Best Mac Keyboard for 2020
- Can charge from any light source
- Tiny and reliable unifying receiver
- Concave key caps for accurate typing
- Highly responsive mechanical switches
- USB speeds of 5 Gbps
- Life of over 50 million keystrokes
- One of the best deals around
- Elegant and lightweight white design
- 15 Mac shortcuts built in
Apple has a problem with their keyboards. The latest keyboard design on the MacBook is so bad that it’s forced an apology from Apple and even earned quips from director Taika Waititi at the Academy Awards. Making things worse is the fact that Apple doesn’t always play well with third party developers, and that means that finding accessories worth your time can be a bit harder than it is when you use Windows or Linux.
But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great laptops for Mac, and we’re here to help you hunt them down. We’re providing you with 10 of the models we think could quality as the best Mac keyboard of 2020, and we also provide you with the tools you need to expand your search further.
- 10 Best Mac Keyboards for 2020
- 1. Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard for Mac
- 2. Das Keyboard 4 Cherry MX Brown Keyboard
- 3. Macally Full Size USB Wired Keyboard
- 4. Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard
- 5. Anker Ultra Compact Bluetooth Keyboard
- 6. Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
- 7. AUKEY Mechanical Keyboard Blue Switch
- 8. Satechi Aluminum Slim Wireless Keyboard
- 9. iHome Full Size Mac Keyboard
- 10. Matias FK418BTLB Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard
- Mac Keyboards Buyer’s Guide
10 Best Mac Keyboards for 2020
1. Logitech K750 Wireless Solar Keyboard for Mac
Logitech excels at creating smart charging technology for wireless devices, and that's a pattern that continues with the K750. It can charge in the presence of either natural or artificial light and will continue to stay charged for up to three months in total darkness. That means you'll never have to worry about plugging it into a USB port overnight.
And this wireless keyboard sports a similarly sleek and modernist design to those favored by Mac users. All of the keys you'd be familiar with from a Mac keyboard are present, but Logitech has made use of a concave design for a more comfortable and ergonomic experience.
Key Features
- Can charge from any light source
- Tiny and reliable unifying receiver
- Concave key caps for accurate typing
- Fits well with Apple house style
- Glossy surface can attract dust
2. Das Keyboard 4 Cherry MX Brown Keyboard
The Das Keyboard translated into English simply as "The Keyboard", but if you want a premium Mac keyboard, this is one of the best models you can pick up. The Cherry MX Brown keys provide precise but quiet typing making it appropriate for both gaming and the office while supporting a long life of over 50 million keystrokes. And the fact that this is a mechanical keyboard means there's full N-key rollover with anti-ghosting, so fast typists won't be at a disadvantage. The media controls are comprehensive and complemented by an oversized volume knob, both of which can be customized to suit your experience.
Key Features
- Highly responsive mechanical switches
- USB speeds of 5 Gbps
- Life of over 50 million keystrokes
- Magnetic footboard is detachable
- USB 3.0 cable is not detachable
3. Macally Full Size USB Wired Keyboard
Macally has produced a keyboard that emulates the form and functionality of the Apple house style for less than $20. If you want a budget priced Mac keyboard that will still be reliable, this is one of the best options on the market. The simple plug and play design will work with any modern version of the Mac OS, and the 15 shortcut keys built in are specific to the Mac operating system, so there's no need to reprogram the keys to suit your MacBook with this keyboard. PC use is also supported, and it even comes with dedicated Windows style media buttons.
Key Features
- One of the best deals around
- Elegant and lightweight white design
- 15 Mac shortcuts built in
- Low profile keys for comfortable typing
- LED light can be a little bright
4. Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard
Are you surprised to see a Microsoft model making our best Mac keyboard list? What you should be surprised about is how smart the ergonomic design is on this keyboard. Microsoft has done a great job making sure that their keyboard will work well with various versions of the Mac operating system.
