The best ergonomic keyboard for most people working from home in Australia is the Logitech ERGO K860: full size with a number pad, split and curved in one piece, with a built-in wrist rest and negative tilt. It is also the easiest to find, at Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and more. If you want something smaller, the Logitech Wave Keys keeps the number pad in a compact wave shape.
Our picks at a glance
- View at Amazon AU
- View at Woolworths
Best compact wave keyboard
Logitech Wave Keys Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard, Sand (920-013925)
- View at Ergoport
Best fully split keyboard
- View at Amazon AU
Best mechanical ergonomic keyboard
Kinesis mWave Mechanical Keyboard for PC, Tactile (KB150P-TAC)
The picks in detail
- Top pick
Best overall
Logitech ERGO K860 Split Ergonomic Keyboard (920-009166)
Most people should buy the Logitech ERGO K860.
View at Amazon AUIt keeps a full-size layout with a number pad, so the only new thing is the split down the middle and the curved frame, and a pillowed wrist rest is built in. Legs under the front edge set it at 0°, -4° or -7°. It connects by Bluetooth Low Energy or Logitech’s Unifying receiver, switches between three devices and runs for up to 24 months on two AAA batteries. The Australian model is 920-010111, and you can pick one up at Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Scorptec or Ergoport, among others. Skip it if your desk is narrow: it is 456 mm wide.
What we like
- Curved split layout with a full number pad
- The only pick with adjustable negative-tilt legs: 0°, -4° and -7°
- Sold by more Australian retailers than any other pick
Watch out for
- Wrist rest is fixed and can’t be removed
- Unifying receiver, which doesn’t pair with Logi Bolt mice (Bluetooth works for both)
- No backlighting, and not spill-resistant
- Best compact wave keyboard
Logitech Wave Keys Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard, Sand (920-013925)
The Logitech Wave Keys is the gentlest move away from a flat keyboard.
View at WoolworthsThe rows rise and fall in a soft wave instead of splitting, and it still fits a number pad into a body about 38 cm long, with a palm rest of three layers of memory foam. Its legs tilt it the conventional way, +4°. It connects by the included Logi Bolt receiver or Bluetooth, switches between three devices and runs for up to 36 months on two AAA batteries. In Australia it is sold by Woolworths, in Graphite. Buy it if you want little to relearn and a smaller footprint. Skip it if negative tilt is what you are after.
What we like
- Compact wave layout that still has a number pad
- Up to 36 months on 2 x AAA, with a Logi Bolt receiver
- Dual-printed Windows and Mac keys
Watch out for
- Palm rest is permanently attached
- Only a +4° tilt; no negative-tilt option
- Best fully split keyboard
Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue for PC (KB800PB-BT)
The Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue is two separate halves joined by a flexible tether.
View at ErgoportRemove the tether and you can place them up to about 23 cm (9 in) apart. It is flat and low, about 2.2 cm at its highest point, with membrane keys that need 45 grams of force. Bluetooth 5.1 pairs it with three devices, and Kinesis rates the rechargeable battery at more than 300 hours of typing. Palm supports and tenting (5°, 10° or 15°) are add-on kits. Ergoport sells it in Australia. Buy it if you want to set the spacing yourself. Skip it if you want something ready to use straight from the box, or your computer has no Bluetooth.
What we like
- Two separate halves, up to about 23 cm apart
- Rechargeable; over 300 hours of typing per charge
- Low, flat profile, about 2.2 cm high
Watch out for
- Palm supports and tenting are add-on kits, sold separately
- Bluetooth only, with no receiver in the box; hot keys don’t work on a Mac
- Best mechanical ergonomic keyboard
Kinesis mWave Mechanical Keyboard for PC, Tactile (KB150P-TAC)
The Kinesis mWave puts mechanical switches in a wave shape: this version has tactile Gateron Low Profile Brown switches (55 grams, 3.0 mm travel).
