One of the best keyboards for 2025

The suitable pc keyboard could make an enormous distinction to how you’re employed or play. Whether or not you’re typing reviews, programming with advanced macros or spending hours on a mechanical gaming keyboard, the precise mannequin can increase each consolation and effectivity. Some individuals favor a compact structure for portability, whereas others need a full-size QWERTY board with a Numpad for knowledge entry and spreadsheets.

From wi-fi choices that preserve your desk tidy to wired fashions constructed for low latency, there’s a variety of designs, switches and options to select from. On this information, we’ve examined and rounded up one of the best keyboards for various wants so you will discover the one that most closely fits your setup.

Desk of contents

What to search for in a keyboard

Greatest keyboards for 2025

Logitech

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 how one can make a stable keyboard, and the Grasp collection has been a superb one over the previous few years. The MX Keys S is the most recent full-sized version and it combines a low-profile design with snug keys and useful customization instruments. It appears fairly smooth in black, white or graphite, measuring just 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.

This can be a backlit keyboard with “good illumination,” which simply means the backlight will kick on when your fingers strategy the board and regulate relying on the lighting in your surroundings. I’ve a good quantity of pure gentle in my house workplace throughout common working hours, so I opted to show the backlight off — in case you do the identical, you may stand 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 vast 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 may join it to as much as three units without delay and change between them as essential. Logi Choices+ is free software program that many Logitech equipment use, and for the MX Keys S, it permits you to customise brightness ranges and period, set good actions (one-key shortcuts you program to your liking) and extra.

The Grasp Sequence additionally features a “mini” version of this keyboard that nixes the quantity pad and $10 from the worth tag. I’ve used that and luxuriate in it as effectively, however if you’re solely saving $10, the full-sized model looks like a greater worth. Can you discover cheaper wi-fi keyboards than both of those? In fact. However Logitech’s experience on this house actually shines within the Grasp collection, and with the MX Keys S specifically because it stands out as a high-quality wi-fi keyboard with a bunch of additional options at a good value. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor

Execs

Good construct high quality
Comfy typing expertise
Logi Choices+ supplies a ton of customization choices
Works throughout all main OSes

Cons

Not the most cost effective keyboard on the market
Not an enormous value distinction between the full-sized model and the mini mannequin with out the quantity pad

$119 at Amazon

Logitech

Logitech’s Pop Icon Keys takes plenty of notes from the Grasp collection and interprets them right into a extra enjoyable (and cheaper) bundle. The $50 keyboard doesn’t embody a quantity pad, however as a substitute has a row on the precise facet that features 4 buttons that you would be able to 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 may customise — 11 of the highest operate keys may 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 collection 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 typical work bag or backpack, so you possibly can take it with you with out a lot trouble.

You possibly can join the Pop Icon keys to as much as three units without delay and change between them simply, and the keyboard helps macOS, Home windows, Linux, Chrome, iPadOS, iOS and Android units. In addition to there being no choice 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’s going to last as long as three years earlier than you must change them, so perhaps that’s a professional for some quite than a con. I additionally respect that, when linked to a Mac pc over Bluetooth, you may nonetheless monitor the Pop Icon Keys’ battery life from the Bluetooth menu.

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

Execs

Low cost!
Compact design with a low profile
Comfy typing expertise
Programmable keys with Logi Choices+
Works throughout all main OSes

Cons

Key journey may very well be higher
No quantity pad

$50 at Amazon

Logitech

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 customary board. The Alice break up shifts your elbows aside whereas protecting your forearms and wrists lined up. The tenting raises the keys upward within the center, rotating your palms subtly towards each other. The optionally available detrimental tilt slopes the underside edge above the highest edge to maintain the backs of your fingers straighter. And there’s a palm relaxation inbuilt, which some discover extra snug throughout lengthy typing periods.

