Razer has built its reputation on PC gaming gear, but it's increasingly focused on productivity peripherals. With the release of the compelling Pro Click V2 and Pro Click V2 Vertical, the company has proven that its knack for well-built gaming mice translates to ergonomic mice, and the same is true for keyboards. The Razer Pro Type Ergo ($189) is a comfortable ergonomic keyboard with a curvy design. It emphasizes a more natural typing posture without shying away from Razer’s distinct gamer aesthetic. While budget-savvy shoppers might want to consider the Logitech Ergo K860 or the Editors' Choice-award-winning Wave Keys, the Pro Type Ergo is an undeniably comfortable keyboard and an impressive first from Razer. 

Design: An Ergonomic Masterpiece

While the Pro Type Ergo is Razer’s first wireless ergonomic keyboard, it’s not the company’s first venture beyond gaming keyboards. Back in 2021, Razer released the Pro Type Ultra, which still tops our list of favorite keyboards. But while the Pro Type Ultra doesn't show its gaming roots, the Pro Type Ergo wears its Chroma RGB backlighting—a gamer's go-to—with pride.

(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)

Razer describes the Pro Type Ergo as an ergonomic split keyboard, but it doesn't actually split—you can't literally pull it apart into two halves, like you can the Keychron Q11 or the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB. Instead, it's a split layout that bends up through the center, dividing the keys into two distinct sections with a ridge between them. This is a tried-and-true design, similar to the Logitech Wave Keys and other long-since-discontinued ergonomic boards from Microsoft and other vendors.

Attached to the keyboard is a firm wrist rest, which is always a plus in my book. In use, my hands fit naturally into the keyboard’s indentations, and I have ample space to stretch my hands and search for keys.

The Pro Type Ergo is one of the biggest keyboards I’ve used in a while. Measuring 1.6 by 18.3 by 9.6 inches (HWD), the Ergo commands a decent amount of desk space, and at 3.2 pounds, it’s no featherweight. But the Ergo feels distinctly premium, unlike the Wave Keys, which is distinctly lightweight and flimsy, likely thanks to the recycled plastics used in its build.

The Ergo is certainly bulkier, but the extra space is not wasted, as it packs in two command dials, a full number pad, and a column of dedicated macro keys (which we’ll touch on a little later in the review). 

(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)

Taking a look at the keys, Razer has made a few changes to optimize the ergonomic typing experience. For starters, the keys closest to the center of the keyboard are slightly elongated to avoid mistaken presses. You can see the extra space on the 7, T, G, H, and B keys. Speaking of the B key, Razer actually adds two of them, aiming to improve typing speed and comfort. It certainly works, and I wonder if, in another revision, the company might do the same for the Y key. (Am I the only person who stretches my left index finger for the Y key?) The space bar is also separated, with the remaining center piece acting as an extra Backspace key.

I mentioned this in my review of the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless, and it’s worth repeating here: I haven't been fond of low-profile keyboards in the past, but I think that’s starting to change. Razer opts for ultra-low-profile fingertip-shaped keycaps with spherical indents that guide your fingertips to each button press. The Pro Type Ergo uses a scissor-style membrane key switch, but it doesn’t feel squishy like many cheap keyboards do. Each press delivers an acceptable amount of tactile feedback and is pretty quiet, too.

As mentioned earlier, it wouldn’t be a Razer keyboard without RGB lighting. While not per-key RGB, the Pro Type Ergo uses 19-zone Razer Chroma RGB backlighting to illuminate the keys.

(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)

In the interest of making the most of the Pro Type Ergo’s larger size, the keyboard includes four adjustable feet that offer forward and backward tilt options of 4 or 7 degrees. Tucked away underneath the lower left corner, you’ll find a tiny cubby for the included 2.4GHz USB dongle.

These days, I find myself hunched over a laptop more often than I’d like to admit, so having a comfortable ergonomic keyboard and mouse has become more important to me. This is especially true as I get older. Ergonomic keyboards are meant to reduce strain on your body by promoting a neutral, more natural posture for hands, wrists, and shoulders. While I can’t say for sure whether your average ergonomic keyboard has quantifiable health benefits, I can say that I felt more inclined to sit up straight while using the Pro Type Ergo. I thought it was a comfortable ride, with nearly no acclimation time needed, a far cry from the learning curve I normally go through when working with true split keyboards like the aforementioned Keychron Q11.

Software and Connectivity: Wireless Functionality and AI

The Pro Type Ergo is compatible with the Razer Synapse software utility, adding to its productivity chops. For starters, you can create up to 100 different custom functions for the command dials, and assign up to eight to be active at once. And remember those macro keys I mentioned earlier? In Synapse, you can easily attach custom key bindings to this column of keys. Razer even went the extra mile and pre-built functionality into the macro buttons. So if you’re using a popular application like Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, or even Microsoft Word, you'll find a few common shortcuts already set up.

One minor drawback is that the Pro Type Ergo is not compatible with Razer's new Synapse web app, so you'll need to install the software onto your computer.

(Credit: Razer)

Razer’s AI Prompt Master returns as well. With a press of the dedicated AI Prompt button, you can open a window that helps craft a query, which is then answered by your choice of ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. Keep in mind that there’s no AI onboard; the Prompt Master simply polishes the query and launches the AI chatbot in a web page as you normally would.

It’s nearly identical to Logitech’s Logi Prompt Builder, which offers essentially the same functionality. Its usefulness can’t be understated, especially if you’re a person who has integrated AI into their productivity workflows. But if that’s not you, the good news is that you can totally ignore the functionality.

(Credit: Zackery Cuevas)

The Pro Type Ergo can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth in addition to the 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. It also offers full Mac compatibility, which makes Razer’s latest an easy recommendation for users looking for a new Mac keyboard. As for battery life, Razer also promises three months of use from a single charge, though I suspect you may have to cut RGB lighting to reach that threshold.

The only caveat stopping us from wholeheartedly recommending the Pro Type Ergo with an Editors' Choice award is the price, which comes in uncomfortably close to $200. It’s definitely a premium device, and well worth the price of admission if you can afford it. But you can get similar ergonomics for much less with the likes of the $70 Logitech Wave Keys and $110 Contour Balance Full-Size Wireless. Even the $150 Logitech Ergo K860 still holds its own, nearly 6 years after we reviewed it. Of course, the Pro Type Ergo isn't the most expensive ergonomic board we've tested; it's still way cheaper than the astronomically priced Asus ROG Falcata, which currently costs $420.