Ergoguys High Visibility Large Print Soft Touch Wired Keyboard Review
Never underestimate the importance of a decent keyboard. If y'all exercise annihilation on your PC that involves typing, you'll spend more time physically interacting with the keyboard than anything else bar your mouse or monitor. Spending but £10 or £20 more than tin can take you to a different level of usability and comfort. If you do a lot of writing – whether for business organization, clubs or report – ane of the best keyboards volition aid you get your work done faster with fewer typos, and with less strain on your poor pinkies. This is something you might only capeesh when yous switch from your one-time, bad keyboard, but it makes a tangible deviation withal.
On this folio, you'll find our pick of the all-time keyboards to purchase in 2022. If you don't know where to begin, or you lot'd only like to know more virtually keyboards, you lot can find our detailed buying guide direct below.
READ NEXT: Best wireless mouse
All-time keyboards: At a glance
- Razer Pro Blazon Ultra: The all-time keyboard | Buy now
- Logitech MX Keys: The best keyboard under £100 | Buy original | Buy Mac model
- Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600: The best budget keyboard | Purchase at present
- Logitech Craft: The best high-end keyboard | Buy at present
- Fnatic miniStreak: A gaming keyboard that's great for typing | Purchase now
- Microsoft Sculpt: The all-time meaty ergonomic keyboard | Buy at present
How to choose the all-time keyboard for you
What should you expect for in a keyboard?
Starting time of all, at that place's no perfect, best keyboard that will piece of work for every user. Some people dearest ergonomic keyboards with split up layouts, some hate them. It's the same with modern, laptop-style chiclet keyboards, mechanical keyboards and merely about every other type. The best thing you tin can do is try a range of types and piece of work out which feels best for you, though that'south easier said than done – unless you have a large PC store nearby.
Keyboards break downwards into four different styles:
Traditional: These have one-time-fashioned, typewriter-mode keys above a membrane or mechanical switch. The keys tend to have more travel (the altitude the key moves before a press is registered), although the activity (the weight and experience of the keys) can vary enormously from keyboard to keyboard.
Chiclet: These apply the flatter "Scrabble-tile" keys introduced with Vaio and Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. These generally have a shorter travel and a lighter activity, which can improve typing speeds when you get used to the overall feel.
Ergonomic: Ergonomic keyboards combine traditional keys with a particularly shaped form that aims to put each cardinal at the nigh comfortable position and bending for the finger that you lot should – with good typing habits – use to press it. The idea is that your hands are supported by the generous wristrests while the fingers do the heavy lifting. This reduces strain and the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Many ergonomic keyboards have a split pattern, too, with the left-hand keys tilted outwards to sit under the left manus and the right-hand keys doing the aforementioned in the reverse management to sit under the right.
Compact: These keyboards have all the extra keys, such equally the numeric pad, removed, and are designed to be as minor and light as possible. In this way, they reduce the infinite they take upwards on your desktop or and are easier to travel with.
As we said, ane of these keyboard types volition usually piece of work better for y'all than the rest. However, making the transition from one type to another can be worth the effort if, for example, y'all're finding that using a chiclet keyboard all 24-hour interval is making your wrists anguish at night.
READ NEXT: The best ergonomic keyboards to buy
Does the switch technology matter?
The growth of gaming keyboards has raised involvement in the switch mechanisms used in various keyboards. At the most basic level, you lot have membrane keyboards. In these, the keys don't comprehend any carve up switches, but instead are mounted on plungers that printing on a membrane, which itself contains a matrix of electrical switches.
Above these y'all accept dome-switch keyboards, where the key presses a metal or plastic dome, which creates a connection between ii layers of circuit printed on silicone or rubber. This gives y'all a more responsive, clicky keyboard than the membrane keyboard, but without the cost of a mechanical construction.
Scissor-switch mechanisms can be found in most respectable chiclet-style keyboards, and augment the dome-switch with two interlocking metallic or plastic pieces that agree the keytop in place. The result is a low-contour keyboard that notwithstanding has some travel and a satisfying tap.