Not like different extra aggressively ergonomic boards, there’s no studying curve right here. Typing on the Ergo K860 feels lots like typing on a typical 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 possibly can program the keys with Logitech’s software program, however this may probably enchantment most to those that simply need a plug-and-play board for a Mac or PC setup. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Execs

Rotated, tented keys make typing snug
An ergonomic board with no studying curve
Wirelessly connects shortly to a few units
Hotkeys work with MacOS and Home windows

Cons

Wrist relaxation shouldn’t be detachable
Takes up plenty of house

$150 at Amazon

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Learn our full information to the best ergonomic keyboards

If you happen to’re able to make a severe dedication to rising your ergonomics, I like to recommend the ZSA Voyager. I take advantage of it on daily basis and, though it’s not tremendous transportable, I introduced it with me after I labored away from my house workplace for every week. However at first, it took me at the very least three weeks earlier than I used to be snug typing on it. Not solely will you must reprogram the keys (and keep in mind what they do), you’ll want to make use of your fingers differently 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 absolutely break up board lets me open up my arms and chest. On days after 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 fingers across the board and the layers operate permits for a lot extra performance than a typical keyboard.

That stated, it additionally provides to the safety of my pc, making all of it however unattainable 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 a bit of greater. I created additional carry by including rubber bumpers to the board, however for the worth, it’d be good to not must 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.

Execs

Ergonomic, absolutely break up board
Programmable thumb cluster minimizes hand journey
Low profile, mechanical keys make typing simple
Compact dimension and intelligent key mapping preserve your fingers within the house place

Cons

Takes a pair weeks to relearn how one can sort
Heart tenting may very well be greater

$365 at ZSA

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Learn our full information to the best mechanical keyboards

The Keychron Q Max series doesn’t come low-cost, but it surely has nearly every part we would like 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 facet, they’ve a stunning texture and are sculpted in a approach 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 offers 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 gives 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 may’t regulate the keyboard’s peak; and Keychron’s one-year warranty is fairly quick — however in case you simply need to purchase a mechanical keyboard that delivers a premium expertise from the leap, this may get you there. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter

Execs

Excellent typing really feel and sound
Premium aluminum case
Crisp PBT keycaps
Sizzling-swappable
Dependable wi-fi efficiency
Tons of structure choices
Knob!

Cons

A bit dear
Keycaps aren’t shine-through and could also be too tall for some
Heavy
Slight rattling with some stabilizers

$189+ at Keychron

Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Learn our full information to the best mechanical keyboards

We advocate the Keychron C3 Pro if you wish to spend as little as doable for a pleasant mechanical keyboard. It’s a stellar worth at just below $50, with factory-lubricated switches, a gasket mount, a number of layers of inner foam and different touches we don’t normally see on this value vary. The stabilizers keep away from any aggressive rattling, and there’s not one of the pinging noise you get from many cheaper circumstances. All of this helps really feel snug for typing, whereas the tactile Brown switches in our check unit sound pleasantly clacky.

As with all funds keyboard, you must 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 product of 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 important purchase for these seeking to get into the passion on a budget, but it surely saddles you with a red-only backlight and prevents you from simply popping in new switches down the highway. – J.D.

Execs

Cheap
Super typing expertise for the cash
Programmable with software program
Shine-through keycaps

Cons

ABS keycaps are a bit slick
Wired solely
RGB lighting and hot-swappable change value a bit of bit additional

$45 at Amazon

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

Learn our full information to the best gaming keyboards

The Wooting 80HE is our favourite keyboard for players because of its magnetic Hall effect switches, which might reply to various ranges of strain. This allows you to customise the actuation level of every particular person key, so you possibly can make them extra delicate throughout quick-twitch capturing video games or extra deliberate if you simply need to sort. One other characteristic known as rapid trigger allows you to repeat inputs quicker, with out having to attend for a given key to return to a set reset level. That may be an actual boon for, say, strafing backwards and forwards extra exactly throughout a 1v1 shootout in Overwatch. It’s also possible to tie a number of instructions to at least one key: In Halo Infinite, for instance, you possibly can make it so frivolously urgent W makes you stroll extra stealthily, whereas urgent all of it the best way down makes you run at full pace.

