The best keyboards for Mac in 2022
Using one of the best keyboards for Mac can drastically improve your set up, allowing for a more comfortable workspace and more productive workflow. If you use a MacBook of any kind maybe you'll want an external keyboard, and whilst iMacs come with their own Apple keyboard it's nice to know what benefits alternatives can offer.
Since bringing back the Magic Keyboard to its range of MacBooks, Apple has upped its keyboard game. But upgrading your Mac’s keyboard with a standalone alternative can work wonders, especially if you like to prop your device up on a laptop stand (see our guide to the best laptop stands for options there). Your wrists may thank you for it too.
The below guides covers a range of the best keyboards for Mac looking at features like specs, connectivity and value for money. We offer keyboards that are comfortable to use and how well they aesthetically compliment Apple's own devices. For a better idea of how we assess products, you can check out how we test and review in more detail.
For other add-ons for your MacBook, you can check out our detailed guides to the best mouse for MacBooks as well as a more general round up of the best MacBook Pro accessories overall. And if you've yet to grab yourself a shiny new Apple laptop, you can take your pick from our list of the best MacBooks.
The best keyboards for Mac available today
01. Logitech MX Keys for Mac
The best keyboard for Mac overall
Wireless? Yes
Full size? Yes
Multidevice? Yes
Extra Features: Adjustable backlighting with proximity sensors
+ Great typing experience
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Connects to three devices
- Only one colour option
The best keyboards for Mac need to be comfortable to type on and should ideally feel at home with Apple style and build. The Logitech MX Keys for Mac fits the bill here. We've found the dished keys to feel comfortable and natural for everyday use, and the Mac layout and space grey colour fit perfectly with our other Mac gear.
The ambient light sensor means it only enables the backlighting when you actually need it, thus saving battery life. It's a full-size keyboard, so you also get a number pad. And best of all for productivity, you can remap the F-row keys, and other keys too, to perform operations that suit your workflow. Those little timesavers can be a game changer. It’s everything you need in a Mac keyboard, and brilliantly executed.
CB rating: 5/5
02. Logitech Craft
The best keyboard for Macs for creatives
Wireless? Yes
Full size? Yes
Multidevice? Yes
Extra Features: Shortcut wheel, adjustable backlighting with proximity sensors
+ Handy shortcut wheel
+ Good quality keys
+ Similar to MX Keys board
- More expensive than similar options
Much like the MX Keys, the Logitech MX Craft is a full-size keyboard with satisfying key travel and a Mac-friendly space grey look. The MX Keys above has a lot of the same features and a cheaper price, but the MX Craft offers something that the MX Keys lacks: a clever, customisable control wheel.
This wheel performs different tasks depending on the app you’re using. Turn it in Photoshop and you can adjust brightness. In Illustrator it tweaks stroke weight. And in Microsoft Excel it can be used to instantly create charts. If you find yourself performing the same tasks in your apps and want a quicker way to perform them, this keyboard could be a real time saver.
CB rating: 4.5/5
03. Satechi Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
The best keyboard for Mac with an Apple feel
Wireless? Yes
Full size? Yes
Multidevice? Yes
Extra Features: N/A
+ Solid build quality
+ Works with three devices
+ Looks beautiful
- lacks standout extra features
On first look, you’d be forgiven for thinking Satechi’s Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard was made by Apple. It comes in two colours (space grey and silver), both of which match Apple’s aesthetics perfectly. This keyboard can wirelessly connect to three devices at once, with a quick key press switching between them. It has all the important function keys, plus several for common tasks like copying and pasting. And its rechargeable battery lasts up to 80 hours, so you don't need to worry about it draining too quickly. The sleek aluminium keyboard has backlit keys that feature 10 levels of brightness to adjust as you please. It's compatible with any newer Apple device: yes, that even includes your iPhone and iPad! Overall this is a great option for people looking for a full sized keyboard.
CB rating: 4/5
04. Keychron K8
The best compact keyboard for Mac
Wireless? Yes
Full size? No
Multidevice? Yes
Extra Features: Mechanical keys, switch between macOS and Windows layouts,
+ Very comfortable to type on
+ Clever Mac/Windows switch
+ Compact size
- Mechanical keys not for everyone
Apple has done a good job of improving its MacBook Pro keyboards in recent years, but if you have a model with the divisive butterfly keyboard, you may want an alternative to type on. And even if you have a Magic Keyboard-equipped MacBook, an external keyboard could be in order if the prefer the satisfying tactility of mechanical keys.
eet. It’s a mechanical keyboard with plenty of key travel, which we found makes for a very pleasing typing experience. It’s compact and portable, and can switch between three devices. You can even change between macOS and Windows layouts if you also use a PC.
CB rating: 4/5
05. Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
The best Apple keyboard for Mac mini
Wireless? Yes
Full size? No
Multidevice? No
Extra Features: Touch ID button
+ Brings Touch ID to the Mac mini
+ Very comfortable keys
+ Easily portable
- Expensive compared to rivals
The Mac mini is a fantastic performer, but it doesn’t come with a keyboard, which means you’ll need to kit yourself out with a peripheral that's up the job. Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is just the ticket if you want to keep your set up fully Apple.
You get Apple’s excellent typing experience, and it looks sleek and slim on your desk. But the real appeal lies in the Touch ID button. While all modern MacBooks have Touch ID for logging in and verifying purchases, most standalone keyboards lack it, which means the Mac mini has been deprived – but not any longer. Just note you’ll need an Apple Silicon Mac mini for Touch ID to work.
