Best overall
3M AKT150LE Keyboard Tray

- Easy-adjust feature
- Great for both corner and large straight desks
- Made with 25% postconsumer recycled material
- Adjustable keyboard and mouse (height and tilt) platforms
Best value for money
VIVO Adjustable Keyboard Tray

- Affordable price
- Adjustable height, tilt, and swivel
- Solid steel construction
- Modern metal appearance
Great for standing desks
Cartmay Adjustable Keyboard Tray

- Bracket-style slider and U-shape design to address the unique needs of standing desk installation
- Phenolic resin construction for minimal bouncing
- Highest adjustable height option
- Easy manual bolt-free adjustments
Table of Contents
- Start here
- Compare the top products
- Top picks in 2021
- Best overall: 3M AKT150LE Keyboard Tray
- Best value for money: VIVO Adjustable Keyboard Tray
- Great for standing desks: Cartmay Adjustable Keyboard Tray
- Most durable keyboard tray: Mount-It! Keyboard Tray
- Best for wide keyboards: ErgoActive Keyboard Tray
- For narrow and small desks: Stand Steady 2-in-1 Keyboard Tray
- Simple clamp keyboard tray: VIVO Clamp Keyboard Tray
- The best ergonomic keyboard tray: buying guide, tips & tricks
- Final Verdict
Do you ever feel numbness, tingling, pain, or fatigue in your wrists after typing the entire day?
If you do, you’ve most probably attributed these symptoms to hard work or stress or both. But what if I tell you that the culprit is most probably your incorrect typing posture?
To avoid this, you should try to follow the keyboard guidelines for an ergonomic typing position from Cornwell University. First, place the keyboard just below the elbow or 1 to 2 inches above the thigh. Second, tilt your keyboard gently away from you. To simplify, the back portion of the keyboard is lower than the front part – this is known as negative tilt.
According to The Division of Occupational Health and Safety, an excellent way to achieve this is by using an articulating keyboard tray that can be attached to your desk.
In this article, I will share with you information about my favorites – the and the as well as a selection of some of the top rated keyboard trays on the market.
After much research on the manufacturer’s websites, reading user reviews, and watching videos on how to use keyboard trays, these would be the products that I personally recommend and I hope you can find the best ergonomic keyboard tray for you among this list.
Side-by-side product comparison - specifications & features
Image | Brand | Rating | Price | Dimensions (inches) | Track Length (inches) | Adjustable Height (inches) | Tilt | Warranty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3M AKT150LE Keyboard Tray | 4.75 | $$$$ | 25.2 x 13.1 | 23 | 4 | Degrees: +10, -15 | Lifetime (arm) 5 years (platform) |
![]() | VIVO Adjustable Keyboard Tray | 4.5 | $ | 25 x 10 | 18 | 5 | - | 3-year warranty |
![]() | CARTMAY Adjustable Keyboard Tray | 4.5 | $$ | 26.7 x 11.4 | 18.1 | 5.9 | Degrees: +15, -15 | Not Stated |
![]() | Mount-It! Keyboard Tray | 4.25 | $$ | 26.38 x 10 | 17 | - | Degrees: +10, -15 | 5-year warranty |
![]() | ErgoActive Keyboard Tray | 4.25 | $$ | 32.5 x 12.2 | 12.2 | - | - | Not Stated |
![]() | Stand Steady 2-in 1 Keyboard Tray | 4.25 | $ | 20 x 10.25 | 10.25 | - | - | 1-year |
![]() | VIVO Under Desk keyboard Tray | 4.25 | $ | 32.5 x 11 | 11 | - | - | 3-year |
Top picks in 2021
#1 Best overall

