Best keyboards in 2024
The best keyboards for school or home use, in both wired and wireless flavors.
1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best mechanical
4. Best wireless
5. Best Mac
6. Best wireless ergonomic
7. How to choose
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. For starters, having your neck craned downward all day long is going to cause serious problems for your posture.
Our picks for the best keyboards, on the other hand, 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. Be sure to 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.
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 quick list
The best keyboards you can buy today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
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.
Best for most
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.
Best mechanical
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.
Best wireless
The best wireless keyboard for most
The Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard is what we recommend if you want a no-nonense wireless keyboard that works with everything from your PC to your laptop to your TV.
Best for Mac
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.
Best for most
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 overall
1. Logitech K780
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
3. Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
A wireless keyboard doesn't have to cost a whole lot. The minimalist and lightweight (0.9 pounds!) Arteck is one of the best keyboards because of its Swiss-Army- Knife-like functionality, thanks to its USB receiver that lets it connect to everything from desktops to laptops to even TVs. It'll work with Macs, but the keyboard is optimized and designed for Windows.
The keyboard should work up to 33 feet from the connected device, which is probably too far for anything besides the living room, but that's more than enough for setting up even the most complicated, ergonomically compliant home office. Arteck also promises solid endurance, rating it for up to 6 months on a single charge. The keyboard has a 24-month warranty, which one Amazon customer review says came in handy when key sensitivity issues arose; the company replaced the keyboard with a new one.
Best for Mac
4. Apple Magic Keyboard
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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.
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.
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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice.