Are Ergonomic Keyboards Good For Gaming？

Are long hours of gaming sessions taking a toll on your health? Is your wrist hurting and your hands swelling, but you don't know why? It could be the use of a regular keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards target a natural hand position that is good for long working hours. Gamers spend hours practicing their aim on Aimlabs or in-game ranges. If you are one of them, then this blog is for you.

The first thing you need to do is change your keyboard. An ergonomic keyboard can prove to be a game changer. Flashy RGB and symmetrical keyboard aesthetics become secondary if your health is deteriorating. This blog will explore the following:

● Potential risks of lengthy gaming sessions and solutions to avoid them.

● Benefits of an ergonomic keyboard for gamers.

● List of top-rated ergonomic keyboards for 2024, both suitable for gaming and office use.

● Summary of the whole blog.

1. The Health Risks Of Gaming

There are three main health risks associated with gaming:

1.1. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)

If a group of muscles is under stress conditions for an extended period, it can lead to RSI. Strain injuries can also happen when you do the same actions repeatedly. If you have RSI, your hands or arms may feel numb, swell up, or hurt. Therefore, when it comes to long-term gaming, it may require stressing certain groups of muscles, leading to RSI.

1.2. Neck and Shoulder Pain

A standard gaming keyboard design may make your shoulders and neck unnatural. The distance between the shoulder and the length between the hands may not be equal when using a keyboard. It can lead to undue pain in the shoulder and neck. These can sometimes lead to headaches.

1.3. Posture Problems

One of the biggest problems for gamers is the hunch-back bending posture. Gamers often hunch over in this characteristic pose. It can originate due to the lousy keyboard placement. Traditional keyboards may lead to wrong spine position and back pain.

2. What Benefits Does An Ergonomic Keyboard Offer To Gamers?

So, how does an ergonomic keyboard help our well-being? Ergonomic keyboards have numerous health benefits for gamers. Let's discuss the top three reasons:

2.1. Enhance Comfort and Reduce Pain

Ergonomic keyboards, by design, promote a natural wrist position. They come with the following features to enhance comfort:

● Wrist Pads

● Adjustable Legs

● Inclined Keypad

● Split Ergonomic Keyboard Design

● Multi-Zone Ergonomic Keyboard Design

These features improve posture, allowing longer gaming sessions. The fatigue caused by excessive body position is off the table with an ergonomic keyboard.

2.2. Improve Performance

Another significant advantage of using an ergonomic keyboard is its effect on focus, leading to better reaction times. A fatigued gamer's body will be sluggish. At the same time, gaming in competitive conditions is vital to staying healthy. Practicing maintaining your posture is essential. However, on game day, a change in posture to support more unrestricted movement is ideal. Gamers need consistency in their overall well-being before appearing for competition.

2.3. Long-Term Health Benefits

These typically seamless problems can become chronic if not treated or prevented by gamers. Over the long term, using an ergonomic keyboard can help you maintain consistent performance and have a longer-lasting career.

3. The Best Ergonomic Keyboards For 2024

Now that we understand the potential for injury and the power of prevention with ergonomic keyboards. Let's dive into the best ergonomic keyboards for gamers:

3.1. Best Split Keyboard: Superior Gaming and Enhanced Comfort

DYGMA DEFY

Specifications

Keys: 70 Keys

Keycaps: ABS

Switch: Mechanical

Connectivity: USB, Bluetooth, Low-latency RF

Description

Whether you are a typist or a game freak, Dygma Defy is an ideal ergonomic keyboard. It is the best Split Keyboard with high-end features that gamers require. It comes with switches from MX and Kailh in a combination of 62x hot-swappable sockets and 8x low-profile switches. The low response time for gaming is achievable owing to the mechanical switches.

The users of this ergonomic keyboard can go wireless or wired using its USB, Bluetooth, and Low-latency RF connectivity. It comes with an anodized aluminum plate, and angle stands for durability. The keyboard naturally keeps your body and hands in an ergonomic position. There is no more slouching with its split columnar design.

3.2. Best Curved Keyboard: Alleviate Wrist Pain

MEETION DirectorW Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard

Specification

Keys: 112 Keys

Keycaps: ABS

Switch: Membrane

Connectivity: USB and Low-latency RF

Description

Gamers on a budget can go for the MEETION DirectorW for its excellent ergonomics and build quality. The manufacturers provides a 2.4GHz USB dongle for low response time wireless communication. It's a fantastic keyboard for casual gamers who enjoy long sessions on their computer.

DirectorW has a 3 Zone split layout design, letting your wrist rest comfortably and naturally. Its 4 adjustable tilt legs can help maneuver the keyboard to a position for every body type. There is no need for frequent charging as the keyboard lasts 6 months on 2AAA batteries.

3.3. Best Mechanical Keyboard: Customization and Performance

Truly Ergonomic

Specification

Keys: 91 Keys

Keycaps: UV Coating

Switch: Optical-Infrared Mechanical

Connectivity: USB

Description

The Truly Ergonomic keyboard might look unique due to its extraordinary prioritization of the hand's natural contours. Attention to detail incorporates keys used in the center for solid fingers. How is it good for gaming? It features optical-infrared mechanical key switches that lead to low response times. And the switches have a rating of 100 million keystrokes.

Spending long gaming sessions on the keyboard will not lead to health issues owing to its ideal wrist-pad support. Gamers rage cannot damage the keyboard due to its solid aluminum-metal base. The keyboard has a 13.6” width and 8.8” height, which is ideal for fitting on any tabletop. Overall, the keyboard prioritizes health over visual symmetry.

4. Conclusion

Your health shouldn't suffer because you play video games for long periods. Using a regular computer can hurt your hands, make you tired, and even cause long-term injuries. An answer is ergonomic keyboards, which help you sit up straighter and keep your hands in natural positions.

This blog post talked about the possible risks of playing video games for long periods, such as RSI, neck pain, and problems with your balance. Then, we talked about the benefits of adjustable keyboards, focusing on how they can make you more comfortable, boost your productivity, and protect your health in the long run.

Lastly, we showed you some of the best ergonomic keyboards for 2024, with options for all tastes and prices. There is an ergonomic keyboard out there that will change the way you play games, from split keyboards like the Dygma Defy to curved choices like the MEETION DirectorW.

Remember that putting your health first shouldn't be an aside. Moving to an ergonomic keyboard allows you to play games for years without pain. So why wait? Get one for yourself today!