Best Backlit Ergonomic Keyboards: Buyers Guide

Given the amount of typing we do for our work these days, touch typing is quite common. However, not all of us like the monotony of it, especially if you are into gaming or heavy IT work.

A backlit keyboard comes in handy in such situations. The illuminated keys not only help in dim working conditions, they are also pleasing aesthetically.

Typing at the wrong position or using the wrong keyboard is damaging to your health, hence it is important that you always look for a backlit ergonomic keyboard.

We put together a list of the best backlit ergonomic keyboards to help you undo the harm you have been doing your body all this time. Go over our thoughts on each keyboard below, and let us know what you think!

Here is the list of best backlit ergonomic keyboards.

Our Pick – Top 3 Backlit Ergonomic Keyboards

In case you’re in a hurry, here are my top three recommendations for the best backlit ergonomic keyboards.

#1	#2	#3
Azio Vision Backlit Computer Keyboard - Wired USB Keyboard with...	No products found.	Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2: Esports Gaming Keyboard - Ergonomic...
	No products found.
$$	$	$$$$
Check Best Price	No products found.	Check Best Price

Still confused about which backlit keyboard is best for you?

Let me help by providing detailed reviews on the best ergonomic backlit keyboards that I found in the market (and the ones you can buy online).

These reviews will definitely help you gain awareness and understanding about the best features, pros, and cons of each backlit keyboard.

Let’s get started!

Best Backlit Ergonomic Keyboards Reviewed

Below is the table that shows all the backlit ergonomic keyboards covered in this review.

NAME	IMAGE	OUR RATING	PRICE
Azio Vision Backlit Computer Keyboard - Wired USB Keyboard with...		9.5 / 10	$$	Check Best Price
No products found.	No products found.	9.5 / 10	$	No products found.
Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2: Esports Gaming Keyboard - Ergonomic...		9.0 / 10	$$$$	Check Best Price
No products found.	No products found.	8.5 / 10	$$	No products found.
Portable Keyboard, iClever BK06 Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard,...		8.5 / 10	$$	Check Best Price
Diowing Stereo Gaming Headset, 【Upgraded 7.1 Bass Surround...		8.0 / 10	$$	Check Best Price
Razer ORNATA Expert: Mecha-Membrane - Individually Backlit...		8.0 / 10	$$$	Check Best Price
Razer RZ03-00800100-R3U1 DeathStalker Expert - Backlit Ergonomic...		7.5 / 10	$$	Check Best Price
KrBn Mechanical Keyboard PC Gaming Muticolor Full Size Backlit...		7.5 / 10	$$	Check Best Price

Now let’s have a look at each of these best backlit ergonomic keyboards that you can find these days:

Azio Vision Backlit USB Keyboard Review (Best Backlit Ergonomic Keyboard Overall)

The KB506 backlit ergonomic keyboard from Azio should be an ideal option for individuals with vision problems. The printed letters on the keys are twice the size of letters on traditional keyboards.

In addition to the back-lighting, the large print greatly improves readability and usability.

You can choose among five light colors: chartreuse (like yellow-green), cyan, blue, red, and pink.

You can also adjust the brightness to adapt to various lighting conditions. You do not have to endure looking at harshly lit letters at night or pale, hardly readable letters in a bright room.

The KB506 has hotkeys dedicated to email, favorites, play/pause, volume, media player, calculator, etc., which shows how utilitarian this keyboard is.

The cord has a length of 4.5 feet, and the entire keyboard measures 7.8 x 18.3 x 1 inch. This is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

The seemingly persistent complaints about it have something to do with the print on the keys and the finish. According to some users, the print wears considerably after just several months of frequent use, so this may not be a good option if you are a heavy user.

As for the finish, it is rubberized, which means that you may have problems keeping it free from dust or lint.

PROs	CONs
Large print Adjustable brightness Dedicated Hot Keys	Print may not withstand heavy use Rubberized finish attracts dust

VicTsing Rainbow LED Ergonomic Backlit Gaming Keyboard Review

No products found.

According to the manufacturer, this model, which is backlit with rainbow LEDs, has 14 multimedia keys and 19 non-conflicting keys.

It is also equipped with an anti-ghosting feature and can execute several commands at the same time.

However, you cannot decide over the colors, so you will have to make do with what is already there. Nevertheless, we like the rainbow lighting because they serve as “zones” for the keys.

We also like the spill-resistant design. Nowadays, drinks have become work desk staples and we have heard too many sad tales about keyboards being destroyed by spilled coffee, so it only makes sense to have a spill-resistant design.

A cool feature is the “breathing” light effect (as opposed to the “permanent” mode of lighting). It really does not serve any critical purpose, but it may help put you in the mood while playing games.

