Not everyone understands that all programmers aren’t the same.

Some want an RGB keyboard for gaming during off-time, while others want an ergonomic keyboard for better wrist health. 

Some even get a minimalist, wireless keyboard or get a chiclet-style keyboard.

That’s what’s so cool about keyboards – there are SO many options!

But it’s a blessing and a curse at the same time, since finding the right keyboard that matches your taste and offers proper value for money can be a pain.

The Indian market is filled with bogus keyboards – and these can be tough to spot.

Not to worry – I’m here to help!

Here’s my round-up of the seven best keyboards for programming and coding money can buy.

7 Best Keyboard For Programming And Coding

ImageProductPrice
HyperX HX-KB2BL2-US/R14.6

HyperX HX-KB2BL2-US/R1(For The Part-Time Gamer)

  • Soft-touch coated wrist rest
  • Selection of Cherry MX keys
  • N-key rollover
  • Customizable RGB lighting
See Price
TVS e-Gold Bhara4.5

TVS e-Gold Bhara(For The Mechanical-Key Faithful)

  • Robust build
  • Long-life switches
  • Excellent pricing
  • macOS and Windows compatible
See Price
Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard4.5

Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard(For The Health-Conscious Programmer)

  • Quiet and pleasant typing 
  • Second-to-none ergonomics
  • Integrated wrist rest
  • Excellent shortcut keys
See Price
Logitech K4004.3

Logitech K400(For The Minimalist Programmer)

  • Ingenious tenkeyless design
  • 10000DPI trackpad
  • Extra left-click button for easy browsing
See Price
Zebronics Zeb- Nitro4.2

Zebronics Zeb- Nitro(For The Coder On A Budget)

  • Braided cable
  • Cherry MX Blue feel keys
  • Excellent pricing
  • Lighting control options
See Price
Logitech K4804.2

Logitech K480(For The Chiclet-Key Fanatic)

  • Multi-device connectivity
  • Excellent feel
  • Cleverly integrated media shortcuts
See Price
Apple Smart Keyboard Folio4.1

Apple Smart Keyboard Folio(For The iPad Coder)

  • Small form factor
  • Protects iPad
  • Top-notch typing experience
See Price
For The Part-Time Gamer

Rating: 4.4/5

#1 HyperX HX-KB2BL2-US/R1

Specifications

  • Weight: 1.49kg
  • Key Type: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, and Red available
  • Battery Life: Nil; wired keyboard
  • Backlighting: RGB
  • Media Buttons: Yes
  • Compatible OSes: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7
  • Warranty: Two years

If you love gaming during off-time, there isn’t a better option to go for than the HyperX-HX-KB2BL2-US-R1. 

It’s one of the top programming keyboards because it offers all that a coder would need: a selection of comfortable switches and a wrist rest. 

But what makes it a capable gaming keyboard is its N-key rollover feature and the durable steel frame it’s made out of.

The RGB lighting is bright, and in addition to being able to use the built-in lighting profiles, you can also use the HyperX NGenuity software to customize the game mode, build macros, and even setup per-key lighting.

You can store up to three lighting profiles on your keyboard, which is impressive because many other keyboards require you to reconfigure profiles when plugged into another computer.

Impressive, no?

But what makes it the best programming mechanical keyboard is the selection of Cherry MX keys offered. 

You can pick MX Blues for a tactile, clicky feel when typing, Reds for FPS gaming and Browns to balance tactility and smoothness.

The wrist rest’s soft-touch coating an excellent plus – it makes both coding and gaming a lot more comfortable.

If you’re looking to get the best programming keyboard that both looks and games well, you cannot go wrong with this HyperX keyboard.

The ability to set macros and the all-around comfortable typing experience makes it one of the best keyboards for programming and coding.

Pros

  • Soft-touch coated wrist rest
  • Selection of Cherry MX keys
  • N-key rollover
  • The assortment of media keys
  • Unbeatable looks – bright, customizable RGB lighting

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No FPS keys
  • Unconventional positioning of lock indicators
For The Mechanical-Key Faithful

Rating: 4.3/5

#2 TVS e-Gold Bharat

Specifications

  • Weight: 1.27kg
  • Key Type: Long Hua Blue (MX Blue clones)
  • Battery Life: Nil; wired keyboard
  • Backlighting: No
  • Media Buttons: No
  • Compatible OSes: Windows, macOS, Android
  • Warranty: One year

The e-Gold Bharat is the keyboard of choice of millions of writers, graphic designers, and – you guessed it – coders from all over India.

