Mac keyboards may offer the same functionality, but not all keyboards are created equal. These are excellent responsive switches (for mechanical models) or soft, springy keys (for membrane panels). Furthermore, we have an elegant aesthetic that matches Apple's famous and minimalist industrial design. Additionally, extras like relay or cable management features may be the prerogative of some models. Here is our selection of the best, highest-rated Mac keyboard models on the market.
Comparison of best keyboard for Mac in 2020
There have been several keyboards for Mac since the beginning of 2020. Without a comparison, we cannot make a good choice so as not to have regrets later. To do this, we have made the choice for you. The goal is to make your task easier and save you long hours of research on e-commerce sites. Here are the top 5 best keyboards for Mac on the market.
The Apple Magic Keyboard with number pad
Features and Reviews
While there are many excellent third-party keyboards that adhere closely to Apple's minimalist aesthetic, sometimes it's hard to beat the original, classic designs, and the Magic Keyboard remains the standard by which all other Mac keyboards are measured . Plus, of course, you are assured of unrivaled compatibility within the Apple ecosystem. If you have a desktop Mac, you probably already have the standard tenkeyless Magic Keyboard, which mirrors what's built into your MacBook.
However, fans of Apple's Magic Keyboard who need a full-size typing layout will prefer the Magic Keyboard with a built-in number pad. It provides seven more columns of keyboard keys. In addition to the eponymous number pad, you'll also find dedicated, better-spaced navigation keys and six additional function keys, unique to Apple's keyboards.
Otherwise, it's the same Apple Magic Keyboard design you know and love, with a comfortable, discreet typing experience and an internal battery that lasts at least a month and recharges using the included USB-Lightning cable. It has Bluetooth, but it can also be used as a wired keyboard simply by plugging it into one of your Mac's USB ports.
Das Keyboard 4 professional mechanical keyboard
Features and Reviews
If you're looking for a keyboard with advanced features that you can work on all day, look no further than the highly durable, German-designed Das Keyboard 4 Pro. A serious keyboard for serious users (ideal for writers and programmers), it's built to last while providing exceptional tactile feedback. And it's one of the few mechanical keyboards designed for Mac users.
Its layout mimics Apple's Magic Keyboard, eliminating the need for custom drivers. There are dedicated macOS keys for all the usual functions and a sizable set of media controls in the upper right corner, including a large volume wheel. A built-in two-port USB 3.0 hub also lets you easily connect high-speed USB storage devices without having to hunt for ports on the back of your Mac.
As a mechanical keyboard, it features a level of tactile response that most low-profile keyboards can't match. And you can even choose between Cherry MX Brown switches, for a smoother, quieter feel, and Cherry MX Blue if you really love your keyboards. Either way, you can expect a clean, natural text feel with laser-engraved keycaps rated for over 50 million strokes.
Logitech G910 Orion Spark
Features and Reviews
Due to their low-profile keys, most Apple custom keyboards aren't designed for gamers. This makes it difficult to find a decent gaming keyboard that is also fully compatible with your Mac. Fortunately, Logitech has been playing well with macOS for a long time, and its G910 Orion Spark offers the same level of Mac support as other keyboards in its "G" (gaming) line. In addition to Mac support, the G910 uses its own custom-made “Romer-G” mechanical switches.
The result is up to 25% faster activation, making it one of the fastest mechanical gaming keyboards you can buy. Still, the switches are some of the quietest we've ever heard, meaning your coworkers aren't likely to file a noise complaint. With a palette of 16 million colors, customizable per-key RGB lighting adds a touch of flair, and the keys are well sealed so that light doesn't bleed around the edges.
Nine dedicated “G-keys” can be programmed with custom macros, uniquely assigned to each game. When it comes to on-the-fly adjustments, the Logitech G910 Orion Spark features a volume roller as well as the usual set of dedicated multimedia keys. The G910 also incorporates another interesting and unique feature: Arx, which allows you to use your smartphone or tablet as a second screen to view additional in-game content or general system statistics.
Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard
Features and Reviews
These days, wireless keyboards may have improved battery life, but that doesn't mean you don't still have to charge them in some way. And if you don't want to run out of juice just minutes before your deadline, this can be a real nuisance. Fortunately, Logitech has come up with a creative solution to this problem in the form of the Solar K750, a keyboard with effectively infinite battery life.
The full-size K750 keyboard is similar in design, layout, and spacing to Apple's Magic Keyboard. It offers the comfortable typing experience we've come to expect from Logitech, concave keys, and quiet key switches. There's even a keyboard shortcut to quickly bring up the macOS Launchpad.
Although Logitech calls the K750 "solar," the reality is that it will charge from any light source, so you don't have to worry about keeping it in the sun or near a window. The lights in your office, even the desk lamp in your dorm room or hotel room should be more than sufficient. Once fully charged, it works for three months in the dark. Unless you live in a cave, you don't have to charge it.
Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard
Features and Reviews
Microsoft's Sculpt is a great alternative for those who want an ergonomic platform. 20 years ago, Microsoft was one of the first to introduce an ergonomic keyboard. So it's no surprise that the company continues to lead the way in making the best keyboards in this category. His latest, Sculpt, took design to a whole new level. No need for bells and whistles. The split design is pretty standard now.
For those unfamiliar, the keyboard is split into two halves, keeping your wrists and forearms in a natural position, relieving stress and tension. Its dome design and padded wrist rest position wrists at a more comfortable angle. A numeric keypad is cleverly separated. You can use it in any way that suits you. Although it's a Microsoft keyboard, it also works remarkably well with the Mac.
A physical switch will toggle the top row of keys between function keys and media control keys, which correspond to their MacOS functions as you'd expect. The only downside is that it is wireless but without Bluetooth. So you will need to use one of your USB ports with the included USB dongle.
Buying guide: how to choose a keyboard for Mac in 2020?
When choosing your Mac keyboard, consider the following parameters:
macOS system support
First, make sure the keyboard you're considering purchasing comes with full Mac support or the manufacturer's own software to make the keyboard fully supported. All manufacturers except Logitech do not offer this type of software to Mac users.
Mac Keycaps
Some people decide to use a Mac just so they don't have to look at the Windows logo on their keyboard. To do this, they need to ensure that all the macOS features that work with their keyboards are there. Also, native keyprints need to be printed.
Mac layout
Keyboards designed for Mac natively have a layout all their own. If your keyboard does not come with the native Mac layout, the main difference is that your left CMD key and left alt/opt key will be switched.
Connection reliability
The USB cable is the most reliable connection available. If you're not a fan of cables, the Apple Magic Keyboard's Bluetooth connection works well. Bluetooth connections from other manufacturers may not be suitable. This is the case for Logitech products delivered with their own radio connector, which is more reliable than Bluetooth.
Numpad or not?
Keyboards with numeric keypads are larger. But number pads are also quite convenient, so getting rid of them isn't always an option.
Mechanical keyboard or not?
If you want to be fashionable, use mechanical keyboards. However, you should not be stuck on this choice because there are very few mechanical keyboards on the market specifically designed for Mac.
Apple Magic Keyboard or not?
If you order your machine with Apple's Magic Keyboard without knowing how to use it, don't rush to buy another keyboard. Wait a few more months while you test it and get used to it. Keeping a Magic Keyboard in a closet would be a waste since it's in the top three best Mac keyboards IMO.
How to use a Windows keyboard on a Mac computer?
Whatever the reason, you can use most Windows keyboards with your Mac. However, you will face the problems related to the names given to the special keys and their physical location on the keyboard layout.
Typically, there are at least five special keys on a Windows keyboard that have a different name or location than their Mac counterparts:
- Control (Win) Ctrl (Mac)
- Option (Win) Alt (Mac)
- (Win) Windows command (Mac) (four-leaf clover)
- (Win) Backspace (Mac) Delete
- (Win) Enter (Mac) Return.
Some keys, such as the Windows Menu/Applications key, have no Mac equivalent and are generally ignored by the Mac.
Reconfigure modifier keys
Mac OS provides a built-in way to reconfigure the four most frequently used modifier keys. This simple reconfiguration allows you to fix one of the most common issues associated with using a Windows keyboard with a Mac, namely the physical location of the Alt and Windows keys. Since their functions are identical, you can just get used to their location on the Windows keyboard.
But if you're a long-time Mac user who can't make this feature match, you'll have another alternative. You will need to use the Keyboard preference pane to reconfigure the Windows modifier keys. This is so that they match the standard Mac keyboard layout. The modification procedure is as follows:
- Launch System Preferences, then select the Keyboard preference pane
- Make sure the Keyboard tab is selected, then click the Modifier Keys button
You will see four modifier keys that you can reconfigure; the caps lock key, the control key, the options key, and the command key. For example, we'll swap the Option and Command key pairs, so that they match the layout of a normal Mac keyboard.
For that :
- Use the drop-down menu next to the key : to select ⌘ Command
- Use the drop-down menu next to the Command (⌘): key to select Option
- Click the OK button
- Close System Preferences.
Reconfiguration of modifier keys is done keyboard by keyboard. In other words, if you have a MacBook Pro, with its built-in keyboard, as well as a separate Windows keyboard that you use while sitting at your desk, you can choose to only change the Windows keyboard, while leaving the integrated keyboard intact.
If you have more than one keyboard connected to your Mac, use the drop-down menu to select the keyboard on which you want the modifier keys to be reconfigured.
We all have the choice of opting for one of these best keyboards for Mac or using a Windows keyboard. In this case, you will have to choose between 3 alternatives:
- The first consists of mastering the analogies between Mac and Windows keyboard keys having different names but identical functions.
- The second is to use Windows keyboards that have the hotkey images already modified to match those used by Apple.
- The final alternative is to use sophisticated software built into the keyboard, capable of reconfiguring keys globally as well as by application.
The downside of this option is that if the Mac OS is updated, a keyboard driver may no longer be supported. If this happens, go back to the first alternative and voila!
