I Bought the Best-Selling Ergonomic Keyboard: Logitech ERGO K860 Review

When you type “ergonomic keyboard” into the search bar, the Logitech ERGO K860 is the first to come up. A bestseller, it’s also been reviewed (and raved about) time and time again. So, when I was shopping around for the best ergonomic keyboard, it was instantly in the running.

But let’s back up: Who needs an ergonomic keyboard and why? For starters, I do. As a self-employed writer, I spend the bulk of my workday typing away. Even though I use a standing desk, the excessive typing isn’t all that great for my body. Specifically, I struggle with hand and wrist pain, which isn’t just uncomfortable but also a hindrance to my productivity. If you’re in a similar situation, an ergonomic keyboard may be worth looking into as well.

I have a not-so-great track record with keyboards. I replace mine about once every year or two, usually because they stop working or I can no longer see the letters on the keys. Nearly a decade into my writing career, I’ve gone through a number of keyboards, none of which have lessened my hand and wrist pain — until now.

While shopping for a new keyboard, I knew I wanted it to have:

• A curved or split design.
• Negative tilt.
• Low-profile keys.
• Bluetooth compatibility.
• 104+ keys (aka full-size).

Since the K860 checked all my boxes, it was a no-brainer. I purchased one nearly two months ago and have been using it daily ever since. Here’s my firsthand review of the Logitech ERGO K860 and why I can’t see myself ever going back to a regular keyboard.

Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard

Visit Amazon $129.99 from Walmart

Expect a Small Learning Curve

I was excited at the idea of an ergonomic keyboard, but I wasn’t eager to actually make the switch. Ergonomic keyboards generally lack aesthetic appeal and look awkward to type on. Plus, I already had a keyboard I (mostly) loved.

My previous keyboard was a mechanical one — they’re known for their long-lasting durability. With white, blue, and purple components, it was aesthetically pleasing. But my favorite part was how satisfying it sounded when you typed on it. If you’ve ever heard of “creamy” keyboards, that’s what I’m talking about. There was just one major pain point, literally: It worsened my hand issues. I knew it had to go.

As soon as I got the Logitech ERGO K860, I set it up immediately, which was very easy to do. But getting used to it wasn’t as quick. Like most ergonomic keyboards, this one has a split design. There’s a physical division down the middle of the central keys, which intentionally encourages your hands to stay put where they belong. The idea is to prevent unnecessary hand movements, which not only makes for more comfortable posture but also increases speed and accuracy when typing.

This design made me realize I hadn’t been typing the proper way for, well, as long as I can remember. I had to search the right finger position a few times and retrain myself. Had I stuck to regular keyboards, I may never have realized my finger placement was way off, creating more movement than needed. No wonder I was in pain.

So yes, there’s a learning curve, but it’s a small one. Within a few days, I’d already started building new muscle memory so I could type on the K860 without looking down as often. Soon, it felt second nature to type on, but more importantly, I was more comfortable.

It Actually Made a Difference

I didn’t buy this keyboard because it matched my aesthetic or my previous one broke. I bought it in the hopes it made for a more ergonomic setup. And that’s exactly what happened.

Before I got this keyboard, I’d tried numerous wrist braces and an ergonomic mouse. None made a significant difference, and to be honest, I didn’t expect a product to eradicate my pain overnight. Typing can be awkward, and I do a lot of it.

That’s why I’m so impressed with this keyboard. It didn’t take long for me to experience relief. I noticed a difference within a day or two. I chalk it up to a few key features, which I’ll dive into in the next section.

However, I don’t want to position this keyboard as a magic fix because there isn’t one. I type thousands of words per day, so as with any occupation with repeated movements, some discomfort is to be expected. Two months in, I’m not 100% pain-free. But this has made a significant difference, and I’ll gladly take it.

What Makes It Ergonomic?

Here’s how it’s different from your typical laptop or desktop keyboard, and why these design choices can improve your comfort when typing.

Split and Curved Design

Regular keyboards are flat, rectangular, and familiar. Ergonomic keyboards often have a split design or curved frame — the K860 has both.

“Split” refers to how the keys are divided and laid out. When typing according to ideal finger placement, certain keys are covered by the left hand while others are handled by the right. However, reality doesn’t always live up to expectations. I, for one, didn’t realize my finger placement was all over the place. The split design forces your hands to stay on their respective sides, helping to keep movement to a minimum, thereby reducing fatigue and strain.

