The reality of WFH is different for everyone. Hours, deadlines, the work-life balance. It's all dependent on the job you do. One thing's universal, though: We all need the right gear to get the job done.
Things like desk chairs, monitors, and printers are essential items for your home. Basically, all the things that you used to take for granted in the office. Arguably, most important of all is the keyboard. After all, you wouldn't produce a single word in the working day without one.
But not all keyboards are made equal. And not all keyboards are made for everybody. The vast selection of keyboards available cater for different types of work and workers, with a lot of features to consider. We've put together a list of the best keyboards below, but to help to figure out which one's best for you, here's some useful information.
What are the different keyboard layouts?
All the keyboards included in this roundup are the classic QWERTY layout (as opposed to the less common DVORAK layout). But there are still different variations. Standard, full-size keyboards (sometimes called 100% keyboards) usually have 104 keys, which will include a number pad, function “F” keys, and arrows. “Tenkeyless” (also called the 80% layout) have 87 keys and ditch the number pad. You will find further variations, such as the 60% keyboard, which all drop or smush together the keys into slightly different, increasingly compact layouts. And Apple, of course, has its own distinct version of the QWERTY layout.
What is an ergonomic keyboard?
An ergonomic keyboard is designed to be comfortable and promote positive alignment and movement. That means it will help tackle problems such as repetitive strain injury or carpal tunnel. Look out for a keyboard with ergonomic features if you spend hours upon hours at the desk — whether it’s for work or gaming.
Is a wireless keyboard better than wired?
You’ll see that many modern keyboards are wireless and connect via Bluetooth. These are great for the modern lifestyle, in which we’re all wirelessly connected to multiple devices. Indeed, a wireless keyboard is great for travelling and moving around between computers. If you don’t need that mobility, however, a wired keyboard may be cheaper. You’ll also find that high-end gaming keyboards are wired because the response is more reliable. Wired keyboards are not at the mercy of a Bluetooth connection, so there’s no input lag — and they don’t need regular recharging.
Can you use a gaming keyboard for work?
While this keyboard roundup is supposed to be for WFH, a few gaming keyboards have sneaked in — that’s because they’re just so good. The most obvious feature on gaming keyboards is RGB lighting. But gaming keyboards are also built for heavy, quickfire use, with durable and responsive key switches. They may also have a feature called anti-ghosting — which allows you to register multiple keystrokes pressed at the same time — or macro commands that trigger a string of specific commands with a single keypress. There’s no reason you can’t use a gaming keyboard for work. Gaming keyboards often have number pads, which is great if you work with numbers.
What is the best keyboard?
That all depends on you, your job, and your habits. All we can do is make some suggestions and highlight some of the best keyboards around. It’s up to you to choose the one that will keep you tapping away happily.
These are the best keyboards in 2023.
