Are Mechanical Keyboards Ergonomic?

One of the many reasons people move over from a traditional membrane keyboard to a mechanical one is because of their ergonomic benefits, but how exactly do you benefit from this?

Reduced Overall Strain

Mechanical keyboard switches offer a distinct tactile feedback and a variety of different switches and weight options for you to choose from that best fit your desired typing experience. In return, choosing the perfect switch weight and its unique tactile feedback can significantly reduce the amount of strain put on your fingers and wrists as you will not have to apply a lot of pressure to each key when typing, leading to longer and more pleasant typing sessions.

Ergonomic Layouts

While switches definitely play a big role when it comes to ergonomics, there is a whole subreddit dedicated to various different ergonomic keyboards and keyboard layouts, but the main things people look for are:

• Split Design - This design lets your hands sit in a more comfortable position, leading to lower chances of “Ulnar Deviation” and “Forearm Pronation injury.”
• Tenting - Tenting, having a raised middle section on a keyboard, can improve your typing posture and reduce the pain associated with forearm pronation as well.
• Desk and chair Height - While this is not regarding a keyboard in particular, I thought it would still be important to mention it as it can help mitigate forearm extension.
• Keyboard Sizing - Having a more compact keyboard can help reduce the distance you move your arm when going to and from your mouse and your keyboard.

Good Entry Options

Now that we know the benefits of ergonomic keyboards, which one should you consider buying? Here is a short list of some great options:

• Anything from Keebio
• Keychron Q10
• Keychron Q8

Keeb.io is known for having a bunch of great ergonomic keyboard kits and keyboards at every price point you can think of, making it a great option for beginners and veterans alike! The Keychron Q10 and Q8 feature a somewhat ergonomic design as they utilize what is called the “Alice” layout. These keyboards are in a set ergonomic position, which is good for those who don’t want to be constantly moving the keyboard around, but of course, it is not for everyone as some people might like the keyboards split apart to customize it to the perfect position for maximum ergonomics. The only difference between the Keychron Q8 and Q10 is that the Q10 has an FN row and the volume knob on the left while the Q8 does not have an FN row and has the volume knob on the right.

At the end of the day, there are plenty of great options on the market, and like with everything in this hobby, it all comes down to what exactly you want out of your mechanical keyboard. Happy typing!