“Curved” refers to the actual frame. The K860 has a pretty steep curve, so your hands aren’t so cramped and your wrists aren’t awkwardly bent. The wavy design ultimately encourages your hands but especially your wrists to remain more neutral, which can even affect how your forearms, neck, and shoulders feel after prolonged typing.

Integrated Wrist Pad

Ergonomists say you should have some sort of wrist support while typing to reduce awkward wrist bending. If your keyboard doesn’t have one, you could get a wrist rest and push it up to the edge of your keyboard. That’s what I did before, but now I realize I prefer keyboards with built-in wrist pads, such as the K860.

I wasn’t specifically looking for this feature, but I’m grateful for it now. It turns out, built-in is better. I like that the K860’s wrist pad doesn’t move around throughout the day. It also makes the whole unit seem more solid since there’s no gap between the keys and wrist pad. With multiple layers of memory foam, it’s very comfortable yet firm enough to provide support. It’s also smooth to the touch, making it easy to wipe clean.

Some people would rather the wrist pad detach, but I don’t see this as a deterrent. Perhaps in a few years, I might feel differently. If it were to become faded or discolored over time, it might be nice to detach and replace it. After two months of use, it still looks brand new, but only time will tell.

Adjustable Negative Tilt Stand

Many keyboards have little feet so you can prop the keyboard up, so the back is higher than the front. The problem with this is it creates a positive tilt, almost certainly encouraging bent wrists. Unfortunately, this is very common — all of my previous keyboards had this.

After doing some research, I realized that a negative tilt is what I actually needed. This is when the front is higher than the back. It’s not as common, but the K860 has it. There are three options: no tilt, -4° tilt, and -7° tilt. The middle option has been the most comfortable for me, allowing for neutral wrists and forearms parallel to the floor.

Low-Profile Keys

Tall vs low-profile keys are a personal preference, but the latter is technically more ergonomic. And since I’m all about ergonomics these days, I was drawn to the K860 because its keys are shallow — less work for my fingers.

Think about it: When the keys are taller, there’s a larger distance for your fingers to travel when pressing down on them. Therefore, low-profile keys require less travel. In my experience with the K860, I think there’s less effort to press each key. This may seem minimal, but thousands of key presses per day add up.

Tall keys are standard, so if you’re like me and want a low-profile option, you’ll have to seek it out. Fortunately, the K860 has slim keys bundled with the rest of its other ergonomic features. 

And if you share an office space, the quiet keys won’t disrupt your coworkers.

Logitech K860 vs Logitech Wave Keys

When I was on the market for an ergonomic keyboard, two Logitech keyboards kept coming up: the ERGO K860 (the one I chose) and the Wave Keys (a close second). I purchased the K860 myself, but Logitech was kind enough to provide the Wave Keys for me to compare the two. Here’s my advice on choosing between them.

Both are positioned as an ergonomically designed keyboard, so a few features overlap. They both have built-in wrist support, adjustable feet, and curved frames. I also like that both are Bluetooth-enabled and come with batteries. Though you’ll have to replace the batteries eventually, they’re supposed to last up to 1.5–2 years.

The deciding factor for some: The Wave Keys is less than half the cost of the K860, making it a more affordable entry into the world of ergonomics. The more budget-friendly model also comes in a wider range of colors, takes up less space, and has taller keys, which some people prefer. Plus, it has less of a learning curve since there’s no split. Just keep in mind that the adjustable feet create a forward tilt.

Ultimately, after having tested both, I still prefer the K860. If your budget allows it, I’d recommend springing for the pricier of the two, especially if you’re on the hunt for the most ergonomic desk setup. I find the low-profile keys, split design, and negative tilt more comfortable, making the K860 the clear winner for me.

Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard

Visit Amazon $129.99 from Walmart

Final Thoughts

No one has a crystal ball, but I can confidently say that I don’t see myself going back to a regular keyboard after using this keyboard. I’ve tried at least a half dozen keyboards in the last decade, and the Logitech ERGO K860 is my favorite by far. It’s made for the most comfortable typing experience I’ve found, and it seems durable.

Even if this keyboard didn’t hold up over time, I’d repurchase it as often as needed because the comfort it provides is worth the cost.