The ability to focus on one thing at a time and do it well splinters under the weight of countless demands on our attention: social media, emails, Glossier sales, Amazon lamps, finding the best book to read. There’s something to be said for simplicity, about not having a billion tabs open and frantically navigating between them.
How exactly do we balance modern convenience with focus? If you’re writing a book, a screenplay, or even an article for ZDNet, how can you fully focus on writing and not be distracted by a Google search or a YouTube rabbit hole?
Enter the typewriter keyboard, which takes all the positives of typewriters, like focus and mechanical switches, and adds connectivity to familiar devices and word processors. When he uses a typewriter keyboard with his iPad, phone, or laptop, he knows it’s time to type, and everyone around him will, too.
I found the best typewriter keyboards that fit perfectly on your desk and offer a seamless typing experience. Who knows, with a little focus and hard work, you might even write a best-selling novel.
Characteristic:
- Compatible devices: Windows, iOS and Android
- Connectivity: Wired or wireless
- Linked devices: up to three
- Material: Aluminum, metal, wood
- Number of buttons: 83
- Price: $119.95
This typewriter keyboard combines aesthetics with durability, featuring impact-resistant switches that won’t wear out and are built into an aluminum and wood-grain panel exterior. Connectivity options include Bluetooth and wired; you can connect to up to three devices at once for maximum control over your work. That means you can rest your iPad on the machine while you type, then seamlessly move to your desk or phone while staying connected to all three devices.
You can adjust the volume of your device and the backlight of the keys using the knob encryption. The keyboard has built-in anti-ghosting technology, ensuring keystrokes are sent accurately to prevent typos. The keys will not get stuck and can be easily changed. If you are a gamer, you will enjoy the precision of this keyboard.
This is an aesthetically pleasing machine that works well. It is mid-priced when it comes to quality typewriter keyboards, but it performs all the necessary functions with class.
Advantage:
- keys do not wear out
- Anti-ghosting technology
- Integrated tablet and phone holder
- Supports up to three devices at once
Cons:
- Keyboard may not be comfortable to use for people with larger hands (based on Amazon reviews)
- No way to see how much battery is left if you’re using it wirelessly
Characteristic:
- Compatible Devices: iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows 10
- Connectivity: Wired or wireless
- Linked devices: up to three
- Material: Scratch resistant aluminum
- Number of buttons: 83
- Price: $299.99
This is a great typewriter keyboard: Aesthetically and mechanically, it’s perfect. As for the price, not so much.
It makes that loud clicking sound you want with a typewriter, is made of scratch-resistant aluminum, and can easily fit most 12-inch tablets, including the 12-inch iPad Pro. Bluetooth connects to up to three devices, and the keys have German-engineered Cherry MX clicky switches.
The issue that kept coming up over and over again with Amazon verified reviewers is that the key labels wear out quickly. So the machine could last for years, but the keys may need to be replaced sooner. The cost of this machine is high and then there is the cost of replacing the keys. However, the luxurious materials and design used to create it might make it worth buying.
Advantage:
- Tablet holder supports up to a 12.9-inch device
- Supports USB-C
- Long duration battery
- Made of scratch resistant aluminium.
Cons:
- Cable to connect to a laptop or other device is 4′ instead of 6′
- Keys start to fade with extended use and replacement keys can be expensive
Characteristic:
- Compatible Devices: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows VISTA.
- Connectivity: Wired
- Paired Devices: N/A
- Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), metal
- Number of buttons: 81
- Price: $44.95
That is the Typewriter keyboard for if you want all the aesthetic benefits, plus a little more.
The backlit keyboard has ten preset backlight colors and flash rates for optimal customization. It is made of ABS and metal, with a matte finish and a gold-plated USB connector.
The keyboard doesn’t make any loud clicks when you type due to the brown mechanical switches. They do the same thing as the Cherry Mx Brown switches on the more expensive Qwerkywriter keyboard.
The Huo Ji keyboard is smaller and can’t connect wirelessly to multiple devices, but those could easily be pros: you can fit the keyboard on smaller desks and you don’t have to deal with wireless glitches and turning off auto-connectivity.