3M AKT150LE Keyboard Tray
Editor's opinion:
Everything about this keyboard is comfort and efficiency from its adjustable height to the tilt feature and gel-padded wrist rest. Its easy adjust feature ensures that you can enjoy the right tray height and platform tilt with minimal effort. This keyboard tray was perfectly designed with ergonomics in mind.
Pros
- Easy-adjust feature
- Great for both corner and large straight desks
- Made with 25% postconsumer recycled material
- Adjustable keyboard and mouse (height and tilt) platforms
Cons
- Expensive
- With its high loading area depth, it is suitable only for tall desks.
- Poor product support from 3M
3M has covered almost all the ergonomic features you would ever need in a keyboard tray. This 360-degree swivel keyboard tray is adjustable in nearly all aspects. You have the option to adjust the height and tilt of the tray separately.
The tray’s easy-adjust arm has a lever-free lift and lock adjustment mechanism for customizing the height. On the other hand, you can use the knob to tilt the tray to your preferred position. The arm comes with both tilt and height indicators for easy reference.
For maximum flexibility, you can even adjust the heights of the keyboard and mouse platforms separately, allowing you to place both platforms at levels you feel most comfortable with.
If that’s not enough, the tray includes a leatherette-covered gel-padded wrist rest with antimicrobial cover, which is a nice touch and adds welcome wrist support and comfort.
There’s no doubt that 3M got the ergonomic basics down pat. But they didn’t stop there. They also added a few frills that you wouldn’t find in any other keyboard trays.
One feature I liked, in particular, is the Precise Mouse Pad. The company claims this can help extend your mouse’s battery life up to 50%. Since there is a separate mouse platform, you are free to place it on the left or right side of the keyboard – whichever suits your needs.
With all these features, it is not surprising that this comes with a hefty price tag. If you are on a budget, you may want to look at the VIVO Adjustable Keyboard Tray, which is the next product on my list.
#2 Best value for money

VIVO Adjustable Keyboard Tray
Editor's opinion:
The VIVO Adjustable Keyboard Tray is easy on the pocket, but it didn’t compromise on function, ergonomics, and quality. This tray gives you all the basic ergonomic features you need– adjustable tilt and height, swivel adjustment, and gel wrist pad. You can enjoy all of these at a price you can afford.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Adjustable height, tilt, and swivel
- Solid steel construction
- Modern metal appearance
Cons
- Poorly written instructions
- Wrist rest is not as soft as expected
- The adjustment knob is big and can get in the way
The saying “you get what you pay for” does not apply to the VIVO Adjustable keyboard Tray. That’s because it gives you all the adjustability features of the high-end keyboard trays even though it is the second most affordable product in this roundup.
For one, the tray can swivel 360 degrees to the left and right so you can freely move around your desk even while typing. You can also take advantage of the tray’s height adjustment and tilting mechanism to achieve the best ergonomic positioning for your keyboard.
To top it off, you can rest your wrist on the tray’s plush wrist pad to minimize wrist soreness. The pad is removable for easy cleaning.
Also, allow me to give a special mention to the tray’s solid steel construction and the quality of the heavy gauge metal supports. The weight of the materials makes the tray stable and prevents it from jiggling and becoming wobbly while typing.
However, metal construction does come with one disadvantage. Installation of the tray can be a challenge since the parts are a bit heavy. You may not be able to install it on your own, so it would be best to seek help from a friend beforehand.
Even if it doesn’t have all the frills of the 3M keyboard tray, this is definitely my second runner-up.
It provides you with the same must-have adjustability features of the 3M Keyboard Tray at only a third of the price.
#3 Great for standing desks

Cartmay Adjustable Keyboard Tray
Editor's opinion:
If you have a standing desk and you’re having a hard time finding a keyboard tray that would suit its special design, the Cartmay Adjustable Tray may just be the answer that you’re looking for! With its U-shape design and bracket-style slider, this will solve all the installation problems you will encounter with a standing desk!
Pros
- Bracket-style slider and U-shape design to address the unique needs of standing desk installation
- Phenolic resin construction for minimal bouncing
- Highest adjustable height option
- Easy manual bolt-free adjustments
Cons
- The sliding mechanism prone to sticking
- Some of the screws that come with the package are too short
There are not many keyboard trays that can fit standing desks because they have uneven surfaces underneath (the frame of a standing desk can often sit where you’d attach a keyboard tray bracket).
To address this, the makers of Cartmay Adjustable Tray came up with an idea. They used a bracket-style slider, which you can screw into your desk through two U-shaped attachments. This is a design that is unique to this keyboard tray.
Apart from this intelligent design, one thing that captured my attention is the tray’s phenolic resin with solid steel construction. The weight and durability of the materials help maintain the stability minimize bouncing as you type. On top of the tray, you can find gel-padded wrist pads for both mouse and keyboard.
Same with the 3M Keyboard Tray, this also features a manual mechanism for adjusting both the tray’s height and angle. With this, you can find the perfect tray position in the easiest way possible.
The tray can also be rotated from left to right. This simple feature is a big help in finding a comfortable working position.
#4 Most durable keyboard tray

