Does an ergonomic wireless keyboard promote well-being in the office?

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The correct posture when typing is supposedly one of many mosaic pieces for more ergonomics at the computer workstation.

Today, keyboards are available in a wide variety of shapes and designs. But does the keyboard actually have an effect on better ergonomics when typing, and should a wired or wireless keyboard be considered? Some will go even further and ask what the difference actually is between a compact keyboard and an integrated numeric keypad in the keyboard, and what influence this is supposed to have on ergonomics at work.

Who is an ergonomic keyboard useful for?

One of the target groups for an ergonomic wireless keyboard is certainly all frequent writers and those who type using the touch-typing system. This primarily includes administrative employees who do a lot of writing work every day, as well as authors, journalists, web designers, and anyone who continuously writes or replies to emails.

However, clarity should be established as to what an ergonomic keyboard actually is and why it can increase ergonomics when typing.

Everyone knows the classic keyboard, which has evolved from the mechanical typewriter into a modern input device and has been found in offices and homes for decades.

With this development, keyboards have gradually become thinner, keys flatter, and the layout has changed significantly, especially for ergonomic applications. For example, typical ergonomic keyboards have a split design so that the left and right hands only press the keys within their respective reach, making them easier for the fingers to reach. In addition, this split key layout is usually higher in the middle and slopes slightly outwards so that the hands assume a natural posture and are not twisted. Many ergonomic keyboards also have an additional curved extension at the bottom that serves as a wrist rest to prevent them from bending. This protects the tendons and muscles and guarantees the correct posture when typing. This position puts less pressure on the hand and wrist, which ensures more ergonomics when typing.

Of course, there are also some users who struggle with a split keyboard, especially those who do not use the touch-typing system. However, it should also be said here that anyone who wants to learn touch-typing will find it easier in the end with an ergonomic, split keyboard, as it forces the user to only press the keys with the fingers that are within reach of the respective half of the keyboard.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of an ergonomic wireless keyboard?

To make these comparisons, I distinguish between the following three types of keyboards and show the advantages and disadvantages of each:

• Normal keyboard
• Ergonomic split keyboard
• Wired or wireless keyboard

Normal keyboard

A normal or classic keyboard has a rectangular shape and is in most cases slightly angled forward. What always surprises me is that many classic keyboards have fold-out feet that can be extended at the back so that the keyboard stands steeper and has a larger angle of inclination. However, this function is completely unsuitable, even harmful, for ergonomics when typing and does not bring more ergonomics, but less. Due to the steeper angle of the keyboard, the wrists are bent unnaturally, which can quickly lead to pain and tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. The only advantage I see in this larger angle of inclination is the better readability of the individual key labels. But this advantage is disproportionate to all the disadvantages and suffering that can be generated by angling the keyboard in this way. The first thing I do when I come across such a keyboard is fold these feet in to guarantee as flat a surface as possible and thus better protect the wrists.

The ideal solution in connection with a classic keyboard is to use a wrist rest, which you place between the front edge of the desk and the keyboard. These are available in many shapes and designs. Wrist pads filled with millet husks are highly recommended here. Millet husks have been said to have a soothing and healing effect since our ancestors and adapt comfortably to the wrists.

There are basically two different versions of the normal keyboard:

1. Keyboard without numeric keypad
2. Keyboard with integrated numeric keypad

Keyboard without numeric keypad

An important advantage here is that the keyboard is less wide overall because the numeric keypad on the right is missing, allowing the mouse to be positioned directly adjacent to the letter keys. This can prevent pain in the shoulders, because if keyboards are too wide, with an integrated numeric keypad, the right arm has to be positioned unnaturally far outwards to operate the mouse. Left-handed users are preferred in this case and have no problems here.

It should also be said that the mouse is used twice as much as the keyboard, which is why a natural positioning of the shoulders is of central importance for ergonomics at work and for avoiding pain.

Conclusion: If you don't really use the numeric keypad much, you should look for a keyboard without a numeric keypad to ensure more ergonomics and better health.

The disadvantage of a keyboard without a numeric keypad, as explained at the beginning, lies mainly in the too steep setup angle, which causes the wrists to bend unnaturally.

Keyboard with integrated numeric keypad

The advantage of such a keyboard is that the numeric keypad is clearly laid out and accessible directly next to the letter keys. However, this advantage is only justified if the numeric keypad is really used a lot, for example for bookkeeping. However, if you start to feel problems in your shoulders, it is recommended to switch to a shorter keyboard.