Finally, mechanical keyboards have a switch and spring arrangement nether each key. This inevitably costs more to produce – and thus to buy – merely it does allow the manufacturer to tune the feel of the keyboard and every primal on it.
Each technology has a different feel. Membrane keyboards are quiet, but can feel cheap and unresponsive, while mechanical keyboards accept more weight and a satisfying – but noisy – click. Dome-switch keyboards and scissor-switch models sit somewhere in the middle.
What else should yous wait for?
The layout is crucial. Most keyboards have a conventional layout with a defended numeric pad, function keys and a cluster of Home, Insert and Delete keys, though some will ditch certain of these to save space. If yous apply the numeric pad or the PgUp and PgDn keys a lot, this is something you ought to conduct in mind. Shrunken Shift keys and Enter/Return keys are a perennial problem, while some keyboards take a cramped layout, where the keys are smaller and very close together, or a smaller space bar.
Similarly, many keyboards have additional media or internet keys, which yous may (or may not) take a employ for. They may also have switchable function keys, with different roles when an additional Office Shift key is pressed. If you use the F keys all the time this can be hugely annoying. Finally, watch out for oddities. For instance, Lenovo keyboards have a slap-up reputation, but Lenovo has a tendency to stick a Function Shift key in the lesser-left corner, right where you lot expect to detect Ctrl. This isn't a disaster, but it takes some getting used to.
Needless to say, you besides have to choose between wired and wireless keyboards, and between wireless keyboards that employ Bluetooth and those that piece of work with a arranged USB receiver. Wired keyboards don't run out of batteries and sometimes come with extras, like a congenital-in USB hub. Wireless models accept an obvious advantage, though, and some will even support several different PCs or mobile devices, allowing you to switch between them with the click of a switch. The only problem is y'all'll sometimes take to splash out on a wireless desktop bundle to become them, whether or non yous need the included mouse.
READ Side by side: The best gaming keyboards
The best keyboards you can buy in 2022
one. Razer Pro Type Ultra: The best keyboard you tin buy
Price: £159 | Buy now from Amazon
Aesthetics shouldn't be the primary reason you buy a keyboard but that doesn't detract from the appeal of Razer's new Pro Type Ultra. It'south an absolute dazzler and, luckily, its functioning is only as good, courtesy of Razer'southward Xanthous mechanical keyboard switches – virtually-silent linears with a nicely judged actuation force of 45g and a very precise activity.
Don't look the usual Razer gaming RGB light show, though. The Ultra's brilliant backlight is white simply, but while this isn't a colour scheme you'd think would piece of work, Razer has judged it well so the keycap graphics are always fully legible.
The Ultra tin can be continued via either 2.4GHz wireless with the supplied USB Type-A dongle (usefully this can exist stored inside the keyboard when not in use), Bluetooth or a skilful one-time-fashioned cable. Included with the Ultra is a very comfortable leatherette wrist residue which further enhances the Ultra's typing ergonomics and it should terminal the distance every bit Razer reckons the primal switches are expert for eighty one thousand thousand deportment.
Sadly, at that place's no tenkeyless (without a numberpad) version, so make sure you accept the desk space to accommodate the Razer if it takes your fancy.
Key specs – Type: Mechanical, Razer Yellow Switch; Special features: Leatherette wristrest; Connections: ii.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth; Dimensions: 439 10 131 x 40mm; Weight: 1,039g
Buy now from Amazon
2. Logitech MX Keys and MX Keys for Mac: The best keyboard nether £100
Price: £100| Buy original model | Mac model from Amazon
The Logitech MX Keys is a brilliant high-end keyboard that's essentially the same as the Logitech Craft but without the fancy rotary 'crown' control and £150-plus price tag. It has ultra-comfy chiclet keys, each with a convex recess to guide the fingertips. The feedback on each keystroke is superb and the layout is too. The regular MX Keys is both MacOS and Windows 10 friendly, with part doubling to help you lot get work done any motorcar y'all have connected to the keyboard. However, in that location's also a new Mac-specific model with the familiar Command, Selection, Command and role-key shortcut layout for those who don't want to change the mode they piece of work.
