The best keyboards are worth having in your home office, even if a laptop is your primary work machine. Sure, some laptops have good keyboards — even great ones if we're talking about the best laptops. But we don't recommend using the keyboard on your laptop for multiple hours a day since having your neck craned downward all day long is going to cause serious problems for your posture.
Our picks for the best keyboards are comfortable to type on even for extended periods, helping you get more done with less strain. You probably know from working at home that dropping a laptop on a desk and using the built-in keyboard is a recipe for hunched shoulders and cramped fingers.
Read on for our thoughts on the best keyboards you can buy, whatever your situation. Also check out our best gaming keyboards page, most of which can pull double-duty as excellent office models. Our best mechanical keyboards picks can help you find an even more satisfying typing experience.
The quick list
The best keyboards you can buy today
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In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the keyboards on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever keyboard catches your eye.
The best keyboard for most
The Logitech K780 is our top recommendation for those in need of a keyboard because it's reliable, affordable and works on a variety of computers. Plus, it supports Logitech's Flow technology, which lets you move files between machines using this keyboard.
The best mechanical keyboard for most
The Cherry KC 200 MX is a no-frills mechanical keyboard featuring the new Cherry MX2A switches. This simple keyboard offers bouncy, responsive keys, a relatively low-profile and limited customization. If you're new to mechanical keyboards, this $89 peripheral is a perfect gateway.
The best wireless keyboard
The Cooler Master MK770 is an overall great mechanical keyboard, thanks to its sound-dampening gasket-mounted design, smooth Kailh Box V2 switches and stylish Macaron color option.
Read more below
The best keyboard for Macs
If you need a keyboard for your Mac, it's hard to beat the Magic Keyboard. This model connects via Bluetooth and lacks a numeric keypad for maximum portability, though you can get a bigger version with a number pad if you prefer.
The best ergonomic wireless keyboard
The Logitech Ergo K860 is a great choice if you're looking for an ergonomic wireless keyboard because it connects via either Bluetooth or USB dongle, and its split-keyboard design and adjustable wrist rest help you keep your hands comfy to reduce strain.
The best mechanical ergonomic keyboard
The Keychron K11 Max is a wireless ergonomic keyboard that offers a comfortable typing experience thanks to its Alice layout, plus it’s hot-swappable with a premium construction which make it a winner. That said, its finicky companion software and loose feet might turn you off.
The best travel keyboard
The MX Keys Mini is a productivity weapon. It’s beautiful to type on, lightweight and highly portable, but built well enough to withstand the rigors of a backpack. However, the board offers little customization and suffers from some annoying Bluetooth key placements for macOS users. It's also expensive for what it offers.
Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing laptop coverage and reviewing many himself every year.
The best overall
Your laptop isn't the only device you need to type on, so Logitech has keyboards like the K780 that nimbly jump between up to three devices. It also supports Logitech's FLOW technology for easily moving data between computers. That's right: If you're using two different machines, this keyboard can copy a file from one and send it to the other.
Also, it's got circular keycaps, which will attract some people seeking a particular look, and maybe send others searching for other entries. If you're typing around family and friends, note that its keys are designed for a quieter typing noise, so you're less likely to irritate others.
This keyboard supports Mac, PC and Chrome OS using a trick Logitech calls OS Adaptive keyboard layout, where the keys adjust to the computer you're using. A slot at the far side of the keyboard allows you to dock your phones or tablets when you switch from your laptop to your phone.
The best mechanical
The Cherry KC 200 MX is a great peripheral for those seeking a quality mechanical keyboard that won’t break the bank. The MX2A switches, sculpted keycaps and overall sturdy build make typing a pure joy. The subdued yet elegant design is also a highlight.
While it’s a bummer that there’s no wireless option, it’s hard to argue against the superb typing experience and $89 asking price. If you’re looking for a no-frills mechanical keyboard that delivers the goods, the Cherry KC 200 MX is worth considering.
Read our full Cherry KC 200 MX review.
Best wireless keyboard
The Cooler Master MK770 is one of the best wireless keyboards since it's expressly built for typing comfort.
This board features a gasket-mounted design and Kailh Box V2 switches which contributes to a comfortable typing experience. Even with clicky white Kailh Box V2, the keyboard is surprisingly quiet. But if you want, you can change its switches or mod it since it's hot-swappable.
