The 6 Best Keyboards For Mac of 2024

The Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad is one of the most recognizable keyboards on the market. Unsurprisingly, it's our top pick for the best keyboard for Mac devices, as it's specifically designed to complement them with its features and aesthetics.

First off, this keyboard has excellent build quality. Despite its very thin profile, it has an aluminum chassis that's very stiff and limits flexing. It also provides impressive typing quality with standard spacing, stable keys, and responsive-feeling tactile switches. One of the more unusual features this keyboard offers is the ability to use a biometric sign-in with a Touch ID chip. This feature works with M1 or later Mac computers. Just note that it doesn't work on iPads or iPhones. The keyboard connects to your Mac using Bluetooth and only supports pairing with one device at a time, making it a good choice if you're using a standalone iMac or a more permanent MacBook setup with an external monitor. However, thanks to Apple's Universal Control feature, you can use one keyboard across multiple Mac devices. Depending on your usage, the battery life lasts around a month, so you won't need to worry about charging it frequently.

Note that Apple just released an updated version of this keyboard. We haven't tested this new version yet, but they're the same price, and to our current understanding, the only difference is that the new version now uses a USB-C cable instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning cable. If you like the sound of that change, be sure to check your device for compatibility before buying the new version. Apple lists the older Lightning model as compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled Mac computers using macOS 10.12.4 or later and iOS devices with iOS 10.3 or later. The new version is listed as compatible with Apple silicon computers using macOS 11.4 or later.

For something a bit less expensive, we recommend the Logitech MX Keys S. This premium-feeling office model and its companion software are fully compatible with macOS systems. You can get the most out of the keyboard's software features, like Logitech Flow, which lets you seamlessly use one keyboard across multiple devices and operating systems. Note that there's a Mac version of the keyboard. This Mac version is identical to the regular version except that it has Mac-specific modifier keys while the normal variant has both Windows and Mac legends. Both versions support a Bluetooth connection, but the regular version also comes with a BOLT USB receiver, which the Mac-specific version lacks. This means the regular variant is still a great choice for Mac users if you don't mind using an adapter for that USB-A receiver, which can provide more reliable connectivity in congested wireless spaces.

Altogether, Logitech has paid close attention to small details with this keyboard, making it a popular fixture in many offices and workspaces. Its low profile is comfortable to type on without a wrist rest, and each keycap has a small indent in the middle to guide your fingertips to the center of the key and avoid accidental keystrokes. On a full charge, it lasts up to 10 days with backlighting on and up to five months with backlighting off, so you don't need to worry about recharging it during a busy work week.

You can set the backlighting to adjust to the lighting conditions around you, ensuring the keycap legends are easy to read. There's also a compact version of this keyboard called the Logitech MX Keys Mini. It's a great option if you have a smaller desk or don't need a numpad. Unique to this version, it's also available in a few colorways, including Logitech's take on Apple's Space Gray, which fits very nicely into Mac setups.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, we recommend the Keychron B6 Pro. Visually, this keyboard is very similar to our mid-range pick, the Logitech MX Keys S. It features an almost identical layout and low-profile design, making it comfortable to type on without a wrist rest. Additionally, it supports multi-device pairing over Bluetooth.

However, the similarities end there. The reason this keyboard doesn't take a higher spot is its build quality, which doesn't feel as premium as the Logitech MX Keys S. The plastic materials feel a bit cheaper, and there's noticeable deck flex. Typing quality also doesn't quite match up due to the flatter keycaps that don't hold your fingertips as securely in the center, along with slightly more key wobble while typing.

Another point worth considering is that this keyboard lacks backlighting. This may be disappointing if you prefer illuminated keys in all lighting conditions, but it can also be an advantage, as it significantly extends battery life—up to 1,200 hours or approximately eight months with five hours of daily use. Finally, while the B6 Pro doesn't support proprietary software features like Logitech FLOW, it does support VIA software, providing more flexibility for custom key assignments and complex macro recording. Overall, the Keychron B6 Pro is a solid choice if you're less concerned with premium build quality and backlighting and more interested in extended battery life and greater customization options for key bindings. Lastly, if you prioritize portability, you may be interested in the smaller variant of this keyboard called the Keychron B1 Pro.

The Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s is the best cheap keyboard for Mac that we've tested. This compact, low-profile unit works great with Mac products as it connects using Bluetooth, so you don't have to worry about dongles, adapters, or needing a USB port. That said, it does support (but doesn't include) Logitech's BOLT USB receiver, which you can use to pair with many current-generation Logitech mice. It also supports multi-device pairing with up to three devices at once, and you can switch between devices at the press of a button. Another standout feature of this board is its incredible battery life. With a fresh pair of AAA batteries, you may get as much as 36 months of battery life, and you'll never have to worry about cramming a charging cable into your backpack.

That said, its only major downside is a byproduct of its compact, portability-forward design. It has a slightly more cramped key layout than more conventional full-size keyboards and somewhat unusual circular-shaped keycaps. You'll likely have no problems getting used to the design and will be typing at your regular speed with a bit of practice, but you may make more typos than usual when first using it.

If you're a Mac user who prefers the satisfying feeling of mechanical switches, we recommend the NuPhy Air75 V2. This low-profile, wireless board is available with several different switch options and offers an incredible typing experience without any modification, right out of the box. That said, if you're interested in customization, it also has a hot-swappable PCB, so you can easily swap out switches later on if you'd like.

Its build quality stands out with an aluminum top chassis that makes it quite rigid and more than tough enough for frequent transport, whether you're moving between hot desks or carrying it in a bag. It also comes with doubleshot PBT keycaps that have a slightly textured finish, making them pleasant to type on. Out of the box, the keycaps include Mac-specific legends, and there's a physical toggle for switching between Mac and Windows compatibility modes. Additionally, this keyboard supports VIA software on Mac, allowing you to customize a range of settings, including key assignments, RGB lighting effects and brightness, and custom macros and profiles.

As a final note, this keyboard is part of a wider lineup with two other variants: a more compact (60%) NuPhy Air60 V2 and a larger NuPhy Air96 V2. We encourage choosing whichever size best matches your needs. For example, the more compact Air60 V2 has fewer keys but is much more portable, while the larger Air96 V2 has nearly all the keys found on a full-size model, including a numpad.

For a more budget-friendly mechanical option, we recommend the Keychron K3 (Version 2). Like our Best Mechanical recommendation, the NuPhy Air75 V2 above, this keyboard has a low-profile design, which makes it comfortable to use without needing a wrist rest. Unfortunately, its typing quality isn't as impressive. The keys wobble a bit while typing, and the keycaps are made of less expensive ABS plastic, which also tends to get shiny and a bit slippery with heavy usage. Its build quality also isn't quite as premium-feeling, but it still feels very sturdy and similarly has an aluminum chassis typically found on higher-priced models that keeps deck flex to a minimum.

If you might be interested in changing out the stock switches at some point, note that you can buy this keyboard in a hot-swappable configuration at checkout. On the other hand, you can opt for the non-hot-swappable version to save a little money or choose the white-only backlighting instead of full RGB.

Like other Keychron models, this keyboard has a compatibility toggle on the top to switch between macOS and Windows. It also comes with Mac-specific keycaps installed and supports VIA software, allowing you to customize key assignments, adjust backlighting, create custom profiles, and record macros.