What's the best keyboard for Mac?

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Summary

• For most Mac users, the Apple Magic Keyboard is the right pick: rechargeable, Bluetooth, and built for Mac

• If your Mac has Apple Silicon (M1 or later), the Touch ID version adds fingerprint login for $50 more

• The Logitech K380s is worth a look if you switch between multiple devices like a Mac, iPhone, and iPad

• Keychron makes well-regarded mechanical keyboards for those who prefer a clicky feel — the K3 is a good place to start

• Wired Macally keyboards require no pairing or batteries

The right keyboard depends on you

Keyboards are highly personal, so I really can't make a universal recommendation for everyone. But the good news is that because they are one of the oldest peripherals for a computer, almost any keyboard is going to be a good choice.

You may want to visit your local computer or office supply store to try the display models out yourself. Either way, a few things are worth considering.

Keyboard comparison

All keyboards below work with Mac. Prices are approximate and may vary by retailer.

Keyboard	Price (MSRP)	Key feel	Numeric	Touch ID	Connection	Battery	Where to buy
Magic Keyboard ★ Easy pick	$99	Slim	❌	❌	Bluetooth USB-C	Rechargeable	Apple Amazon Best Buy
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID	$149	Slim	❌	✅	Bluetooth USB-C	Rechargeable	Apple Amazon Best Buy
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID + Numeric Keypad	$179	Slim	✅	✅	Bluetooth USB-C	Rechargeable	Apple Amazon Best Buy
Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s Multi-device	$39.99	Slim	❌	❌	Bluetooth Logi Bolt	2× AAA	Logitech Amazon
Logitech Signature Slim K950 Multi-device	$89.99	Slim	✅	❌	Bluetooth Logi Bolt	2× AAA	Logitech Amazon Best Buy
Keychron K3 ⬆︎ Mechanical	$84.99	Mechanical	❌	❌	Bluetooth USB-C	Rechargeable	Amazon
Keychron K10 ⬆︎ Mechanical	$104.99	Mechanical	✅	❌	Bluetooth USB-C	Rechargeable	Amazon
Macally USB Keyboard (compact) 💲 Budget	$29.99	Slim	❌	❌	USB-C USB-A	N/A	Amazon
Macally USB Keyboard (full) 💲 Budget	$36.99	Slim	✅	❌	USB-C USB-A	N/A	Amazon

Touch ID requires Apple Silicon (M1 or later). Logitech keyboards connect via Bluetooth or the included Logi Bolt receiver. Keychron prices vary by switch type. Some links are referral links.

What to look for in a keyboard

Brand: As long as you go with a good brand name, you should be fine. I usually prefer Apple keyboards because of their tight integration with the Mac ecosystem. Logitech is a great option because most of their modern keyboards are designed to work well with both Mac and PC. For a no-frills wired option at a good price, Macally is worth a look. And if you love the feel of an old-fashioned clicky keyboard, Keychron is the brand to explore.

Wired vs. wireless: Wireless keyboards are everywhere. But is removing the cord really worth the added cost, the hassle of changing or charging batteries, and (yes) the added chance of losing your keyboard? Only you can answer that.

Bluetooth vs. dongle. Just because a keyboard is wireless doesn't mean it's Bluetooth. For most people, Bluetooth is the right choice: nothing to lose, no ports used up, and nothing to snap off a MacBook. If you do want a dongle, the one worth considering is Logitech's Logi Bolt receiver: keyboards and mice that support it are also compatible with Bluetooth, so you get flexibility either way. (The old Unifying Receiver logo looks similar to the Bluetooth symbol, so read the packaging carefully.) The one exception: a shared workstation, where leaving the Logi Bolt receiver in a monitor or hub means any computer can use the keyboard without pairing each time.

Compact or full: This usually doesn't refer to the size of the keys, but simply whether there is a number pad on the side. Unless you regularly do number entry, I recommend sticking to a compact keyboard. Most people find that the number pad gets in the way since it goes right where you would want to put your mouse.

