The best keyboards for 2025

The fitting pc keyboard could make an enormous distinction to how you’re employed or play. Whether or not you’re typing experiences, programming with complicated macros or spending hours on a mechanical gaming keyboard, the appropriate mannequin can increase each consolation and effectivity. Some folks favor a compact structure for portability, whereas others desire a full-size QWERTY board with a Numpad for information entry and spreadsheets.From wi-fi choices that maintain 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 the perfect keyboards for various wants so yow will discover the one that most closely fits your setup.Desk of contentsWhat to search for in a keyboardBest keyboards for 2025LogitechConnectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Dimension: Full-size structure | Materials: Plastic chassis with low-profile scissor switches | Switches: Scissor switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Sure, sensible illumination with ambient mild sensors | Software program: Logi Choices+ Logitech is aware of the best way to make a stable keyboard, and the Grasp collection has been a superb one over the previous few years. The MX Keys S is the newest full-sized version and it combines a low-profile design with snug keys and helpful customization instruments. It appears to be like fairly modern 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 to this point 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 “sensible illumination,” which simply means the backlight will kick on when your fingers method the board and modify relying on the lighting in your setting. I’ve an honest quantity of pure mild in my residence workplace throughout common working hours, so I opted to show the backlight off — if you happen to do the identical, you may stand up to 5 months of battery life out of the MX Keys S (Logitech estimates 10 days with sensible illumination on). The keyboard has a built-in USB-C port for charging as nicely. 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 machine pairing buttons so you may join it to as much as three gadgets directly and swap between them as mandatory. 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 sensible actions (one-key shortcuts you program to your liking) and extra. The Grasp Sequence additionally features a “mini” model of this keyboard that nixes the quantity pad and $10 from the value tag. I’ve used that and luxuriate in it as nicely, however whenever 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 area actually shines within the Grasp collection, and with the MX Keys S particularly because it stands out as a high-quality wi-fi keyboard with a bunch of additional options at an honest value. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor ProsGood construct qualityComfortable typing experienceLogi Choices+ gives a ton of customization optionsWorks throughout all main OSesConsNot the most cost effective keyboard out thereNot an enormous value distinction between the full-sized model and the mini mannequin with out the quantity pad$120 at AmazonLogitechConnectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Dimension: Compact (75% structure) | Materials: Plastic body with retro-style keycaps | Switches: Mechanical switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: No | Software program: Logi Choices+ 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 embrace a quantity pad, however as a substitute has a row on the appropriate 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 will also be programmed to your liking as nicely. 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 snug and quiet one total. Whereas this isn’t billed as a journey keyboard, it’s sufficiently small to suit into a regular work bag or backpack, so you can take it with you with out a lot trouble. You may join the Pop Icon keys to as much as three gadgets directly and swap between them simply, and the keyboard helps macOS, Home windows, Linux, Chrome, iPadOS, iOS and Android gadgets. Moreover there being no possibility 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 can last as long as three years earlier than it is advisable change them, so perhaps that’s a professional for some somewhat than a con. I additionally admire 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 excellent 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, if you happen to select this keyboard, is which colorway you fancy probably the most out of the 5 choices. — V.P. ProsCheap!Compact design with a low profileComfortable typing experienceProgrammable keys with Logi Choices+Works throughout all main OSesConsKey journey might be betterNo quantity pad$50 at AmazonLogitechConnectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Dimension: Full-size with built-in numeric keypad | Materials: Plastic body with fabric-covered wrist relaxation | Switches: Scissor switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: No | Software program: Logi Choices+ Learn our full information to the perfect ergonomic keyboards The Ergo K860 from Logitech combines 4 useful ergonomic options in a keyboard that operates very similar to any commonplace board. The Alice break up shifts your elbows aside whereas retaining your forearms and wrists lined up. The tenting raises the keys upward within the center, rotating your palms subtly towards each other. The non-compulsory unfavorable tilt slopes the underside edge above the highest edge to maintain the backs of your fingers straighter. And there’s a palm relaxation in-built, which some discover extra snug throughout lengthy typing classes. In contrast to different extra aggressively ergonomic boards, there’s no studying curve right here. Typing on the Ergo K860 feels lots like typing on a regular set of keys. The low profile, scissor-switch keys are springy and simple 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 may program the keys with Logitech’s software program, however this may doubtless attraction most to those that simply desire a plug-and-play board for a Mac or PC setup. