Best Compatible Keyboards for Mac
No, you do not have to use that tiny Apple keyboard that came with your Mac.
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Apple makes a decent external keyboard for its iMac lineup—and that can be purchased separately—but your fingers deserve better. Plenty of users report that the Apple Magic keyboard has shallow keys that can be uncomfortable to type on for long periods of time, and with how much time many of us spend on the computer, those minutes add up fast.
Fortunately, you don’t have to stick with an Apple keyboard if you’re looking for an upgrade. Many manufacturers offer superior keyboards than the ones that Apple sells that work perfectly well with your Mac and feature the special keys that trigger commands on the iOS operating system.
Best Mac-Compatible Keyboards
The Expert: As a tech journalist who spends long days reviewing and writing about the latest gadgets for publications such as The New York Times, Time, and The Atlantic, I unabashedly love keyboards and own more than a dozen, which I rotate depending on my mood and what I plan to use them for. I own several of the keyboards on this list, including the Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac and the Logitech Craft keyboard, both of which are among my top choices for anyone who does a lot of typing.
I’m primarily a Mac user, with an M1 iMac as my main machine. One of the first things I did when I unboxed my new Mac was toss the included Apple keyboard into a drawer and grab a more comfortable keyboard from my repertoire.
What to Look for in a Mac Keyboard
Size
One of the most important things to consider when buying a keyboard for your Mac is how big you want it to be. Larger keyboards tend to be more comfortable than smaller models because they don’t force your hands and arms into an unnaturally cramped position. And because they’re bigger, they’re typically heavier and thus less likely to slide around on your desk during a heavy typing session. However, small keyboards have their advantages as well. Petite keyboards take up less desk space, and some people with smaller hands find them easier to use. Small keyboards are also great for travel, as they can easily fit into your luggage.
I included dimensions for each keyboard in a LxWxH format. Because each brand lists dimensions differently, note that in this context, length refers to how long the keyboard is from left to right, width refers to its length from back to front, and height refers to the keyboard’s thickness.
Wireless or Wired
Wireless keyboards are all the rage these days, and most of them communicate via the Bluetooth protocol that’s easy to use and fairly reliable. Because a wireless keyboard lacks wires, there’s no tangled mess to clutter up your desk—it’s a remarkably freeing experience if you’ve been using a wired keyboard for any length of time. That said, you’ll have to remember to keep your Bluetooth keyboard charged or have spare batteries on hand for the times it runs out of juice.
Apple’s own keyboard connects via Bluetooth. However, I’ve run into problems with Bluetooth compatibility with some keyboards that aren’t specifically marketed for Macs.
Despite the convenience of using a wireless keyboard, there’s a lot to be said for going the wired route. With a wired keyboard, you’re always connected, and you never have to worry about charging your device.
Mac vs. PC Compatibility
One thing to keep in mind is that while most keyboards, even those marketed to Windows PC, will work with Mac, some keys may not offer the same functions. For example, the Mac Command key becomes the Windows key and the Windows Alt key replaces Mac’s Option key.
You may also notice a glaring hole in my recommendations: gaming keyboards. Because Macs aren’t designed to be great gaming machines, manufacturers lean heavily toward gaming keyboards specifically for PCs.
How We Selected These Keyboards for Mac
In addition to the many hours I spent testing Mac-compatible keyboards in person to contribute to this article, I’ve also used several of the keyboards on this list, such as the Logitech Craft, to write articles for my job as a technology journalist. To round out my evaluations, I looked through online reviews and talked to other keyboard users in my network to find the best Mac keyboards on the market. My final recommendations came down their durability, aesthetics, comfort, and how compatible they are with Mac.
Sascha Brodsky, a freelance journalist based in New York City and a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, writes about many aspects of technology including personal technology, AI, and virtual reality. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and many other publications. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling and hiking.
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