View at Amazon AUIt has a fixed split, built-in tenting and a washable palm support, and three magnetic feet in the box give it a negative tilt. It works over its USB cable or over Bluetooth with two devices, runs on two AA batteries (included) and can be remapped in Kinesis’s browser-based Clique editor. Its 85 keys fold the keypad into the main layout. Amazon AU and Ergolink sell it. Buy it if you want mechanical keys. Skip it if you need a separate number pad or backlighting while wireless.
What we like
- Low-profile tactile mechanical switches
- Built-in tenting plus magnetic negative-tilt feet
- Wired or Bluetooth, and programmable in a browser
Watch out for
- Backlighting works only when plugged in over USB
- Pairs with two Bluetooth devices, one fewer than the other picks
For a keyboard that comes fully apart, look at the Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue; for mechanical switches, the Kinesis mWave. To match a mouse to any of them, see our guide to ergonomic keyboards and mice.
The short version
- Best overall: Logitech ERGO K860 (920-010111). Curved split, full number pad, fixed wrist rest, 0°/-4°/-7° legs.
- Best compact wave keyboard: Logitech Wave Keys. Wave-shaped with a number pad, memory-foam palm rest, up to 36 months on AAA batteries.
- Best fully split keyboard: Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue. Two halves up to about 23 cm apart, Bluetooth, rechargeable.
- Best mechanical ergonomic keyboard: Kinesis mWave. Low-profile tactile switches, built-in tenting, wired or Bluetooth.
How they compare
Keyboard | Design | Wrist rest | Tilt and tenting | Connection | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Logitech ERGO K860 | Curved split, one piece, full size, 456 mm wide | Built in, fixed | Legs: 0°, -4°, -7° | Bluetooth LE or Unifying receiver, 3 devices | 2 x AAA, up to 24 months |
Logitech Wave Keys | Wave shape, compact with number pad, about 38 cm | Built in, 3-layer memory foam | Legs: +4° | Bluetooth LE or Logi Bolt receiver, 3 devices | 2 x AAA, up to 36 months |
Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue | Two separate halves, up to about 23 cm apart | Optional add-on | Flat; 5°/10°/15° tenting with add-on kits | Bluetooth 5.1, 3 devices | Rechargeable, 300+ hours of typing |
Kinesis mWave | Fixed split wave, 85 keys, mechanical, about 39 cm | Built in, washable | Built-in tenting; magnetic negative-tilt feet | USB cable or Bluetooth, 2 devices | 2 x AA (included), about 18 months |
The main ergonomic keyboard designs
Curved and wave one-piece keyboards
The K860, Wave Keys and mWave keep the keys in one body but angle or curve the rows so your hands sit slightly apart. The K860 goes furthest, with a clear split and an arched frame. The Wave Keys only lets the rows rise and fall, which is why it feels closest to a laptop or office keyboard.
Fully split keyboards
The Freestyle2 Blue is two separate halves. You decide how far apart they go and at what angle, from almost touching to about 23 cm. Give yourself a few days to find a spacing you like.
Mechanical ergonomic keyboards
The Logitech boards and the Freestyle2 Blue use membrane keys. The mWave has an individual mechanical switch under each key. Kinesis sells it with tactile brown switches (55 grams, a small bump as the key registers) or smooth, quiet red linear switches (45 grams). This guide links to the tactile version, KB150P-TAC; the linear one is KB150P-LIN.
What to compare before you buy
Tilt and tenting
- Negative tilt raises the front edge rather than the back. The K860's legs give 0°, -4° or -7°, and the mWave's magnetic feet do the same. Kinesis recommends a keyboard tray with the mWave's negative-tilt feet.
- Tenting lifts the middle so the halves slope down to the sides. The mWave has it built in; the Freestyle2 Blue adds it with optional kits.
The Wave Keys tilts the conventional way, +4°.
