The Keyboard
Remember the time when those supposedly noiseless sounds from your keyboard made you lose control of yourself during work. Or when you were working long hours, with no lights on your keyboard during cold and lonely all-nighters, which made you question your keyboard for remote work. We see you. Good quality keyboards are often one of the most underrated components of a highly productive remote working space.
The best keyboard can transform your work experience, by being comforting while increasing your typing speed. From frustrating to rewarding. A study on the impact of keyboard design on comfort and productivity in a text-entry task finds that a keyboard with the right design can prove to be pivotal for a productive remote work session, in alleviating hand strain and promoting comfort. 1 The wrong keyboard can result in excruciating pain and injuries such as Repetitive Strain. 2 Now, let’s look at some of the best keyboard options for a strain-free, comfortable remote worker.
Best Keyboard for Remote Work
Keyboard | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Image | |||||
Noise Level | Ultra Quiet | Very Quiet | Very Quiet | Very Quiet | Quiet |
Connectivity | 2.4 GHz USB | Bluetooth + USB | Bluetooth + USB | Bluetooth + USB-C | Bluetooth |
Battery Life | 18 Months | 5 Months (No Backlight) 10 months(With Backlight | 24 months | 1+ Month per Charge | 12-18 Months |
Ergonomics | Standard | Standard | Excellent | Standard | Excellent |
Desk Space Required | Medium | Medium | Large | Compact/ Medium | Large |
Multi-Device Switching | No | Yes (Up to 3 Devices) | Yes (Up to 3 Devices) | Yes (Up to 3 Devices) | No |
Backlighting | No | Yes (Smart Adjustment) | No | No | No |
Portability | Desk Only | Desk Only | Desk Only | Highly Portable | Desk Only |
Connection Range | ~10m Standard 2.5 GHz Range | Up to 10m/~33 ft | Up to 10m/~33 ft | Up to 10m/~33 ft | Up to 10m/~33 ft |
Who Should Avoid | Heavy Typist Who want Premium Feel | User On Tight Budget | User With Small Desk | Windows/ Android Users | Mac/ IPAD Users |
Key Travel | ~2.0mm | ~1.8 mm | ~1.8 mm | ~1.0-1.2 mm | ~1.8-2.0 mm |
Switch/ Key Type | Membrane | Scissor | Scissor | Scissor | Membrane |
Media Keys | Limited (Volume And Basic Shortcuts) | Full (Volume, Play Pause, Brightness, OS Shortcuts | Full (Volume, Play Pause, Brightness, OS Shortcuts | Full (Volume, Play Pause, Brightness, OS Shortcuts | Limited No Customization |
Best for | Quiet Home Office | For Remote Professionals | Users Needing Ergonomic Comfort | For Minimal, Mac Users | Windows Users Who Prioritise Ergonomics |
Price | Under $40 | Under $130 | Under $150 | Under $200 | Under $210 |
Best For Noise Reduction: Logitech MK295
- Pros
- One of the quietest keyboards available
- Very affordable compared to premium wireless options
- Includes a matching mouse
- Simple plug-and-play setup with USB receiver
- Reliable connection with no input lag
- Cons
- Basic plastic build feels cheaper
- No Bluetooth (USB dongle required)
- Keys feel soft and less precise than premium models
- Bulky compared to modern slim keyboards
Best All-Around Quiet Keyboard: Logitech MX Keys S
- Pros
- Extremely quiet typing, ideal for Zoom calls and shared environments
- Excellent key stability; keys don’t wobble during fast typing
- Smart backlighting adjusts automatically to room lighting
- Seamless switching between up to three devices
- Premium build quality that feels solid and durable
- Cons
- Expensive compared to basic office keyboards
- Backlighting significantly reduces battery life
- No adjustable tilt or wrist rest included
- Not ideal for users who prefer deep or mechanical key travel
Best Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard: Logitech Ergo K860
- Pros
- Excellent ergonomic design that encourages natural wrist alignment
- Cushioned wrist rest noticeably reduces strain over long sessions
- Very quiet keys despite the large size
- Outstanding battery life (often over a year in real use)
- Stable typing platform with minimal flex
- Cons
- Large footprint takes up significant desk space
- Takes time to adjust if you’ve never used a split keyboard
- No backlighting
- Less portable than standard keyboards
Best For Apple Devices: Apple Magic Keyboard
- Pros
- Exceptional typing feel for low-profile lovers
- Scissor-switch keys are stable, crisp, and consistent. Excellent for fast, accurate typing.
- Best-in-class build quality
- Aluminum body feels premium, rigid, and durable. No flex, no cheap plastic.
- Perfect macOS integration
- Function keys, media controls, Spotlight, Mission Control, and Touch ID (on supported models) work flawlessly.
