Wrist rests are the most underrated members of a writer’s apparatus (or a gamer’s setup). Wrist rest are awesome; they offer support, comfort, and are always among the least costly tools in a writer’s toolset.
Wrist rests aren’t just a fancy item on your desk; they are there to reduce fatigue, discomfort, and can help prevent wrist injuries that lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
The bottom line is: you NEED them!
So, to help you find a good wrist rest, I have compiled the best keyboard wrist rest list and, expectedly, HyperX Wrist Rest tops that list because apart from comfortability, it is stable, durable, and fits keyboards of different sizes.
Let’s get started!
Our Top 3 wrist rests at a glance
List of the Best Keyboard Wrist Rests
1. HyperX Wrist Rest
Best Overall
With this wrist rest, HyperX tries to shift away from the conventional curved design embraced by most wrist rest manufacturers. Instead, HyperX made a rectangular wrist rest which affords the user a lot of room to adapt their wrists for better posture.
The large surface area allows you to move your hands freely and prevent muscle damage that may arise due to limited mobility on shorter wrist rests.
Of course it’s bulky, but it’s stable, durable, and uses memory foam—the foam ensures that your typing experience is a comfortable one.
The anti-slip grip adds stability to the HyperX wrist rest, meaning that you can write without worrying about the wrist rest shifting unnecessarily.
Pros
- Made of memory foam infused with cool gel.
- Stable and has an anti-slip grip.
- Fits both standard and full-sized keyboards
- Durable
Cons
- Loose covering
2. Razer Ergonomic Wrist Rest Pro
Best Angled design
Ergonomics is big in keyboard and keyboard rest design and Razer wants to keep up with this trend. With this inclined design, they have made a wrist rest that is durable, comfortable, and one that minimizes fatigue.
This is a gel wrist rest, and gel wrist rests are prone to over warming, but Razer added something to counter this undesirable characteristic. So, unlike the standard Razer Ergonomic wrist rest, the Razer Ergonomic Wrist Rest Pro is made of a cooling Gel-Infused memory foam cushion and enfolded in a heat-transfer fabric that represses heat build-up.
It is also a stable rest, mainly because of the anti-slip rubber feet ensure.
Pros
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Solid-edged frame
- Perfect height
- Has cooling gel
Cons
- It’s not highly breathable
- Pricy
3. Glorious Gaming Wrist Pad
Best for Gamers
Whether you’re using a full-sized (has the 10-digit number pad) or tenkeyless (doesn’t have the number pad) keyboard, you’ll find a suitable “Glorious Gaming Wrist Pad”. It is available in 3 sizes: extra-large, full size, and compact.
If you have a full-size keyboard, your best option is the extra-large wrist pad. The other two are compatible with smaller desktop or laptop keyboards.
The Glorious Gaming’s wrist rest is stitched to last a lifetime and the rubber base makes it a very stable wrist rest.
When we talk about wrist rests, we can’t forget about comfortability; the Glorious Gaming Wrist Pad is made of foam which makes it a soothing pad.
And… it is hand-washable, so you can have a clean pad, always.
Pros
- Available in different sizes
- Has a durable dual-lock anti-fraying stitched frame
- Stable
- Hand washable
Cons
- The dense foam causes heat build-up.
4. Logitech MX Palm Rest
Easy to clean
I’d liken the Logitech MX Palm Rest to the standard Razer rest (the one that didn’t make this list). Made of memory foam and wrapped in leatherette, the Logitech MX palm wrist rest is both soft and firm.
In fact, this palm rest wouldn’t have made it on this list for the same sins which prevented the razer wrist rest from hopping onto this list. The thing is, it’s made of gel which over warms easily therefore it’s not suitable for hot climates—it usually leaves the user sweaty and the hands slide on the rest as a result.
But…
It’s stain-resistant and very easy to clean so it gives you fewer hygiene issues. Plus, although they are sold separately, the Logitech MX palm wrist rest matches with the MX keys perfectly.
So for those who use slim keyboards like the MX keys or Craft, this is almost a perfect wrist rest.
