Home PC Components and Peripherals The Best Keyboard Trays in 2022
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Working for long hours at a computer desk can be a painful ordeal with the strain to your wrists and arms. However, a good keyboard tray will help to reduce that strain and make your time at the desk more enjoyable. Keyboard trays have risen in popularity due to their ergonomic design, helping people conquer wrist pains and boosting productivity. These trays hold the mouse and keyboard securely. Most of them can tilt up or down and can be slid under the desk when not in use. Let’s take a look at some of the best keyboard trays on the market today.
If you don’t want to spend more than a hundred bucks but still want to get one of the best keyboard trays out there, look no further than the FlexiSpot Large keyboard tray. This model measures 29.5 inches wide and can clamp onto desks up to 2.1 inches thick. The FlexiSpot’s keyboard surface measures 25 inches in width and 12 inches in depth, which is enough to fit a standard-sized keyboard, a mouse, a mouse pad, and other smaller accessories. The surface of the tray has a non-slip material that helps your keyboard stay in place. The edge of the tray has a padded, leatherette gel where you can rest your wrists, providing comfort even through extensive typing. Installing the FlexiSpot keyboard requires no special tools as you only need to attach the C-Clamp mount on both ends of the tray to your desk and secure it using a thumbscrew. The tray slides out and extends up to 8.5 inches from the desk’s edge and can hold up to 15 pounds.
InexpensiveEasy to installSturdy build
Limited to desks up to 2.1 inches thickNo swivel or tilt function
The 3M AKT60LE Under Desk keyboard tray is one of the best keyboard trays, offering flexibility at a reasonable price. The tray has a 360º swivel and can be slid fully under a desk. It can also tilt forward +10⁰ and back -15⁰. Using a knob at the side, you can adjust the height of the tray to the most comfortable arm/wrist placement for you. The bottom edge of the tray has a gel-padded wrist rest to lessen the strain on your wrist when typing. A notable addition to the 3M AKT60LE keyboard tray is the battery-saving mouse pad that can be attached to the right or left edge of the tray. Note that this tray measures 25.5 inches wide and 12 inches deep, but it needs 26 x 17.25 inches of space beneath the desk to be mounted, so don’t forget to measure your desk to make sure it fits. With solid construction, the tray feels sturdy and stable.
Rotates 360⁰Tilts forward and backAdjustable height
Not for corner workstations
If you want the tray to hold more things than just a keyboard and mouse, the ErgoActive Extra Wide under desk keyboard tray is a great choice. Bigger than the regular keyboard tray, it provides ample space for a keyboard, mouse, phone, and other accessories. The tray itself measures 27.6 inches wide and 12.2 inches deep, but with the clamps, the width measures 32.5 inches. The clamp fits desks up to 1.57 inches thick. Most users love the ErgoActive because it takes a few minutes to install and no tools are needed, nor do you need to drill holes in your desk. Simply twist the knobs to tighten the C-clamp on each side of the tray and you’re done. Smooth sliders allow you to move the keyboard in and out from under the desk. It’s important to note that the ErgoActive Extra Wide does not have a swivel, tilt, or lift function, which is fairly acceptable considering its price. Despite this limitation, this keyboard tray delivers basic and sturdy keyboard and mouse support for those who want more space.
Great priceWide, spacious trayTool-less installation
No swivel or tilt function
The FERSGO One Knob Adjust under desk keyboard tray is one of the best keyboard trays. It is designed to fit on any desk, especially small ones. Unlike most keyboard trays, this one has a separate tray for the mouse. Both the keyboard and mouse trays are able to move in different ways. The keyboard tray measures 20 x 11 inches and the mouse tray measures 7.5 x 8.25 inches. This tray swivels 360° and tilts ±15°, making it a flexible and ergonomic tray. There’s also a leather-like wrist pad on the bottom of the tray. The mouse tray can be installed to the right or left of the keyboard. As for the installation, you will need to drill a hole in the desk, which means that tables made of glass or that have a drawer can not be used for this tray.
FlexibleCan fit small desks
Only works for wooden desks
The Mount-It! MI-7139 Sit-Stand keyboard tray is ideal for people who use a standing desk. This tray can be pulled up 8.7 inches for standing and down 4.7 inches for sitting. The tray is connected to the desk with a track that measures 6 inches wide and 25 inches long. Meanwhile, the keyboard tray measures 26.5 inches wide and 10 inches deep. In addition to being height adjustable, the keyboard tray also swivels left or right by 90°, and tilts 15° up and 13° downward to provide the most ergonomic position for you. You can also add the supplied wrist pad to the bottom edge of the tray if you prefer to have more support for your wrist while typing.
Can be used for standing desksDurable build and design
Installation can take extra effort
Keep the top of your desk clean with the HUANUO HNKB03 keyboard tray. The keyboard tray area measures 25 x 9.8 inches and provides extra space for other objects around your keyboard and mouse. It also comes with a wrist rest for preventing strain on your wrist after long hours of typing. This keyboard swivels 90° left and right and tilts up 6° and down 22°. The tray can hold up to 11 lbs of weight. Installing the HUANUO HNKB03 is fairly easy as parts and instructions are included with the keyboard tray purchase. Your desk needs to be at least 14.17 inches deep to have enough space for installing the rail that holds the keyboard tray. The exact measurement of the rail is 14.17 inches long and 6 inches wide. When installed and positioned correctly, the HUANUO HNKB03 keyboard tray is solid and stable when in use and movement is smooth without any issues. The tilt function helps relieve strain and pain experienced when typing for long hours.
Versatile movementStable and durable
A bit pricey
The Fellowes 93841 Keyboard Tray is one of the best keyboard trays for its value. It provides lots of features for a reasonable price. This keyboard connects to a desk with a rail that measures 17.25 inches long. The keyboard tray itself measures 21.4 x 12 x 6.8 inches. There’s a separate tray for the mouse, which can be attached to either side of the keyboard. Both keyboard and mouse trays come with a gel pad for added wrist support. Perhaps the most unique feature of the Fellowes 93841 is the single-knob adjustment. To adjust height and tilt, you only need to loosen the knob along the tray arm then tighten it once you’re happy with the position. The keyboard and mouse trays both tilt up and down, ensuring that your arms and wrists enjoy the best ergonomic support.
Single knob adjusts height and tiltIdeal for left-handed people
Items on the tray may slip when tilted
Another budget keyboard that offers more space is the ErGear Keyboard Tray Under Desk. This keyboard tray measures 26.3 inches in width and 11.8 in depth, but the width goes up to 31 inches with the clamps. The clamps will fit on desks with thicknesses from 0.4 and 1.5 inches. They have a soft protective pad, so your desk will be free from dents and scratches from the installation of the tray. The ErGear keyboard tray allows users to tilt the keyboard up or down up to 90°, which is great for people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. The materials used for this keyboard tray are of excellent quality and users report that the tray feels sturdy under their wrists when typing.
Tilts 90° forward and backEasy installationBest value for money
No swivel and height adjustment
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