With a choice of Bluetooth or USB wireless dongle, the MX Keys is also very flexible when information technology comes to connection and it has an impressive array of less obvious party tricks, allowing you to switch between up to iii computers or devices at the tap of a key, and fifty-fifty allowing y'all to cut and paste between them.
Meanwhile, the subtle but constructive backlighting adjusts automatically depending on the ambient lighting in the room, and fifty-fifty slumber and wake in response to the proximity of your hands. The battery lasts for up to ten days with the backlight on or upwards to v months when it'southward turned off, and recharges via USB-C. All told, the Logitech MX Keys is our favourite all-rounder for both Windows and Mac users; if typing condolement is your priority, why consider anything else?
Fundamental specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: Reactive backlight; Connections: Bluetooth iv, USB, USB wireless dongle; Dimensions: 430 x 132 x 20.5mm; Weight: 810g
3. Ruby-red G80-3000N RGB: The all-time budget mechanical keyboard
Price: From £69 | Purchase now from Amazon
The Cherry G80-3000 is 1 of those keyboards that'south been around for ass's years. It first landed on office workers' desks dorsum in the late 1980s and Cherry even so makes a version today.
The new G80-3000N RGB is a reinvention of that classic, designed to appeal to today's more demanding users. Carryovers include the classic, ergonomic keycaps and original typing experience simply these are now combined with a much slimmer, more contemporary housing, 16-million colour illumination and land-of-the-fine art electronics. Does the new model actually feel like the classic model? I've not used a G80-3000 for more than than 15 years but the reworked model certainly felt familiar once I started tapping abroad on information technology.
In stark contrast to the original, the 3000N comes with all the latest tech, including anti-ghosting, per-key lighting and full-Due north-fundamental rollover which lets you press every bit many keys as you want at one time and withal become the desired upshot. The Cherry MX Silent Red key switches make for a pleasantly placidity, if not completely silent, typing experience but that'south more down to some resonance in the plastic body. If space or coin is tight there is a tenkeyless version without the numerical keypad and Carmine says the laser-etched keycaps are abrasion-resistant, too, which is a nice bonus.
Read our full Crimson G80-3000N RGB review for more than details
Primal specs – Type: Mechanical, Cherry MX Silent Scarlet switches; Special features: 16 million colours, configurable RGB backlighting; Connections: USB; Dimensions: 440 x 140 x 35mm; Weight: 810g
Buy at present from Amazon
4. Logitech MX Keys Mini: The best 60% wireless keyboard
Price: £99 | Buy now from Amazon
The Logitech MX Keys Mini is a fantastic high-stop wireless keyboard that more than justifies its relatively steep price tag. This sibling to the full-sized Logitech MX Keys loses the NUM pad and home cluster for the sake of portability just sacrifices none of the unique features that earn the MX Keys a recommendation from us.
Logitech'southward unusual concave chiclet keys make a comeback, providing an immensely satisfying typing feel. Given the size of the keyboard (but under 30cm broad) the keys are spaced suitably far apart and do not experience cramped in utilise.
Multi-device connectivity allows yous to pair the MX Keys Mini with upwards to iii devices at a fourth dimension; utilize the dedicated keys on the Role row to swap between connected devices instantly. Like the other MX Keys products, your copy/paste clipboard can be transferred between devices.
The MX Keys Mini as well has Function keys that handle screenshots, mic mute/unmute, and even emojis, if that'due south your bag. Adaptive backlighting reacts to the brightness of your environment, potentially helping eke more than out of the battery – although with a quoted battery life of ten days with lighting and one month without, you won't find yourself having to superlative up very frequently regardless. We certainly oasis't had to.
The MX Keys Mini charges via USB-C but won't connect to your PC/laptop/tablet that style: it'south only compatible with Bluetooth. This is peradventure the merely absorb on the MX Keys Mini'due south otherwise stellar tape.