Pros
- Perfectly matches MX keys
- Comfortable
- Stain-resistant
Cons
- It’s a bit short (about a quarter-inch)
- It’s thin
5. Vaydeer Walnut Wooden Keyboard Wrist Rest
A Wooden Alternative
No foam, no breathable covering, nothing! just walnut wood.
This is a very good alternative to the comfy, soft, foam-padded options that most of us have grown accustomed to.
The skillfully polished wood slopes down at the edges. The curvature and smooth surface are designed to increase comfort while writing for long periods—and it seems like the designers were right, it is very comfortable.
To increase stability, the wrist rest has two silicone bottom mats (one on each end) which improve the rest’s grip and prevent it from sliding or unwantedly moving.
Cleaning the wrist rest is easy; you just sprinkle a few drops of cooking oil and wipe it with a clean cloth. DON’T use water when cleaning it.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Durable
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Low-quality finish
6. BRILA Ergonomic Keyboard Wrist Support
Best Memory Foam Wrist Rest (with Massage Holes)
I assure you that you’re going to have a tough time finding something more comfortable than a rest made of medical-grade memory foam padding and fine LYCRA fabric.
And there are those little holes designed to massage your wrists. The smoothness, softness, and comfortableness make this BRILA Wrist Support our top pick for the ergonomic keyboard wrist rest.
It wouldn’t be a comfortable wrist rest if it were easily movable by the littlest of arm movements. To make it stable, Brila added non-slip support and a skid-proof rubber base.
Pros
- Excellent padding
- Stable and sticky bottom grip
- Comfortable fabric
Cons
- Doesn’t have seam protection
7. Ergonomic Keyboard Wrist Rest Bean Bag
The Most Ergonomic
A cozy wrist pillow made from hundreds of microbeads. There’s a noticeable difference between this wrist and those stuffed with memory foam and covered by leather or leatherette: this wrist rest cools your arms hence no sweaty wrists even during long typing sessions.
And, it’s washable—you can hand wash it, or throw it into the washing machine and tumble dry.
It’s basically a pillow, so it doesn’t have to have a sturdy base to keep it fixed. you can move or fix it to suit your posture (even whilst typing).
The 6-inch pillow gives you sufficient comfort especially when you have tendonitis, carpal tunnel, or other wrist pains.
Pros
- Very ergonomic
- Very soft
- Comfortable
Cons
- Pricey
8. FLATOP Keyboard Wrist Rest
Unique Design
The FLATOP keyboard wrist rest has a unique design—no folds, no holes, no curvatures, just flat!
The flat design has a lot of benefits: cleaning is very easy (one straight mop from one end to the other does the trick), and can be used in confined computer spaces as a mouse pad and you can place paper on the flat surface and write on it.
The thought that popped in my mind when I saw the FLATOP keyboard for the first time is, “it’s large!”
It is wide enough for any keyboard. The size offers much-needed extra support for people with problems like tendonitis.
Pros
- Warm
- Steady
- Comfortable
Cons
- Pricy
Wrist Rest Buying Guide
What to Look for in A Keyboard Wrist Rest?
Before deciding on a wrist rest, you need to look at several factors. Take a look at some of the important ones.
Material
Some rests are padded with memory foam and others are made of gel. But there are others made from other materials, like the Vaydeer Walnut Wooden Keyboard Wrist Rest which is entirely made of wood.
The fabric also differs from real leather to leatherette, cotton, or LYCRA fabric just like the BRILA Ergonomic Keyboard Wrist Support. Just make sure you know the pros and cons of each fabric before buying a wrist rest.
Size
You might want to get a wrist rest for a specific task or device. For example, if you want a wrist rest for your full-size mechanical keyboard, you need to look at the larger types.
Likewise, if you just want a wrist rest for your mouse or a smaller keyboard, you should find an appropriate smaller size.
Stability
A wrist rest has to be stable. Make sure that you find a rest that’s steady and doesn’t slide or move around easily. The reason is straightforward, the wrist rest has to keep your wrists in a resting position, unstressed and healthy.
Comfort
A rest wouldn’t be a rest without providing comfort. So, apart from the stability, a good wrist rest is one that’s comfortable and gives you a soothing experience.
Waterproof
Although we know that fluids can ruin our writing equipment, we (writers) like to have our drinks when we write.
