Good ergonomic keyboards make happy wrists.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) can occur from PC use when the wrist is not adequately supported. It can affect some PC users who don't take advantage of wrist rests and solutions that create more comfortable typing experiences. Here are some keyboards that are specifically designed for wrist wellness.
Ergonomic keyboards usually come in strange and uncommon shapes and sizes. Some are split down the middle, while others detach for more spacious layouts.
Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard
The Surface Ergonomic Keyboard by Microsoft is an expensive option, but that's for good reason. Microsoft has been making these types of keyboards for years and is one of few companies that seems to attract those who only use ergonomic peripherals. For $129.99, you get a keyboard that's specifically designed and engineered for productivity and comfort.
Not only that but Microsoft has also thrown in Bluetooth 4.0 for good measure and ultimate portability. The highlights of the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard, however, are the square key shape (much like other Surface keyboards) and natural arc design. As an added bonus, there are even soft Alcantara palm rests.
Logitech K350
Logitech PC accessories are highly rated and they're usually worth the investment. The K350 is an ergonomic wireless keyboard that doesn't offer such prominent separation of the two sides as seen in Microsoft's Surface keyboard above, but it does have the layout slanted to help guide hands to a comfortable position. There's also a cushioned palm rest.
Logitech bundles the keyboard with the company's unifying receiver that can handle multiple periperhals with a single USB port. This makes it real easy to connect the keyboard with a Logitech mouse to a device that has a limited number of ports. The K350 is also fairly affordable at $40.
Kinesis Freestyle2
The Freestyle2 by Kinesis is available for both PC and Mac. What makes this particular keyboard unique is the fact that it has been sliced down the middle. This allows owners of the keyboard to adjust just how aggressive the angles are.
At $90, it's rather expensive but is well worth the investment should you desire to alter how the keyboard sits to suit your preferred setup.
Palm supports
Perhaps you already own a keyboard you love. If so, you can either purchase an official accessory for your model, should one be available, or pick up a generic rest for your wrists.
Here are some quality solutions you can find online:
Reader comments
Best Ergonomic Keyboards for Wrist Wellness
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is my choice.
Much less expensive than the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard (typically around $30-35) and I have 3 of them.
Very comfortable, very durable.
Drives me crazy that the Natural Ergo 4000 has not been updated. I would pay good money for a back-lit & wireless 4000 model.
I have the same keyboard and like it. I have had mine just under a year and thought that I would have seen the letters wear off by now but they are all still on. I won't ever go back to a 'normal' keyboard.
My Surface Ergo just got delivered today, and it's absolutely wonderful to type on. I actually prefer chiclet keys, so that may have something to do with it. I'm a touch-typist.... Less typos too.
Only thing to note, is that i had to restart my computer after i paired. It like stopped responding although it was connected. Everything was fine after the restart though.
https://www.ergodox.io/
Most people just need to lower their tables.
I was once a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 user but got fed up with the amount of desktop real estate it took up; a couple of years ago I switched to the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic and wouldn't go back.
Do not, ever, ever, ever use a wrist rest. Never rest your hands on them. That's one of the primary ways in which you can get carpal-tunnel syndrome, as the carpal-tunnel itself is in your lower wrist and if you place your wrist on those rests then you're compressing the carpal tunnel. It's even worse if you type while resting your wrist on those devices - you inflame the ligament that runs through the tunnel, and give yourself carpal tunnel syndrome.
You can see it laid out in the image below. Please, do yourself a favor. When you type, do so with your hands raised and make sure your wrists do not rest on anything.
I love the old Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. If that keyboard could be re-entered into production, preferably in black, I would get it in a heartbeat.