Key specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: Adaptive backlight, multi-device connectivity; Connections: Bluetooth v.i; Dimensions: 296 x 132 x 21mm; Weight: 702g
5. Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600: The best budget keyboard
Cost: £15 | Buy at present from Ebuyer
Microsoft's entry-level keyboard is something of a bargain-basement classic. On the one mitt, it doesn't do annihilation special and there's no mistaking the plasticky build for something more expensive. On the other, the sensible layout and slightly concave shape make information technology an piece of cake keyboard to piece of work with. The experience is pretty good, too. Certain, information technology's a traditional effort with old-school membrane switches, but the combination of a shortish travel and a subtle thump on actuation makes for a decent – and quiet – typing experience. If y'all've got a inexpensive and nasty keyboard on your PC, this will experience like a tangible step up.
In this case, the fact that the design hasn't changed in over a decade is probably a skilful thing, and spill resistance only enhances the impression of a simple, reliable production. Frills are limited to a calculator hot primal, but for basic needs you won't get much better for around a tenner.
Central specs – Type: Traditional; Special features: none; Connections: USB; Dimensions: 456 ten 160 ten 22mm; Weight: 898g
half dozen. Logitech Craft: The best high-terminate keyboard
Price: £145 | Buy now from Amazon
Logitech's Craft is an instant classic, giving you just about everything y'all could want from a desktop keyboard. The chiclet-style keys are a bit unusual, with the standard foursquare keytops but a sizable round dimple in the centre of each 1, but one time you lot get used to this it'southward an aid to typing, with your fingertips falling dead heart every time. The action is as good equally Microsoft's Surface, being springy and easy on the fingers, simply with a solid and responsive weight. Nosotros love the modern fashion of the labels, with some clever workarounds that make this keyboard work as well for Macs as it does for PCs, while the backlighting is vivid plenty to exist constructive without existence blinding.
It's a pleasure to utilise, then, without whatever compromises on the layout or the experience, only this model has two brilliant extras. Offset, you can connect to up to three different devices using the bundled wireless USB dongle or Bluetooth, then switch betwixt them with a printing of a quick-switch push button. 2nd, note the round knob at the summit left of the keyboard, which Logitech calls the 'crown'. Yous tin can utilise this to brand fine, counterpart adjustments while using features in a range of apps, including Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator and InDesign, plus a varied choice of photograph-editing, drawing, painting and video apps. It even comes in useful for Part applications and browsers, giving you lot an instant zoom or paragraph style switch. It's non cheap, merely the Craft could be the ultimate keyboard for creative types.
Key specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: Input Dial, backlight; Connections: Bluetooth four, USB, USB wireless dongle; Dimensions: 430 ten 148 x 32mm; Weight: 962g
vii. Fnatic miniStreak: A gaming keyboard that's great for typing, also
Price: £100 | Buy now from Amazon
If you're after the ultimate in key feel yous'd exist a fool to discount a gaming keyboard like the Fnatic miniStreak. Yes, information technology comes fully equipped with garish RGB lighting but you can tone that down using the accompanying software and the build quality and typing experience is second to none.
In fact, yous can choose how you want the Fnatic to feel under your fingers considering it can be ordered with a choice of three Cerise MX key switches: the linear (and gamer's favourite) Blood-red; the clickiest Blue switches and the middle-ground Brown switches. Nosotros chose the model with Red MX Brown switches and absolutely dear the way the keyboard feels to type on.
With an adjustable PU Leather wristrest and a compact footprint that's platonic for cramped habitation working setups, the miniStreak is an accented dream of a keyboard. A touch pricey, perchance, but worth every penny.
Key specs - Blazon: Mechanical; Special features: RGB backlight; Connections: USB-C; Dimensions: 374 10 218 x 70mm; Weight: 703g
8. Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard: The best mid-range wireless keyboard
Price: £50 | Buy now from Amazon
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is Microsoft's mid-priced wireless keyboard, sitting halfway betwixt the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 900 Keyboard and the premium Microsoft Surface Keyboard listed to a higher place. The keys accept a decent amount of travel and reply to each press with deep and satisfying thuds; overall, the typing experience is pleasant.
The chiclet-way layout looks fairly conventional at commencement but it does have some interesting features. In place of a Impress Screen push button, in that location's a Snipping central, and Microsoft has too thrown in dedicated emoji and Office 365 keys for quick admission to those features. Information technology feels sturdy as well, although since it's fabricated entirely of plastic it isn't quite every bit luxurious every bit the premium Microsoft Surface Keyboard.
