The 7 Best Keyboards For Writers - Winter 2021 Reviews

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.

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.

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.