My Keyboard Recommendations
I have no universal recommendation
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. But I do have some considerations to look for.
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. But Logitech is a great option because most of their modern keyboards are designed to work well with both Mac and PC.
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. The good news is that when the Apple Magic Keyboard is connected using a Lightning cable it actually operates as a wired keyboard. But of course, as an Apple product, it isn't exactly cheap.
Two types of wireless: Bluetooth or dongle. Just because a keyboard is wireless does not mean it's Bluetooth. If you are going wireless I recommend Bluetooth. If it has a USB dongle that's just one more item that can get lost, use up a valuable USB port, or if using a MacBook one more thing that can get broken easily. When looking at the packaging look carefully and make sure it does say that it's Bluetooth. Logitech has a "Unifying Receiver" logo that looks a little like the Bluetooth logo if you aren't paying attention. And they have a new "Logi Bolt Unifying Receiver" that is nice because keyboards and mice that are compatible with that are also compatible with Bluetooth.
There are a couple of times you might prefer to have a USB dongle rather than Bluetooth. If you use your keyboard for gaming and you need keys to be responsive instantly, or if you have a docking workstation that multiple people might want to use. Leaving the dongle plugged into your hub or monitor allows any device to use the keyboard without having to go through a pairing process each time you switch.
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 recent trend over the past two decades has been toward low-profile keyboards where the keys don't press down far. Like virtually every laptop computer. 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 is very important 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 really like the feel of a particular PC keyboard you can absolutely use it with your Mac! The only thing you really need to be aware of is that the modifier keys will be labeled differently and will be 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 will adjust these keys for you, so they have both types printed on the keys.
A note about solar-powered keyboards: they seem like the perfect answer to the problem of replacing batteries. But unless you have lots of natural light you should avoid them. LED bulbs don't give off light in the proper frequencies to charge many solar-powered devices. That's why LED is so efficient; they only give off energy in the very narrow frequencies that we can see.
But I bet you want some recommendations. Here are a few to pick from:
The easy choice for most Mac users
The Apple Magic Keyboard is a great keyboard. These are rechargeable so that when you connect it to your computer with a cable it charges your keyboard, and as a bonus, it will automatically pair by Bluetooth to your Mac so it is dead simple to set up. No fussing with getting into pairing mode.
Apple is currently selling 7 different variations depending on your needs: With or without a numeric keypad, with or without Touch ID, and with USB-C or Lightning.
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. This option adds $30.
Touch ID. This is a very convenient option which adds aboug $50 to the cost of the keyboard. It allows you to log into your computer using a fingerprint rather than a password in many cases. Be aware that it is only compatible with Macs with Apple Silicon (M1 or later).
Connection. USB-C is the newer connection type, which means better future compatibility. I recommend you buy it with USB-C if your device meets the requirements of running macOS 15.1, iPadOS 18.1, or visionOS 2.1 or later. The only reason to get the legacy Lightning option is if you are not running this newer software. Apple has already stopped offering most Lightning configurations in their own stores.
Color. Most are available in white or black. For some reason black costs extra. These keyboards are also available in colors that match the different iMac colors, but not by retail. I've heard that some people have been able to talk Apple Support into letting them buy one of these if they need a replacement.
Other languages. Below I am linking to US English keyboards on the US stores. But Apple does offer different language layouts worldwide, so if you search the Apple Store website or call customer service, they can often get you any localization you need.
Numeric Keypad
Touch ID (requires Apple Silicon)
Connection
Retail Price
Purchase Links
❌
❌
USB-C
$99
Amazon / Best Buy / Apple
✅
❌
USB-C
Not an available configuration
❌
✅
USB-C
$149
Amazon / Best Buy / Apple
✅
✅
USB-C
$179
Amazon / Best Buy / Apple
❌
❌
Lightning
$99
Amazon / Best Buy
✅
❌
Lightning
$129
Amazon / Best Buy / Apple
❌
✅
Lightning
$149
Amazon / Best Buy
✅
✅
Lightning
$179
Amazon / Best Buy
Great choices for more flexible needs
These Logitech keyboards below are a fantastic price but aren't as pretty or as 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 to allow any user to simply plug their computer in and use the keyboard (use the included USB dongle instead of Bluetooth for this).
A few of the perks are that they auto-switch between Mac and PC modes, AAA alkaline batteries last about a year, and they have support for up to three devices. Just press one of the three colored buttons on the top to switch. Or hold one of the three buttons to go into pairing mode for that button. This makes them perfect for switching between your Mac, your iPhone, and your iPad, or even a PC.
- Keyboard without a number pad: Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s (Amazon / Logitech)
- Keyboard with a number Pad: Logitech Signature Slim Keyboard K950 (Amazon / Best Buy / Logitech)
Inexpensive, Wired Keyboard
If you want an easy, inexpensive keyboard that requires no pairing and no batteries, this one should fit the bill. 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, it's worth checking out the Keychron line of products. I've not used them myself but I've heard great things about this company that is trying to revive the feel of classic keyboards using modern technology such as Bluetooth and backlighting. If you explore the Logitech website you'll also see that they now have an MX Mechanical line to compete.