For many of us, keyboards are a part of everyday life; however, they often leave us with sore wrists and shoulders. One potential way to relieve the pain is to use an ergonomic, or alternative, keyboard.

The purpose of most alternative keyboards is to reduce stress by modifying the shape of the traditional keyboard. If you have already looked into using an ergonomic keyboard, then you probably know that there are many styles on the market.

The most popular ergonomic keyboard is the split keyboard. Split keyboards have the alphanumeric keys at an angle. This style of keyboard reduces strain on the hand and wrist by straightening the user’s wrists and aligning them in the directions of the keys. Some split keyboards are literally split in half, with the two halves positioned elbow-width apart. People who switch to the split keyboards are generally acclimated within a day or two.

Tented keyboards enhance the split keyboard concept.  In addition to angling the keyboard, the two halves are angled toward each other in a tent-like fashion. The angle of the tent is set by the manufacturer, and some are adjustable. Some studies have found that using a moderately tented keyboard can increase the typing speed and accuracy of the user. The learning curve for this type of keyboard appears to be longer than that of the split keyboard.

A third style of ergonomic keyboard is the supportive keyboard. Supportive keyboards include keyboards that have built-in wrist or palm rests, as well as keyboards with frontal support legs. While some manufacturers claim that this type of alternative keyboard adds comfort and prevents fatigue by assisting the positioning of the wrists, many researchers suggest that using a wrist rest can actually cause a build-up of fluid at the joint and thus, produce discomfort.

The scooped key arrangement keyboard is the final type of ergonomic keyboard. The keys on these keyboards are arranged in a bowl-like shape, bringing them closer together. This shortens the distance a user’s finger must reach when typing and reduces hand fatigue.

There are many choices when it comes to ergonomic keyboards. The right choice for you is the one that will enhance your wrist and hand comfort without sacrificing your typing speed and level of accuracy. Take the time to test out many different models before you make your final decision.