Spilling these drinks is always one jittery moment away. When this happens, you feel safe if your wrist rests and your keyboard are waterproof.
Durability
Look for a wrist rest made of the highest quality material, an indestructible wrist rest that will endure. This way, you’re going to save yourself some cents and the stress of going to look for another when the wrist rest tuckers out.
Does Wrist Support While Typing Really Help?
The main reason for the existence of add-ons like wrist rests is ergonomics. However, one should be careful with these “ergonomic” things; sometimes, they do happen to be more trouble than good news.
One good thing about wrist rests is that they support your wrists and keep them at a straight, neutral angle. Most wrist rests are designed to help avoid putting too much pressure on the underside of your wrist—which is the recommended writing posture.
Wrist rests help you keep your wrists straight. When you use a good wrist rest, it raises your wrists and relieves the pressure on your wrists. It ensures that there is no gap between the keyboard and your body and your wrist is sort of pillowed.
Thus, if you have achy wrists then the pain is eased during typing.
Is Memory Foam or Gel Better for A Wrist Rest?
Yeah, the Gel Vs Memory Foam Wrist Rest conversation, this isn’t a goose egg at all. As a matter of fact, you need to know these two materials before choosing a wrist rest.
I like Gel wrist rests; every time I press my finger against one, I hear that “bong! Boing!” sound in my head.
But, Gel wrist rests are highly prone to excessive warming. This can lead to sweaty wrists and sores. Sometimes, when the gel over warms it becomes too soft and offers less support.
Some manufacturers have found a solution to this: they make ventilation channels to cool the gel wrist rests.
On the other hand, foam (especially memory) isn’t prone to over warming and can recover its original structure after long use.
The final decision depends on your preferences and intended purpose of the wrist rest. For casual writers, I’d say it’s okay to use gel wrist rests but if you intend a wrist rest to use for long periods of time, I’d recommend memory foam.
Do You Need a Wrist Rest for a Mechanical Keyboard?
Yes, I believe you need to have a wrist rest for a mechanical keyboard. In fact, some keyboards such as Razer have matching wrist rests.
If you go as far as purchasing a mechanical keyboard, it means that you’re pretty serious about your typing (or gaming). That also means long periods of typing, and then? More stress on the wrists.
Bottom line? You need a wrist rest for that mechanical keyboard.
Should My Keyboard Be Flat or Raised?
Flat. I’ve seen a couple of arguments on this topic (supporting each position) but when you raise your keyboard, you also have to raise your fingers.
The result is? More stress on your wrists.
Your keyboard should lie flat on your desk OR you can tilt it so that it slopes away from you—you can use the tray underneath the keyboard to tilt it.
Where Should I Put My Wrist Rest On My Keyboard?
The idea is to eliminate the space between your hand and the keyboard—a zone where “your wrists are in contact with the desk”.
You have to create an elevated pillow in that zone.
So, you have to place your wrist rest on the edge of your keyboard (with no space in between them).
Do Wrist Rests Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
There are two important questions that I felt I really needed to answer: do wrist rest prevent carpal tunnel syndrome? Yes, does typing cause carpal tunnel syndrome? Not necessarily.
To answer this question, we have to explain what causes carpal tunnel syndrome. Usually, it’s a result of a long-term wrist injury. When you neglect a wrist injury for a long time, tissues slowly swell up and eventually press your median nerve. This causes pain and tingling.
The injuries leading to carpal tunnel syndrome aren’t necessarily caused by typing. They’re caused by friction between your arms and the desk edges, pressure, strain, and reduced blood flow.
That’s where your wrists rests come in. By pillowing your wrists, wrist rests reduce the risk of developing a wrist injury.
That means lowering the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. However, wrist rests don’t solve all the problems which cause carpal tunnel. You still bend your wrists and lean on tables (increasing the pressure).
Still, wrist rests help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome—to an extent.
Conclusion
Looking at all the issues I’ve presented, the best keyboard wrist rest is the HyperX Wrist Rest. It is the most comfortable wrist rest, being both stable and durable.
It isn’t cheap, but it offers value for your money and comes with a mouse pad.
Check the wrist rests and choose which one is the best for you but I guarantee you that it’s going to be one of my recommendations.
