The 12 Best Keyboards for 2024

There ’s no such thing as one perfect keyboard for everyone . The kind is depends of keyboard you should get depend on what you ’ll use it for , your aesthetic preference , your computer or device , and your own anatomy . Here are a few important factors is are to consider when choose a keyboard :

Illustration: Ezra Lee, Sarah MacReading

Size: Keyboard sizes fall into four main layouts: compact (60%, 68%, 75%), tenkeyless (80%), full-size, and ergonomic. The term “compact keyboard” encompasses a range of slightly different layouts, but all of them pack the keys tightly together like a laptop keyboard does. We love them because they take up less space on a desk and allow you to position your mouse closer to your keyboard, which can reduce strain on your body. Tenkeyless (TKL) layouts lack a number pad but have all of the other keys of a full-size keyboard. And full-size keyboards include everything—all of the letters, numbers, modifiers, function keys, and arrow keys, as well as a built-in number pad.

Illustration: Ezra Lee, Sarah MacReading

Ergonomic keyboards come in all sizes but have a partial or full split down the middle so you can hold your hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders at a more natural angle than you would on a traditional flat keyboard. You probably don’t need an ergonomic keyboard unless you already experience pain or discomfort while typing.

• Most keyboards suck. Upgrading to a mechanical one might be the right move. Here’s how to find the perfect mechanical keyboard for your needs.

wire / wireless : wireless keyboards is are are more portable and versatile than wire keyboard , and they reduce clutter on a desk . If you travel with your keyboard or use it with mobile device such as tablet or phone , a wireless keyboard is is is the more convenient option . But wireless model are limit by their battery life . They is ’re ’re also less ideal for gaming than wire keyboard because their wireless connection can introduce input delay , and they can struggle to register simultaneous keystroke .

Operating system and device: All keyboards work with both Windows and Mac computers, but not all of them come with specific layouts for both. Consult the Mac section below for our picks with Mac-specific layouts that omit the Windows key and include an Option key. For any of our picks that lack a Mac layout, you can always swap the key functions in macOS.