Best Flat Piano Keyboards For Mac
The best keyboards for Mac users aren't Apple's Mac users spend countless hours typing. While a default Apple wireless keyboard shames its typical basic Windows counterpart, optional upgrades. To record your or your daughter’s playing string a USB cable between the keyboard and your Mac, fire up GarageBand, call up a piano sound, and then play that sound via your keyboard.
Don't wait to get one of the best keyboards until your old one finally dies on you. If your keyboard is starting to show its age, collecting dust or just not giving you want you need from it, you might want to think about picking up one of the best keyboards now. The benefits to comfort, speed and reliability you gain with one of the best keyboards easily pays the price.
Believe us when we say that once you use one of these keyboards, you'll never look back or even want to. Whether you’re writing a term paper, chatting with friends or playing the best PC games, the best keyboards can make life so much easier. The best keyboards aren’t all about getting work done, after all: the best gaming keyboards can make your off time better, too.
If you’re on the market for the best keyboard for work, play or something else entirely, you've come to the right place. You won’t have to worry about breaking open the piggy bank, either. Not only do many of the best keyboards prioritize value over price, but we’ve also included our price comparison tool to help you find the best deal.
Here are the best keyboards we’ve tested and reviewed over the last year.
1. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Roccat Titan Switches
Beautiful design
Expensive
It has become the norm for keyboard manufacturers to implement their own custom keyboard switches, and Roccat – with the Vulcan 120 Aimo – is no different. While this keyboard is primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, its Titan Switches are tactile enough to be satisfying, while still bouncing back quickly enough to be comfortable to type on for extended periods. And, we’d be remiss to not mention the looks – the Vulcan 120 Aimo looks like a science fiction keyboard, we love it.
Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
2. Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard
Interface: Bluetooth | Keyboard backlighting: Yes | Switches: Corsair Ultra-low Profile Scissor
Keys feel great
Small trackpad
If you have a home theater PC, you might be frustrated by the lack of keyboards that explicitly appeal to your use case. Luckily, there’s a keyboard for you – the Corsair K83 Wireless is a fantastic entertainment-focused keyboard. Not only is it light and portable, it also has a bevy of entertainment functions that’ll make life easier in your living room. And, with its wealth of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless through a dongle, you can use it with many different platforms. However, it’s not great at gaming, so keep that in mind.
Read the full review: Corsair K83 Wireless
3. Topre Realforce 104UBS Silent variable
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive silenced (30, 45 and 50 grams)
Smooth typing action
Typing can feel 'sandy'
As long as you don’t mind missing out on some of that signature ‘thock’ sound that’s associated with regular Realforce keyboards, opting for a silenced model like the 104 UBS offers some solid benefits. Hitting the 104 UBS’s keys produces sound on par with a membrane keyboard, so it’s going to be great if you work in a busy office or a shared bedroom. The ‘dampened’ feel of Topre’s silenced switches can feel kind of like typing on sandpaper compared to a non-silenced board, but we found that it’s worth the trade-off if you need a quieter keyboard.
- This product is only available in the US and UK. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the .
We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices
4. Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless
Built like a tank and compact
Interface: Wired | Switches: Cherry MX (Brown, Blue, Black, Red)
Solid build quality
No media functions
Filco's keyboards tend to be built like tanks, and the Majestouch TKL is no different. This space-saving mechanical keyboard features a compact tenkeyless design that has less than 1cm of space between the edge of the keys and the keyboard. Its durability doesn't simply allow it to stand up well to knocks and scrapes – it has a positive impact on its typing feel too. You can hammer away on it at speed, even bottoming out to your heart's content, and the Majestouch 2 will take every bit of punishment.
5. Logitech Craft
Keyboards For Mac Computers
Interface: Wireless | Switches: Scissor switch mechanism
Weighty, solid construction
Expensive
We’ve seen all kinds of keyboards over the years here at TechRadar, from stylish tenkeyless keyboards to RGB-laden gaming behemoths, but something has always been missing – a focus on creatives. Thankfully, with the Logitech Craft, this is no longer the case. Not only is this a sturdy, tactile and attractive keyboard but it also features a unique dial on its top left corner, which will help creatives expedite their workflow. This dial’s utility will vary depending on the application, from simply controlling the volume on the desktop, to changing levels in various tools in Photoshop. If you spend a lot of time creating content on your PC, the Logitech Craft is one of the best keyboards you can buy today.