What makes it the best mechanical keyboard for coding is the build – at 1.27kg, it’s built like a tank. 

The Long Hua Blue switches are similar to Cherry MX Blues, and they are the reason why the keyboard is modestly priced. But there is little to no difference between the two switches in terms of feel, quality, and durability.

TVS guarantees that you will get at least 50 million strokes per switch. If you’re looking for a keyboard that will help you complete your journey from Junior to Senior developer (and beyond!), this is the mechanical keyboard for coding you want to invest in.

The sculpted keycap profile ensures that the letters remain visible after years of use, which is one of the little details that got my vote as the best coding mechanical keyboard to buy for long term use.

The best part?

It works with both macOS and Windows, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.

The value you get for your money is excellent, and the robust build and keys make it one of the best keyboards for programming and coding.

Pros

  • Robust build
  • Long-life switches
  • Excellent pricing
  • macOS and Windows compatible

Cons

  • Not for Cherry MX purists
  • Smaller backspace key
  • Slightly expensive for what you get
For The Health-Conscious Programmer

Rating: 4.3/5

#3 Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard

Specifications

  • Weight: 1.59kg
  • Key Type: Membrane
  • Battery Life: Nil; wired keyboard
  • Backlighting: No
  • Media Buttons: Yes
  • Compatible OSes: Windows and macOS
  • Warranty: One year

Millions of coders from around the world consider the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard the best keyboard for coding, and for a good reason.

Sure, it’s just a membrane keyboard – but the ergonomic design is second to none.

It’s no secret that coders sometimes spend the whole day working without leaving the desk. Wrist pain is an agonizing outcome of all the work.

But the keyboard enables you to simply sidestep the whole problem by positioning your hands in a naturally comfortable way. Regardless of how long you code, you will be comfortable.

Wrist support is built into the keyboard, which means you don’t have to deal with the woes of a wobbly or uncomfortable detachable wrist rest. No wonder it’s considered the best keyboard for coders!

The operation is quiet, and you can expect a boost in productivity with the keyboard not only because you’re comfortable, but also because of the shortcut keys.

In addition to being able to control media playback, you will also be able to search using a keyboard button and use the macro buttons to automate tasks.

If you were looking for the best programming keyboard money can buy – this is it.

Pros

  • Quiet and pleasant typing 
  • Second-to-none ergonomics
  • Integrated wrist rest
  • Excellent shortcut keys

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No backlighting
  • Swapping keys not possible on Macs
For The Minimalist Programmer

Rating: 4.3/5

#4 Logitech K400

Specifications

  • Weight: 358g
  • Key Type: Membrane
  • Battery Life: 18 months
  • Backlighting: No
  • Media Buttons: Yes
  • Compatible OSes: Windows, macOS, Android
  • Warranty: Three-year limited warranty

If you like a clutter-free desk, the K400 is perfect for you. It has just the perfect blueprint, but it also comes with an integrated trackpad for easier navigation.

Of course, you can always use your regular wired/wireless mouse alongside the keyboard. But the 10000DPI trackpad is smooth and accurate, which makes it the mouse of choice for many programmers.

Another great advantage is the extra left-click button on the top left corner of the keyboard. If you code and watch shows on Netflix on the same PC, you can grab the keyboard, kick back, and browse the catalog with your right thumb and click with your left.

Super convenient!

The membrane keys are quiet and comfortable, but not mushy.

One downside of the keyboard is that you cannot set macros, and it only has volume control keys.

But considering the smaller blueprint of the device, I can’t consider the pitfall a dealbreaker.

Overall, if you need a nifty little wireless keyboard for your minimal setup that can replace your massive full-size keyboard and mouse, the K400 will not disappoint.

The flexibility it offers makes it one of the best keyboard for programming and coding.