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter ProsRotated, tented keys make typing comfortableAn ergonomic board with no studying curveWirelessly connects shortly to 3 devicesHotkeys work with MacOS and WindowsConsWrist relaxation is just not removableTakes up plenty of area$150 at AmazonPhoto by Amy Skorheim / EngadgetConnectivity: Wired (USB-C) | Dimension: Break up ergonomic structure with 52 keys | Materials: Plastic housing | Switches: Kailh Choc low-profile switches (tactile, linear, or clicky) | Scorching-swappable: Sure | Backlight: No | Software program: Oryx and VIA Learn our full information to the perfect ergonomic keyboards In case you’re able to make a severe dedication to growing your ergonomics, I like to recommend the ZSA Voyager. I exploit it day by day and, though it’s not tremendous transportable, I introduced it with me once I labored away from my residence workplace for every week. However at first, it took me a minimum of three weeks earlier than I used to be snug typing on it. Not solely will it is advisable reprogram the keys (and bear 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 totally break up board lets me open up my arms and chest. On days once 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 much extra performance than a regular keyboard. That stated, it additionally provides to the safety of my pc, making all of it however inconceivable for different folks to kind with the Voyager. It comes with magnetic knobs for the middle tenting characteristic, however I want it got here with the choice to elevate the center slightly larger. I created further elevate by including rubber bumpers to the board, however for the value, it’d be good to not need to MacGuyver it. Nonetheless, every 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. ProsErgonomic, totally break up boardProgrammable thumb cluster minimizes hand travelLow profile, mechanical keys make typing easyCompact dimension and intelligent key mapping maintain your fingers within the residence positionConsTakes a pair weeks to relearn the best way to typeCenter tenting might be larger$365 at ZSAPhoto by Jeff Dunn / EngadgetConnectivity: 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C wired | Dimension: 75% structure | Materials: Aluminum high case with PC plate | Switches: Gateron Jupiter switches | Scorching-swappable: Sure | Backlight: South-facing RGB LED | Software program: QMK/VIA Learn our full information to the perfect mechanical keyboards The Keychron Q Max collection 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 beautiful texture and are sculpted in a manner that lightly hugs your fingertips. There are a number of swap choices obtainable, 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 provides a number of different dimension and structure choices as nicely. Every can join over a wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth or USB-C and consists of further 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 modify the keyboard’s peak; and Keychron’s one-year guarantee is fairly brief — however if you happen to simply wish to purchase a mechanical keyboard that delivers a premium expertise from the bounce, this may get you there. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter ProsSuperb typing really feel and soundPremium aluminum caseCrisp PBT keycapsHot-swappableReliable wi-fi performanceTons of structure optionsKnob!ConsA bit priceyKeycaps aren’t shine-through and could also be too tall for someHeavySlight rattling with some stabilizers$189+ at KeychronPhoto by Jeff Dunn / EngadgetConnectivity: USB-C wired | Dimension: Tenkeyless (80%) structure | Materials: Plastic body | Switches: Keychron mechanical switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Purple LED | Software program: QMK/VIA Learn our full information to the perfect mechanical keyboards We advocate the Keychron C3 Professional if you wish to spend as little as attainable 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 often 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 instances. All of this helps really feel snug for typing, whereas the tactile Brown switches in our check unit sound pleasantly clacky. As with all finances keyboard, you must make some sacrifices. It solely works wired, for one, and the ABS keycaps really feel slicker and cheaper than the perfect PBT caps. Whereas the case doesn’t exhibit any severe flexing, it’s nonetheless made from plastic. You additionally have to pay $10 further to get a model with RGB backlighting and hot-swappable switches — the bottom mannequin continues to be an excellent 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. ProsInexpensiveTremendous typing expertise for the moneyProgrammable with softwareShine-through keycapsConsABS keycaps are a bit slickWired onlyRGB lighting and hot-swappable swap value slightly bit further$45 at AmazonJeff Dunn for EngadgetConnectivity: USB-C wired | Dimension: 80% structure | Materials: Plastic or zinc alloy case choices | Switches: Lekker Corridor-effect analog switches | Scorching-swappable: Sure | Backlight: Per-key RGB with customizable LED bar | Software program: Wootility Learn our full information to the perfect gaming keyboards The Wooting 80HE is our favourite keyboard for players because of its magnetic Corridor impact switches, which may reply to various ranges of stress. This allows you to customise the actuation level of every particular person key, so you can make them extra delicate throughout quick-twitch capturing video games or extra deliberate whenever you simply wish to kind. One other characteristic referred to as fast set off allows you to repeat inputs quicker, with out having to attend for a given key to return to a hard and fast reset level. That may be an actual boon for, say, strafing forwards and backwards extra exactly throughout a 1v1 shootout in Overwatch. You may also tie a number of instructions to at least one key: In Halo Infinite, for instance, you can make it so calmly urgent W makes you stroll extra stealthily, whereas urgent all of it the best way down makes you run at full velocity. Does everybody want all of this? In fact not. Any keyboard generally is a “gaming keyboard,” and nothing right here will magically make you good at video games. However for extra hardcore sorts searching for any further little bit of granular management, they will make a tangible distinction. The 80HE isn’t the one keyboard to supply this set of tips, but it surely stands out for getting the remainder of the bundle proper as nicely. 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 machine. 