By Robin Owens 11 days ago, Keyboards
The best keyboards for Mac at an affordable prices.
If you have a Mac computer, you don’t necessarily need to have a keyboard from Apple developer, even though it’s quite logical. You can use many other keyboards with macOS, and they can provide even better overall performance and be more suitable for your needs and wishes.
When choosing a keyboard, you should always check its compatibility, quality of the build, convenience of use and typing experience on the whole. I’ve tried more than 60 devices to create this list of the best keyboards for Mac.
Interface: Bluetooth| Keyboard backlighting: No
⊕ Convenient wrist rest
⊕ Good tactile response
⊕ Supports many devices and OS
⊕ Simple screenshots on Macs
⊖ Split design
While the Ergo K860 is quite convenient, I couldn’t get used to its shape. If you need an ergonomic keyboard for Mac, and you feel fine using such a design, the Logitech Ergo K860 will be perfect for you.
Its height is suitable for both sitting and standing typists. It’s a good keyboard that will help you improve your posture by minimizing stress and strain.
Interface: Wireless | Keyboard backlighting: No
⊕ Modern
⊕ Minimalist design
Sturdy
⊕ A lot of color options
⊕ Mac-specific keys
⊖ Short battery life
⊖ Inconvenient for gaming
The Satechi Aluminum Bluetooth keyboard is a great alternative to Magic keyboard, a full-size Apple device. It has a lot of similar features, but delivers a bit more convenient typing experience and has more color options.
Satechi Aluminum Keyboard has the same layout and familiar Mac keys, with which you can quickly adjust brightness, volume, control windows, and switch between applications.
Interface: Bluetooth | Keyboard backlighting: No
⊕ Very compact
⊕ Comes with a rechargeable battery
⊕ Bluetooth connection
⊕ Works wired and wirelessly
⊖ Needs OS X El Capitan or later
⊖ Lack of tilt mechanism
⊖ Expensive
⊖ Odd arrow keys
If you need to use one peripheral with different devices, the Apple Magic keyboard is the best option for you. However, it was difficult to switch the pairing back and forth, while the Logitech Bluetooth easy-switch keyboard truly lived up to its name.
If you’re going to buy a new iMac that has the Magic keyboard in the set, you won’t see any difference between this one and your previous Apple keyboard as they both are small and have a bit reduced key travel.
If your old keyboard is living the last days and you feel like changing it to the Apple model that doesn’t need AA batteries, this best Mac keyboard will be the best option for you.
Interface: Wireless | Keyboard backlighting: No
⊕ Simple-to-use software
⊕ Excellent wireless functionality
⊕ Offers great productivity
⊖ The wrist rest can’t be removed
⊖ No backlighting
⊖ Doesn’t have a built-in battery
⊖ Inconvenient extra key
If you are looking for a mechanical wireless gaming keyboard that has the same speedy response as wired models, the Logitech G613 will give you that. That’s a very good option, however, it has some disadvantages.
This Apple wireless keyboard doesn’t have RGB lighting and analog volume control, offers limited key programming, has a plastic deck and a permanently placed wrist wrest. This is a good model, but it definitely can be improved.
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: yes
⊕ Fast keypress response
⊕ Provides any actuation point you wish
⊕ Great lighting
⊕ Amazing per-key RGB lighting
⊖ Not the best for long-term typing
⊖ Pricey
⊖ Spongy switches
I don’t think it’s the best idea to recommend a $ 200 keyboard. You can find a lot of other great keyboards for half its price. However, if you are interested in testing really innovative switches, have some cash laying around and enjoy a gorgeous-looking keyboard, the SteelSeries Apex Pro is just for you!
The keyboard is in two versions: full size and TKL, without number pad.
Interface: Wireless | Keyboard backlighting: No
⊕ Works at a distance of 10 meters
⊕ Comes with a rechargeable battery
⊕ Bluetooth connection
⊖ Works only on macOS 10.12.4 or more recent
The Apple Magic keyboard with a numeric keypad allows you to work on your Mac in style. It’s fully wireless. After you connect it with a cable that comes in the set, your Mac will be connected to it via Bluetooth straight away. In this way, you won’t have any issues with cables and you will be able to type long texts using its scissor-switch chiclet keys.
There are also keyboard shortcuts to control your music and other multimedia. The battery runs for more than a month on one charge. This Apple wireless keyboard is around 1 cm high and easy to store when you don’t need to use it.
Interface: Wireless | Keyboard backlighting: No
⊕ Very slim profile
⊕ Compatible with three devices
⊕ Supports all OS
⊕ Can be recharged
⊖ Key travel is too shallow
The Jelly Comb is one of the best keyboards for Mac as it's very slim and suitable for both home and office use. You can easily connect it to your computer or laptop.