Does everybody want all of this? In fact 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 methods, but it surely stands out for getting the remainder of the bundle proper as effectively. Wooting’s Wootility software program is best-in-class, making it significantly simple 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.

Execs

Magnetic switches are deeply versatile for gaming
Simple-to-use software program
Sturdily constructed
Comfy for typing and sounds nice

Cons

Wired-only
A bit costly
80 p.c design is considerably awkward
Solely in the stores in batches

$200 at Wooting

Jeff Dunn for Engadget

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired | Measurement: Tenkeyless (TKL) structure | Materials: Aluminum prime 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 gives many of the similar adjustable actuation and speedy set off instruments because the 80HE, plus a “protection mode” that makes it more durable to hit close by keys by chance and preset profiles for some well-liked video games. The typing expertise is a plus as effectively, with crisp and easy-to-reach PBT keycaps, a sturdy aluminum prime plate and smooth-feeling switches which are 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 major points with the Apex Professional contain SteelSeries’ GG app. A lot of the expertise with these analog-style keyboards comes all the way down to software program, and GG is a bit much less refined than Wootility throughout the board. At $270, the Apex Professional is unquestionably on the upper finish of the worth 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 fallacious. – J.D.

Execs

Quick and deeply versatile magnetic switches
Helpful OLED show
Nice typing expertise
A number of connection modes

Cons

Dear
Software program is not all the time intuitive
Battery life may very well be higher

$280 at Amazon

What to search for in a keyboard

design“>design

Measurement

The very first thing you’ll need to take into account relating to your subsequent pc keyboard’s design is dimension. There are a variety of various keyboard layouts to select from, however the commonest are full-sized, tenkeyless and people smaller than tenkeyless.

Full-sized keyboards, or 100%, embody a operate row on the prime and a whole numpad with arrow keys on the precise facet, together with the entire remainder of the alphanumeric keys you’d count on on a typical QWERTY structure. Tenkeyless, or 80 p.c, removes the quantity pad however retains the arrow keys and the operate row, decreasing the general width measurement of the board by a good quantity. Compact keyboards preserve issues extremely easy by together with solely the alphanumeric keys and modifiers like Alt, Shift, Ctrl and others and so they come in several sizes like 60 p.c, 65 p.c and extra. These are the most well-liked sizes on the market, however you will discover loads of different designs that embody completely different mixes of keys together with the usual letters and numbers all ought to have.

Other than dimension, there are two different massive classes that you possibly can use to outline a keyboard: ergonomic and mechanical. Ergonomic keyboards are designed with, you guessed it, higher ergonomics in thoughts, making an allowance for the place you need to place your fingers, fingers and forearms to take care of correct posture. Individually, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches (of which there are lots of sorts) that differ vastly from the membrane or scissor-switch keyboards you’ll discover dominating most wired and wi-fi choices broadly out there in the present day. We’ve guides to one of the best ergonomic keyboards and greatest mechanical keyboards, however we’ll summarize what you must find out about each right here.

Ergonomic keyboards

If you happen to take care of discomfort from working at a pc all day, ergonomic keyboards will help. These specifically designed boards re-orient the keys, permitting you to carry your elbows farther aside and keep a straighter line out of your forearms to fingers. Some individuals discover this refined change extra snug.

Ergonomic keyboards sometimes fall into two classes: Alice and break up keyboards. The previous is a single unit with an A-shaped hole within the middle of the keys. Cut up fashions are available two separate items which you’ll organize as you want in your desk. Further ergonomic options like tenting and detrimental tilt could make typing really feel much more snug, and are sometimes out there on each Alice and break up boards. Tenting raises the center of the keys up so your fingers tackle extra of a “handshake” place. Adverse tilting lowers the highest of the keyboard to maintain your wrists angled downward as a substitute of again in the direction of your forearms.

