The Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is an excellent office keyboard designed to promote a natural typing position. It improves on the popular split key cluster design by giving it the same premium material and build quality as other Microsoft Surface products. It's remarkably comfortable to type on. However, features like multi-device pairing, programmable keys, and backlighting are noticeably absent. The keyboard layout requires some adaptation, but if you're willing to give it a try, it may be beneficial in the long run.
Our Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is mediocre for gaming. The keyboard is comfortable to use and the switches' low pre-travel distance feels very responsive. However, it doesn't have programmable keys or backlighting, and its Bluetooth latency may not be suitable for fast-paced games, though this isn't something we currently test for. It also lacks dedicated macro keys for MMO games and there's no software for customization either.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Great typing experience.
- No software for customization.
- Uses disposable batteries.
- No backlighting.
The Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is excellent for office use. Its ergonomic design is very comfortable to type on and doesn't cause any fatigue. It's suitable for nearly any office environment due to its very quiet typing noise, and it has an outstanding build quality that should last for years. It can be used with any computer that has a Bluetooth connection; however, some keys don't work on macOS and Linux.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Great typing experience.
- No software for customization.
- Uses disposable batteries.
- No backlighting.
The Surface Ergonomic Keyboard isn't recommended for use with mobile devices. It can be paired with any device that has Bluetooth capabilities, but due to its sheer size and weight, it's very difficult to carry around. Furthermore, most shortcuts don't work on mobile operating systems.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Great typing experience.
- No software for customization.
- Uses disposable batteries.
- No backlighting.
The Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is passable for programming. The keyboard's ergonomic design lets you work long hours without fatigue, and the keys feel great to type on. Unfortunately, it doesn't have programmable keys or a multi-device pairing feature for multitasking. On the upside, it has great compatibility with most operating systems, though some shortcuts don't work on macOS and Linux.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Great typing experience.
- No software for customization.
- Uses disposable batteries.
- No backlighting.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Great typing experience.
- No software for customization.
- Uses disposable batteries.
- No backlighting.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Excellent ergonomics.
- Great typing experience.
- No software for customization.
- Uses disposable batteries.
- No backlighting.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Oct 30, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 21, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated May 31, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
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Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is an excellent office keyboard designed for anyone who might be concerned about repetitive strain injuries. Its split key cluster design isn't new, as there are many similar keyboards on the market, and it lacks features such as multi-device pairing when compared to a keyboard like the Logitech ERGO K860. However, its clean and modern design is very pleasing, and the Alcantara-covered wrist rest is a unique signature of Microsoft's Surface product line.
For other options, you can see our recommendations for the best keyboards, the best keyboards for writers, and the best wireless keyboards.
The Logitech ERGO K860 is better than the Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard for most uses. The Logitech has reverse incline settings to prevent the wrists from bending downwards and has better wireless capabilities, as it can be paired to multiple devices at the same time with its USB receiver and through Bluetooth. The Logitech also has software support, but the Surface Ergonomic has a much better build quality.
The Kinesis Freestyle Pro is a bit better than the Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard. The Freestyle Pro's split keyboard design lets you place the two halves any way you want, but the Surface Ergonomic is more comfortable due to its great Alcantara wrist rest. The Freestyle Pro has mechanical Cherry MX Brown switches, programmable keys, and software support; however, the Surface Ergonomic has significantly better build quality.
The Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is significantly better than the Matias Ergo Pro. Although they have very different approaches to the split keyboard design, the Microsoft is better in almost all aspects, such as build quality, ergonomics, and versatility, since it can be paired to anything that has a Bluetooth connection. However, the Matias has better compatibility with Linux.
The Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is much better than the Adesso Tru-Form 150. The Microsoft has a much better build quality, typing quality, and compatibility with different operating systems. The Microsoft's Bluetooth connection also makes it more versatile, but it doesn't have backlighting, which the Adesso has.
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