Apple’s Magic Keyboard is compact and stylish sufficient, however it’s removed from the one worthy keyboard possibility for Mac customers. Perhaps you write all day, play fast-paced video games, or want superior ergonomics? Or maybe you yearn for the cacophonous consolation of mechanical key switches, which Apple’s personal keyboards lack? Nice various keyboards abound, however not each one works completely with Macs, so you may want steering about what works—and what works nicely. That is the place our in depth testing is available in. Based mostly on typing consolation, worth, software program customization, and the various different elements that we consider every Mac keyboard on, our present favourite for many customers is Satechi’s SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard. We additionally stand behind all of the Mac-compatible keyboards really helpful under for extra particular use instances. Test them out, plus recommendation on the best way to land the very best Mac keyboard that is your sort.
Deeper Dive: Our High Examined Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
April 26, 2025: We swapped out the Keychron C3 Professional (out of inventory) in favor of the Kensington Professional Match Ergo KB675 EQ TKL Rechargeable Keyboard as Greatest Price range Keyboard for Macs. Additionally, we eliminated the Logitech G515 Lightspeed TKL and added the Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard as Greatest Scissor-Swap Mac Keyboard. For this replace, we examined and evaluated six new keyboards for attainable inclusion on this roundup.
Greatest Mac Keyboard for Most Customers
Satechi SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard
- Sturdy, engaging construct
- Wonderful typing really feel
- A number of wi-fi connection choices
- Lengthy battery life (with backlighting off)
- Less expensive than Apple’s Magic Keyboard
- No customization software program
- Low-profile design just isn’t for everybody
- 2.4GHz dongle makes use of USB-A, not USB-C
Apple equipment are notoriously costly, so once we discover a superior product for much less, we’re keen to present it its day within the solar. The $99 Satechi SM1 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard appears to be like the a part of an Apple accent, however it blows the Apple Magic Keyboard out of the water when it comes to really feel and performance. You get satisfying and clicky keys, engaging backlighting, loads of connectivity choices, and—most necessary—keyboard software program that is appropriate with macOS, one thing that is nonetheless not as widespread as you’d think about.
This one is for Mac followers who aren’t followers of Apple’s low-profile scissor switches. It trades Contact ID for comfy key switches, distinctive construct high quality, and a compact design. It is a simple advice and the most effective Mac alterna-keyboards you should purchase.
Variety of Keys
84
Interface
Bluetooth, USB-C, 2.4 GHz Wi-fi
Key Swap Sort
Low Profile Brown Switches
Key Backlighting
Single-Shade
Media Controls
Shared With Different Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Relaxation
None
Greatest Price range Keyboard for Macs
Kensington Professional Match Ergo KB675 EQ TKL Rechargeable Keyboard
- Low worth
- Constructed-in wrist relaxation
- Devoted assembly buttons
- Onboard dongle storage
- Feels low cost
- No wired mode
- Takes up a number of area for a TKL keyboard
You should not be ashamed to dig by the cut price bin of budget keyboards, since you simply may strike gold. The inexpensive Kensington Professional Match Ergo KB675 EQ TKL Rechargeable Keyboard presents all of the fundamentals with a snug ergonomic form and plush wrist relaxation. It contains devoted assembly buttons that make it a productivity-forward system, and onboard dongle storage for while you’re taking your keyboard on the go. Barely lackluster construct high quality is its solely main downside, however given the aggressive worth, it is the most effective price range keyboards on the market.
For money-strapped Mac customers on the lookout for a Mac-friendly keyboard with some nice ergonomics, the Kensington Professional Match Ergo KB675 EQ TKL Rechargeable Keyboard is a implausible candidate.