The keyboard's biggest downfall is its lack of kickstand legs, which would take made it more than comfortable to utilise. The non-sideslip rubberised anxiety towards the rear of the keyboard are thicker than those at the forepart, giving the keyboard a subtle gradient but this might non be enough if you're used to more steeply angled keyboards. The keyboard is powered past a pair of AAA batteries which, according to Microsoft'south website, can go on it powered for up to iii years.
Key specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: Emoji and Office 365 keys, fundamental reassignment; Connections: Bluetooth 4.0 and higher; Dimensions: 124 x 35 × 19mm (WDH); Weight: 462g
9. Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard: The best keyboard for minimalist setups
Price: £45 | Buy now from Amazon
The Designer Compact is Microsoft's answer to Apple'south Magic Keyboard. It'southward super sparse, incredibly stylish and, surprisingly, it'south also very satisfying to type on.
Equally you might anticipate, the fundamental action is very shallow at just 1.35mm, which takes some getting used to if you are used to a mechanical keyboard just, in one case yous've adapted, information technology proves a surprisingly pleasant, fast and silent typing experience. The dedicated Windows keys to open the Snipping Tool awarding and emoji picker are features I didn't await to employ as frequently every bit I did.
The compact 80-fundamental course factor lacks a numeric keyboard only, happily, Microsoft will sell you a stand-alone one for £xxx. Something else the Designer lacks is a backlight, a shortcoming that owes its existence to Microsoft's conclusion to ability the keyboard with CR2032 watch-manner batteries.
On a positive note, Microsoft says a new set of batteries volition last 36 months a pop and and the price, at £50, is eminently reasonable.
Key specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: Windows screen snipping and emoji picker keys; Connections: Bluetooth; Dimensions: 284 ×111 × 9mm; Weight: 288g
Buy now from Amazon
10. Logitech K780: The most versatile wireless keyboard
Cost: £90 | Buy from Logitech
Looking for a keyboard that tin can handle all your devices? Look no further than the Logitech K780. Hook information technology up using the bundled wireless dongle and it will piece of work with your PC or Mac, simply you can as well connect information technology via Bluetooth to an iPad or Android tablet, your large-screen smartphone or a convertible laptop, then work on that. What'due south more, there's a congenital-in cradle that holds tablets safely for comfortable typing, and you tin switch between devices instantly using the three piece of cake-switch buttons, top-left.
None of this would matter if the typing experience was lousy, but Logitech has got the basics correct. The circular keytops might seem peculiar, just you go used to them surprisingly quickly, and while the travel isn't long the actual feel is crisp, calorie-free and very fast. The simply layout issues are the weird integration of the navigation keys with the numeric keypad, along with the decision to motion the Delete button to the top row with the F keys. Neither is a deal-breaker, and the battery life is rated for two years from a pair of AAA, making this a smart and flexible option.
Key specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: Multi-device switch, integrated tablet cradle; Connections: Bluetooth, USB wireless dongle; Dimensions: 380 x 158 x 22mm; Weight: 830g
11. Microsoft All-in-I Media Keyboard: The all-time all-in-one keyboard
Price: £29 | Buy now from Amazon
All-in-one or media keyboards are a must if you accept a PC plugged into your Telly or you need something user-friendly yous can use with a NAS device, Raspberry Pi or Android TV box. Not only do you go a wireless keyboard that sits on your lap – you besides accept a built-in touchpad for arrow control. Using these models too ofttimes means compromising on the keyboard size, touchpad or layout, but not so with Microsoft's effort. It has a spacious layout and a good-sized touchpad, with the buttons integrated in its surface. You lot'll have no problems with multi-touch gestures, and at that place'due south a niggling more than weight and substance here than with some rival keyboards. Spill-resistance is a real plus in the living room, likewise.
The activeness is good and the feel responsive, though information technology's not in the same stellar league as the Logitech Craft or Microsoft'south own Surface keyboard. We'd also prefer slightly larger function keys. Notwithstanding, what you lose at that place y'all gain in the extremely accessible book and mute controls and customisable buttons higher up the touchpad. It's i very usable and versatile bit of kit.
