Why Should You Use an Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse?

With the integration of digital technology and data science in most professions, the screen time of an average worker on a computer has skyrocketed. Though it has increased productivity, we must address the downside of this screen time on human health. According to a study, an office worker spends almost 1,700 hours a year in front of a computer, which puts immense stress on a worker's wrist using a keyboard and mouse, mainly due to the unnatural design of traditional keyboards and mice.

Ergonomic keyboards and mice help resolve this problem with their unique design promoting a natural wrist position, which helps alleviate wrist pain and muscle fatigue associated with using a keyboard and mouse.

In this article, we will discuss why ergonomic keyboards and mice are handy tools in your arsenal and help you choose the best keyboard and mouse in terms of the physical, technical, and aesthetic aspects.

1. Benefits of Using an Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse

Using ergonomic keyboards and mice allows a person to work for longer hours without experiencing a drop in typing speed. These tools can help prevent future injuries when combined with the naturally curved wrist position.

● Reduce Pain and Increase Comfort

With the wrist in a natural shake-hand position with a broader gap between both arms, ergonomic keyboards and mice will reduce wrist pain and help prevent a specific associated disease called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. According to a study, ergonomic keyboards and mice reduce carpal tunnel syndrome by 30% compared to conventional devices. More than 80% satisfaction rate among users who switched to ergonomics speaks volumes for the comfort of these devices.

● Improve Posture

Since ergonomic keyboards and mice come with all the natural angles of the human body in mind, they help to maintain a good posture while using the computer. With wide split curved keyboards and vertical mice, it prevents wrist and shoulders from internal rotation of the joints, which are the leading cause of office-related strains and injuries.

● Enhance Productivity and User Experience

Studies suggest that an employee's productivity increases by 10% if using ergonomic input devices. The increased comfort and reduced pain give a person a much more natural and comfortable user experience, employees can sit for longer hours and take fewer breaks between their work, significantly increasing productivity.

2. The Specific Features of Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice

Ergonomic keyboards and mice promote a more natural feel when using these devices. Key features include a split keyboard with a curved design and adjustable elevation. In addition, a vertical mouse also helps keep the wrist in its natural position. These features are discussed in detail below:

Keyboard Design

● Split Keyboards for Natural Hand Position

A split keyboard allows users to have an open chest and more distance between hand positions, which will help the user keep a more natural and body-friendly posture while working on a keyboard. It will also keep the shoulder in a less rounded position, preventing shoulder and upper back pain.

● Curved Keybeds for Improved Comfort

Ergonomic keyboards come with a specific curved design, preventing a user from extending the wrist outwards, thereby creating an unnatural position for the wrist, and keeping the wrist in a more neutral position. It helps users avoid unnecessary strains to the wrist and forearms, prompting a very comfortable and immersed user experience that enhances productivity and comfort.

● Tented Keyboards for Elevated Wrist Position

Another salient feature of an ergonomic keyboard is tenting. Tenting a keyboard at an angle keeps the wrist slightly tilted with the thumb pointing upwards, leading to a relaxed hand position, providing a pain-free and relaxing experience to a user even if one has to work for an extended period.

Mouse Design

● Vertical Mice for Reduced Wrist Strain

All the ergonomic mice come in a vertical design that promotes a natural hand posture. People using traditional mice have complained about their hands going numb while using the mouse for long hours with other associated fatigue. With the vertical mice design, all these problems are a chapter of history now, as you can work as long as you like.

● Trackball Mice for Precise Cursor Control

Ergonomic mice come in two types regarding cursor control, one with an optical device and the other with trackball control. While the first one provides less of a change to traditional devices and improves adaptability time, the latter offers better control, and lesser hand movement means less strain on the wrist.

● Thumb-Operated Mice for Enhanced Ergonomics

With a vertical design and keys curved and adjusted to fingers, ergonomic mice can use the thumb for either trackball or buttons for toggling between pages, depending upon the design. This unique and innovative feature increases users' speed in doing specific tasks, enhancing work efficiency and productivity.

