Ergonomic keyboard consideration must start with the mouse and how the combination of mouse and keyboard affects your posture.
Prior to mice being ubiquitous, split or domed keyboard designs were thought to be ergonomic. However now the major issue for computer keyboard ergonomics is the length of keyboard and the effect of numeric and function keypads to the right of the standard keys. These extra keypads force the mouse to be further away from the computer and so the user’s elbow is further away from the body and their shoulder is holding a suspended arm. All this creates tension between the neck and hand and is the source of many painful RSI conditions.
Our recommendation is to select a good compact keyboard without numeric and function keypads and an ergonomic vertical mouse. If you need a number pad, consider having a separate one which can be pushed out of the way when you’re not using it. Your wrist shouldn’t be bent when using a keyboard so look for feet at the back so that the back can be raised slightly if necessary.
Ergonomic Mouse & Keyboard Buying Guide
UK Suppliers
Note for Evoluent mice size see sizing tab above
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DXT02 Ergonomic Mouse
Less expensive, wired version. Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View UK Supplier -
DXT02W Ergonomic Mouse
Excellent! Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View UK Supplier -
Ergonomic Penguin Mouse
Hold a bit like a small glass with your arm resting on the desk. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed. See [Penguin Size] tab.
View UK Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse L/H-Normal
Left-handed normal-size version (consider DXT02 instead if you have small hands)
View UK Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse R/H-Normal
Right-handed version (their normal size is for larger hands)
View UK Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse R/H-Small
Right-handed small-hand version (normal size is for large hands)
View UK Supplier -
Perixx compact keyboard +2USB hubs
Inexpensive but effective compact wired keyboard with 2 USB Hubs
View UK supplier -
Perixx Mini Keyboard
Cheap and cheerful, slim compact wired keyboard. No USB sockets.
View UK supplier
This website operates ‘not for profit’ with our costs being supported through the small commissions (typically 1 – 2%) that we receive from suppliers
USA Suppliers
Note for Evoluent mice size see sizing tab above
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Bakker Elkhuizen Mini Keyboard
Well made, slim compact keyboard with 2 USB ports
View USA supplier -
DXT02W Ergonomic Mouse
Excellent! Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View USA Supplier -
Ergonomic Penguin Mouse
Hold a bit like a small glass with your arm resting on the desk. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed. See [Penguin Size] tab.
View USA Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse
Select from left-hand, right-hand, small-hand, wired and wireless options
View USA Supplier -
Perixx Mini Keyboard
Cheap and cheerful, slim compact wired keyboard. No USB sockets.
View USA supplier
This website operates ‘not for profit’ with our costs being supported through the small commissions (typically 1 – 2%) that we receive from suppliers
Canadian Suppliers
Note for Evoluent mice size see sizing tab above
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Bakker Elkhuizen Mini Keyboard
Well made, slim, wired, compact keyboard with 2 USB sockets.
View Canadian Supplier -
DXT02W Ergonomic Mouse
Excellent! Easy to use, hold like a pen. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed.
View Canadian Supplier -
Ergonomic Penguin Mouse
Hold a bit like a small glass with your arm resting on the desk. Ambidextrous – for left/right-handed. See [Penguin Size] tab.
View Canadian Supplier -
Evoluent Vertical Mouse
Select from left-hand, right-hand, small-hand, wired and wireless options
View Canadian Supplier -
Perixx Mini Keyboard
Cheap and cheerful, slim compact wired keyboard. No USB sockets.
View Canadian Supplier
The Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 regular size models which are sometimes called 'large' (Right Wireless, Right Mac, Right Bluetooth, Right and Left) are for hands at least about 7 inches or 178 mm from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist crease. Hands shorter than 7 inches/178 mm may be more suitable for the VerticalMouse 4 Small.
Measure your hand from the first crease on your wrist to the tip of your middle finger.
- SMALL 0-16 cm (0-6 ins approx)
- MEDIUM 16-18 cm (6-7 ins approx)
- LARGE 18 cm + (7 ins + approx)