Key specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: Integrated touchpad, media controls; Connections: USB wireless dongle; Dimensions: 378 x 144 10 19mm; Weight: 434g
12. Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard: The best compact ergonomic keyboard
Price: £80 | Buy now from Amazon
Microsoft's best ergonomic keyboard is a beautifully designed bit of kit. It's a split pattern with a generously sized cushioned palm remainder, placing each hand in just the right position to tap abroad at ane one-half of the keys. The front is actually raised by a spacer that holds on with magnets, keeping the pressure off your hands and wrists and allowing your fingers to do their thing freely.
Not only does information technology look pretty stylish, but it's relatively compact past the colossal standards of ergonomic keyboards, helped by the fact that the numeric keyboard comes equally a separate module. This works through the same USB dongle equally the keyboard but does crave its own battery. Any split ergonomic keyboard will have some getting used to, simply the sensible layout and large, accessible office and navigation keys make the procedure easier, while the shaped, chiclet-fashion keys accept a firmer, crisper action than you'll find on some sloppy-feeling rivals. Add in an ergonomic mouse equally part of the deal – featuring a raised pollex scoop and broad angles to back up your natural wrist position – and y'all're on to a winner. If yous find your hands or wrists aching after a difficult 24-hour interval at work, this keyboard should go some way to help fix it.
Key specs – Blazon: Chiclet; Special features: Split key ergonomic design, split up numeric pad; Connections: USB wireless dongle; Dimensions: 392 x 228 x 59mm; Weight: 836g
13. Logitech Ergo K860: The best ergonomic keyboard
Price: £110 | Purchase from Logitech
Where the Microsoft Sculpt offers ergonomic condolement in a meaty form cistron, the Logitech Ergo K860 goes all out for the bells and whistles. Like most ergonomic keyboards it'due south divide in the centre and humped to promote a more neutral typing position, the aim existence to reduce wrist strain and RSI (repetitive strain injury) but it has its own unique appeal.
Its best characteristic is its deep retentiveness foam wristrest, which is made up of multiple layers of foam – just like a premium mattress – and a knitted fabric cover to provide genuinely luxurious typing comfort.
It can be paired with up to iii devices at once, and switching between them is as simple as tapping a push. Plus, information technology comes with both Windows 10 and macOS markings, making it easy to use no matter what platform you happen to be using. Powered by a pair of AAA batteries (included) and connected via Bluetooth LE or 2.4GHz, this is a superlatively comfortable and flexible ergonomic keyboard.
Read our total Logitech Ergo K860 review for more than details
Primal specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: device switching; Connections: Bluetooth LE, 2.4GHz RF; Dimensions: 456 x 233 x 48mm (WDH); Weight: ane.1kg
Buy now from Logitech
14. Ruby-red KC6000 Slim: The all-time-value keyboard for typing
Price: £34 | Buy at present from Amazon
If you lot lack the Bluetooth connectivity and upkeep for Microsoft'due south elevation keyboard, Cherry has a cheaper, wired alternative. Buy the KC6000 and you'll accept to make do without the premium materials, but with its slimline housing and weighty metal plate on the elevation, it feels more expensive than information technology looks. There are precious few holes to option in the layout, and at that place's much to similar about the elegant styling and discreet red lights on the caps, scroll and num lock keys.
More importantly, it'due south a fine keyboard for typing. Cherry seems to have tuned its scissor-switch mechanism to most perfection, giving yous a crisp action with but plenty travel and a fiddling weight. It's surprisingly similar in feel to Apple's Magic Keyboard, with the additional benefit of slightly raised labels and concave surface that seem to help your fingertips fall into place. With a two-year warranty and keys predicted to terminal ten meg actuations, it feels like it's built for long-term use, and the laser-etched keys shouldn't let you down, either. If you're buying for concern or yous do a lot of writing, there's really fiddling reason to spend more.
Key specs – Type: Chiclet; Special features: none; Connections: USB; Dimensions: 440 ten 120 x 15mm; Weight: 662g
Buy now from Amazon
Source: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/keyboards/1408579/best-keyboard
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