The fact that this keyboard splits into two pieces gives you the best of both worlds - a numeric keypad you can employ when you need it but just put to the side when you need a more compact keyboard. And the curved design of this keyboard isn't just unique looking. It also facilitates incredibly comfortable typing even for long periods of time.
Key Features
- One of the best ergonomic designs
- Domed design is truly unique
- Numeric keypad is fully detachable
- Cushioned arm rest is removable
- Key configuration needs third party software
5. Anker Ultra Compact Bluetooth Keyboard
Anker is fundamentally a manufacturer you can trust to deliver solid design for a keyboard, mouse, or other wireless device, and while this Apple keyboard may be pretty bare bones, it offers some of the best performance you'll find for a keyboard priced at less than $20.
Not only is this designed to work with every operating system (including Mac OS, obviously), but it's a wireless model, and it promises a battery life of up to six months on a single charge. And when you do need to charge this keyboard, it will take you less than three hours to get it fully topped off.
Key Features
- Battery life of six months
- Very compact and lightweight
- Retails for less than $20
- Full 18 month warranty
- Doesn't offer a numeric keypad
6. Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
While the MacBook's standard keyboard may have some detractors, it's not the only keyboard that Apple's brought to market. Apple's Magic Keyboard is a little on the pricey side, but it's built with Apple's unmatched aesthetic sensibilities in mind. You'll find full sized arrow keys for gaming and easy document navigation buttons on this keyboard, and there's a dedicated number pad for financial software.
Other than that, the Apple Magic is a keyboard for Mac that's stripped all the way down to the basics. The Apple Magic may sport a wireless design, but it's otherwise about delivering reliable results without a whole lot of additional flourishes.
Key Features
- Includes a full numeric keypad
- Full document navigation controls
- Scissor keys for better stability
- Compact design great for travel
- Very expensive for the features offered
7. AUKEY Mechanical Keyboard Blue Switch
AUKEY is clearly targeting the gamer market with their keyboard for Mac, and they do an impressive job of delivering the main things gamers would want while keeping the price incredibly reasonable price. The two main features here are the mechanical keys and the RGB lighting.
The former makes use of Outemu blue switches, and while they aren't the most well recognized switch manufacturer in the business, these keys deliver a satisfying click and sense of resistance that won't get in the way. And all 104 keys include n-key rollover and anti-ghosting. In terms of lighting, users have 14 effects and 7 colors to choose from.
Key Features
- Rich and varied RGB lighting
- Anti-ghosting for every key
- Compact for a full sized keyboard
- Presets for different game genres
- Dust can get inside the case
8. Satechi Aluminum Slim Wireless Keyboard
Satechi has built a Mac keyboard that can transition easily between the home and office. This wireless keyboard can sync with up to four devices at the same time, so you don't need to reconfigure it every time you change machines, and the fact that it's such a compact keyboard means that it's easy to take with you anywhere.
The aesthetics here are designed to complement the existing look of your Mac with its brushed aluminum surface and sleek angles, while the Bluetooth 3.0 technology built in provides a reliable level of connectivity at a distance of up to 33 feet.
Key Features
- Pairing with up to 3 devices
- Very slim and sleek design
- Function keys built for Mac
- Charges with a USB cable
- Key travel is a little mushy
9. iHome Full Size Mac Keyboard
As far as wireless models for Mac go, there's nothing that really stands out at first glance about the iHome. But once you've used it for a bit, you'll realize that this keyboard delivers a reliable typing experience at a very fair price. It includes all 12 function keys in addition to a dedicated numeric keypad and media controls.
And its compact design makes this keyboard one of the best choices around for working in small spaces. It can connect wirelessly thanks to its Bluetooth 2.0 connection, but you can also connect this keyboard directly to your Mac with the USB cable.
Key Features
- Sleek and compact build
- Includes full numeric keypad
- Top shelf typing experience
- Anodized aluminum finish
- Paint can wear down quickly
10. Matias FK418BTLB Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard
Do you regularly find yourself moving between a work computer and a personal computer? This keyboard from Matias should have you more than covered. You can sync it up to four devices at once, and swapping between them is as simple as tapping the dedicated button for each at the top of the keyboard.