Wrist rests
The K860, Wave Keys and mWave have a rest built in; on both Logitech boards it can't be removed. If you want to use your own, the Freestyle2 Blue sells palm supports separately. The mWave's palm support is washable.
Number pad or not
The K860 and Wave Keys both have a full number pad, and the Wave Keys is about 8 cm shorter than the K860. The mWave folds its keypad into an 85-key layout, which keeps it narrower so the mouse sits closer. If you are short of room for the mouse, our vertical mouse vs trackball comparison covers the space-saving options.
Connections and batteries
All four are wireless. The two Logitech models come with a USB receiver as well as Bluetooth. The Freestyle2 Blue and mWave are Bluetooth only, with no dongle, so your computer needs Bluetooth; the mWave can also run over its USB cable, the only way to switch on its white backlighting.
The K860 and Wave Keys run on AAA batteries for up to 24 and 36 months. The mWave takes two AA batteries, which Kinesis says last about 18 months at 6 to 8 hours of wireless use a day, switched off overnight. The Freestyle2 Blue is rechargeable. All but the mWave switch between three devices.
Mac or Windows
The K860 and Wave Keys have dual-printed Windows and Mac keys. The Freestyle2 Blue for PC works on a Mac only in basic form (its hot keys don't work), and both Kinesis keyboards come in separate Mac versions, so check which one the shop lists. Australia uses the US English layout, so the Logitech models sold here, such as the K860 (920-010111), are English US.
Which is the best ergonomic keyboard for you?
- The least change from a standard keyboard: the Logitech Wave Keys.
- A clear split, in one piece: the Logitech ERGO K860, the only pick with adjustable negative-tilt legs.
- Setting the width yourself: the Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue, with tenting as an add-on later.
- Mechanical keys: the Kinesis mWave, with a wired option and built-in tenting.
- A flat keyboard with a good typing feel instead: our MX Keys S vs MX Mechanical comparison.
Buying in Australia
The Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply whatever the maker's warranty says: a keyboard must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and as described, and a fault entitles you to a repair, replacement or refund depending on how serious it is. Before you order, check the colour and part number on the listing match the model named here.
How we chose
We have not tested these keyboards. We started from ergonomic keyboards sold by Australian retailers, left out gaming models and picked one for each common design: a curved one-piece, a wave, a fully split and a mechanical board. Specifications come from Logitech's and Kinesis's own pages, linked under Sources.
Questions people ask
Is a split keyboard better than a curved one-piece keyboard?
Neither suits everyone. A fully split keyboard like the Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue lets you set the spacing and angle of each half, while a curved one-piece like the Logitech ERGO K860 is closer to a normal keyboard and needs no setup.
What is negative tilt on a keyboard?
Negative tilt means the front edge sits higher than the back, the reverse of most keyboards. The Logitech ERGO K860 has legs for 0°, -4° and -7°, and the Kinesis mWave comes with magnetic feet for a negative tilt.
Are there mechanical ergonomic keyboards in Australia?
Yes. The Kinesis mWave, sold by Amazon AU and Ergolink, uses low-profile Gateron mechanical switches in a tactile brown or a quiet linear red version.
Do these ergonomic keyboards work with a Mac?
The Logitech ERGO K860 and Wave Keys have dual-printed Windows and Mac keys. The Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue and mWave for PC use Windows layouts, and Kinesis sells separate Mac versions of both.
Do I need a USB receiver for a wireless ergonomic keyboard?
Not always. The Logitech models include a USB receiver and also work over Bluetooth. The Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue and mWave connect by Bluetooth only, so your computer needs Bluetooth (the mWave can also use its USB cable).
Sources we used
- Logitech ERGO K860 product page, specifications and variants (Australia)
- Logitech Wave Keys product page and variants (Australia)
- Logitech Wave Keys specifications (US page)
- Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue for PC specifications
- Kinesis mWave features, specifications and battery FAQ
- Kinesis mWave for PC store page (switch options)
- ACCC: Consumer rights and guarantees