Sit or Stand Keyboard Tray Comparison

If you’ve started using a standing desk as part of your ergonomic workstation, you might have noticed that your keyboard and mouse position are likely too high. You need a sit or stand keyboard tray to position your keyboard and mouse at the right height for comfortable use.

For the best ergonomics, you’ll need to make adjustments other than height, so be sure to look for options that allow you to:

• Swivel the tray to the left or right
• Position the platform at a height that works for you (you’ll need to measure to be sure) ⁵
• Tilt the keyboard forward and backward^{6, 7}
• Keep the mouse platform level⁷
• Fit under your desk ^{1, 2, 3, 4}

All these adjustment points are important considerations when looking at a keyboard tray. Below, we compare two competitors’ sit or stand keyboard trays to our KT-2 model.

	KT-2	3M AKT180LE	Fellowes Professional
Price	$149.99	$200	$250
Platform Depth 1	8.75	10-3/8 in.	14 in.
Platform Width 2	18-1/2 in	25-1/2 in.	21 in.
Track Length 3	16 in.	23 in.	29 in.
Arm Extension 4	12 in.	21-1/2 in.	21-3/4 in.
Height Range 5	18-1/2 in. from 10 in. below desk to 8.5 in. above desk	16-3/4 in. from 4 in. below desk to 10 in. above desk	11-1/4 in. from 5 in. below desk to 6-1/4 in. above desk
Tilt 6	0 to -15 degrees	+10 to -15 degrees	Yes
Mouse Platform Position 7	Independently adjustable, left or right mount	Independently adjustable, left or right mount	Independently adjustable, left or right mount
Mouse Platform Dimensions	7 in x 8.75 in.	Not listed	10” round
Warranty	90 days	Arm: Lifetime Platform: 5 years Wrist Rest: 1 year	Limited Lifetime

No matter which keyboard tray you choose, be sure you take all the measurements you need before your purchase. You’ll want to be sure your underdesk keyboard tray not only fits in your space, but will be able to adjust to the position your body needs.

1. Choose an underdesk keyboard tray that is deep enough to fit your keyboard.
2. You’ll want to make sure the platform is wide enough to fit your keyboard.
3. The surface you mount your underdesk keyboard drawer to will need to be at least this deep.
4. This is the distance the keyboard tray will come out from under your desk. You’ll want to be sure you have enough room in your space when it’s fully extended.
5. The height adjustment range makes an underdesk keyboard tray ideal for most users. Measure to find out where you need your keyboard to be, and make sure the product you choose is capable of moving to that height.
6. Research indicates that for optimal wrist health, we should type with our wrists neutral (level) or even better, drooping down naturally with a negative tilt. The ability to adjust your typing angle to fit your physique and optimize typing ergonomics is a key feature you should look for in a keyboard tray.
7. The main purpose of an ergonomic keyboard tray is to properly position your body for typing. While much attention is focused on the keyboard’s position, the mouse is often overlooked—adjusting your mouse’s position can make a world of difference on your posture.

   Three main mouse pad adjustments should be considered when purchasing a keyboard tray:

1. Angle: Changing the mouse pad’s angle ensures your mouse is always level. This is especially important if you’re typing with a negative tilt or elevate your keyboard tray.
2. Distance: Adjusting the lateral distance between your keyboard tray and mouse pad ensures that you can position your mouse in front of your arm and helps prevent unnatural inward shoulder rotation.
3. Side: Mouse pads connecting to both the right and left sides accommodate left- and right- people—and allow you to easily switch sides to boost ambidexterity.