Ergonomic Keyboards Compared | What To Buy?

Key wellness & ergonomics strategies from the video

• Keep the mouse close to your body (reduce reach)

  • The presenter prefers layouts that allow the mouse to stay near the body midline, minimizing shoulder/neck load.
  • Wider keyboards can push the mouse too far right, increasing strain and awkward reaching.

• Prevent lateral deviation during typing

  • With traditional straight keyboards, there’s a tendency for the wrist to drift laterally.
  • Curved designs aim to reduce this side-to-side wrist movement.

• Maintain neutral wrist posture with supportive design

  • A comfortable wrist rest can help keep wrists aligned.
  • However, if the rest “locks” your hands into a position, it may cause you to move in a way that recreates lateral wrist deviation—so comfort should be balanced with movement freedom.

• Choose wrist/forearm comfort and adjust desk height

  • For wavy keyboards (curved/wave-style), the presenter recommends lowering the desk by ~1–2 cm to compensate for keyboard thickness and improve geometry.
  • The wave design feels closer to a mechanical keyboard and can support typing comfort, though it requires an adjustment period.

• Typing technique matters (touch typing)

  • The ergonomic benefits of curved/wave positions are most effective for people who can touch type.
  • If you don’t touch type, you may move your hands excessively across gaps, increasing the risk of awkward wrist/arm positioning.

• Keyboard size trade-offs (digits vs. reach)

  • If you don’t need a numeric keypad (e.g., you’re not an accountant), prioritize designs that keep the mouse closer rather than maximizing key quantity.
  • Intermediate/compact designs can provide a numpad without pushing the mouse too far.

Keyboard comparisons discussed (what the presenter highlights)

• Large curved keyboard (K60)

  • Pros: helps with lateral wrist deviation; has a comfortable wrist rest.
  • Cons (main objection): excessive width pushes the mouse far to the right.

• Intermediate/compact keyboard with numpad (K780, described as “intermediate”)

  • Pros: compact enough that the mouse stays closer; width for letters is consistent.
  • Cons: still may show some lateral wrist deviation.

• Wave keyboard (Logic te wve / “the wave,” described favorably)

  • Pros: combines advantages of compact + curved; digits not too far; mouse stays close to the body; comfortable wrist support; typing feel closer to mechanical.
  • Cons: requires re-learning/adaptation to the layout; tendency not to “float completely”; thicker keyboard suggests desk-height adjustment.

Actionable takeaway

For better ergonomics and reduced strain:

• Optimize your setup for midline mouse placement, not just hand comfort.
• Pick curved/wave designs if they help neutralize wrist deviation—especially if you touch type.
• Adjust desk height (~1–2 cm lower for thicker wave keyboards) to maintain correct geometry.
• Be cautious that wrist rests don’t lock you into a posture that recreates strain.

Presenters / sources

• Olivia J. (Economist), posture therapist — author of The Posture Manual and creator of The Posture Academy (Logitech keyboard ergonomics commentary; notes her contract with Logitech has ended).