The perfect keyboards for 2025

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

Logitech is aware of find out how to make a stable keyboard, and the Grasp sequence has been a superb one over the previous few years. The MX Keys S is the newest full-sized version and it combines a low-profile design with snug 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 up to now 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 palms method the board and modify relying on the lighting in your setting. I’ve an honest quantity of pure gentle in my dwelling workplace throughout common working hours, so I opted to show the backlight off — when you do the identical, you’ll be able to 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 huge 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’ll be able to join it to as much as three units directly and change between them as vital. Logi Choices+ is free software program that many Logitech equipment use, and for the MX Keys S, it lets you 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 once 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 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 an honest worth. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor

Connectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Measurement: Compact (75% structure) | Materials: Plastic body with retro-style keycaps | Switches: Mechanical switches | Sizzling-swappable: No | Backlight: No | Software program: Logi Choices+

Logitech’s Pop Icon Keys takes quite a lot of notes from the Grasp sequence and interprets them right into a extra enjoyable (and cheaper) package deal. The $50 keyboard doesn’t embody a quantity pad, however as an alternative has a row on the correct aspect that features 4 buttons that you could 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’ll be able to customise — 11 of the highest operate keys will also 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 general. Whereas this isn’t billed as a journey keyboard, it’s sufficiently small to suit into a normal work bag or backpack, so you may take it with you with out a lot problem.

You may join the Pop Icon keys to as much as three units directly and change between them simply, and the keyboard helps macOS, Home windows, Linux, Chrome, iPadOS, iOS and Android units. Apart from 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 would last as long as three years earlier than you might want to exchange them, so perhaps that’s a professional for some fairly than a con. I additionally recognize that, when related to a Mac pc over Bluetooth, you’ll be able to nonetheless monitor the Pop Icon Keys’ battery life from the Bluetooth menu.

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

Connectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Measurement: Full-size with built-in numeric keypad | Materials: Plastic body with fabric-covered wrist relaxation | Switches: Scissor switches | Sizzling-swappable: No | Backlight: No | Software program: Logi Choices+

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 cut up shifts your elbows aside whereas retaining your forearms and wrists lined up. The tenting raises the keys upward within the center, rotating your palms subtly towards each other. The non-obligatory damaging tilt slopes the underside edge above the highest edge to maintain the backs of your palms straighter. And there’s a palm relaxation inbuilt, which some discover extra snug 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 quite a bit like typing on a normal 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 may program the keys with Logitech’s software program, however this can possible attraction most to those that simply desire a plug-and-play board for a Mac or PC setup. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Connectivity: Wired (USB-C) | Measurement: Break up ergonomic structure with 52 keys | Materials: Plastic housing | Switches: Kailh Choc low-profile switches (tactile, linear, or clicky) | Sizzling-swappable: Sure | Backlight: No | Software program: Oryx and VIA

Learn our full information to the best ergonomic keyboards

In the event you’re able to make a severe dedication to rising your ergonomics, I like to recommend the ZSA Voyager. I exploit it day by day and, despite the fact that it’s not tremendous moveable, I introduced it with me once I labored away from my dwelling workplace for per week. However at first, it took me at the least three weeks earlier than I used to be snug typing on it. Not solely will you might want to reprogram the keys (and keep in mind what they do), you’ll want to make use of your fingers otherwise 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 totally 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 palms across the board and the layers operate permits for a lot extra performance than a normal keyboard.

That mentioned, it additionally provides to the safety of my pc, making all of it however unimaginable for different individuals to sort with the Voyager. It comes with magnetic knobs for the middle tenting characteristic, however I want it got here with the choice to carry the center somewhat larger. I created additional carry by including rubber bumpers to the board, however for the value, it’d be good to not need to MacGuyver it. Nonetheless, each time I’m pressured to make use of a daily keyboard, I really feel like I am toiling within the typing pool at Sterling Cooper. — A.S.

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C wired | Measurement: 75% structure | Materials: Aluminum high case with PC plate | Switches: Gateron Jupiter switches | Sizzling-swappable: Sure | Backlight: South-facing RGB LED | Software program: QMK/VIA

Learn our full information to the best mechanical keyboards

The Keychron Q Max series doesn’t come low-cost, nevertheless it has nearly every thing 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 beautiful 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 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’ll be able to’t modify the keyboard’s peak; and Keychron’s one-year warranty is fairly brief — however when you simply need to purchase a mechanical keyboard that delivers a premium expertise from the soar, this can get you there. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter

Connectivity: USB-C wired | Measurement: Tenkeyless (80%) structure | Materials: Plastic body | Switches: Keychron mechanical switches | Sizzling-swappable: No | Backlight: Crimson LED | Software program: QMK/VIA

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 worth 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 snug for typing, whereas the tactile Brown switches in our check unit sound pleasantly clacky.

As with all finances keyboard, it’s a must to 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 must pay $10 additional to get a version with RGB backlighting and hot-swappable switches — the bottom mannequin continues to be an awesome purchase for these seeking to get into the passion 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.

Connectivity: USB-C wired | Measurement: 80% structure | Materials: Plastic or zinc alloy case choices | Switches: Lekker Corridor-effect analog switches | Sizzling-swappable: Sure | Backlight: Per-key RGB with customizable LED bar | Software program: Wootility

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 strain. This allows you to customise the actuation level of every particular person key, so you may make them extra delicate throughout quick-twitch capturing video games or extra deliberate once you simply need to sort. One other characteristic referred to as rapid trigger permits 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 forwards and backwards extra exactly throughout a 1v1 shootout in Overwatch. You may also tie a number of instructions to 1 key: In Halo Infinite, for instance, you may make it so evenly urgent W makes you stroll extra stealthily, whereas urgent all of it the way in which down makes you run at full velocity.

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 sorts searching for any additional little bit of granular management, they will 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 package deal proper as effectively. 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.

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 | Sizzling-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 identical adjustable actuation and fast set off instruments because the 80HE, plus a “protection mode” that makes it more durable to hit close by keys accidentally and preset profiles for some in style 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 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 primary points with the Apex Professional contain SteelSeries’ GG app. A lot of the expertise with these analog-style keyboards comes right 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 a complete will get rather more proper than mistaken. – J.D.