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. ProsMagnetic switches are deeply versatile for gamingEasy-to-use softwareSturdily builtComfortable for typing and sounds pleasantConsWired-onlyA bit expensive80 % design is considerably awkwardOnly in the stores in batches$200 at WootingJeff Dunn for EngadgetConnectivity: 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired | Dimension: Tenkeyless (TKL) structure | Materials: Aluminum high plate with plastic base | Switches: OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable mechanical switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Per-key RGB | Software program: SteelSeries GG Learn our full information to the perfect gaming keyboards If you need the Wooting 80HE’s gaming-friendly options in a wi-fi keyboard, we just like the SteelSeries Apex Professional TKL Wi-fi (Gen 3). It provides many of the similar adjustable actuation and fast set off instruments because the 80HE, plus a “safety mode” that makes it more durable to hit close by keys by chance and preset profiles for some fashionable video games. The typing expertise is a plus as nicely, with crisp and easy-to-reach PBT keycaps, a sturdy aluminum high plate and smooth-feeling switches which might be 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 most important points with the Apex Professional contain SteelSeries’ GG app. A lot of the expertise with these analog-style keyboards comes right 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 value 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 an entire will get far more proper than fallacious. – J.D. ProsFast and deeply versatile magnetic switchesUseful OLED displayPleasant typing experienceMultiple connection modesConsPriceySoftware is not all the time intuitiveBattery life might be higher$280 at AmazonWhat to search for in a keyboardDesignSizeThe very first thing you’ll wish to contemplate on the subject of 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 one hundred pc, embrace a operate row on the high and a whole numpad with arrow keys on the appropriate facet, together with all the remainder of the alphanumeric keys you’d count on on a regular QWERTY structure. Tenkeyless, or 80 %, removes the quantity pad however retains the arrow keys and the operate row, decreasing the general width measurement of the board by an honest quantity. Compact keyboards maintain 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 %, 65 % and extra. These are the most well-liked sizes on the market, however yow will discover loads of different designs that embrace totally different mixes of keys together with the usual letters and numbers all ought to have.Apart from dimension, there are two different huge classes that you 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 keep up correct posture. Individually, mechanical keyboards use mechanical switches (of which there are a lot of sorts) that differ enormously from the membrane or scissor-switch keyboards you’ll discover dominating most wired and wi-fi choices extensively obtainable immediately. Now we have guides to the perfect ergonomic keyboards and greatest mechanical keyboards, however we’ll summarize what it is advisable learn about each right here.Ergonomic keyboardsIf you cope with discomfort from working at a pc all day, ergonomic keyboards may 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 folks discover this delicate change extra snug.Ergonomic keyboards usually fall into two classes: Alice and break up keyboards. The previous is a single unit with an A-shaped hole within the heart of the keys. Break up fashions are available two separate items which you’ll be able to organize as you want in your desk. Extra ergonomic options like tenting and unfavorable tilt could make typing really feel much more snug, and are sometimes obtainable 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 nicely. 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 fashion takes slightly getting used to, however some folks discover it permits them to kind quicker. You may also 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 maintain you from reaching for the mouse fairly so usually, saving you time and probably pressure as nicely.Mechanical keyboardsMechanical keyboards have blown up in reputation as extra folks have been thrust into creating their very own workspaces at residence. 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. The most effective of them often include a value premium, however even some cheaper fashions allow you to “hot-swap” between keycaps, switches and different supplies, letting you tinker with totally 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 light-weight? Do you want them to sound loud and clacky or nearly completely muffled? Do you favor your keycaps to look subdued {and professional}, full of RGB lights or written in an Elvish language from The Lord of the Rings for some purpose? With the appropriate new keyboard, it’s all as much as you — the one issues actually holding you again are your creativeness and your pockets.Now we have a devoted shopping for information that digs deeper into the important thing facets to contemplate 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, probably the most influential a part of your buy is your keyboard’s swap kind. These little mechanisms slot beneath the keycaps and usually have the largest impact on how your keyboard feels and sounds as you kind away.You may broadly separate mechanical switches into three buckets: linear, tactile and clicky. Linear switches really feel {smooth} all the best way down; they’re usually fashionable with players since they are typically mild and quick to actuate. Tactile switches create a tangible “bump” sensation partway by a press; many individuals who spend all day typing favor them as a result of they clearly affirm 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 manner to determine which swap 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 totally different mechanisms completely. The new new development in gaming-focused keyboards, for instance, is Corridor impact switches, which use tiny magnets to register keystrokes and allow you to customise the sensitivity of every press. Optical switches, in the meantime, supply comparable performance by changing the bodily contact level of a typical mechanical swap with a beam of infrared mild. Extra not too long ago, we’ve seen a pair keyboards launch with inductive switches, which may work like magnetic switches however 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 swap. We contact on a few magnetic-switch keyboards in our picks under, however for a fuller breakdown of this kind of tech, we advocate you try our devoted shopping for information to the perfect gaming keyboards.ConnectivityYou’ve obtained two choices right here: wired or wi-fi. Wired keyboards usually have an hooked up 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 maintain that in thoughts if you happen to’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.