If you spend a lot of time at a computer, choosing an ergonomic keyboard should be on the top of your to-do list. Read this article to learn the importance of choosing an ergonomic keyboard, the top considerations you should be aware of, and see a few of the ergonomic keyboards our team of experts recommends the most.
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The Importance of Choosing an Ergonomic Keyboard
Selecting the right ergonomic keyboard is an important part of your ergonomically designed computer workstation. If you have the wrong keyboard setup right now, your aching hands and wrists likely agree with the previous statement.
Of course, there is no one size fits all solution and there are many considerations for finding the right keyboard for you.
Considerations for Choosing and Using an Ergonomic Keyboard
According to OSHA’s Computer Workstation etool, the basics are always the same:
- The keyboard should be directly in front of you.
- Your shoulders should be relaxed and your elbows close to your body.
- Your wrists should be straight and in line with your forearms.
The idea is to get your wrists in a neutral posture which puts the least amount of stress and strain on your body. To accomplish this, you’ll need to consider keyboard height, keyboard distance and the overall design of the keyboard.
Keyboard Placement – Height:
If the keyboard is too low, you’ll have to compensate by bending your wrists upward. If the keyboard is too high, you’ll have to compensate by raising your shoulders to elevate your arms. To get the keyboard at the right height, adjust your work surface and your office chair so that your elbows are at about the same height as the keyboard and your shoulders are relaxed. Your wrists should be in a neutral posture.
If your work surface and office chair can’t be adjusted to this position, you may need to use a keyboard tray. Be sure the keyboard tray is adjustable in height and tilt and provides adequate room for your legs to fit comfortably underneath it.
Keyboard Placement – Distance:
If the keyboard is too close or too far away from you, it will cause you to compensate and creates awkward postures. The keyboard should be directly in front of you at a distance that allows your elbows to stay close to your body with your forearms and wrists parallel to the ground.
Design and Use:
Keyboard design, size and tilt should all be considered when selecting a keyboard. As mentioned earlier, there is no one-size fits all approach.
The Most Recommended Ergonomic Keyboards by the Experts
Following are a few examples of the ergonomic keyboards our ergonomics consultants use and recommend most often to clients. These examples range in types, styles, and price points.
Logitech K350 Wireless Keyboard
The Logitech K350 is a great choice for ergonomic typing. It features a wave design which encourages natural hand and wrist positioning, reducing the risk of strain or injury from sustained use. The keyboard has adjustable feet that allow you to customize the height and angle of the keyboard to best suit your situation. Additionally, it comes with programmable F-keys, allowing you to quickly access your most used functions.
“This is the keyboard I use in my office. It has a slight wave to keep your wrists in a neutral position, an integrated wrist rest, and the ability to adjust the pitch at multiple diferent angles. It is a GREAT budget keyboard.”
Steven Herrenbruck, MS, ATC, CEAS
Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Keyboard
The Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Keyboard is ideal for those looking for an ergonomically designed keyboard that also looks stylish. It features a split design which allows your arms and wrists to be in a more natural, relaxed position while typing. It also has adjustable tilt settings and cushioning wrist rest with the option of adding palm supports, allowing you to customize it to best fit your body type. Additionally, the ERGO K860 has a concave key design that helps reduce finger fatigue due to its curved shape.
“The Logitech ERGO K860 is a great mid priced option which has all of the features of the K350 with an upgraded wrist wrest and a more pronounced “wave” feature allowing the wrists, elbows, and shoulders to be in a proper ergonomic position.”
Steven Herrenbruck, MS, ATC, CEAS
What Can Our Ergonomics Experts Do For You?
If you’re a safety or HR manager tasked with ensuring your office workers have ergonomically designed workstations, we can help. It can be overwhelming to do this at scale. We can help you make sure your office workers are operating at maximum comfort and productivity, and deal with any fatigue and discomfort they’re experiencing!
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