Best ergonomic mechanical keyboard?

[lifehelp]

I could not find a post on this in search so if there is please redirect and sorry for posting a duplicate.

I am looking at ergo keyboards, and they all look so different.

http://www.ergostyles.com/kinesis-advantage-kb500usb-blk-keyboard-for-pc-mac-w-free-2nd-day-air-and-8gb-usb-drive/?gclid=CLiEzIesu8cCFQenaQodkzEBow

http://www.thehumansolution.com/kinesis-freestyle.html?gdftrk=gdfV2929_a_7c132_a_7c5187_a_7cKIN700&gclid=CIH6sIisu8cCFQIIaQodSU8I7A



http://www.marco.org/2015/02/26/matis-ergo-pro-review


These are what I found so far, but I can't find any reviews that seem to be legit and not affiliates. Anybody have experience with this? What is the best ergonomic keyboard to get regardless of cost? any help or input is appreciated, thanks

 

[fralexandr]

the kinesis freestyle2 uses rubber dome switches. There's a rumor on reddit about the freestyle pro, which uses mechanical

list of anandtech's ergonomic keyboard reviews
http://www.anandtech.com/SearchResults?q=ergonomic+mechanical+keyboard
has the teck, kinesis advantage, and ergodox
the kinesis advantage seems to be the favored ergonomic mechanical keyboard at various websites, though that was before the matias ergo came out

the matias ergo looks like it has the most normal typing layout

apparently there was a kickstarter for an ergonomic backlit mechanical keyboard, the keyboard is now in preorder stage (the model 01 keyboardio)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keyboardio/the-model-01-an-heirloom-grade-keyboard-for-seriou/

offtopic: I don't really like split design/ergonomic keyboards, because for some reason i like to type "y" with my left hand...

a lot of keyboard ergonomic issues depend on sitting position. desks and chairs aren't really made for proper typing, due to how low the keyboard should be and how the keyboard should be angled.
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ahtutorials/typingposture.html
maybe get a different desk and/or chair

 

[DigDog]

do you mind me asking, why do you want an ergonomic keyboard? do you suffer from RSI ?

 

[corkyg]

do you mind me asking, why do you want an ergonomic keyboard? do you suffer from RSI ?

Good question. I have a client who uses a MS split KB ergo. She is an accomplished touch typist, and she does a lot of typing. Consequently, she has rubbed the letters off of most of the keys, and when I go there to help her, I can't figure out the keys readily. She has no RSI - just likes the hand placement. Needless to say, I dislike the split KB immensely.

 

[DigDog]

when i was younger i though ergo kbs were the best; then i got to use one and i realized they are absolutely identical to normal kbs, except more expensive.

somehow, i suspect the OP wants one for the same reason i wanted one, because he thinks they are "better".

thank god there was no internet when i started computing, or i would be typing on a dvorak kb.


also,

dont get the mathias - it has keys on the left, those keys are extremely annoying; or, for me they are. i hit them constantly (as i rest my hands there) and lose work because they accidentally hit "back" or whatnot.

the kynesis is ridiculously expensive; and being a rubber dome, you will want to throw it out after 2-3 years, and they become rock hard.

if you really want a kb which is great for typing, look at the unicomp M clone with buckling springs. or, if you have some sort of RSI, pick any mechanical with cherry mx red switches.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I used to use ergo's years ago and switched back to regular kb's when I couldn't type at work correctly. If you want comfortable typing kb go to a store like best buy and try a logitech g910 with the romer-g keys and shaped key tops.

 

[lifehelp]

do you mind me asking, why do you want an ergonomic keyboard? do you suffer from RSI ?

i was not sure what this was until i looked it up but yet might right hand on the right two fingers seems to hurt sometimes and down to my wrist. wearing a wrist guard helps.

however after looking up RSI, the autocomplete was for mouse. and maybe it is the mouse causing the pain and not the keyboard since its not on my left wrist.

could this be more likely? would only touching screen help?

i was thinking the ergo keyboard would reduce things a bit. i have a sideways mouse, but now i think it might be the clicking more than anything.

also i think maybe get the ergo board as well if it types easier. going to check out that unicomp and that g910. thanks for the help

 

[MongGrel]

Good question. I have a client who uses a MS split KB ergo. She is an accomplished touch typist, and she does a lot of typing. Consequently, she has rubbed the letters off of most of the keys, and when I go there to help her, I can't figure out the keys readily. She has no RSI - just likes the hand placement. Needless to say, I dislike the split KB immensely.

I love mine just because of the hand placement, and many keys are rubbed off.

It annoys me to use a straight keyboard these days.

A MS4000 isn't mechanical, but is an ergo, and not expensive, I only even responded i guess just from what Corkyg commented on.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Nat...d=1440392846&sr=8-1&keywords=ms+4000+keyboard

Just a personal thing I guess.

 

[DigDog]

i need 2 go to sleep, ill discuss RSI tomorrow.

 

[DigDog]

ok, im back..