Variety of Keys
93
Interface
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz Wi-fi
Key Swap Sort
Rubber Membrane
Key Backlighting
None
Media Controls
Shared With Different Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Relaxation
Built-in
Greatest Mainstream Full-Measurement Mac Keyboard
Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard
- Fashionable design
- Wonderful typing really feel
- Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz connection choices
- Less expensive than Apple Magic Keyboard
- Low-profile design just isn’t for everybody
- No customization software program
Macs and different Apple gadgets are identified for trying good, so if you need an alternate that is simply as aesthetically pleasing, look no additional than the Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard. It is a full-size mechanical keyboard, and like its TKL cousin, the Satechi SM1 Slim, it surpasses the Apple Magic Keyboard in quite a lot of methods. From its clicky keys to its a number of connectivity choices, the Satechi SM3 Slim is a wonderful selection for these looking for a less expensive, better-looking various to Apple’s personal keyboard and prepared to surrender options like Contact ID.
For those who’re available in the market for peak performance and aesthetics, the Satechi SM3 Slim is your keyboard.
Variety of Keys
108
Interface
USB-C, 2.4 GHz Wi-fi, Bluetooth
Key Swap Sort
Low Profile Brown Switches
Key Backlighting
Single-Shade
Media Controls
Shared With Different Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Relaxation
None
Greatest Scissor-Swap Mac Keyboard
Logitech MX Keys S for Mac
- Vivid single-color backlighting
- Eye-catching design that enhances Apple gadgets
- Devoted Mac key format
- Constructed-in battery
- Strong software program customization options
- Costly
- Wrist relaxation is offered individually
Many Logitech peripherals are platform-agnostic, which implies that they help each Home windows and macOS working programs, amongst others. But it surely’s all the time good to have a keyboard devoted to your OS of selection, and that is what the Logitech MX Keys S for Mac is: A keyboard optimized for Macs that is not from Apple. It is nearly an identical to Logitech’s MX Keys S, which can also be appropriate with macOS and delivers the identical performance and efficiency—for a similar worth. Briefly, whereas it is a succesful choose, it’s not rather more than a keyboard made for Mac customers who can’t stand the sight of Command sharing the identical key as Alt.
For those who favor low-profile keyboards with scissor switches as a substitute of mechanical ones, and you do not wish to pay the Apple tax, then the Logitech MX Keys for Mac is best for you.
Variety of Keys
108
Interface
USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz Wi-fi
Key Swap Sort
Scissor-Swap
Key Backlighting
Single-Shade
Media Controls
Shared With Different Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Relaxation
Removable (Separate)
Study Extra
Greatest Tinkerer-Pleasant Mechanical Keyboard for Macs
Keychron Q1 HE
- Magnetic switches supply variable key-press detection ranges
- Machined aluminum body
- Scorching-swappable switches
- Accessible in two shade schemes
- Works with Home windows and macOS
- Costly
- No toes or kickstand for angled typing
- No USB dongle storage
- No wrist relaxation
The new-swappable Keychron Q1 HE improves on the wonderful Keychron Q1 with the addition of magnetic linear switches, permitting customers to set the sensitivity of key presses and regulate variable actuation factors. Constructed from premium supplies, the keyboard wears a machined aluminum body atop an aluminum prime plate that helps take in vibrations from key presses. A layer of sound absorption foam helps to reduce echoes, whereas foam gaskets get rid of any rattle that may in any other case come from the internal PCB. It is a superb mechanical keyboard proper out of the field, so the extra customization choices make it a superb selection for these thinking about tweaking nearly each side of their keyboard.
For Mac customers who’re additionally keyboard tinkerers, the Keychron Q1 HE is a wonderful possibility.
Variety of Keys
81
Interface
Bluetooth, USB-C, 2.4 GHz Wi-fi
Key Swap Sort
Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Switches
Key Backlighting
RGB Per-Key
Media Controls
Shared With Different Keys
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Relaxation
None
Study Extra
Greatest Cut up Ergonomic Keyboard for Macs
Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Cut up Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- True Cherry MX switches in a selection of three varieties.
- Snug ergonomic design, when you’re accustomed to it.
- Excellent, plush wrist relaxation.
- Per-key customizable RGB lighting.
- Driverless SmartSet app is extra work than we might like.
- Elective “elevate package” prices additional.
- Steep studying curve.
