Wrists can’t go wrong with a rest: The best keyboard wrist rest of 2024

There’s only one thing better than being able to type quickly and efficiently, and that’s having the best keyboard wrist rest for comfort. It doesn’t matter how much money you or your employer has spent on getting you the best keyboard on the market; if your wrists don’t have proper support you could soon end up wishing you had.

You’ve probably heard of repetitive strain injury (RSI), but did you know that symptoms range from numbness and weakness to wrist pain and even discomfort in the arms? However, symptoms aside, even some users of budget keyboards without a rest are lucky enough to escape these problems. But, if you’re not so lucky, you’ll probably already know the benefits that a decent keyboard wrist rest can bring.

But which keyboard wrist rest is right for you? Well, a lot of this will come down to your keyboard itself. If you’re working on a compact tenkeyless keyboard your wrists will have a little less work to do in terms of the distance your fingers travel between keys. On the other hand, a large gaming keyboard may well have wider-spaced mechanical keys and a chunkier chassis. All of this can add up to wrists that are overworking to maintain your typing position. Even users of ultra-slim keyboards with low-profile keys don’t get off scot-free. Just because the keyboard case is flatter than a chunky mechanical gaming keyboard doesn’t mean your wrists aren’t still working hard while you write.

All of that said, just like choosing a keyboard itself, finding the right rest is really down to ergonomics. Everyone is different, and so there’s really nothing better than testing one out in person. But, if you’re already a wrist rest owner who needs an upgrade or replacement, you’ll have an easier time choosing a new one. Either way, our experts have selected the best products to match certain types of users. We also have a handy buyer’s guide at the end of the article.

Best keyboard wrist rest of 2024

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

Best keyboard wrist rest of 2024: Buyer’s guide

If it works for you, stick with it

If you’re already a faithful wrist rest user looking for a cosmetic upgrade or replacement, don’t change what works. If you know that a certain size or height or keyboard wrist rest is keeping the RSI away, stick with it. Take some measurements if you need to and try to find a new version that matches.

Pay attention to the materials

Not everyone likes the feel of a fabric-covered wrist rest against their skin as they type, particularly if there’s a lot of travel involved with the hands. Conversely, some find the gel type unpleasant, particularly in the summertime as things warm up. Bear in mind that every kind of keyboard wrist rest will need to be cleaned, so make sure this doesn’t ruin any fabrics. If you’re particularly sensitive to grime, avoid lighter-coloured fabric coverings as they’ll look their worst faster than you think.

You may already be using a wired or wireless keyboard with the built-in palm or wrist support. Often these offer minimal or no padding. Some users prefer that over the soft wrist rest variety.

Stability and fit

Some cheap and nasty wrist rests will not stay put. They can lack a tactile base that will have some level of grip with the desktop. If your wrists and arms are constantly working to stop the thing from sliding, that’s almost as bad as not having a rest in the first place.

Secondly, check that your keyboard itself is a good match for the wrist rest. A larger keyboard case, sometimes with built-in (but often uncomfortable) palm rests, will take up a certain amount of space. Your wrist rest will obviously need to be able to sit close enough to the keyboard without overlapping it. If you want something that you know will be a good match, some of the best Logitech keyboards and other brands come with wrist rests designed to go perfectly together.

FAQs

Is a keyboard wrist rest necessary?

For many users, yes. But, as with everything under the ergonomic heading, the final judge is you. If you’ve ever experienced tingling, numbness or deep aches and pains in the wrist, forearm and hands you may benefit from the proper wrist rest. Try some out before you buy if you’re unsure which one will suit you best.

Do keyboard wrist rests cause RSI (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)?

As a rule, no. Although, it’s worth remembering that this is all about your own personal ergonomics. Someone who doesn’t need a wrist rest for any reason might become uncomfortable using one. If you’ve taken the time to read this article, chances are you need one for your typing position and style.

What’s the best keyboard wrist rest for gaming?

Gamers can need comfort and stability more than most, due to fast reactions, accuracy and relatively static hand position. They also famously game for hours on end without a break. So, if that’s you, take the risks of developing RSI seriously and check out some of our recommendations. The last thing you’ll want to impact your KDR is persistent wrist pain.

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Chris Duffill is a Senior Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.

He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he'll write about it.