Read the full review:Logitech Craft
5. PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 (HHKB2)
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive (45 grams)
Incredibly portable
Key layout not for everybody
The PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 has somewhat of a cult following in the keyboard scene, and it’s not hard to see why. This keyboard is aimed at coders, but it’s fantastic for all you writers out there, too. It forgoes traditional arrow keys, instead making use of function keys and key combinations to get that stuff done. It will take a minute to get used to, but once you get that out of the way the small size is a huge benefit, as you’ll be able to take it anywhere you go. Plus, that sweet ‘thock’ sound of the Topre switches is a wonder to behold.
- This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Das Keyboard Prime 13
We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices
6. Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
Beauty meets security
Interface: Bluetooth | Keyboard backlighting: No
Flawless style
Expensive
You just need to look at Microsoft’s Surface devices to know that they’re kind of killing it when it comes to design, and the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID takes things to a whole new level. If you’re running Windows 10, and you’re into the Surface aesthetic, this is easily one of the best keyboards out there. Not only does it feel great, but it also features biometric security, by including a discrete fingerprint scanner right next to the “Alt” key. It is an expensive device, but as with everything Microsoft, you can be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Read the full review: Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
7. Leopold Fc660c
Interface: Wired | Switches: Topre electrostatic capacitive (45 grams)
Compact, but with arrow keys
Heavier than HHKB2
Leopold's Fc660c is more portable than the Realforce 87u, but less so than the lighter and more compact HHKB2. However, the Fc660c benefits from its extra heft and feels like the more solid board. Despite having the same 45 gram actuation force as the HHKB2, the Leopold's keys feel slightly weightier - somewhere nearer to 50 grams. It results one of the most satisfying 'thock' sounds on a Topre board.
- This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the HyperX Alloy Elite
We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices
8. Unicomp Classic 104
The ultimate keyboard for typing nostalgia
Interface: Wired | Switches: Buckling spring
Snappy buckling spring switch
Can lead to tired fingers
Remember those old IBM Model M keyboards? Well, that’s what the Unicomp Classic 104 seeks to emulate. Available in both USB and PS/2 versions, it uses a buckling spring switch that takes more effort to press than just about every other modern switch. You’re rewarded for this hard pressing with a tactile response that feels like the classic mechanical keyboards of old, along with a noise that will drive everyone around you mad.
9. Das Keyboard Prime 13
Mixing minimalistic style with premium quality
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: White | Switch type: Cherry MX Red or Brown switches
Cherry MX switches
Pricey
Some keyboards just ooze class, and the Das Keyboard Prime 13 is one of them. Its features a solid aluminum top panel for added rigidity and a very minimalistic look. With Cherry's MX Red or Brown switches under the keycaps, you're given a choice between linear and non-linear offerings with a range of actuation points.
It's a great option for media enthusiasts thanks to side lit media control and the inclusion of white backlighting is another bonus. It's not the most affordable keyboard on our list, but if you're looking for something a little bit more premium, Das is the way to go.
10. Logitech K780
A great option for mobile device owners
Interface: Wired | Keyboard backlighting: No
Pairs to three devices
Best Keyboards For Mac Computers
AA, rather than rechargeable battery
Music Keyboard For Mac
With its latest keyboard, Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to use their device while sat at a desk. And, if you were a fan of the predecessor, the K380, the Logitech K780 should be right up your alley, especially with its added number pad. This keyboard still has the ability to pair with three devices using Bluetooth or wireless, so you can swap between all your gadgets on the fly. And, thanks to its comfortable rounded keycaps, it’s still a pleasure to type on. The keyboard’s base is the star of the show, however, as it can hold mobile devices up to 11.3mm thick in an upright position. This places them within arms’ reach to make anything from replying to WhatsApp messages or reading a digital magazine easier than ever.
