Having the right keyboard can make a huge difference, not just to your productivity, but also comfort and even your health and longevity. And there’s one bit of equipment that can make a massive difference, and that’s the keyboard. Here are a few top-notch productivity-boosting keyboards (not gaming – that brings a whole raft of additional considerations into play) for those of you considering an upgrade. I’ve also picked a great all-rounder keyboard for all you left-handed people out there. Also: Best gaming keyboard: All the hits and clicks
The Das Keyboard Prime 13 also features beautiful LED back-lighting which makes typing in low-light a pleasure. This feels less like a keyboard and more like a precision work of art. This beautiful keyboard is one of the very best money can buy, and a keyboard that, if you look after is properly, will last a lifetime. Pros:
High qualityAmazingly engineered
Cons:
Expensive
Das Keyboard Prime 13 tech specs:
Cherry MX switchesAluminum top panelWhite LED backlightingBraided cableUSB pass-through
In a sea of cheap and nasty keyboards, this one stands out as being well made, reliable, and hard-wearing. On top of a 2-year battery life, this keyboard features built-in shortcuts, including dedicated Office 365 functions, search, and Emoji keys, easy access to media controls, apps, screen snipping, calculator, volume, and more. A cheap and cheerful Bluetooth keyboard that’s packed with features and perfect for heavy-duty home and office use. Pros:
Cheap and cheerfulWell builtGreat selection of shortcutsGood battery life
Cons:
Very much a keyboard for people using Microsoft products
Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard tech specs:
BluetoothBattery powered (2AA batteries)
It’s also great for people who want to have one keyboard for multiple devices. The Logitech MX Keys Advanced is multi-device and multi OS, compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android systems. Best of all, you can pair a single keyboard with three devices. This wireless keyboard has a battery life of 10 days (or up-to 5 months with backlighting off) and is recharged using USB-C. Pros:
Works across multiple devices and operating systemsBacklightingDecent battery life with backlight off
Cons:
Battery life is poor with backlight on
Logitech MX Keys Advanced tech specs:
BluetoothUSB-C rechargeableBacklightingSupports multiple devices and multi operating systems
The DSI left-handed keyboard is built around the Cherry mechanical Red switch, each good for 20 million hits. This is a wonderfully solid keyboard that’s an absolute pleasure to use. Pros:
Left-handedCordedCherry Red switchesGood price
Cons:
No backlightNo built-in USB ports
DSI Left-Handed Keyboard with Cherry Mechanical Red Switch tech specs:
Left Handed KeyboardCherry Red mechanical switchCorded
It doesn’t have to be! This Logitech keyboard offers you the ability to work with a physical keyboard when the need arises. Can’t choose what device to use? This keyboard offers the ability to switch quickly between multiple devices. A great space saver! Pros:
Multi-device supportFull-sized keyboardBluetooth
Cons:
No backlighting
Logitech K780 tech specs: Multi-device wireless keyboard: beautiful type-on-everything keyboard for any computer, tablet and smartphone via USB or Bluetooth smart wireless connection
Type and switch between devices: Type on up to three devices and switch between them at the touch of an easy-switch buttonComfortable typing: full size, fully equipped keyboard with large, quiet keys and convenient Number padIntegrated phone and tablet stand: Holds your devices at the perfect angle to Type and readWide compatibility: works with Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, iOS and Android devices
The keyboard uses Apple’s scissor mechanism, giving each key a great feeling of solidity and great tactile feedback. Pros:
Great build qualitySolid feel
Cons:
ExpensiveNo backlighting
Apple Magic Keyboard tech specs:
Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys for gamingA scissor mechanism beneath each key allows for increased stability, while optimized key travel and a low profile provide a comfortable and precise typing experience.The numeric keypad is also great for spreadsheets and finance applications.
Beautiful to use, long-lasting battery, easy pairing with your Mac, and a convenient Touch ID pad for your fingerprint. It’s not cheap, but nothing Apple makes is cheap! Pros:
Solid build qualityBuilt-in Touch ID
Cons:
Expensive
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID tech specs:
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.It’s also wireless and rechargeable, with an incredibly long-lasting internal battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.It pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work right away.And it includes a woven USB-C to Lightning Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB-C port on your Mac.System Requirements: Mac with Apple silicon using macOS 11.4 or later
Wired or wireless: Wireless offers greater flexibility, but means batteries or recharging. Wired is fixed but there’s less care and feeding to do.Backlit or not: Some find backlit keyboards a must, others hate them. The good thing is that most keyboards that have backlighting can be put into dark mode.Size: Small keyboards are nice, but they can be cramped for extended sessions. Bluetooth dongle included or not: If you want a wireless keyboard for a desktop, remember that a lot of systems don’t have Bluetooth, so check if the keyboard comes with a dongle (most do).Ergonomic or not: Again, a personal taste thing. Some find ergonomic keyboards comfortable (especially if they suffer from ailments such as RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome), while others loathe anything that isn’t a regular layout.