This illuminated ergonomic keyboard has a palm rest, which, in our opinion, should be large enough for the average user.

The key-caps are also quite large, the space key is designed such that it can be easily reached and pressed.

We are not hearing any complaints about these, so the design may be effective for a lot of users.

In summary, we like this backlit ergonomic keyboard because despite being cheaper than most ergonomic keyboards, it does come with neat features and a lot of positive comments.

This looks like a great option if you are looking for an affordable gaming keyboard.

PROs	CONs
Spill-resistant design Many Multimedia Keys Different colors can be used simultaneously	Colors cannot be changed Not heavy enough to be stable

Razer BlackWidow Chroma V2 – RGB Mechanical Gaming Ergonomic Keyboard Review

First of all, let us point out this keyboard is more than four times as expensive as many of the backlit ergonomic keyboards on this list.

This model is a tactile and silent model. There is a linear and silent type, and a tactile and clicky one.

According to manufacturer Razer, this keyboard is equipped with mechanical switches that improve speed and responsiveness. These enhancements make this model ideal for gaming.

The company says that the lifespan of this keyboard is 80 million keystrokes, which we think is generous enough for the price.

Razer is proud to say that each unit, end to end, is produced in-house and meets strict quality requirements.

There are 16.8 million color options, and the backlit keys are individually programmable. You can tweak these using Razer Synapse.

This may not sit well with some individuals, but if it means having your keyboard fully cooperate with your gaming, why not?

You can perform up to 10 commands on this keyboard simultaneously, thanks to its anti-ghosting feature.

All in all, we still think the price of this backlit ergonomic keyboard is formidable, but we recommend this for serious, detail-oriented gamers nonetheless.

The fully configurable lighting and the millions of color options may make a huge difference in your gaming experience, in which case the price may be well worth it.

PROs	CONs
Long lifespan (80 million keystrokes) Built-in anti-ghosting feature It can perform up to 10 commands simultaneously.	Higher price than the category average Requires online account just for configuring colors

PICTEK Wired Gaming Ergonomic Backlit Keyboard Review

No products found.

This model from PICTEK has anti-ghosting technology. There are 26 non-conflict keys that let you press and hold for executing commands without missing keys or pressing some unintentionally.

It uses rainbow backlighting, and it is adjustable. There are 3 backlighting effects and 6 rainbow colors. The brightness can be modified too.

We think these are fairly good numbers. You should be able to change the back-lighting to match your mood or the light in the room you are in.

Like many other keyboards, there are keys dedicated to multimedia control. You can use these shortcuts for email, entertainment, music, and the like while you are in the middle of your gaming.

One of the things we like about this is the wide compatibility. According to the company, this keyboard works well with MAC OS, Linux, and Windows (as early as Win 2000 and XP).

There are a non-detachable wrist rest and two foldable stands, and the entire body is thinner than other keyboards in this category.

The key-caps have laser carving, and the printed letters reportedly do not fade.

In summary, we think this is a good mid-range keyboard for gamers and non-gamers alike. In particular, we favor the anti-ghosting feature, non-fading print, multimedia keys, and adjustable brightness.

PROs	CONs
Anti-ghosting technology Easy-to-reach multimedia keys Adjustable brightness	Few reports of the keyboard not working after only a few months Some complaints about keys sticking

iClever Wireless Folding Ergonomic Backlit Keyboard Review

This folding backlit ergonomic wireless keyboard has standard-size keys, but the surface is designed with U-shaped frosting, which makes this model stand out.

It is angled by 166 degrees and has a “scissor-switch” design. Judging from the experience of many who have used it, it appears that this design is effective in reducing strain even during extended periods of typing.

This keyboard connects to your computer via Bluetooth, which works well for the most part.

Some users report experiencing glitches with their connections, saying the keyboard just randomly loses connection. However, these comments are relatively few compared with the compliments that this product is getting.

This backlit ergonomic wireless keyboard has a rechargeable battery that can work continuously for 40 hours and has a standby time of 30 days. We think these are very good timeframes given the price point.

According to the manufacturer, this model is compatible with devices running on Android, iOS, and Windows and works with Bluetooth. This wide range of compatibility is always a good feature to have.

We also love that these folds, so it is not hard to transport for when you want to work outside of your usual location.

Overall, this is the best backlit wireless keyboard and we recommend this keyboard for all individuals who will find the layout beneficial, given their typing frequency, needs, and pattern.

PROs	CONs
Keys are shoulder-width apart Low power consumption Compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS Long Battery Life	Wired connection is still more stable than Bluetooth Instances when keys won’t register

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 Review

No products found.

Microsoft is one of the first and top makers of ergonomic keyboards, and we think this fact alone already sets this keyboard apart from the competition.

The Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 has a cushioned palm rest, which should help relieve strain during typing and prevent unsightly bruises caused by resting the hands-on hard surfaces while using computers.

This palm rest is slightly lifted, and this design allows your wrists to stay in their natural position relative to your arms and hands.

This is an ergonomic split keyboard, so you can comfortably type with your hands and arms just shoulder-width apart.

The whole keyboard has a curved key bed, a reversed slope, and an ergonomic arc. All of these are meant to prevent strain on the hands, wrists, and forearms.

Aside from the standard keys, there are multimedia keys for music and video.

There are also several hotkeys for applications or commands that individuals frequently use. These include keys for opening files and zooming in and out.

Microsoft states that there have already been some studies showing that keyboards from their Natural line help reduce symptoms of such RSIs as carpal tunnel syndrome.

We also noticed that although this is very different from traditional keyboards, it requires very little adjustment.

Therefore, we suggest you go for this if you are looking for a backlit ergonomic keyboard that does not differ much from conventional ones in case you have to switch from time to time.

PROs	CONs
Cushioned palm rest Encourages the natural position of hands and wrists Dedicated keys for multimedia controls	Issues with spacebar requiring too much thumb force Some reports of keys malfunctioning

Redimp RGB LED Backlit Gaming Keyboard Review

This Redimp keyboard uses four-zone RGB lighting and is particularly designed for gamers.

There are 10 pre-set lighting modes, and you can switch from one effect to another with simple keyboard commands.

We like this wide variety because we think it helps set the mood for gaming. Also, it comes handy when adjusting to different lighting conditions.

According to the company, this model uses hybrid membrane keys with floating removable keycaps. This design is intended to ensure that you do not need to apply too much force when typing.

It comes with a mechanical-like clicking sound, but it may be too loud for some.

One good feature is the lock function. You can lock the keyboard by pressing Fn and F11 together. This is great for individuals with pets and/or kids near their workstations.

Like other backlit ergonomic keyboards, this one comes with a wrist rest. It is a little larger than what you can find on other models, and we like this design feature because it does not restrict you in terms of where you can rest your hands and wrists.

Another favorite feature of ours is the waterproofing. You heard that right. At this price point, you rarely find a waterproof ergonomic keyboard.

This is important because not having drinks near our keyboards just does not work anymore for most of us.

PROs	CONs
Lockable Water Proof Four-zone lighting is good for gaming	Few complaints about keys being too loud Some reports about keys registering wrong characters

Razer Ornata Expert Gaming Keyboard Review

This is another gaming keyboard from Razer.

According to the company, in this model, they combined the benefits of mechanical switches and membrane rubber domes. This incorporation is meant to improve typing speed and efficiency without neglecting user comfort.

Conventional membrane rubber dome keyboards are favored by many for their soft cushioned touch, and mechanical switches are preferred for their distinct tactile feedback and fast actuation.

This is the principle behind the “Mecha-Membrane” design, for which a patent is pending presently.

Razer made the keycaps of mid-height to make your commands register faster than with the use of most other keyboards on the market.

Also, we notice that it has a fairly large wrist rest that should benefit for both gamers and regular users.

Measuring 27.5 x 26 x 41.5 inches, it apparently is also a little bigger. It’s a good thing it puts that extra heft to good use.

As with other backlit ergonomic keyboards from the same company, you need to create an account on the software Razer Synapse to be able to customize the lighting. The configurator is cloud-based, and there are five preset lighting settings: wave, breathing, ripple, reactive, and starlight.

All in all, we like what the Ornata Expert has to offer for both gamers and regular keyboard users. The price is not bad either, so feel free to give this one a try.

PROs	CONs
Programmable backlighting Built-In ergonomic wrist rest Can do up to 10 commands simultaneously	Reports of keys sticking or totally not working after a few weeks Requires online account even just to tweak settings

Razer DeathStalker Expert Keyboard Review

The formidably named DeathStalker Expert from Razer has chiclet-style key-caps and green LED back-light for all keys.

It has anti-ghosting for up to 10 keys and a fixed wrist rest. The 10-key rollover feature in gaming mode should be sufficient for executing multiple commands in one go during gaming.

This keyboard is specifically enabled for Razer Synapse 2.0. This software allows you to download updates and drivers directly from a cloud server while retaining existing settings.

This naturally requires that you create an online account with them, which should not be too big of a deal if you are already familiar with their platform and prefer their system’s performance.

The chiclet-style keycaps are quite slim at 2 mm, which we think helps a lot with actuation speed, a key requirement in gaming.

We do not hear a lot of problems with this model.

However, some of those who have used this have reported issues with the printed letters fading after only a few weeks of use, and a few people have mentioned encountering difficulties seeing the characters in low light.