- Long battery life
- Rechargeable battery lasts weeks to over a month on a single charge.
- Ultra-thin and lightweight
- Very portable; ideal for minimalist desks and travel setups.
- Quiet operation
- Suitable for libraries, offices, shared rooms, and night use.
- Instant, stable Bluetooth connection
- Reliable pairing and reconnection on Apple devices
- Cons
- High price despite no backlight, no ergonomics, and no customization.
- Not ergonomic
- Flat design with no wrist support; can cause wrist strain during long sessions.
- No backlit keys
- A major drawback for low-light or night users.
- Poor value for non-Apple users
- Limited functionality on Windows and Android; some keys behave inconsistently.
- No adjustability
- Fixed typing angle, no feet, no tilt options
Best for Windows: Microsoft Surface 3RA Ergonomic Keyboard
- Pros
- Ergonomic split design reduces wrist strain
- Comfortable cushioned palm rest for long sessions
- Quiet and smooth keys suitable for remote work
- Solid build quality with premium feel
- Wireless Bluetooth keeps desk clutter-free
- Long battery life with minimal maintenance
- Cons
- No backlit keys
- Connects to only one device at a time
- Alcantara wrist rest can stain over time
- Not compact or portable
- Fixed angle with no adjustability
- Learning curve for first-time ergonomic users
Specific Recommendations and Accessories
Best Keyboard Wrist Rest
GORILLA GRIP Silky Memory Foam Wrist Rest
Cloud Wrist Rest Keyboard
Best Keyboard/ Desktop Pad
Aothia Leather Office Desk Pad Protector
Best Keyboard Cleaning Kit
Ordilend Keyboard Cleaning Kit
Best Memory Foam Rest Support Pad
Vaydeer Wrist Rest for Keyboard and Mouse
Best Keyboard Stand
ESC Flip Keyboard Stand for Desk
Best Keyboard Cleaning Gel
Wireless Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3S
Read our buying guide on the best ergonomic office mice to know about other options.
Important Things to Consider When Buying A Keyboard
Ergonomics and wrist health
This is possibly the most physically taxing consequence of non-optimal keyboards. Working on flat keyboards all day for hours on end causes long-term stress and strain, which severely impacts work by reducing user productivity. That is why it is recommended to choose a proper, ergonomics-focused and good-quality keyboard, such as a curved or split keyboard, that promotes natural hand position.
Noise Level
That clicking sound of keyboards may not appear much when you think about it at first. But when concentrating, even the slightest sounds that are frequent enough can become major irritants. That is why, for long, concentration-heavy work sessions, it is imperative to use noiseless keyboards and mice that do not distract or become a cause of undue distraction.
Keyboard Type
Mechanical and membrane keyboards are one of the most common types. Each catered for a specific user with its pros and cons. Mechanical keyboards are often customizable, durable and tactile. However, these are often loud and not suited for those who are sensitive to such noises, especially those who use a shared workspace. Membrane keyboards, on the other hand, are typically used by remote workers because they are suited for long work hours to provide comfort.
Wired Vs Wireless
Keyboards are either wired or wireless, and their selection entirely depends on preference. While wireless offers convenience, its battery charging or replacement might be a deal breaker for some. And while wired keyboards offer reliability, they may offer considerable inconvenience to some because of their wires.
We at Remote Turtle would recommend getting a wireless option any day, especially since charging options and battery lives have gotten much better.
Your keyboard Is Just One Of Many Elements That Define Your Home Office
When considering a quality home office setup, a good ergonomic keyboard is merely a single component. The entire remote work experience needs to be augmented with all the requisite aids and instruments, such as good furniture and electronics, in addition to skills. Our purpose here in this blog is just that, to enable and to inform.
We hope our easy-to-understand guide for the right keyboard for remote work will help you make the right decision by considering all factors.
To read about the ergonomics of home office monitors, read our blog in the Home Office section.
You can also read about what the Optimal Standing Desk setup looks like on our blog in the Home Office section.
Read more about the other essentials required to set up the ideal home office on Remote Turtle.
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References
- Swanson, Naomi G., Traci L. Galinsky, Libby L. Cole, Christopher S. Pan, and Steven L. Sauter. “The Impact of Keyboard Design on Comfort and Productivity in a Text-Entry Task.” Applied Ergonomics 28, no. 1 (February 1, 1997): 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-6870(96)00052-x. ↩︎
- Repetitive Stress Injuries and the Computer Keyboard: If There Repetitive Stress Injuries and the Computer Keyboard: If There Still Is No Causal Relationship Between Use and Injury, Is It Wise Still Is No Causal Relationship Between Use and Injury, Is It Wise to Warn?, 13 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 391 (1995) to Warn?, 13 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 391 (1995) ↩︎
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