The 7 Best Keyboards For Writers - Fall 2020
Reviews

The best mechanical keyboard for writers that we've tested is the Razer BlackWidow Elite. This wired, full-sized mechanical board is a great choice for writers and office use due to its low pre-travel distance before actuation and overall design. It has a hefty build that doesn't have much flex, and the ABS plastic keycaps don't feel cheap. For a straight keyboard, the ergonomics are great as it has two incline settings and a wrist rest.

The model we tested has proprietary Razer Orange switches, which have 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. 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 on-board memory.

Unfortunately, Razer Synapse 3 is only available on Windows, and the keyboard itself is partially compatible with macOS. Also, it's prone to sliding around when in use, which may be annoying if you plan on typing for hours on end. That being said, if you want a mechanical keyboard with a great typing experience that's quite comfortable, this is a great choice for writers and one of the best mechanical keyboards we've tested.

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 a curved design that may take some time getting used too but offers outstanding ergonomics as a result and feels very comfortable to use. The frame itself is made entirely 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 can result in an increase in typos. Once you get used to it, you should have a comfortable typing experience.
 
Unfortunately, it doesn't have any backlighting, and it depends on AAA batteries to function. Also, while there are a few programmable keys, including the function keys, you can't program any macros. Also, the keycaps are pad-printed, which means the key legends might fade or chip the more you use them. That being said, if you want a very comfortable typing experience for long days of writing, this is one of the best ergonomic keyboards that we've tested.

The best non-mechanical keyboard for writers that we've tested is the Logitech MX Keys. This full-size 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're able to reprogram some of the keys through Logitech's Options software, you can't set any macros, nor does it have any dedicated macro keys. Also, you won't be able to store your settings on the keyboard itself as it lacks onboard memory, but 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 in the budget category is the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard. It's a very simple, yet good overall office board that most writers should be happy with.

It has simple rubber dome switches that have a low pre-travel distance and offer some tactile feedback, but require quite a bit of force to press. The keys are stable and offer good overall typing quality, and they're very quiet if you work in an open-office environment. Even though it doesn't have a wrist rest of incline settings, you shouldn't feel fatigue typing on it for long periods because of its low profile. It's a wireless keyboard, but it doesn't have multi-device pairing, so you can only connect to one device at a time via Bluetooth.

Sadly, it doesn't have many extra features. There's no backlighting and you can only set macros to the F4-F7, which is still convenient for a simple, budget-friendly option. Since it's full-sized, it's also not the most ideal to carry around with you. All in all, this is the best keyboard for writers in the budget category that we've tested.