The perfect keyboards for 2025

keyboard could make all of the distinction in your work setup. In the event you primarily work on a laptop computer, switching from the built-in keyboard to a wired or wi-fi keyboard might be extra snug and ergonomic whereas including performance like further keys and shortcuts into the combination. In case your every day driver is a desktop, a keyboard will probably be an important 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. In the event you’re simply beginning to consider one of the best keyboard for you, otherwise you’re able to improve from an growing older peripheral, we gathered all of our prime picks for one of the best keyboards you will get proper right here.

Finest keyboards for 2025

Logitech

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

Logitech is aware of make a strong keyboard, and the Grasp collection 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 snug keys and useful customization instruments. It seems to be fairly modern 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 up to now to say they completely prevented me from placing any typos on this information, the form undoubtedly helps greater than different, flatter keycaps I’ve used.

This can be a backlit keyboard with “sensible illumination,” which simply means the backlight will kick on when your arms strategy the board and modify relying on the lighting in your surroundings. I’ve an honest quantity of pure gentle in my residence workplace throughout common working hours, so I opted to show the backlight off — in case you do the identical, you may stand up to 5 months of battery life out of the MX Keys S (Logitech estimates 10 days with sensible illumination on). The keyboard has a built-in USB-C port for charging as properly.

Along with the low-profile design that also features a quantity pad, the largest kickers for the MX Keys S are its vast compatibility and customizable options with Logi Choices+. This peripheral works with Home windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux and iPadOS, and it has three system pairing buttons so you may join it to as much as three gadgets directly and change between them as needed. Logi Choices+ is free software program that many Logitech equipment use, and for the MX Keys S, it means that you can customise brightness ranges and length, set sensible actions (one-key shortcuts you program to your liking) and extra.

The Grasp Sequence additionally features a “mini” version of this keyboard that nixes the quantity pad and $10 from the worth tag. I’ve used that and luxuriate in it as properly, however whenever you’re solely saving $10, the full-sized model appears like a greater worth. Can you discover cheaper wi-fi keyboards than both of those? After all. However Logitech’s experience on this house actually shines within the Grasp collection, and with the MX Keys S specifically because it stands out as a high-quality wi-fi keyboard with a bunch of additional options at an honest value. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor

Professionals

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

Cons

Not the most cost effective keyboard on the market
Not a giant 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 collection and interprets them right into a extra enjoyable (and cheaper) bundle. The $50 keyboard doesn’t embody a quantity pad, however as an alternative has a row on the fitting aspect that features 4 buttons which you can 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 may customise — 11 of the highest perform keys can be programmed to your liking as properly.

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

You may join the Pop Icon keys to as much as three gadgets directly and change between them simply, and the keyboard helps macOS, Home windows, Linux, Chrome, iPadOS, iOS and Android gadgets. Moreover there being no possibility 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’s going to last as long as three years earlier than it’s essential to substitute them, so perhaps that’s a professional for some relatively than a con. I additionally admire that, when related to a Mac pc over Bluetooth, you may 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 an excellent stability between design and capabilities at this value level. The most important query, in case you select this keyboard, is which colorway you fancy essentially the most out of the 5 choices. — V.P.

Professionals

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

Cons

Key journey could possibly 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 customary board. The Alice cut up shifts your elbows aside whereas maintaining 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 detrimental tilt slopes the underside edge above the highest edge to maintain the backs of your arms straighter. And there’s a palm relaxation in-built, which some discover extra snug throughout lengthy typing classes.

Not like different extra aggressively ergonomic boards, there’s no studying curve right here. Typing on the Ergo K860 feels so much like typing on a typical set of keys. The low profile, scissor-switch keys are springy and simple 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 may program the keys with Logitech’s software program, however this can doubtless enchantment most to those that simply desire a plug-and-play board for a Mac or PC setup. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Professionals

Rotated, tented keys make typing snug
An ergonomic board with no studying curve
Wirelessly connects rapidly to 3 gadgets
Hotkeys work with MacOS and Home windows

Cons

Wrist relaxation shouldn’t be detachable
Takes up lots of house

$150 at Amazon

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Learn our full information to the best ergonomic keyboards

In the event you’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, regardless that it’s not tremendous moveable, I introduced it with me once I labored away from my residence workplace for every week. However at first, it took me no less than three weeks earlier than I used to be snug typing on it. Not solely will it’s essential to reprogram the keys (and keep in mind what they do), you’ll want to make use of your fingers another way 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 vital. The absolutely cut up board lets me open up my arms and chest. On days once I’m feeling significantly 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 arms across the board and the layers perform permits for much extra performance than a typical keyboard.

That stated, it additionally provides to the safety of my pc, making all of it however not possible for different folks to sort with the Voyager. It comes with magnetic knobs for the middle tenting function, however I want it got here with the choice to elevate the center a bit increased. I created further elevate by including rubber bumpers to the board, however for the worth, it’d be good to not should MacGuyver it. Nonetheless, each time 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.

Professionals

Ergonomic, absolutely cut up board
Programmable thumb cluster minimizes hand journey
Low profile, mechanical keys make typing straightforward
Compact measurement and intelligent key mapping maintain your arms within the residence place

Cons

Takes a pair weeks to relearn sort
Middle tenting could possibly 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, but it surely has nearly the whole lot we wish 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 aspect, they’ve a stunning texture and are sculpted in a manner that lightly hugs your fingertips. There are a number of change choices out there, all of that are hot-swappable, whereas a double gasket-mount design contained in the keyboard offers 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 gives a number of different size and layout options as properly. Every can join over a wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth or USB-C and consists of further 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 may’t modify the keyboard’s top; and Keychron’s one-year warranty is fairly quick — however in case you simply wish to purchase a mechanical keyboard that delivers a premium expertise from the soar, this can get you there. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter

Professionals

Very good typing really feel and sound
Premium aluminum case
Crisp PBT keycaps
Sizzling-swappable
Dependable wi-fi efficiency
Tons of format 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 suggest the Keychron C3 Pro if you wish to spend as little as potential 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 inner 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 circumstances. All of this helps really feel snug for typing, whereas the tactile Brown switches in our check unit sound pleasantly clacky.