Ergonomics is an oft-overlooked side of keyboard buying, however it’s typically an important. With out good ergonomics, even the very best keyboards could cause long-term harm to your fingers and wrist. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Cut up Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is somewhat older, however it’s nonetheless one among our favourite cut up keyboards. Accessible with Cherry MX switches in three varieties and that includes per-key customizable RGB lighting, this keyboard is a pleasure to make use of whether or not you are trying to sport or simply typing by the workday. Its cut up design means it may possibly function as one complete keyboard or as two separated working elements positioned as much as 8 inches aside. It takes time to regulate to a cut up format should you’re new to at least one, however when you’re over the hurdle, it is second to none.
For those who’ve ever been thinking about keyboard ergonomics, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Cut up Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a powerful entry level. It helps alleviate stress and stress in your forearms, shoulders, and again by letting you angle your arms, fingers, and wrists precisely how they be just right for you.
Variety of Keys
108
Interface
USB Wired
Key Swap Sort
Cherry MX
Key Backlighting
RGB Per-Key
Media Controls
Devoted
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Relaxation
Built-in
Greatest Mac Keyboard with Contact ID
Apple Magic Keyboard With Contact ID and Numeric Keypad (USB-C)
- Skinny and light-weight
- Quiet operation
- Contact ID sensor
- USB-C port
- Costly, with $20 premium for black model
- No backlighting
- Design is not overly ergonomic
- Colours past white and black are solely accessible bundled with an iMac buy
- Requires newest model of macOS to entry full vary of options
Many individuals discover Apple keyboards to be simply tremendous—and we largely agree with them. They work as meant and infrequently home Apple-exclusive options like Contact ID. Our important drawback with the Magic Keyboard is that it hasn’t modified a lot in years. That is still true with the most recent Apple Magic Keyboard With Contact ID and Numeric Keypad, whose solely large change is changing the long-standard Apple Lightning port with a USB-C port. With so many high quality options to the Magic Keyboard on the market, stomaching the near-$200 asking worth for an outdated design is more durable than ever. Nonetheless, should you insist on an all-Apple desktop, the USB-C Magic Keyboard has its charms: It is skinny, mild, and striking-looking, with spectacular battery life. Additionally, the scissor-switch design is nice for individuals who favor low-profile keyboards.
For the Apple trustworthy or for individuals who do not thoughts paying a premium, the Apple Magic Keyboard With Contact ID and Numeric Keypad continues to be a reliable each day driver.
Variety of Keys
109
Interface
Bluetooth, USB-C
Key Swap Sort
Scissor-Swap
Key Backlighting
None
Media Controls
Devoted
Passthrough Ports
None
Palm Relaxation
None
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The Greatest Mac Keyboards for 2025
Examine Specs
Shopping for Information: The Greatest Mac Keyboards for 2025
Technically, you should use most any fashionable keyboard together with your Mac. Plug it in (probably with assistance from a USB-A-to-C adapter) or pair it over Bluetooth, and its fundamental typing features will simply work. That mentioned, should you’re used to a Mac and particularly should you’ve been utilizing Apple’s Magic Keyboard, you’ve got grown accustomed to sure keys and options that you’ll be wanting in any new keyboard you purchase.
The default Magic Keyboard has a compact, 78-key design that crunches all of its keys, together with the arrows, into the smallest attainable typing block. Only a few different keyboards, even small ones, use this type of format. Apple additionally makes a full-size Magic Keyboard with a quantity pad, however Apple treats that extra like an XL mannequin, whereas most keyboard producers see the full-size 104-key format because the default.
(Credit score: Zackery Cuevas)
For those who like a smaller keyboard, a helpful time period to search for is “tenkeyless” or TKL, referring to a keyboard that lacks the 10-key quantity pad. You might also see keyboards referred to in share phrases—that is not a share of a full-size keyboard’s size and width, however a share of keys, based mostly on the 104-key customary. Some omit arrow keys, perform keys, and extra to get as small as 60% or 65%, typically with a really compact format.
