While the nature of the office has changed drastically in the past few years, the need for a good keyboard hasn't. When using a keyboard for work, it's important to find one that's comfortable, quiet, and satisfying to type on. Wireless models are also a good choice, as you won't have to manage cables. Many wireless models recommended here have incredibly long battery lives, meaning you won't have to charge them frequently.
We've tested over 240 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best keyboards for work. That said, if you're looking for more options, check out our lists for the best programming keyboards, the best low-profile keyboards, and the best keyboards for typing. Otherwise, you can check out our list of the best ergonomic keyboards if you want a specifically ergonomic keyboard.
The Logitech MX Keys S is the best office keyboard we recommend for most people, especially if you're used to typing on a laptop. This keyboard uses scissor switches similar to those found in laptop keyboards rather than the mechanical switches found on some of the other picks on this list. While it doesn't quite offer the same tactile typing experience as using a mechanical model, it provides the same software integrations. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or with Logitech's BOLT USB receiver.
One element this keyboard has that many more basic office keyboards don't is that its full white-only backlighting can adjust to the lighting conditions around you—which can help the backlighting from distracting you, but make sure the legends are easy to read at all times of the day.
Logitech has also put in effort with this keyboard to get many finer details just right. The keycaps have a shallow indent in the middle to gently guide your fingertips into the center to help you avoid accidental keystrokes, and the low-profile keys keep your wrists flat on your work surface for support while you type. Also, unlike the Keychron K5 Max, which has a rigid metal top plate for added durability, the top plate on this keyboard is plastic but looks metal, so it's lightweight while keeping a premium look.
The Logitech Signature K650 is your best bet for a budget-friendly office keyboard. This full-size unit has rubber dome switches instead of scissor or mechanical switches. These switches are very quiet, and most people find them comfortable to type on, but they aren't as snappy-feeling as the scissor switches in the Logitech MX Keys S, and they may feel a bit mushier than you're used to if you're constantly typing on laptop keyboards.
This keyboard has a few built-in ergonomic features, which is surprising given its budget price point. It has a palm rest that supports your wrists nicely and can help alleviate fatigue when typing for long periods. The keys themselves are also deep-set into the board, so you don't have to strain your wrists upwards to reach them, and you can adjust the feet on the bottom of the board for two additional incline settings.
If you're looking for something even cheaper, we recommend the Dell KB216. While other options on this list connect wirelessly, this is a wired-only model and is about as basic as you get, which is ultimately its strength. It has a standard full-size form factor with plenty of space between keys and key clusters, and its low-profile design makes it comfortable to use without needing a wrist rest.
Its wired-only connectivity means you don't need to worry about recharging it, but of course, it means you can't move it around your desk very much or take it with you on the go, and you can't connect it to multiple devices at once. Altogether, its plastic construction feels a bit cheap, and the typing quality is lacking with fairly mushy feeling keystrokes. That said, if you're only looking for an inexpensive, basic keyboard, the Dell ticks all the boxes it needs to at a price point that's hard to improve on.
If you're looking for a mechanical keyboard for the office, we think your best bet is the Keychron K5 Max. It has a similar design approach to our top pick, the Logitech MX Keys S, with a full-size, low-profile layout. However, you can buy this keyboard with linear or tactile low-profile mechanical switches, which are pre-lubed from the factory and offer a slightly longer total travel with a more active rebound. This keyboard also has much flatter keycaps, which can be preferential for some to type on.
You can use this keyboard wired or via Bluetooth with up to three other devices connected simultaneously. However, it also includes a 2.4GHz USB receiver, which can provide a more stable connection in congested wireless environments. Using this receiver also provides significantly better overall performance than any other keyboard on this list if you plan to game when the day is done.
While you can buy this keyboard with white-only or full RGB backlighting, the stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends like those found on the MX Keys S. However, if this is an important aspect for you and you don't mind doing a bit of extra customization, you can buy an aftermarket low-profile keycap set with shine-through legends to use with this keyboard.
If you have a smaller desk or don't need a Numpad for your daily work, we recommend the NuPhy Air75 V2. Note that this keyboard may be out of stock from some online retailers, but you can find it on Nuphy's website. This compact, wireless unit offers an exceptional typing experience. However, its more playful and colorful design may not blend in as seamlessly in all work environments. This is also a great portable pick thanks to its low profile and compact design, making it easy to toss into a backpack and travel with.
Furthermore, it supports versatile connectivity options and great system compatibility. You can use it wired or wirelessly with a USB receiver. It also supports Bluetooth connections, allowing you to pair up to three devices simultaneously. Like with the Keychron K5 Max above, there's also a switch at the top to change between connection types, so you can easily use this unit with any workstation setup, whether you're at home or the office.
It also has helpful extra features like system-specific keycaps for macOS and Windows. Lastly, it's a hot-swappable keyboard, meaning you can swap the stock switches for a different set of low-profile switches if you're looking for a more custom feel. Although it doesn't come with the keyboard by default, NuPhy also sells a specially designed folio carrying case that can double as a stand for your phone or tablet, wrist rests, and alternate keycap sets, all available for separate purchase.
The Logitech ERGO K860 may look unusual, but its features keep you comfortable and minimize strain, so we recommend it as the best ergonomic office keyboard. This keyboard's wave-like shape descends into two distinct clusters of keys, which helps to keep your shoulders, wrists, and hands in a more natural position while you type. The attached wristrest is plush and high-quality, providing stable palm support.
Instead of the standard incline settings, with feet on the underside of the board along the edge furthest away from you, the feet on this keyboard are on the side closest to you. It means that when you pop them open, you tilt the board away from you so your wrists bend gently downwards rather than upwards. On top of it all, this keyboard features an extremely long battery life, and the two AA batteries can last up to two years before you need to replace them. You can also connect to this keyboard with its USB receiver or pair it with a maximum of three devices at once using Bluetooth.
Check out the Logitech Wave Keys instead if you want a more compact option. It's a full-size model with a similar ergonomic design, but its keys and key clusters are closer together, so it's more portable and takes up considerably less desk space. It doesn't have negative incline options like the ERGO K860 and doesn't quite offer the same typing quality as it uses mushier-feeling rubber dome switches. Also, the compact layout feels more cramped.
We've confirmed the relevance, pricing, and availability of all our recommendations and aren't changing our lineup in this update.
Sep 05, 2024: In our Notable Mentions section, we've added the newly-reviewed Logitech Signature Slim Keyboard K950 and replaced the NuPhy Halo96 with its successor, the NuPhy Halo96 V2.
Jun 11, 2024: We've made the Logitech MX Keys S our new 'Best Office Keyboard' recommendation. Due to pricing changes, we've also replaced the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard with the Dell KB216 as our cheap recommendation. Lastly, we've added a new 'Best Mechanical Office Keyboard' category with the Keychron K5 Max as our pick.
Apr 19, 2024: We've adjusted some of our phrasing in this article and added the newly reviewed Keychron V5 Max to our list of Notable Mentions.
Feb 05, 2024: We've reviewed this article and confirmed the availability and pricing of all our picks, but we haven’t changed our lineup of recommendations with this update.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best keyboards for work. We factor in price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all of 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.