3. How Long Does Adapting to an Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse Take?

It depends from person to person. For touch typists, the time required to adjust to an ergonomic keyboard is between 3 days to a week. For some users, it may take 3 to 6 months. It took me around two weeks to get to my usual 90 words per minute mark, but my friend, a hardcore ergonomic user, can type faster by 15 wpm on an ergonomic keyboard compared to traditional keyboards. So, each user has their individual experience based on their habits and how many fingers they use for typing before purchasing an ergonomic keyboard.

4. Which Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse Should I Buy?

Choosing between ergonomic keyboards and mice can be troublesome as there are many ones are available in the market. Making an informed decision before upgrading to a new device is necessary. Here, we will discuss critical factors in deciding what to look for in an ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

Palm Rest

Palm rest is one of the critical features of an ergonomic keyboard, as it will set the basic feel of the keyboard. An ergonomic keyboard must have a palm rest slightly elevated or at least at level with the keys to avoid hyper-extension of the wrist. A cushioned palm rest will reduce the reactionary force on the wrist, making the experience more comfortable.

Adjustable Tilt Position

An adjustable tilt is a handy feature as every person varies in size and style. You can work through different angles and find the best angle that suits you.

Connectivity

Check for reviews of a specific brand of keyboards and mice for any connectivity issues and whether the device is compatible with your operating system. Typically, a device with seamless connectivity and compatibility with multiple systems shall be better.

Type of Use

Deciding which device to purchase includes a rather important question: what do I use it for? Whether you are a programmer, a gamer, or an office worker, that requires a lot of typing and data scraping. A gamer typically chooses a keyboard with an adjustable split keyboard and a good background light to play games in a dark, immersive environment. A programmer usually looks for a comfortable, compact design that helps him focus on his work more. While a regular office worker wants a keyboard that does not deviate from the traditional keyboard a lot but provides a comfortable, pain-free experience.

Cost

Typically, ergonomic keyboards and mice are priced higher than conventional devices, but it is worth it as it can help save you a lot on medical bills. You can choose a suitable device according to your budget, like Microsoft ergonomic keyboards, Kinesis Pro, or more budget-friendly options such as MEETION ergonomics keyboards.

Testing

Test yourself at home/office, see what suits you the best according to the available space, and work out the best angle. Are you comfortable with a trackball or an optical mouse? Test out every little detail to make an informed decision.

Our Recommendation

MEETION DirectorW

Key Features:

●  Pillowed palm rest with memory foam reducing muscle strain

●  Split Keyboard with standard 3 split design

● Adjustable tilts allow for personalized tilt settings

● Seamless connectivity with a wireless keyboard and a good battery backup

If you have been using a traditional keyboard and your job requires you to type a lot, but pain is affecting your work, look no further than this product. It has a unique, innovative design with a split keyboard at an optimized angle and a very comfortable palm rest with memory foam, removing all the force from your wrist. Reverse tilting can also prevent you from future pain as it will prevent your wrist from hyperflex. The adjustable tilt option in this product will provide precisely the wrist comfort you have been missing so far.

MEETION BTM010R

Key Features:

● Ergonomic vertical Design to keep the wrist in a neutral position

●  Forward and back buttons on the thumb side of the mouse to help navigate web pages better

●  Noise-reducing design specifically designed for shared workspaces

● Seamless connectivity with versatile compatibility

Scrolling through web pages and data with a traditional mouse can strain the wrist and even numb your hand. If you face the same problem, this product will solve your problem. Its vertical design ensures a natural wrist position according to the human body and makes for a comfortable browsing experience with RGB illumination for dark atmospheres. Its rechargeable batteries provide continuous device use for a long time, keeping your wrist and forearms at ease.  

5. Conclusion

Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of ergonomic keyboards and mice, all the health benefits, and their effectiveness in avoiding injuries, it is time for a change, and it is time to invest in your health. You have all the necessary tools to select a proper ergonomic device that best fits your needs and can meet all the requirements you desire for yourself and your friends. So move out of pain, restrain yourself right now, and select a good ergonomic keyboard and mouse, as we recommend in this article. Also, check out the MEETION complete lineup of ergonomic products on their official website.