Pros

  • Ingenious tenkeyless design
  • 10000DPI trackpad
  • Quiet and comfortable operation
  • Extra left-click button for easy browsing

Cons

  • Lacks shortcut keys
  • No caps lock light
  • No backlighting
For The Coder On A Budget

Rating: 4.3/5

#5 Zebronics Zeb- Nitro

Specifications

  • Weight: 1.45kg
  • Key Type: Mechanical (type undisclosed)
  • Battery Life: None; wired keyboard
  • Backlighting: Blue
  • Media Buttons: Integrated
  • Compatible OSes: Windows, Linux, macOS
  • Warranty: One year

The Zeb-Nitro from Zebronics is an excellent low-budget offering that comes with tactile keys that offer a typing experience similar to that of the Cherry MX Blues.

It comes with blue LED backlighting, the brightness of which you can adjust using pre-assigned hotkeys. 

The retractable stand is a nice plus, and all you need is a wrist rest to make sure that you remain comfortable through your day of coding. The board has negligible flex and feels like it’s built to last years.

There are no dedicated media buttons, but the pre-assigned hotkeys enable you to control media playback.

What makes it the best budget programming keyboard is details like the rubber grips and the braided cable. 

I found that many cheap programming keyboards skimp out on build quality – but the Zeb-Nitro offers both: great keys and an excellent build.

The Zeb-Nitro is the best cheap programming keyboard, period. If you’re running low on cash, I can unreservedly recommend it for long-term use.

Pros

  • Braided cable
  • Cherry MX Blue feel keys
  • Excellent pricing
  • Lighting control options

Cons

  • No dedicated media buttons
  • Average build quality
  • Single-color lighting only
For The Chiclet-Key Fanatic

Rating: 4.2/5

#6 Logitech K480

Specifications

  • Weight: 820g
  • Key Type: Membrane (chiclet)
  • Battery Life: 24 months
  • Backlighting: No
  • Media Buttons: Integrated
  • Compatible OSes: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome OS
  • Warranty: One year

The low activation distance and striking the right balance between tactility and clicky-ness make the Logitech K480 hard to beat.

It is subjectively the best wireless keyboard for coding – I love that although the blueprint of the device is tiny, they correctly sized the backspace and enter keys.

The keyboard can connect to three devices simultaneously, and you can switch between the three instantly using the dial on the top-left corner.

Media controls and other shortcuts are integrated into the keyboard smartly – and while it’s not as convenient as having dedicated keys, you get used to them after a day.

But the best thing about it is that the keyboard is flawlessly compatible with Macs. 

If you don’t want to spend as much on Apple’s Magic Keyboard and are looking for a worthy replacement, this is the best mac programming keyboard you will find outside of the Apple ecosystem.

It has a lot more features than the Magic keyboard, and you don’t comprise on the size or feel either, which makes it the best programming keyboard for macs.

Pros

  • Best wireless programming keyboard
  • Multi-device connectivity
  • Excellent feel
  • Cleverly integrated media shortcuts
  • Batteries included

Cons

  • Heavy
  • No page up and page down buttons
  • Requires Logitech options software for some functions
For The iPad Coder

Rating: 3.9/5

#7 Apple Smart Keyboard Folio

Specifications

  • Weight: 297g
  • Key Type: Undisclosed
  • Battery Life: Three months
  • Backlighting: No
  • Media Buttons: No
  • Compatible OSes: iPadOS
  • Warranty: One year

In 2019, Apple made it possible to code web apps and more on the iPad, and since then, the Apple Smart Keyboard has become the keyboard of choice of many remote developers. 

The keyboard is super tactile and makes typing surprisingly enjoyable. The battery lasts long, and it protects the iPad from scratching and damage.

It leaves the Logitech K480 and other competing keyboards far behind in typing experience, making it one of the best keyboards for programming and coding in 2020.

Pros

  • Small form factor
  • Protects iPad
  • Top-notch typing experience

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Works only with the iPad
  • No space for Apple Pencil

Verdict 

It’s hard NOT to recommend the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard to a programmer. The keyboard keeps you comfortable throughout the day, and it also has shortcut keys and macros that increase productivity. 

The integrated wrist rest, coupled with the pleasant typing experience, makes it the best keyboard for programming and coding.