The 7 Best Keyboards For Writers - Spring 2020
Reviews

The best keyboard for writers that we've reviewed so far is the Razer BlackWidow Elite. The unit that we reviewed features Razer's proprietary Orange switches, which are similar to Cherry MX Brown switches, but you also can get it with Green (tactile and clicky) or Yellow (linear and silent) switches.

The Orange switches provide great tactile feedback when typing and they're nearly silent, making this keyboard suitable for quiet offices. Typing on this keyboard feels light and responsive, and a well-padded wrist rest is included for optimal comfort. Overall build quality is excellent and the doubleshot keycaps ensure that key legends won't fade over time. This keyboard comes with a ton of extra features that are quite convenient. It has dedicated media controls, a USB passthrough to charge mobile devices or to connect another peripheral, and full RGB backlighting for those who like to work in the dark. Each key's backlight can be customized individually, and you can reprogram or set macros to any key.

Profiles can be saved on the keyboard's on-board memory, making it easy to switch to another computer, or they can be saved using Razer's Synapse 3 software. Sadly, the latter is only available for Windows, but macOS and Linux users can still program macros using hotkeys. If you're a writer or you spend all day typing, this keyboard is worth a try, making this the best mechanical keyboard for writers.

The best ergonomic keyboard for writers that we've tested so far is the Logitech ERGO K860. It has a split keyboard design and reverse incline settings to help promote a natural typing position.

The built-in wrist rest is well-padded and covered with a fabric that feels very premium. Although the scissor switches require a bit of force to actuate, the overall typing experience is very pleasant, as the switches have a very pronounced tactile bump and their low pre-travel distance make the keyboard feel extremely responsive. That said, the keyboard's unconventional layout does have a bit of a learning curve and you may notice a greater number of typos at first. This keyboard can be paired to multiple devices simultaneously either through Bluetooth or its unifying USB receiver, and you can switch between them with a press of a button, making multi-tasking easy. Logitech's Options software lets you reprogram the function keys; however, it's only available for Windows and macOS, so Linux users won't be able to customize.

There are also a few other downsides: it doesn't have backlighting, it uses disposable batteries, and the keycaps are pad-printed, which means that key legends can fade or chip with regular use. If ergonomics are a priority or you're concerned about repetitive strain injuries, this keyboard could be a good option.

The best non-mechanical keyboard for writers that we've tested so far is the Logitech MX Keys. This full-size keyboard features scissor switches that are great to type on, and its chiclet-style keys are also lightly indented to help with typing accuracy.

It has exceptional wireless connectivity, with a multi-device pairing feature that lets you connect up to three devices at the same time, and switching between the paired devices is easy and seamless. It has fantastic compatibility with most operating systems, as it can be used with any device that's Bluetooth-capable, and there are only a few OS-specific shortcuts that don't work on Linux and mobile operating systems. Although this keyboard operates on a built-in rechargeable battery, it has backlighting for those who like to work in the dark. There are a number of keys that can be reprogrammed to other functions through Logitech's Options software, but you can't set any macros to them and it doesn't have any dedicated macro keys.

This keyboard doesn't come with a wrist rest and there aren't any incline settings; however, it's decently comfortable to type on for long periods due to its low profile. Typing noise is very quiet, so you shouldn't have any issues using it in quiet environments. All in all, if you don't like mechanical keyboards, this is the best non-mechanical keyboard for writers.

The best budget keyboard for writers we've tested so far is the SteelSeries Apex 3. It's a decent overall keyboard that uses rubber dome switches that are quiet and won't bother others around you.

This is the entry-level keyboard in the SteelSeries lineup. Although it has features found on other high-end keyboards, like media keys, RGB lighting, macro programmable keys, and a scroll wheel, the rubber dome switches don't offer the same typing experience as mechanical switches. The typing quality is decent, and the keycaps are very stable, but it could be difficult to press and it could get tiring at times due to the high actuation force. Luckily it comes with a nice wrist rest and has good overall ergonomics, and for a budget keyboard, the build quality is impressive, and it should last you a few years.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have any on-board memory if you want to set macros, but that shouldn't be a problem for most writers. The keys aren't individually-lit, but rather there are 10 lighting zones, which still gets the job done if you write in dark environments. Overall, it offers great features for a budget keyboard, making it the best budget keyboard for writers we've tested so far.