For writers, spending countless hours typing on a bad keyboard can be tiring and potentially lead to other issues. Writers also have very unique requirements when it comes to keyboards; some prefer mechanical switches, while others prefer the silent typing noise of a membrane keyboard. As such, we've compiled a list of our recommendations for the best keyboards for writers, from feature-packed models to budget options; hopefully, you can find one that will inspire you to keep writing.
We've tested more than 105 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best keyboards for writers that are available for purchase. For other options, see our recommendations for the best keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The best mechanical keyboard for writers that we've tested is the Razer BlackWidow Elite. This wired, full-sized option is a great choice for writers and office use due to its excellent typing quality and overall design. It has a solid build that doesn't have much flex, and the ABS plastic keycaps don't feel cheap. Even if it's a straight keyboard, the ergonomics are great thanks to the two incline settings and the included wrist rest.
The model we tested has proprietary Razer Orange switches, which have low pre-travel and give nice tactile feedback while also being fairly quiet. They're quite similar to the Cherry MX Brown switches, with a bump right before the actuation point, but you could also choose clicky Razer Green or linear Razer Yellow switches if that's what you prefer. The keys are stable and well-spaced out, which should help reduce typos. It has full RGB backlighting and programmable macros, both of which can be customized in the Razer Synapse 3 companion software. Also, any changes to your settings can be saved to the onboard memory.
Unfortunately, the Razer Synapse 3 software is only available on Windows, and the board itself is partially compatible with macOS. Also, the wrist rest is prone to sliding around when using it, which may be annoying if you plan on typing for hours on end. That said, if you want a mechanical model with great typing quality and comfort, this is a good choice for writers, and it's the best keyboard for typing all day.
If you prefer a wireless mechanical keyboard for writing, check out the Razer Pro Type. It doesn’t have as many features as the Razer BlackWidow Elite, such as dedicated media keys or a wrist rest, but it’s designed for productivity and has multi-device pairing capabilities. You can connect it to four devices simultaneously, either via Bluetooth or its USB receiver, and you can easily switch between them by pressing down on a few keys. The Pro Type also provides an excellent typing experience that feels light and responsive, and it shouldn’t cause much fatigue over time. It’s only available with Razer Orange switches, so you can’t choose another type to better suit your needs, and unfortunately, the companion software isn’t available on macOS. Nevertheless, it feels very well-built and has simple white backlighting that allows you to work in dark environments.
If you want the best mechanical keyboard for writing and prefer to have options like dedicated media keys and a wrist rest, go with the Elite, but if you’re looking for a wireless model that can connect to more than one device at once, check out the Pro Type.
The best ergonomic keyboard for writers that we've tested is the Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Split Keyboard. This full-sized option is an excellent choice for those working in an office and writing all day. It has outstanding ergonomics and feels very comfortable to use, thanks to the curved design. The frame itself is entirely made out of plastic and has a bit of flex to it, but it doesn't feel cheap.
It features typical scissor switches that have nice tactile feedback. There's a notable bump before actuation that requires a lot of force to get over, but it remains very quiet and shouldn't bother anyone around you. Because it has a curved design, the keys are in a non-standard layout and may feel odd at first, which could increase typos. Once you get used to it, you should have a great typing experience.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have any backlighting, and it depends on AAA batteries to function. Also, while you can reprogram some keys to a preset list of functions, you can't program any macros. The keycaps are pad-printed, which means the key legends might fade or chip over time. That said, if you want a very comfortable typing experience for long days of writing, this is the best keyboard for writers with an ergonomic design.
If you prefer an ergonomic option with mechanical switches, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB is a great alternative. It's wired, so it's not compatible with mobile devices like the Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Split Keyboard, but it has more customization options. It has eight dedicated macro keys on the left side, and you can also set macros to any key. The Cherry MX Brown switches we tested have a low pre-travel distance and offer a great typing experience, but it's also available with Cherry MX Red, Blue, or Speed Silver switches, so you can choose the one that better suits your needs. It has full RGB backlighting, and the wrist rest that's included with it is detachable in case you're not a fan of it. Although it doesn't come with incline settings, you can purchase a 'Lift Kit' separately if needed.