The keys within the prime row of an Apple keyboard are assigned to system-level duties comparable to display screen brightness and quantity controls. They can be utilized as traditional F1 to F12 perform keys, however you may have to press the Fn key for that. On most keyboards not particularly made for Mac, the roles are reversed: F1 to F12 are the first makes use of for these top-row keys, and the system-level duties require some form of shortcut.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
A final consideration: Macs have a number of distinctive keys. The one you most likely know finest is the Command key, which is used for a lot of common keyboard shortcuts. It is used very in a different way from the Home windows key. The Choice key’s a extra direct parallel to the Alt key on Home windows. And the most recent Magic Keyboard mannequin, which works solely with Apple Silicon Macs, has a Contact ID button that has no equal on a Home windows keyboard.
(Credit score: Zackery Cuevas)
In order for you a keyboard that ships with Mac key configurations, your choices are very restricted. Some firms, like Logitech, do make Mac-specific fashions of their keyboards with Command and Choice keys; these fashions are usually labeled “Mac Version” or “Made for Mac.” However that is not the one solution to get the keys and features you want. Remappable keyboards are more and more common amongst Home windows avid gamers, and Mac customers can typically profit from them, too.
Keyboard Software program on Macs: Mapping and Customization
For those who’ve solely used customary productiveness keyboards, you may be amazed by the huge world of mechanical, gaming-oriented, and ergonomic keyboards. Gaming keyboards deliver the shiny with customizable multi-colored RGB lighting, an aesthetic that may be a refreshing break from Apple’s clear monochrome type, and lots of have programmable macro keys for generally used features. Mechanical keyboards have a satisfying typing sound and tactile really feel, and most of them characteristic longer journey—the space your keycap strikes while you press all of it the best way down—to be extra supportive and cozy.
(Credit score: Mike Epstein)
For those who’re beginning to expertise ache in your arms, wrists, or shoulders whilst you sort, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate switching to an ergonomic keyboard that is designed to mitigate the ache of repetitive stress accidents. A keyboard that is simpler and extra comfy to sort on could be a life-changing improve.
Most premium productiveness and gaming keyboards could be reconfigured with software program offered by the producer. Configuration apps help you change (remap) what every key does; alter different settings, comparable to how shortly a wi-fi keyboard falls asleep; and program RGB lighting. That is how one can flip a Home windows key right into a Command key, set your Caps Lock to activate Choice, or in any other case create your excellent keyboard format.
Beneficial by Our Editors
Corsair’s iCUE software program makes it straightforward to remap the K100 RGB Gaming Keyboard. (Credit score: Corsair)
Once you’re establishing a keyboard that isn’t explicitly designed for Macs, having the ability to use its configuration software program is essential. Sadly, many producers’ configuration apps do not run on macOS, so it’s good to be sure you discover one which does. The largest Mac-friendly names in productiveness keyboards are Logitech and Kensington. For gaming, we’re speaking about Corsair, Logitech, and SteelSeries.
(Credit score: Zackery Cuevas)
Some smaller producers haven’t got conventional config apps. As a substitute, they supply customization help by a mix of onboard controls and both driverless apps that work by the keyboard or internet apps. These processes could be a little much less handy than an app, however they’re broadly appropriate.
The net-based configuration instrument for the Drop Shift Mechanical Keyboard works on any laptop. (Credit score: Drop)
For those who suppose it’s going to confuse you to remap a key’s perform with out relabeling the important thing, do not resort to masking tape. As a substitute, buy a sheet of cheap key label stickers. They’re meant for keyboards the place the legends have worn off, however they work simply as nicely for relabeling a remapped key. Some mechanical keyboards include replaceable keycaps for Command and Choice, however if you wish to arrange Mac-style perform keys, you may most likely want labels.
Able to Purchase the Greatest Keyboard for Your Mac?
Armed with all the small print, you’re prepared to select the very best keyboard on your Mac. Our suggestions and evaluations will assist you determine which of our favorites will probably be a great match. For those who’re on the lookout for particular options, take a look at our lists of the best wireless keyboards and the best ergonomic keyboards. And should you want a mouse to match, contemplate the best mice for Macs in addition to the best gaming mice for Macs, that are designed for gaming however work nicely for any objective.