Overall, we think this backlit ergonomic keyboard is an ideal choice for gamers who are after a mid-range keyboard for their setup.

The light comes in only one color, but what this model lacks in variety, it makes up for in function and improved comfort even during extended gaming periods.

PROs	CONs
Has 10-key rollover feature Slim Keycaps Built-in wrist rest	Can be difficult to see in low light Some complaints about print fading within weeks

KrBn Mechanical Keyboard Review

This is a mid-range backlit ergonomic keyboard in terms of price. It has audible clicking sounds and high-speed haptic feedback.

These features are present to let you know that you are indeed pressing the keys enough even without using as much force as needed by conventional keyboards.

The keycaps are suspended, and this improves comfort in our opinion. The LED backlight comes in multiple colors, which can be switched between 9 pre-set patterns and 8 game lighting modes.

We believe these ranges should be sufficient for most users, given the price point.

This keyboard is made of high-grade ABS material, according to KrBn, and the keycaps are made of double-shot injection-molded material. This is supposed to improve the clarity of the lighting.

Each purchase comes with three spare switches and a free keycap puller. As with all products, this one is not without negative comments.

Some have reported issues regarding malfunctioning keys, and some have complained about disconnection problems.

However, these are isolated, so we think they may have something to do with the users or unlucky manufactured batches.

In general, we do recommend this keyboard for those looking for mid-range ergonomic gaming keyboards. We think all the basics are covered well, including material, lighting, function, and of course, ergonomics and comfort.

PROs	CONs
Suspended keycaps provide comfort High-speed haptic feedback. Audible clicking sounds	Isolated complaints about malfunctioning keys Some comments about frequent random disconnection

Why Buy a Backlit Ergonomic Keyboard

Just what exactly are the benefits of using a backlit ergonomic keyboard, you ask?

In simple words, it improves your health.

Here are some key benefits of using a Backlit Ergonomic Keyboard

• Keeps your hands in a neutral position, so there is very little chance of straining your wrists or hands while typing
• Allows for natural positioning of hands during typing, thereby preventing a host of disorders, including shoulder problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more health problems
• Offers alternative devices that do not require you to stretch or move in an awkward manner to reach for, say, a conventional mouse
• Has a contoured layout that positions keys such that your arms remain shoulder-width apart and perpendicular to your torso while typing
• In low lighting conditions, it’s much easier to type because you can see the keys without having to turn on a lamp.
• Looking at a bright screen in the dark can easily tire your eyes.  A backlit ergonomic keyboard helps reduce that strain by balancing the light.
• Recognizes commands with light presses or touches only, so you do not need to forcefully press keys
• Has optimized the positioning of a numeric keypad that allows for good positioning of the mouse, so there is little chance of pulling a muscle (or related incidents) when suddenly reaching out for the mouse
• Has a vertical key layout, which prevents rotation of wrists and keeps thumbs vertical

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Backlit Ergonomic Keyboard

There is not much to think about when shopping for a backlit ergonomic keyboard. The only thing that matters (aside from your budget, that is) is that you can type comfortably on whichever keyboard you choose.

Ergonomic Keyboard Layouts

In general, backlit lighted ergonomic keyboards are designed such that the strain and stress on your hands, arms, and shoulders are minimized.

Manufacturers have come up with many different layouts to accomplish this.

Split

The keys on a split backlit ergonomic keyboard are split typically into two groups and sometimes into three.

This way, the keys are shoulder-width apart, so you do not have to put your wrists close together to type. This prevents twisting and fatigue.

Angled Split

The middle part of an angled split keyboard is raised, making the keyboard resemble a tent.

The main intent of angled split keyboards is to position your index fingers higher than the others during typing.

Handheld

Looking like a game controller, a handheld backlit ergonomic keyboard is the fanciest-looking among common ergonomic keyboards.

It is ideal for use if you like to frequently move around or lean back while typing. Handheld keyboards come with and without trackballs.

Contoured

This keyboard design aims to minimize wrist movement and is hence ideal for those who have run into wrist troubles before.

On a contoured keyboard, the keys are separated into two depressions, between which lie the function keys within your thumbs’ reach.

Conclusion

We hope this list helps you a lot in finding the right backlit ergonomic keyboard because it means you can now type for long hours while remaining infinitely comfortable and keeping your hands, arms, and shoulders in good shape.

Happy typing!

You May Also like the product reviews of the following ergonomic products:

• Best Ergonomic Mechanical Keyboards
• Best Ergonomic Keyboards for Small Hands
• Best Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
• Best Ergonomic Keyboard Trays
• Best Ergonomic Keyboard with Trackball
• Best Ergonomic USB Keyboards