And that's true even if you're moving between a PC and a Mac. This is a keyboard that's designed to work with most modern operating systems (apart from Linux). The aluminum frame ensures a durable build that's also lightweight enough to pack in your bag.
Key Features
- Can pair with up to 4 devices
- Productivity focused backlight
- Frame made from real aluminum
- Works with most operating systems
- Backlight battery life is very short
Mac Keyboards Buyer’s Guide
So what makes the best keyboards for Mac? Naturally, the biggest factor is that they’ll offer the features and function keys unique to the Mac OS. Apart from that, the features you should looking for when hunting down Mac keyboards are pretty similar to what you should look for in any keyboard. Below, we’ll cover the most important factors when shopping for the best Mac keyboards.
Type
Typing on mechanical keyboards has a satisfying tactile response like using a typewriter. And since they use manual switches rather than circuits, the typing experience is more accurate and will always register each keystroke. Membrane keyboards are more lightweight and also cheaper, but they have a mushier feel and are harder to clean.
You’ve almost certainly used a membrane keyboard before, but if you’re also curious about what a mechanical keyboard can offer, we suggest you take one for a spin. They aren’t the ideal choice for a travel keyboard, but they work well as a dedicated keyboard for a tower Mac.
Connection
A wireless keyboard will almost always use a Bluetooth connection so you can use it at a distance of up to 33 feet. By contrast, a wired keyboard will connect directly to your computer via Thunderbolt or USB port. Convenience is one of the obvious main advantages of going wireless, but they also tend to cost more. Input lag used to be an issue for wireless keyboards, but that won’t be much of an issue for most users these days.
Illumination
Illumination can be either practical or aesthetic. Singular colors like white or blue are great for reading your keyboard in the dark, but some keyboards (usually targeted towards gamers) offer a variety of different colors and effects. If you’re going to be typing in the dark regularly, we suggest looking for a keyboard that offers some level of illumination.
Dimensions
If you’re looking for a laptop you can travel with, the dimensions are going to be very important. Smaller models are easy to carry, and aluminum frames make them significantly more lightweight. Membrane keyboards are the more effective choice for travel, but some mechanical keyboards are designed to be compact as well. You may want to turn your attention to smaller sized keyboards that strip out the numeric keyboard in favor of a smaller frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Apple Keyboard?
That really depends on what you’re looking for. There are a lot of keyboards for Mac on our list, and all of them are potentially the best keyboards for a given user. Check out our guide to determine what features you should be looking for in keyboard for Mac, and also pay attention to the review guide for specific examples.
Which Keyboards Are Compatible With Mac?
Any USB or wireless keyboard should work as a keyboard for Mac, but be careful if there are any special features you’re looking for. Most of the best keyboards are optimized for Windows first, and they’re also sometimes lacking in Mac specific keys or features without the use of third party software.
What is the Best Wireless Keyboard for MacBook Pro?
We’re especially fond of the Logitech K570. While it’s not exactly overflowing with features, it offers a great typing experience and a compact design that’s designed to match Apple’s house aesthetic. But the best part is that it can charge just through exposure to natural and also artificial light.
Are Mac Keyboards Bluetooth?
Some are! More specifically, most wireless keyboards you’ll find for Mac use Bluetooth to transmit their signal. These Mac keyboards can work at a range of up to 33 feet, and some allow you to sync up to three devices or more so you don’t need to reconfigure them whenever you change computers.
Wrapping Up
We’re excited to provide you with a guide to shopping for the best keyboards for Mac, but we’ve just scratched the surface of the many Mac keyboards available today. If you’re looking for something a little more serious, you can always check out our guide to the best gaming keyboards of 2020. And if you want to share your personal experience with your fellow shoppers, you can also leave a comment below.