The keyboard comes in Space Gray or "Macaron." The latter features pastel-like green, pink and yellow pastel keycaps which are quite eye-catching. And since this is a 96% keyboard, it takes up less space on your desk than a full-size keyboard.
The Cooler Master MK770 is a great wireless keyboard for typists and gamers alike.
Read our full Cooler Master MK770 review.
Best for Mac
Apple users should start here because this keyboard isn't just designed for their needs, it matches them. The Magic Keyboard is one of the best keyboards because it's a step up from the keyboards in the MacBooks made between 2016 and 2019, and it's pretty similar to the well-reviewed 16-inch MacBook Pro's keyboard — using a reliable scissor-switch mechanism and not the controversial butterfly-switch design.
The Magic Keyboard is one of the smaller keyboards in this set, making it much easier to throw in your bag or use at a small desk. Apple also makes the Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, which has a full number pad if you're OK with the larger size and do a lot of number-crunching. Both models feature a keyboard layout designed for use with Mac, making this one of the best picks on this board. It connects over Bluetooth.
The best ergonomic wireless keyboard
Looking for an ergonomically-friendly keyboard that works with more than just your laptop? The Logitech Ergo K860 is a great choice, and its split-keyboard design is meant to help you keep your hands in place to reduce strain.
One of our favorite features on the keyboard is the feet towards the front side of the chassis so you can change the height of the deck of the keyboard. For those of us with standing desks, that's a crucial difference maker as we're often moving between sitting and standing, which changes where our arms hit the table.
The Logitech Ergo K860 works over both Bluetooth and Logitech's own USB receiver for ultimate compatibility. Three device-pairing keys let you easily switch between paired devices.
Read our full Logitech Ergo K860 review.
The best mechanical ergonomic keyboard
The Keychron K11 Max is an excellent wireless keyboard for all your ergonomic needs. It’s got a 65% Alice layout which means it’s split and slightly tilted to relieve strain on your wrists. If you aren’t used to a keyboard like this, getting to grips with it might feel like an uphill walk, but it’s worth it. The K11 Max offers a great typing experience and its low-profile keycaps and switches are very comfortable to type on. It’s built really well too, with an aluminum frame plus double-shot oil-resistant PBT keycaps which won’t fade over time.
But the K11 Max’s companion software feels finicky as you can’t use it to change the hue and brightness of the RGB lighting, nor can you remap the metallic knob. Furthermore, while its body is built well, the feet are slightly loose making the board easy to knock and move. There’s also no onboard dongle storage, so keep a close eye on that small 2.4GHz adapter.
If you’re willing to overlook these flaws, the K11 Max is a great keyboard that excels at providing its users with a comfortable typing experience.
Read our full Keychron K11 Max review.
The best travel keyboard
The Logitech MX Keys Mini is as nimble as they come, weighing in at under 18 ounces and 12 inches. This little productivity weapon is designed for fast typing, and boy does it deliver, thanks to its super low profile concave keycaps. It’s built well, features strong battery life and is easy to hook up. What’s more, it comes with dual labeled keycaps for macOS and Windows — a boon for anyone who switches between the two regularly.
All that said, this is a pricey board for what it is. You can get awesome mechanical 75% boards for similar money that offer more features and more customization. It also features a couple of annoying quirks, including Bluetooth keys that completely knock out important macOS functions, and a backlight that turns itself off.
Read our full Logitech MX Keys Mini review.
How to choose the best laptop for you
How to choose the best keyboard for you
The most important thing you need to worry about when choosing a keyboard is comfort. You want a keyboard with keys that are big enough to feel comfortable, and you want one that you can position alongside your PC in an ergonomic way. That means different things for different people, but in general, you want a keyboard that can sit as close to your body as possible, so you can avoid straining your arms and wrists while typing.
Next, think about what kind of PC you're trying to connect to. If you're on a Windows PC, you can pick from any of these options except the rare incompatible one, like the Apple Magic Keyboard. Then, if you're just going to pair the keyboard with just one PC, you can decide between the Dell KB216 Wired Keyboard or the Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard -- the latter creates a cleaner desk setup.
But if you're going to use the keyboard with a PC and a tablet or another device, check out the Logitech K780. Chromebook and Mac users should also check out the Logitech K780, as its cross-platform functionality is great for all. Mac users who are always on the go, however, should check out the portable Apple Magic Keyboard. MacBook users who want to build the ultimate home office should look at the Matias Tactile Pro, which is a bit more stable.
