No matter what kind of desk you have, whether you sit or stand while you work—or both—you should pay attention to where your keyboard is located. To help prevent musculoskeletal problems like hand and wrist pain, or even carpal tunnel syndrome, you should position your keyboard at elbow height, where your arms are bent at about a 90-degree angle.
If your keyboard is too high or too low, you could be unnecessarily straining muscles from your fingers all the way up to your neck! You can help prevent these problems by using an under-desk keyboard tray. Below are some tips to keep in mind when you buy ergonomic products like a keyboard tray.
When you install an adjustable keyboard tray, you can easily position your keyboard at the height that’s right for you. Additionally, you can optimize your typing posture in more than one direction with a computer keyboard tray—the ideal position for your keyboard is at a negative angle, where the top of the keyboard points downward. This tilt adjustment helps you keep your wrists at a neutral angle to help prevent injuries.
The best ergonomic keyboard tray is one that offers a variety of adjustment options. In addition to the tilt just mentioned, you should consider an under-desk keyboard tray that not only slides in and out, but also swivels left to right. Sliding the keyboard tray in and out will help you keep your desk decluttered, and you can slide it under your desk when it’s not in use. The ability to swivel left and right gives you more flexibility in positioning, which can be helpful if you move around a lot.
Uncaged Ergonomics offers two adjustable keyboard tray models: the KT-1 and KT-2. They both feature multiple adjustment options including height adjustments that range from above the desk level to below the desk level, tilt, swivel, and slide. They both feature a separate mousing platform that can be mounted on either side of the keyboard platform, which is great for left-handers or ambidextrous use. Additionally, the mousing platform is independently adjustable so it can remain level if you opt to tilt your computer keyboard tray.
The major difference between the KT-1 and KT-2 models are the adjustable height options. Determining the best ergonomic keyboard tray will depend on your particular workstation and work habits; you may need a keyboard tray with a greater height range. You can buy ergonomic products like the KT-1 and KT-2 on the Uncaged Ergonomics website. Compare the height range of both models below.
| KT-1 | KT-2 |
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Height Range:
4-1/2 inches, from desk level to 4 inches below desk height |
Height Range:
18-1/2 inches, from 8.5 inches above desk height to 10 inches below desk height |