THE KEYS TO SUCCESS

From fully wireless models to keyboards geared towards ergonomic comfort, Aatif Sulleyman explores the options to get the most out of your desktop, laptop or device set-up

Keyboards don’t attract a great deal of attention. We tend to take them for granted, focusing instead on the more glamorous devices they’re often connected to.

That’s unsurprising, of course, but it’s worth remembering that a bad keyboard can significantly affect your entire computing experience, even if you’ve shelled out on a fantastic device. That’s why it’s worth taking a little time to make sure you pick the right keyboard for your needs.

There are lots of things to consider before you part with your cash, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the many hundreds of different options that are on the market. Some keyboards are compatible with multiple operating systems, but many only work with Windows or MacOS. The first thing you need to ensure is

that your keyboard actually plays nice with your device or devices.

We’ve included both membrane and mechanical keyboards in this round-up. Membrane keyboards tend to be the cheaper option. They’re lighter too, which is great if you frequently compute away from your desk, and are much quieter than mechanical keyboards. Mechanical keyboards, meanwhile, tend to be more durable and, though they can be quite loud, for many fans the clicking sound they make adds to the user experience. Mechanical keyboards are also better for typing quickly and gaming, as you don’t need to push keys all the way down to activate them. They’re heavy too, which isn’t great for portability, but a major plus point for gamers, as they don’t slide around a desk very easily.

Standard keyboards can cause repetitive strain injury if they’re uncomfortable or you use them for too long. We’ve therefore included an ergonomic keyboard too, which looks highly irregular, but is designed to support your wrists and make the entire typing experience a lot more comfortable.

It’s also important to consider whether you should buy a wired keyboard or a (potentially more expensive) wireless Bluetooth keyboard. Bluetooth models require batteries, but they offer much more flexibility. You can use them pretty much anywhere, and can hook them up to phones and tablets, as well as desktops and laptops.

1. Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Keyboard: £29.99, Argos

The K400 Plus is wireless, which is a huge positive if you care about keeping things tidy and if you tend to compute on multiple devices. It has a 10m range, and is compatible with Windows, Android and Chrome devices. It’s nice to use on your lap too, looks slick, comes with a touchpad, has an 18-month battery life – unfortunately it’s not rechargeable – and comes with shortcuts for Windows and Android. Having to hit the Fn button in order to use the Home and End keys is a slightly annoying shortcoming though.

2. Advent K112 Keyboard: £5.99, Currys

At £5.99, you can’t really go wrong with the K112. It’s a basic, no-frills Windows keyboard that does what it says on the tin. Just plug it into your computer and type away. It isn’t the sleekest bit of kit out there, but won’t look out of place on most desktops. If you already have a good keyboard, this is a handy back-up option.

3. Logitech K120: £14.99, Amazon

Logitech’s K120 is slightly pricier, but offers a number of extra features. It works with Linux and Windows machines and is spill-resistant, draining small amounts of liquid if you have a little accident. Once again, it isn’t particularly eye-catching, but it feels very solid, with Logitech saying each button can withstand up to 10 million keystrokes. For the price, it’s a tempting choice.

4. Cherry MX 3.0 Keyboard: £47.94, Amazon

The Cherry MX 3.0 looks simple and neat, thanks to its compact build, straight lines and sharp edges. It’s a mechanical keyboard, meaning it’s solid, durable and ideal for fast typers, as you don’t need to push keys all the way down to activate them. It’s also quite loud though, which can take some getting used to.The cable is completely detachable, which is great if you fancy moving away from your desk, but there aren’t any customisation options here.

5. Apple Magic Keyboard: £79, Currys

Apple’s Magic keyboard is sleek, and designed to work with Mac and iOS devices. It’s compact and wireless, making it easily portable, and the battery inside is rechargeable, lasting around a month at a time. Keys are shallow and geared towards fast typers, though this doesn’t make for the most satisfying typing experience. It’s a slick piece of kit though, and will fit right in with any other Apple products you own.

6. Logitech K780: £79.99, Logitech

The K780 is a compact, pleasantly modern-looking keyboard that’s designed for minimalist desktops. Alternatively, you can also use in your lap, as it’s wireless, with a 10m range. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, iOS and Android machines, and you can be connected to several devices at once, switching between them easily with the touch of a button. There’s an integrated stand for smartphones and tablets too. It’s quiet to type on, and the circular keys are easy to get used to, well-spaced and large enough to accurately hit. For this price though, the lack of backlighting is disappointing.

7. Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic: £85, Microsoft

The Sculpt’s hefty, curved, bizarre-looking build serves a purpose. It’s an ergonomic keyboard, and is designed to both provide wrist support and lift your forearms into a relaxed position so you don’t hurt yourself from typing for lengthy periods of time. It feels weird, but it seems to do the trick. The keys have a good amount of travel and are raised into more natural positions, making for a far more comfortable typing experience, and the cushioned rest is very supportive. This one is only compatible with Windows machines.

8. Microsoft Universal Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard: £99, Amazon

Microsoft’s Bluetooth keyboard is about as portable as a keyboard can get. You can fold it in half and carry it around in your jacket pocket or bag, with it feeling a little like a large wallet. It has generously sized keys for easy typing, and though the keyboard is thin, the buttons offer a surprisingly good amount of travel. The two-piece spacebar takes some getting used to, though. It works with Windows, Android and iOS machines, and you can connect to two devices at once. Off a single charge, you can get up to three months of use and you don’t need to worry about accidental spillages either, thanks to its water-repellent keys.

9. Corsair Strafe RGB Silent Mechanical Gaming Keyboard: £159.99, Corsair

Corsair’s keyboard is expensive, flashy and extremely impressive. All of its keys are programmable, there’s eye-catching backlighting and the buttons are textured for improved grip.The bells and whistles are there because it’s designed for gamers. However, despite being mechanical, it’s silent, meaning you can use it for everyday computing too. It also comes with a detachable wrist-rest, though it isn’t wireless and compatibility is limited to Windows devices.

The verdict

For sheer value for money, it’s hard to look past Logitech’s K400 Plus wireless keyboard. It’s feature-rich, compatible with a wide range of devices and costs less than £30. If comfort’s what you’re after though, there’s no beating the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard.