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Logitech MX Keys S

The MX Keys S is the reference point for "premium regular keyboard." It is what ergonomic keyboards get compared against when skeptics argue that a good flat keyboard is good enough. Its spherically-dished keycaps, backlighting, and tight multi-device switching have made it a fixture in expert roundups at Wirecutter and Tom's Hardware for several years running.

It is not ergonomic in any meaningful structural sense. There is no split, no negative tilt, no wrist rest. What it offers is a very well-executed conventional layout with above-average build quality for a wireless scissor-switch board. If your wrists don't currently bother you and you want a flat keyboard that won't embarrass you in three years, it's the ceiling of this category at its price point.

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Head-to-head on the things that matter

Wrist and forearm posture

This is the only dimension where the comparison isn't close. The ERGO K860's curved split layout and negative tilt measurably reduce ulnar deviation and wrist extension — the two posture patterns most consistently linked to repetitive strain complaints. Across expert reviews from Wirecutter and ergonomic-health-focused outlets, the K860 is cited as a genuine preventive tool for heavy typists.

The MX Keys S does nothing for posture. It's flat, it tilts backward slightly, and it puts both hands on the same plane at the same angle as every other keyboard you've used. That's not a knock on the MX Keys S — it's just accurate. If wrist health is your primary concern, the regular keyboard loses this dimension decisively.

Typing feel and accuracy

Owner reports on Reddit and manufacturer forums suggest a real but temporary accuracy hit when switching to any split keyboard, typically 2–3 weeks before speed returns to baseline. The MX Keys S has zero adaptation cost. You sit down and type at full speed on day one.

For pure typing feel, both boards use scissor switches at similar travel depths (~1.8–2 mm). Published reviews note the K860's keys as slightly softer in actuation feel. Neither keyboard is in the same conversation as a mechanical board for tactile feedback, but both are competent for daily office work.

Battery and rechargeability

The K860 runs on two AAA batteries — owner reports suggest roughly 24 months of life before replacement, which is genuinely low-maintenance. The MX Keys S uses a built-in rechargeable battery. With backlighting on, typical reported battery life is around 10 days. Without it, significantly longer. The ERGO K860's disposable-battery approach is a minor annoyance for some and a feature for others (no charging cables, no battery degradation over years). Neither approach is obviously wrong, but the MX Keys S does require more attention.

Value relative to what you're getting

At similar street prices (~$100–$130 typical), the K860 packs more engineering: the curved frame, the built-in wrist rest, and the negative tilt mechanism all add cost. The MX Keys S's price is explained almost entirely by build quality and brand positioning rather than ergonomic features. If you're buying on ergonomic grounds, the K860 is the clear value. If ergonomics genuinely aren't a concern, paying the same money for the MX Keys S's polish is defensible.

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Which should you buy?

Buy the Logitech ERGO K860 if you work 6+ hours a day at a keyboard, you own your workstation (nobody else adjusts it nightly), and you've noticed any wrist, forearm, or shoulder tension building over months of work. The adaptation period is real but short. The long-term posture benefit is documented and consistent across user reports.

Buy the Logitech MX Keys S if your wrists are fine, you share a desk with others, you travel with your keyboard, or you simply can't afford the 2–3 week accuracy regression that comes with switching to a split layout. It's the right call for light-to-moderate typists who want a polished daily driver without the learning curve.

Skip both if you're ready to commit to a proper split keyboard with independent half-positioning — something like the Kinesis Freestyle or a custom 40% split board will go further ergonomically than the K860's fixed layout, at the cost of a steeper adjustment period and higher price.

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Bottom line {#verdict}

The ergonomic keyboard wins the health argument, but only if you use it long enough to relearn your habits. The regular keyboard wins on convenience and zero-friction adoption. For anyone building a permanent home office setup and logging real hours daily, the ERGO K860 is the call — not because ergonomic marketing says so, but because a decade of owner feedback and independent reviews consistently back the outcome. If your wrists aren't a problem and you're not trying to fix one, the MX Keys S is a well-built tool that will serve you without drama. Know which problem you're actually solving before you buy.