Advantage:
- Easily set the backlight for brightness, pattern, animation speed, color, etc.
- Anti-ghosting keys
- Keys are durable up to 50 million clicks
- quieter clicks
Cons:
- Can only connect to one device at a time
- It has 81 keys instead of the usual 83
Characteristic:
- Compatible Devices: PC, Mac, Tablet, iPad, iPhone, Android
- Connectivity: Wired or wireless
- Linked devices: up to three
- Material: Aluminum, metal
- Number of buttons: 83
- Price: $139.99
This ergonomic keyboard has keys that never fade, 21 backlight modes to choose from, and design elements for comfort. The pearlescent finish is the result of metallic and matte paint, and there are nice gold touches throughout the keyboard, from the gold dual-function control knob for controlling sound and light to the gold lettering and space bar.
The package comes with spare blank ESC and Space key caps; the default is gold, so you can swap them out with the spare white keys if you like. The keyboard doesn’t always save your OS settings when you turn it off, which could lead to shortcuts, but you can easily change your settings with a two-key action to go back. If you use this keyboard wirelessly, you will need to remember to charge it.
Anyone who wants a minimalist mechanical keyboard designed for ergonomic comfort will enjoy this one.
Advantage:
- The keys never fade
- Designed for ergonomic comfort
- 21 backlight modes
- Dual Function Control Knob
- Easy to read battery level
Cons:
- It looks more like a keyboard than a typewriter.
- Single color backlight
- It doesn’t come with a number pad, you have to buy it separately.
Characteristic:
- Compatible devices: Windows, Android or iOS systems.
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Linked devices: up to three
- Material: Unspecified
- Number of buttons: 86
- Price: $54.99
This compact keyboard with typewriter-inspired keys is just 14 inches long; You can pair it with up to three devices and switch between them using the FN key and 1, 2, and 3. The integrated tablet/phone holder is 12 inches long, so it can hold most tablets.
This keyboard does not come with any cables, it only works with batteries. If you forget to turn it off, it automatically goes into sleep mode after 20 minutes.
Advantage:
- Built-in tablet and phone holder
- Trendy color options
- It comes with an extra key, batteries, and a manual.
Cons:
- No option for wired connectivity
- Some reviews mention that there are no instructions in English.
Centaurus got the best overall title, but the other options on this list offer their own features.
|
typewriter keyboard |
Price |
connectivity |
Paired devices |
|
centaur |
$119.95 |
wired or wireless |
up to three |
|
qwerk writer |
$299.99 |
wired or wireless |
up to three |
|
Huo-hee |
$44.95 |
cabling |
N/A |
|
acium |
$139.99 |
wired or wireless |
up to three |
|
yunzii |
$54.99 |
wireless |
up to three |
Each keyboard has its unique and prominent feature. The right keyboard for you depends on the features that interest you most.
|
Choose this typewriter keyboard… |
If you want… |
|
centaur |
A keyboard that looks and feels like a typewriter |
|
qwerk writer |
Luxurious materials and a smooth writing experience |
|
Huo-hee |
A colorful corded-only option |
|
acium |
An ergonomic keyboard |
|
yunzii |
A completely wireless non-mechanical option |
I compared different products and chose the best keyboards based on price and range of add-ons. I wanted to provide an overview of the types of typewriter keyboards out there, as well as present the most attractive options on the market right now.
The answer to this depends on how much you’ll be using the keyboard and whether it can help you focus your time. The attractive element of a typewriter keyboard for me is that I can get into a headspace just to type and block out other distractions. I also like the way they look and how versatile they are, connecting with multiple devices.
Yes, a typewriter keyboard! The sound of the keys can be a plus or a minus depending on whether you like the sound of a typewriter. Typewriter keyboards are typically much softer than a standard typewriter, but louder than a regular computer keyboard.
Some of them are, like the Azio keyboard, which was designed for ergonomic comfort.
Of course. The following products did not make the main list, but they still have their advantages.