecting one up to make use of primarily with a gaming PC. In fact, you’ll solely have to fret about battery life with Bluetooth keyboards.

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