Tip: If you work a lot with the number keys above the letters, you should get a separate numeric keypad. This can be positioned independently of the keyboard, guaranteeing ideal ergonomics when typing.

The disadvantages of a keyboard with a numeric keypad outweigh the advantages, but unfortunately many people do not realize this. The integrated numeric keypad makes the keyboard even longer, and in most cases the letter keys are aligned with the central axis of the body. As a result, the integrated numeric keypad is automatically slightly further to the right, which would be fine so far. However, for all right-handed users, the mouse is added next to the numeric keypad, which leads to an unfavorable position of the right arm. The forearm is opened too much and moves too far away from the body, which can cause tension and problems in the shoulder and neck area. For more ergonomics, the reach to the mouse should be optimized so that the entire body always remains relaxed and the arms do not assume a cramped or unnatural posture.

Ergonomic split keyboard

Since hands and forearms tend to be forced into an unnatural position with a conventional keyboard, an ergonomic keyboard supports ergonomics at work and brings the body into the correct posture when typing.

An ergonomic keyboard consists of two parts, a left and right keyboard section, which are a certain distance apart and are higher towards the middle than at the sides. This curvature practically automatically ensures the natural typing position. The hands and wrists are therefore not twisted or bent, but ergonomics when typing is guaranteed. This keeps the muscles relaxed, relieves the tendons, and protects the joints. This prevents pain and general tension, not only in the hands and wrists, but also in the neck and shoulder area.

What is striking about ergonomic keyboards is that the familiar feet of classic keyboards do not exist; on the contrary, you often find a slight elevation and extension in the front area that serves as a palm rest. As a result, you tend to type with your fingers tilted slightly downwards. This can counteract typical computer-related illnesses such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or shoulder-arm syndrome.

An ergonomic split keyboard therefore offers a variety of advantages, especially for people who type often and may already be suffering from discomfort.

The disadvantages, on the other hand, are minimal and mainly affect people who work with the two-finger system and have to look for the keys visually. Although an ergonomic keyboard makes sense here, it requires a certain adjustment period.

What could also be perceived as a disadvantage are fixed split keyboards where the angle of inclination cannot be adjusted. Since every person is unique, individual adjustments are an added value for better ergonomics at work.

Wired or wireless keyboard

More and more wireless keyboards are in use and are enjoying increasing popularity, although critical voices can certainly be heard.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a wireless keyboard?

• Advantages of a wireless keyboard

1. Prevents cable clutter on and under the desk
2. Gives freedom and flexibility when placing the keyboard on the desk
3. No cable that is too short or annoying
4. The keyboard can even be used a few meters away, e.g. on the sofa, in bed, or in any other location
5. The keyboard can easily be put away when cleaning
6. Anyone working with plans or other large documents can easily set the keyboard aside
7. The disadvantage of changing or charging batteries is now almost non-existent, as certain keyboards can be charged directly with a cable or the batteries last a very long time
8. No cable breakage
9. Anyone who has gotten used to wireless usually doesn't want to do without it

• Disadvantages of a wireless keyboard

1. The batteries must be changed or charged
2. The battery status is often reported as almost empty too late, forcing you to act quickly and often leaving you with very little time
3. The majority of gamers want a cable so that they are never interrupted and there is no annoying battery change during a game
4. If the batteries are empty, there is zero functionality
5. Batteries can leak and thus damage the keyboard

Concluding thoughts

The listed advantages of a wireless keyboard outweigh the disadvantages, and this is well reflected in the current trend that many people who work on the computer every day prefer a wireless keyboard and find it comfortable.

On the gamers' side, however, the majority prefer the opposite, which remains understandable and logical, as you don't want to have problems with your keyboard in the middle of a game.

It is a fact that an ergonomic wireless keyboard brings relief from ailments around the wrists, forearms, and shoulders, or can even eliminate them completely. So if you already have health problems related to your writing activities on the computer, you should definitely take the step and look for an ergonomic keyboard. Today's prices for ergonomic keyboards no longer require a huge budget, and the health benefits are effectively obvious—or rather, right in the keyboard. The preventive nature of an ergonomic keyboard not only promotes correct posture when typing, but also reduces tension, pain, and even stress.

If the topic of ergonomics in the office or home office appeals to you and you are interested in learning more, I can recommend my book "Wellness in the Office". Combined with humorous drawings, I share 50+1 tips to turn your office into a small paradise.