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

Professionals

Cheap
Large 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 change value a bit bit further

$45 at Amazon

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

Learn our full information to the best gaming keyboards

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

Does everybody want all of this? After all not. Any keyboard could be a “gaming keyboard,” and nothing right here will magically make you good at video games. However for extra hardcore varieties on the lookout for any further little bit of granular management, they will make a tangible distinction.

The 80HE isn’t the one keyboard to supply this set of methods, but it surely stands out for getting the remainder of the bundle proper as properly. Wooting’s Wootility software program is best-in-class, making it significantly straightforward to tweak settings and customise the RGB lighting. It can save you a number of management profiles on to the system. 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.

Professionals

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

Cons

Wired-only
A bit costly
80 % design is considerably awkward
Solely that can be purchased in batches

$200 at Wooting

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

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

Learn our full information to the best gaming keyboards

If you’d 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 gives many of the identical adjustable actuation and fast set off instruments because the 80HE, plus a “protection mode” that makes it tougher to hit close by keys by chance and preset profiles for some widespread video games. The typing expertise is a plus as properly, with crisp and easy-to-reach PBT keycaps, a sturdy aluminum prime plate and smooth-feeling switches which might 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 most important 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 worth spectrum, too. Nonetheless, the app is simple 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 mistaken. – J.D.

Professionals

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

Cons

Expensive
Software program is not at all times intuitive
Battery life could possibly be higher

$231 at Amazon

What to search for in a keyboard

Design

Dimension

The very first thing you’ll wish to think about with regards to your subsequent keyboard’s design is measurement. There are a variety of various keyboard layouts to select from, however the most typical are full-sized, tenkeyless and people smaller than tenkeyless.

Full-sized keyboards, or one hundred pc, embody a perform row on the prime and a whole quantity pad with arrow keys on the fitting aspect, together with all the remainder of the alphanumeric keys you’d count on. Tenkeyless, or 80 %, removes the quantity pad however retains the arrow keys and the perform row, lowering the general width measurement of the board by an honest quantity. Compact keyboards maintain issues extremely easy by together with solely the alphanumeric keys and modifiers like Alt, Shift, Ctrl and others they usually come in numerous sizes like 60 %, 65 % and extra. These are the most well-liked sizes on the market, however you’ll find loads of different designs that embody totally different mixes of keys together with the usual letters and numbers all ought to have.

Except for measurement, there are two different large classes that you can use to outline a keyboard: ergonomic and mechanical. Ergonomic keyboards are designed with, you guessed it, higher ergonomics in thoughts, taking into consideration the place you need to place your fingers, arms and forearms to take care of correct posture. Individually, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches (of which there are lots of varieties) that differ significantly from the membrane or scissor-switch keyboards you’ll discover dominating most wired and wi-fi choices extensively out there in the present day. We have now guides to one of the best ergonomic keyboards and finest mechanical keyboards, however we’ll summarize what it’s essential to learn about each right here.

Ergonomic keyboards

In the event you cope with discomfort from working at a pc all day, ergonomic keyboards will help. These specifically designed boards re-orient the keys, permitting you to carry your elbows farther aside and preserve a straighter line out of your forearms to arms. Some folks discover this refined change extra snug.

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

The way in which the keys are organized on the keyboard might make typing simpler as properly. 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 a bit getting used to, however some folks discover it permits them to sort sooner. You can too make the keys of some keyboards do extra than simply produce letters. Programmable boards allow you to map shortcuts and different capabilities, which can maintain you from reaching for the mouse fairly so usually, saving you time and probably pressure as properly.

Mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards have blown up in recognition as extra folks have been thrust into creating their very own workspaces at residence. It’s straightforward to see why: In comparison with a conventional membrane keyboard, an excellent mechanical board is extra sturdy, extra satisfying to press and, most significantly, infinitely extra customizable. The perfect 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 lightweight? Do you want them to sound loud and clacky or virtually totally muffled? Do you favor 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 cause? With the fitting 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 facets to contemplate when shopping for a mechanical keyboard, so we encourage you to have a look at that for a full rundown. To maintain issues high-level, essentially the most influential a part of your buy is your keyboard’s change sort. These little mechanisms slot beneath the keycaps and customarily have the largest impact on how your keyboard feels and sounds as you sort away.

You may broadly separate mechanical switches into three buckets: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches really feel {smooth} all the way in which down; they’re usually widespread with players since they are typically gentle and quick to actuate. Tactile switches create a tangible “bump” sensation partway by a press; many individuals who spend all day typing choose 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 throughout the identical bucket doesn’t imply they really feel or sound precisely the identical. The one manner to determine which change 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 totally. 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, provide related performance by changing the bodily contact level of a typical mechanical change with a beam of infrared gentle. Extra not too long ago, we’ve seen a couple keyboards launch with inductive switches, which may 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 change. We contact on a few magnetic-switch keyboards in our picks beneath, however for a fuller breakdown of this form of tech, we suggest you try 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 possibility of some latency with wi-fi keyboards, so maintain that in thoughts in case you’re selecting one up to make use of primarily with a gaming PC. After all, you’ll solely have to fret about battery life with Bluetooth keyboards.

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