The way in which the keys are organized on the keyboard might make typing simpler as effectively. Historically, keyboards are staggered, with one row of letters barely offset from the row beneath it. Columnar keyboards organize the keys in a grid of rows and columns. This model takes a bit of getting used to, however some individuals discover it permits them to sort quicker. It’s also possible to make the keys of some keyboards do extra than simply produce letters. Programmable boards allow you to map shortcuts and different capabilities, together with macros, which can preserve you from reaching for the mouse fairly so typically, saving you time and presumably pressure as effectively.

Mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards have blown up in reputation as extra individuals have been thrust into creating their very own workspaces at house. It’s simple to see why: In comparison with a standard membrane keyboard, a great mechanical board is extra sturdy, extra satisfying to press and, most significantly, infinitely extra customizable. One of the best of them normally include a value premium, however even some cheaper fashions allow you to “hot-swap” between keycaps, switches and different supplies, letting you tinker with completely different typing sensations and sound profiles till you discover a mixture that greatest expresses your preferences.

Would you like every press to really feel deep and full or quick and lightweight? Do you want them to sound loud and clacky or virtually totally muffled? Do you favor your keycaps to look subdued {and professional}, filled with RGB lights or written in an Elvish language from The Lord of the Rings for some purpose? With the precise new keyboard, it’s all as much as you — the one issues actually holding you again are your creativeness and your pockets.

We’ve a devoted shopping for information that digs deeper into the important thing features to think about when shopping for a mechanical gaming keyboard, so we encourage you to take a look at that for a full rundown. To maintain issues high-level, essentially the most influential a part of your buy is your keyboard’s change sort. These little mechanisms slot beneath the keycaps and customarily have the largest impact on how your keyboard feels and sounds as you sort away.

You possibly can broadly separate mechanical switches into three buckets: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches really feel {smooth} all the best way down; they’re typically well-liked with players since they are typically gentle and quick to actuate. Tactile switches create a tangible “bump” sensation partway via a press; many individuals who spend all day typing favor them as a result of they clearly verify every press with out (all the time) being all that loud. Clicky switches are functionally just like tactiles however make an audible “click on” sound to match the bump; your coworkers might hate them, however others love the full-throated sense of suggestions they supply. To be clear, simply because two switches fall throughout the similar bucket doesn’t imply they really feel or sound precisely the identical. The one approach to determine which change works greatest for you is to do your analysis and, ideally, attempt some out for your self.

Different keyboards have a mechanical-style really feel however are constructed on completely different mechanisms completely. The recent new pattern in gaming-focused keyboards, for instance, is Hall effect switches, which use tiny magnets to register keystrokes and allow you to customise the sensitivity of every press. Optical switches, in the meantime, provide comparable performance by changing the bodily contact level of a typical mechanical change with a beam of infrared gentle. Extra not too long ago, we’ve seen a couple keyboards launch with inductive switches, which might work like magnetic switches but use inductive coils within the keyboard’s printed circuit board (PCB) to cater to all switches collectively and don’t require a sensor for every particular person change. We contact on a few magnetic-switch keyboards in our picks under, however for a fuller breakdown of this type of tech, we advocate you take a look at our devoted shopping for information to the best gaming keyboards.

Connectivity

You’ve acquired two choices right here: wired or wi-fi. Wired keyboards sometimes have an connected cable that plugs right into a USB-A or USB-C port in your pc (or docking station), though some include cables that may be eliminated. Wi-fi mechanical keyboards connect with your machine both through Bluetooth or a wi-fi receiver dongle. There’s all the time the prospect of some latency with wi-fi keyboards, so preserve that in thoughts in case you’re choosing one up to make use of primarily with a gaming PC. In fact, you’ll solely have to fret about battery life with Bluetooth keyboards.

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One of the best keyboards for 2025

Desk of contents

Greatest keyboards for 2025

What to search for in a keyboard

design“>design

Measurement

Ergonomic keyboards

Connectivity

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