CB rating: 4/5
06. Logitech Ergo K860
Wireless? Yes
Full size? Yes
Multidevice? Yes
Extra Features: Ergonomic split layout, raised profile, built-in wrist rest
+ Great for your posture
+ Lots of ergonomic features
+ Designed for long-term use
- Bulky design
Typing all day can lead to wrist pain if you’re not set up correctly. To alleviate (or prevent) that discomfort, the Logitech Ergo K860 could be just what you need. It’s an ergonomic board that splits the left and right sides of the keyboard while raising its profile in the middle. We found this results in a more comfortable and natural typing position that will help improve your posture.
It also comes with a built-in wrist rest and a comfortable, high-quality typing feel. you could pair it with Logitech’s MX Ergo or MX Vertical from our best mouse for MacBook round-up to improve ergonomics across your whole setup.
CB rating: 4/5
07. SteelSeries Apex Pro
The best keyboard for gaming on Mac
Wireless? No
Full size? Yes
Multidevice? No
Extra Features: Adjustable mechanical keys, OLED display
+ Adjustable key sensitivity
+ Built-in OLED display
+ Magnetic wrist rest
- Not wireless
These days, Mac gaming is not as rare as it used to be thanks to the improved gaming performance of Apple’s computers and better support from developers. If you enjoy playing games on your Mac, a suitable keyboard can make a real difference. The SteelSeries Apex Pro is one of our favourites. It’s a mechanical keyboard (ideal for gamers and typists alike) with a blazing fast actuation point of 0.4mm – perfect for fast-paced games. There’s a built-in display for changing settings and profiles, the keys are rated for a whopping 100 million presses, and you can even adjust their sensitivity on the fly.
Note that this is a wired keyboard, but that means you should never have any problem with connection, and there's no having to recharge. Also, while the RGB lighting looks great, it won't be for everyone.
CB rating: 4/5
08. Logitech K380
The best cheap keyboard for Mac
Wireless? Yes
Full size? No
Multidevice? No
Extra Features: N/A
+ Light and portable
+ Great price
+ Quiet keys
- Requires 2 x AAA batteries
If you don't want to spend much money on a keyboard for you Mac, the Logitech K380 is a great option for good looks at a very cheap price. The unique circular keys look great, and they're actually very comfortable thanks to a slight curve. Like many more expensive Logitech keyboards, the K380 can be paired with up to three deices via Bluetooth.
It's also very slim and lightweight at just 16mm thick and 423g. This makes it a great option if you don't have much space and want a keyboard that you can easily pack away when you're not using it. The drawback is that it takes two AAA batteries. A pair is included, but you'll need to replace them at some point. There's no backlighting either, and is this isn't a full-size keyboard, there's no number pad. Customisation is limited too, but the price (under $40 / £40), it's a great option.
CB rating: 3.5/5
09. Logitech Signature K650
The best traditional style keyboard for Mac
Wireless? Yes
Full size? Yes
Multidevice? No
Extra Features: Wrist support and shortcut keys
+ Affordable
+ 2 colour options
+ Wrist support
- Requires batteries for wireless connection
Another great option from Logitech is the wireless K650 keyboard. This keyboard is full size and includes wrist support so your comfort whilst working is assured. You can connect to your device using batteries or Bluetooth, and the battery life means you won't need to change the batteries out for up to an impressive 36 months! It has traditional square-shaped keys that has a cushioned feel for ultimate comfort and a satisfying typing experience, and design-wise the curved corners of the keyboard look sleek. It has improved shortcut keys for things like muting/unmuting a mic and a web navigation key to easily switch between tabs.
It comes in two different colour options: grey or white, and the simple design means it will beautifully compliment your Apple set up. Overall a great and affordable option that comes in at under $50/£50, so you're not breaking the bank.
CB rating: 3.5/5
How to choose the best keyboard for Mac
When it comes to choosing the best keyboard for Mac, we've prioritised comfort, solid build and performance and aesthetics – after all Apple's computers have such good lucks that it would almost feel like a crime to patch them with an ugly keyboard.
You'll probably want to choose a wireless keyboard, and indeed all but one of our picks above as the best keyboard for Mac are wireless. This has the advantage of keeping your desk uncluttered, free from trailing wires. However, while some wireless keyboards have an internal battery, others equire AA or AAA batteries, which should last for months but will eventually need replacing (we'd recommend rechargeable batteries). Bluetooth connections can sometimes become unstable at times if you have a lot of Bluetooth devices.
We also recommend opting for a keyboard that's reasonably light and compact too – without sacrificing comfort. While you're unlikely to want to take your keyboard with you when you're using your MacBook on the move, a light, compact keyboard is easier to stow when you're not using it freeing up space on your desk.
Beyond that, there are some extra features you can look out for when choosing the best keyboard for Macs. Some keyboards have an in-built volume control, which can be easier and more intuitive to use than buttons or the slider on your screen. And if you find typing uncomfortable or have concerns about injury, you might want to choose an ergonomic keyboard like the Logitech Ergo K860.
Finally, although Macs aren't designed specifically with gaming in mind, if you do use your Mac for gaming you might want a keyboard with adjustable actuation distance and features like N-Key rollover and anti-ghosting.
Read more:
The Apple Logo: a history
MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air: Which Apple laptop is right for you?
