Ergonomic keyboards are designed to minimise the stress in your shoulders, wrists, and fingers by serving to to make sure that they’re all naturally positioned. In the event you spend all day working and all evening gaming on the identical PC, they are often mana from heaven.
However they’re usually fairly costly or come throughout as being considerably on the acute aspect. So what concerning the Logitech Ergo K860? It appears to be like pretty regular for an ergonomic keyboard and the worth tag is not ridiculously excessive.
Let’s begin by delving into the ergonomics. The principle key part is cut up throughout the chassis—and by an honest quantity—serving to to maintain your shoulders in a extra pure place. For me, although, the important thing halves aren’t separated sufficient and an additional centimetre or so would make it a tad extra snug for long-term use.
The center of the Ergo K860 rises by a good quantity, often known as tenting, letting your wrists lie on the keyboard in a extra relaxed method. I would personally favor a little bit extra angle nevertheless it’s in all probability sufficient for most individuals, at round 7 or so levels (the curved chassis makes it troublesome to measure precisely).
Logitech ERGO K860 specs
Switches: membrane
Connectivity: wi-fi (USB receiver or Bluetooth)
Keys: 110 in complete, non-remappable
Break up: mounted key cut up
Tenting: mounted quantity
Tilting: -4 or -7 levels through fold-out legs
Backlighting: none
Media controls: devoted shortcut keys
Worth: $130| £109 | €99 | AU$197
In some ways, it is similar to the Microsoft Ergonomic Desktop keyboard however the cut up and tenting aren’t pretty much as good. It does have some benefits over that mannequin, although, which additionally occurs to be one in all my each day drivers.
The primary being the important thing ‘switches’. It is a membrane system, slightly than having particular person mechanical switches, and it is a lot nicer and faster to sort on than the Microsoft keyboard. That is largely right down to the truth that the keys themselves are low in profile, with the journey being fairly brief.
There’s simply sufficient resistance on the finish of the movement, together with a quiet however satisfying click on, to make sure that you do not over or beneath press the keys. A full day of continuous typing on the Ergo K860 left my arms utterly comfy, which is not at all times the case on the Microsoft keyboard.
In comparison with a mechanical keyboard, although, the general feeling is fairly muted. In the event you love a strong click on or a number of tactile suggestions, then you definitely’ll completely hate the Ergo K860. The brief journey helps with responsiveness in video games, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not very quick.
One other plus to the Logitech mannequin is that it is utterly wi-fi, connecting to a bunch pc both through Bluetooth or a USB receiver. The latter is one in all Logitech’s unified techniques, the place you simply use one dongle to attach a number of gadgets to the pc.
The Ergo K860 helps as much as three Bluetooth connections, and devoted keys allow you to swap between them. Useful if you wish to use a desktop and laptop computer with the identical keyboard.
The wrist relaxation padding can also be extra snug than that on the Microsoft ergo keeb and lots of different ones I’ve tried over time, too. However that is the place the great elements of the Ergo K860 tail off and the Microsoft mannequin, and different ergonomic keyboards, start to tug forward.
One of many first issues I encountered was the truth that the wrist relaxation is sort of excessive, partly as a result of tenting but in addition as a result of Logitech designed the remaining to be completely horizontal, slightly than flowing right down to the desk.
As somebody with persistent wrist issues, I discovered it a little bit annoying at instances and infrequently wished I might decrease and even take away it to present my battered carpals some reduction. A disgrace, because the cushioning itself is great.
One other oddity is the very fact there is no choice to present the keyboard any type of optimistic tilt. That is often completed by flicking out a pair of legs to lift the highest by just a few levels, however for the Ergo K860, Logitech put a double set on the entrance. In different phrases, you possibly can solely add two ranges of damaging tilt. Whereas that is helpful in case you use a standing desk, you’d by no means need to use them whereas sitting.
Purchase if…
✅ You need to strive an ergonomic keyboard: Even with the cut up and tenting, it is a very simple to adapt to the structure, making it an excellent entry to the world of ergo.
Do not buy if…
❌ You desire a quick, response keyboard: What’s perfect for a quiet workplace is not at all times nice for gaming or typing nirvana. It is good to sort on however there’s not a lot suggestions.
You maybe would not need to make use of a optimistic tilt on a tented keyboard, because it might drive your wrists into an uncomfortable angle, nevertheless it looks as if a really particular design alternative for a keyboard that is supposed as all-encompassing as attainable.
To be trustworthy, the entire design is slightly lacklustre. Certain, it is easy to select up and adapt to the cut up, tented structure and it is fairly comfortable to make use of (wrist relaxation subject however) however there’s nothing right here that makes the Ergo K860 stand out from the huge array of ergonomic keyboards you should purchase today.
For instance, there are some devoted keys for particular features, akin to activating the battery life indicator (a easy LED above the Logi brand), and all the regular F-keys have a secondary position, however that is it. There’s nothing like an additional wheel or gadget for scrolling or media management, and both of those could be a welcome further.
At the very least you should use the Logitech Choices management software program to alter the secondary position of the F-keys, both for normal use or in particular functions. There’s additionally the flexibility so as to add macros (which Logitech calls Good Actions), though I discovered the method a little bit on the clunky aspect to do.
That is in all probability extra an absence of familiarity with utilizing the system, slightly than a failing of the software program, however different keyboards I’ve examined of late have been lots simpler to program macros for.
Regardless of its shortcomings, the Logitech Ergo K860 is an inexpensive entry level into the world of ergonomic keyboards. The truth that it is very a lot a ‘regular’ keyboard, albeit one with some critical curves occurring, does work within the Ergo K860’s favour. The comparatively brief adaption interval implies that by the point the batteries have run out (Logitech claims a two 12 months lifespan), you will in all probability be prepared to maneuver issues up a notch and go for a totally cut up setup.
Nevertheless, I am unable to think about many PC players will likely be speeding to exit and purchase one in all these. At $130, it is not that far off the Cloud 9 C959, which is a totally cut up, mechanical keyboard, with some neat extra options, and it’s miles higher to make use of in video games.
If Logitech priced this just a bit bit decrease, you’d don’t have anything to lose by attempting one out. With its present price ticket, although, you are in all probability going to be higher off saving up a bit extra money and getting a extra critical ergonomic keyboard.