The best ergonomic keyboard for writers is the Logitech, but if you're set on getting an ergonomic mechanical board, definitely consider the Kinesis.
The best non-mechanical keyboard for writers that we've tested is the Logitech MX Keys. This full-sized option features scissor switches that are great to type on, which makes it an ideal choice for office work. The entire frame is made of metal, while the keys themselves are stable and made of good quality plastic. Despite the lack of a wrist rest and incline settings, its low profile means you shouldn't get too tired during prolonged typing sessions.
It uses typical scissor switches that require little force to actuate and produce very little noise. The keys also have an indentation on them, which should help maintain faster typing speeds while reducing typos. Also, it's Bluetooth-compatible and can be paired with up to three devices at the same time, while switching between them is effortless. Even though it doesn't have any RGB settings, it does have full white backlighting, which matches its more professional design.
Unfortunately, while you can reprogram some of the keys to a preset list of functions through Logitech's Options software, you can't set any macros, nor does it have any dedicated macro keys. Also, you can't store your settings on the keyboard itself as it lacks onboard memory, but it compensates for this by having Cloud Sync. All in all, if you're looking for a non-mechanical option for writing, this is the best one we've tested.
The best keyboard for writers that we’ve tested in the budget category is the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard. This full-sized model is well-built and feels solid, even if its body has a bit of flex to it. The keys are stable, and the ergonomics are decent, so you should be able to type on it without much fatigue over time. It’s wireless-only and connects with Bluetooth, which is great if you’re trying to avoid clutter on your desk.
The overall typing quality is good, with tactile rubber dome switches that need a bit of force to actuate and offer decent feedback. The low pre-travel distance helps to keep the typing light and responsive, and it’s quiet enough for any kind of working environment. You can only set macros to four function keys, but at least you can reprogram them to pretty much anything you’d like within the companion software.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any incline settings and wrist rest, and the lack of backlighting means it’s not the best option if you work in a dark environment. Also, you can only connect it with one device at a time and it uses two AAA batteries, so you’ll need to change them eventually. That said, this keyboard offers good value, and if you’re looking for good typing quality, this is the best one we’ve tested in this price range.
If you prefer a budget keyboard with multi-device pairing, check out the Logitech K380. It doesn’t have any macro-programmable keys, and it’s not as well-built as the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard, but you can pair it with up to three different devices via Bluetooth, and it’s a fantastic choice to use with mobiles or tablets. The typing quality is good as the keys are stable, and it has a low profile that should make it comfortable enough to type on for long periods of time. It uses scissor switches that require a bit of force to get over the tactile bump, but the overall feeling remains light and responsive. However, the very low pre-travel distance could lead to more typos if you’re not used to it. There’s also no backlighting whatsoever, so this isn’t the best choice if you work in a dark environment. That said, its small size makes it easy to carry around if you like to write on the go.
If you want the best budget keyboard for writing, get the Microsoft, but if you’re looking for an option that supports multi-device pairing and is a better fit to use with mobile devices, go for the Logitech.
01/14/2021: Removed the smaller alternative for the best mechanical keyboard, the Razer BlackWidow Lite, and added a wireless alternative, the Razer Pro Type, to better answer writers' needs.
11/17/2020: Replaced the Logitech K780 with the Logitech K380.
09/18/2020: Added Logitech Craft to Notable Mentions.
07/21/2020: Replaced the Vortex 3 with the BlackWidow Lite and the ErgoDox EZ with the Kinesis; moved the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard as the main budget pick and removed the Apex 3, then added the K780 as an alternative.
04/07/2020: Replaced Kinesis FreeStyle Edge RGB with ErgoDox EZ, added Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best keyboards for writers for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our keyboard reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no keyboard is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.