RSI is a strange beast. It has a strong psychosomatic component; i can't really explain it with SCIENCE! because i don't understand it fully, but 'll tell you what i *think*.

tinfoil hat zone ahead .. you are warned.

using the pc too much causes a split between your body and mind. the information overload is just so awesome to some people that a part of your brain stops paying attention to your body. some parts of your body go into a slumber.

eventually your body will send a small pain signal, but it's so small that it's irrelevant; you are almost sleeping at this point.
your mind ignores the signal. this sets you in a loop.. a spiral.

the above is really hard to notice. if you keep abusing your pc time, the pain signals will become bigger and bigger, yet every time the brain ignores them, until the nerves become irritated. at this point, you are in full blown RSI.


when people tell you the best way to not get RSI, is to not get RSI .. they are right.
staying away from your PC entirely, for a prolonged time, is a good way to reset the cycle.
i developed RSI back in 2005, then had a long time away from the pc, now i not only no longer have rsi, but i have become aware of the signals and learned to immediately stop using if i get them.

ergonomic solutions might help a little, but generally speaking, they are a bad approach to the problem. you have simple exceeded your maximum pc time, don't look for a way around the problem, but stop using the pc and let yourself recover.

long pc sessions are worse than many short ones.
nighttime pc work is worse than daytime.


/tinfoil

tha's my take on RSI. it has worked for me, might also work for you.

 

[lifehelp]

ok, im back..

RSI is a strange beast. It has a strong psychosomatic component; i can't really explain it with SCIENCE! because i don't understand it fully, but 'll tell you what i *think*.

tinfoil hat zone ahead .. you are warned.

using the pc too much causes a split between your body and mind. the information overload is just so awesome to some people that a part of your brain stops paying attention to your body. some parts of your body go into a slumber.

eventually your body will send a small pain signal, but it's so small that it's irrelevant; you are almost sleeping at this point.
your mind ignores the signal. this sets you in a loop.. a spiral.

the above is really hard to notice. if you keep abusing your pc time, the pain signals will become bigger and bigger, yet every time the brain ignores them, until the nerves become irritated. at this point, you are in full blown RSI.


when people tell you the best way to not get RSI, is to not get RSI .. they are right.
staying away from your PC entirely, for a prolonged time, is a good way to reset the cycle.
i developed RSI back in 2005, then had a long time away from the pc, now i not only no longer have rsi, but i have become aware of the signals and learned to immediately stop using if i get them.

ergonomic solutions might help a little, but generally speaking, they are a bad approach to the problem. you have simple exceeded your maximum pc time, don't look for a way around the problem, but stop using the pc and let yourself recover.

long pc sessions are worse than many short ones.
nighttime pc work is worse than daytime.


/tinfoil

tha's my take on RSI. it has worked for me, might also work for you.

thanks thats a good rundown and sounds like what it could be, i will have to find a way to not have some pc time. i also notice that the right side of my hand is kind of fat when it hurts almost swollen.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I couldn't find one that suited me well. The MS ergo keyboards have the best design in my opinion (haven't tried kinesis though), but don't come in mechanical

Since I don't type a lot anymore I switched to non-ergo to get a mech I was happy with.

 

[alexandrafergie]

I use the microsoft sculpt ergo and have been very happy with it.

 

[the1truelegend]

I use the Logitech Wireless Wave Combo Mk550 With Keyboard and Laser Mouse and I love it! It's the best keyboard I've ever owned.

This link is a list for some of the best ergonomic keyboards and the one I own is the top pick. And then the Microsoft Sculpt is also listed.

I've never tried the Sculpt but the Logitech ergo keyboard I own is fantastic. I'd recommend it to you or anyone who sees this. I use it a lot for work and even gaming as well. Very comfortable and I haven't had any problems with it since I've had it.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I don't use an ergonomic KB. I've before, but I've found that the extra angle doesn't really make too much of a difference comfort-wise. At least for me. (I don't have any problem keeping my wrists/forearms not-perpendicular to the key rows and moving my fingers diagonally instead.)

I'm all about the nice wrist-rest, the "proper" height for the KB, and good posture though. And my Ducky is teh bestest.

 

[mnewsham]

I don't use an ergonomic KB. I've before, but I've found that the extra angle doesn't really make too much of a difference comfort-wise. At least for me. (I don't have any problem keeping my wrists/forearms not-perpendicular to the key rows and moving my fingers diagonally instead.)

I'm all about the nice wrist-rest, the "proper" height for the KB, and good posture though. And my Ducky is teh bestest.

I like Ducky keyboards, but the Ducky shine 5 has been slow in coming out, it was supposed to be out sometime in august, but as far as I can tell it still isn't out yet for purchase. Also, the LED control on the Ducky Shine 5 is so much more limited than the Corsair RGB keyboards. The Ducky has several preset lighting effects you can use, which are fine, but corsair lets you customize every aspect through their software, the ducky just doesn't have that level of customization.

I prefer ducky for build quality and keycaps, but Corsair really did a solid job with the lighting effects and until Ducky or someone else can at least start offering that level of customization on the lighting effects I personally will stick with the K70 RGB.

Though I do wish corsair used a standard sized bottom row so I could replace the keycaps without having to spend a ton of $.

 

[masterkaj]

Out of all the ergo mechanical keyboards I own the Matias Ergo Keyboard is the best (coming from a Microsoft Natural Elite). That being said... while I like the Matias Ergo and the switches are definitely better than the Elite, I keep going back to the Microsoft layout because it is perfectly comfortable. Right now the I use the Matias from the office (it's a very quiet mechanical keyboard) and my old rubber dome ergo keyboard at home.

While I love mechanical switches (specifically Cherry MX Brown) I keep going back to my perfect shaped keyboard because comfort is more important to me.

 

[DonJim1993]

Has anybody tried the model 1 yet?



Not sure if i can get used to wood, and if you have tiny hands :/ does someone have experience?





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Anandtech Forum Director