How to determine the best keyboard for you
It goes without saying that if you demand the look and feel only mechanical switches can provide, rather than those that are slim and stealthy, we suggest perusing our best gaming keyboards round-up instead.
Gamers prioritize the actuation that clicky feeling mechanical keyboards bring, whereas traditional home and office users are more about practicality. That said, the sheer magnitude of sound produced by a lot of mechanical keyboards is offputting to some. For those folks, we have some membrane keyboards to recommend as well.
- Image Credit: TechRadar
Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
GarageBand is Apple's application for creating, editing, and just plain having fun with music on your Mac. This free download from the App Store works well with MIDI instruments, but if you don't have a MIDI keyboard, you can turn your Mac keyboard into a virtual musical instrument.
Using the GarageBand Onscreen Keyboard
Open GarageBand by double-clicking it in the Applications folder or using the Launchpad on the Dock.
Select File > New from the GarageBand menu bar. In the upper left corner of the window that opens, choose New Project.
Click the Empty Project icon in the central window and then select Choose in the bottom right corner of the window.
In the pop-up window, select Software Instrument and click Create.
Select one of the Pianos in the list of instruments in the panel on the left side of the window.
A keyboard should appear underneath the window. If it doesn't, click Window > Show Musical Typing in the GarageBand menu bar to bring up the keyboard.
The Musical Typing window shows the Mac keys that correspond to musical keys on the piano. The Musical Typing window also displays a keyboard above the keys, indicating which octave is currently active. This is the standard setup for playing the piano in GarageBand.
Play the onscreen notes by pressing the keys on your keyboard that correspond to the notes in the Musical Typing window or by clicking the keys with your mouse in the Musical Typing window. GarageBand plays the notes and records the track.
Changing Octaves in the Standard Layout
The standard Musical Typing keyboard displays an octave and a half at any one time mapped to the 'asdf' row of keys on a standard computer keyboard. Changing octaves is performed in one of two ways.
- Click the x key on the Musical Typing keyboard to move up one octave or the z key to move down one octave. Move multiple octaves by repeatedly clicking the x or z keys.
- The second method uses the representation of a piano keyboard near the top of the Musical Typing window. Select the highlighted area on the piano keyboard, which represents the keys assigned to the typing keyboard, and drag the highlighted section left or right on the piano keyboard. Stop dragging when the highlighted section is in the range you want to play.
Alternative Onscreen Keyboard
Besides the standard keyboard, you can opt to toggle to a piano keyboard with a five-octave range by clicking the keyboard icon in the upper left corner of the Musical Typing keyboard. This piano keyboard doesn't assign any of the keys to correspond to your Mac’s keyboard. As a result, you can only play this keyboard one note at a time, using your mouse or trackpad.
This layout offers the advantage of a wider range of notes, and playing a single note at a time is helpful when editing works you create.
GarageBand is available as a free download from the Mac App Store and from the App Store for iOS mobile devices. The iOS app has a touch piano keyboard option that works differently from the Mac version.
Connecting a MIDI Keyboard
If you have a MIDI keyboard, you can connect it to your Mac. When MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) was first developed, it used a 5-pin round DIN connector along with multiple cables to handle MIDI IN and MIDI OUT. These older MIDI interfaces have pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur. Most modern keyboards use standard USB ports to handle MIDI connections.
As a result, you don't need any special adapters or interface boxes or special driver software to connect a MIDI keyboard to your Mac. Just plug the MIDI keyboard into an available Mac USB port.
When you launch GarageBand, the app detects the MIDI device. To try out your MIDI keyboard, go ahead and create a new project in GarageBand, using the Keyboard Collection option instead of the Empty Project option.
Once the project opens, touch a few keys on the keyboard; you should hear the keyboard through GarageBand. If not, reset GarageBand's MIDI interface, as follows.
Resetting a MIDI Interface
Select GarageBand > Preferences from the GarageBand menu bar.
Select the Audio/MIDI tab in the Preferences toolbar.
You should see your MIDI device detected. If not, click the Reset MIDI Drivers button.
You should now be able to play your MIDI keyboard through your Mac and record your sessions using GarageBand.