Jelly Comb Bluetooth keyboard from Amazon will be perfect for those who need to switch between multiple Windows, macOS, Android or iOS devices. The ergonomic keycaps fit your finger perfectly and offer low noise and comfortable touch. While the Jelly Comb keyboard is not specifically categorized as a compact keyboard, if you are specifically seeking a 65% keyboard, the DROP Matt3o can be considered the best 65% keyboard available. The DROP Matt3o keyboard combines the space-saving layout of a keyboard with a high-quality build and customizable features. It offers a unique and stylish design, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
Interface: Wireless | Keyboard backlighting: Yes
⊕ Great key switches
⊕ Nice design
⊕ Discrete media keys
⊕ Switches between Bluetooth and Lightspeed
⊖ Lacks wrist rest
⊖ Pricey
⊖ The skeletal design lets dust inside
The Logitech G915 provides amazing wireless experience with some nice switches. It’s a firm keyboard that opens a new era for Logitech.
I can definitely recommend the G915, however, it has one huge disadvantage, the price. It costs $250, which is a lot, but if you disregard the price, I highly recommend this one.
Interface: Wireless | Keyboard backlighting: yes
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ Nice RGB lighting
⊕ Silent keys with anti-ghosting
⊖ Lack of QWERTY layout in Europe
⊖ Feels a bit weak
⊖ KLIM Lightning is better for gamers
⊖ The USB cable feels cheap
The KLIM Chroma is a good keyboard for Mac. If you want to get a keyboard unlike the ones that you see in every office, then KLIM Chroma is what you need. Its RGB isn’t overpowering, the keys are almost silent and responsive. Besides, it’s waterproof.
However, even though it was created for gamers, it’s not the best option for them. KLIM Lightning is a better keyboard for gamers. It comes at the same price and has semi-mechanical keys.
Image | Name | Features | |
---|---|---|---|
Logitech Ergo K860
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE → | ||
Satechi Aluminum
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → | ||
Apple Magic Keyboard
Designed |
CHECK PRICE → |
Before you begin choosing, there are some things you need to pay attention to. First of all, you’ll have to decide if you want a wireless or wired model. Nowadays, manufacturers release a lot of wireless keyboards to meet the demand.
Wireless keyboards provide great mobility, however, their performance may be worse than wired Mac keyboards offer. Before you choose a model, check its functionality. A lot of keyboards are very plain and offer basic features.
Even though they don’t provide some enhanced key functions and macros, basic keyboards are very easy to use and don’t require much brainpower. If you select a plain keyboard, you won’t need to spend so much time getting accustomed to the position of the keys.
Style is also essential as you will look at your keyboard often. The majority of keyboards for Mac are slim and grey-colored. However, some developers produce ultra-slim keyboards, so before choosing the best keyboards for Mac, determine how slim it should be.
To ensure you get the best computing experience, think carefully if you want convenience keys. A lot of Mac keyboards have them, which allows you to adjust the volume, brightness and eject the disc tray.
As for computing, the functionality of the keyboard is essential. However, it’s also important to find a balance between functionality and comfort. There are Mac keyboards that have in-built USB ports, which gives you extra functionality. A good Mac keyboard should offer a comfortable and ergonomic typing experience. Features such as low-profile keys, adjustable tilt, and a responsive keystroke can reduce strain on the wrists and fingers, promoting long-term comfort and preventing fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Before choosing a particular model, check its price. Cheap keyboards may not have some advanced features that expensive models offer. However, if basic functionality is enough for you, then you will be fine using cheaper models too.
Technically, any keyboard will work. You can connect it to a Mac and use its basic features. It means that you can type, use the majority of the function buttons, etc. However, you won’t be able to use more advanced features, such as dimming the screen, adjusting the volume, etc.
A mechanical keyboard comes with mechanical spring-activated switches instead of the plain membrane or scissor-switch mechanisms used in laptops. Some users claim that mechanical keyboards are the best. However, there is a problem. If you use Mac, you won’t be able to find many Mac-native mechanical keyboard options. I’ve talked about two models above, but these are the only inexpensive options available. As for the quality, mechanical switches aren’t always better than regular ones, but they feel differently when typing and working on your computer or laptop. Some users like it, some don’t.
Yes. All the latest Mac computers have Bluetooth, and they are compatible with any Bluetooth keyboard on the market.
Even though layouts of such keyboards are for Mac and iOS, they can be used with Windows and Android devices. There’s also less convenient than keyboards that you can use to keep pens or styluses, but they will work perfectly for your iPad or iPhone. Such keyboards don’t slip either.