Mechanical or low-profile: The trend over the past two decades has been toward low-profile keyboards where the keys don't press down far, like virtually every laptop. I prefer this because I can type faster when I don't have to move my fingers as much. But some prefer the feedback and feel of a mechanical keyboard. This is a highly personal preference. If the feel of a keyboard matters a lot to you, I suggest going to Staples or Best Buy to type on their display models.

Mac or PC: Yes, there are differences between Mac and PC keyboards. But if you really like the feel of a particular PC keyboard, you can absolutely use it with your Mac. The only thing you need to be aware of is that the modifier keys will be labeled differently and in different locations: Command = Windows, Option = Alt, Control = Ctrl. Some keyboards I've seen from Logitech can even sense whether they are connected to a Mac or PC and adjust these keys accordingly, so they have both labels printed on the keys.

The easy choice for most Mac users

The Apple Magic Keyboard is a great keyboard. It's rechargeable and pairs automatically with your Mac over Bluetooth. No fussing with pairing mode.

Apple has several options:

Numeric keypad: I don't recommend this unless you do a lot of number entry. The extra desk space it takes up is not worth it for most people. Note that the numeric keypad is only available combined with Touch ID, at MSRP: $179.

Touch ID: This adds about MSRP: $50 to the cost and lets you log into your computer using a fingerprint in many situations. Be aware that it is only compatible with Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 or later).

Color: Most are available in white or black (black costs a bit more). These keyboards are also available in colors that match the different iMac colors, but not through retail. I've heard that some people have been able to talk Apple Support into selling them one if they need a replacement.

Other languages: Apple does offer different language layouts worldwide, so if you search the Apple Store website or call customer service, they can usually get you any localization you need.

Great choices for more flexible needs

The Logitech K380s and K950 are a fantastic value but aren't as polished or as tightly integrated as the Apple Magic Keyboard. They are best suited for people who want to switch their keyboard between multiple devices, or who have a monitor docking station and want any user to plug in and go (use the included Logi Bolt receiver instead of Bluetooth for that use case).

A few perks: they auto-switch between Mac and PC modes, AAA alkaline batteries last about a year, and they support up to three devices. Press one of the three colored buttons on the top to switch, or hold one to enter pairing mode for that button. This makes them great for switching between your Mac, iPhone, and iPad, or even a PC.

Inexpensive, wired keyboard

If you want an inexpensive keyboard that requires no pairing and no batteries, Macally makes two wired USB options: a compact model and a full model with a numeric keypad. Some people swear by Macally products, though I've never used them for more than a few minutes myself.

Mechanical keyboard

For the mechanical keyboard enthusiast, I recommend looking at Keychron. The K3 is their compact option without a number pad, and the K10 is the full-size version with one. I've not used them myself but they are well regarded for pairing the feel of classic keyboards with modern touches like Bluetooth and backlighting. If you explore the Logitech website you'll also see that they now have an MX Mechanical line to compete. If you explore the Logitech website you'll also see that they now have an MX Mechanical line to compete.

Key Takeaways

• If you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or later), the Touch ID keyboard is worth the extra $50 — fingerprint login is a genuine time-saver

• Skip the numeric keypad unless you do regular data entry; it pushes your mouse further to the right than most people want

• Look for the word "Bluetooth" on the box, not just "wireless" — the two aren't the same thing

• If key feel matters to you, try display models at Staples or Best Buy before buying

• If you're switching between a Mac, iPhone, and iPad, the Logitech K380s handles all three for MSRP: $39.99

Further reading

• My mouse recommendations — if you're also shopping for a mouse

• What Mac should I buy? — your keyboard choice can depend on which Mac you have

• The best products for Mac and iPhone users — my full recommendations hub

If you're still not sure which keyboard is the right fit for your setup, that's exactly the kind of thing I help clients sort out. Book a session and we can work through it together, whether you're in San Francisco or connecting via Zoom.