Mount-It! Keyboard Tray
Editor's opinion:
Solid construction—this is one quality you would want in a keyboard tray, and that’s certainly what you can get from the Mount-It! Keyboard Tray. Its design and features are pretty simple, but when it comes to durability, this is the tray to go for.
Pros
- Wide platform suitable for large keyboards
- Heavy-duty construction
- 90-degree left and right swivel
- Modern and sleek design
Cons
- No ridges on the sides to prevent the mouse from falling
- Gel wrist rest is smaller than other products
- Rails get stiff and need to be lubricated regularly
If you want to make the most out of your purchase, you may want to check out the Mount-It! Keyboard Tray. Made from heavy-duty and high-quality materials, this stable keyboard tray will be at your service for many years.
The tray’s all-black sleek and modern look is at par with the appearance of the high-end keyboard trays. The tray’s platform surface is big enough to accommodate both large and small keyboards along with other accessories like a mouse or a mouse pad.
The company focused on its adjustability features as well. You can swivel its platform left and right at a 90-degree angle, which gives you the flexibility in positioning your keyboard and computer wherever you wish.
Its tilt feature allows you to ensure that your wrist and elbow will be at the optimal angle and height while you type. It is partnered with the gel wrist pad designed to reduce elbow and wrist strain.
Comfort and durability—these are certainly two things that you can be sure to get from this keyboard tray.
#5 Best for wide keyboards

ErgoActive Keyboard Tray
Editor's opinion:
The ErgoActive Keyboard Tray is the perfect option for people who have no extra time to install a keyboard tray and need that extra spaces for a wide keyboard and mouse. This strongly-built and easy-to-install tray features a massive platform that is perfect for any keyboard size – useful for gamers and their larger mechanical keyboards.
Pros
- Tool-free Installation
- Largest and widest keyboard tray
- Already comes with a mouse pad
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Not suitable for desks that are more than 2 inches thick
- Designed only for straight desks
- No adjustable features
With the ErgoActive Keyboard Tray, you don’t have to spend time installing as you would with other models.
Thanks to its clamp-on mechanism, you can install this tray within minutes. More good news is that the package already contains all the hardware you need to get it done.
Designed with your comfort in mind, the best ergonomic feature of this keyboard tray is its beveled-edge that will keep your wrists in proper alignment while typing, and the addition of a gel-padded wrist rest takes the overall comfort to a whole new level.
The main reason why I included this in this list is because of its extra-wide surface. Having a dimension of 27.6 x 12.2 inches, this is the biggest keyboard tray on the list. With its size, it can accommodate big gaming keyboards and has plenty of space for mouse movement too.
The platform’s large surface area may also function as an extension of your office desk, allowing you to save space on your desktop and keep your desk as organized as possible.
Since this is a clamp-on tray, its adjustability features are quite limited. If you want a tray with customization options, I recommend looking at the VIVO Adjustable Keyboard Tray, which is the second product on the list.
#6 For narrow and small desks

Stand Steady 2-in-1 Keyboard Tray
Editor's opinion:
The Stand Steady 2-in-1 Keyboard Tray is designed with the space-saving needs of small office desks in mind. Featuring a drawer underneath the tray, this keyboard tray will help you type comfortably and solve your storage problems as well.
Pros
- Comes with a space-saving desk drawer
- Short track length perfect for narrow desks
- Quick and easy installation
- Damage-free clamp attachment
Cons
- Works only for desks that are 2.5-inch thick or less
- Made of plastic
The Stand Steady Keyboard may be small, but it sure is effective. It is the smallest tray in the list, but it is the only one that serves two functions – a tray and a desk drawer. Underneath the tray, you can find a space-saving keyboard drawer for additional storage.
I thought it would only be a small drawer for paper clips and the likes. To my surprise, the drawer is even divided into three compartments. This allows you to properly organize your office supplies, notes, and even office snacks.
That’s not all. If you want to store larger items, you can simply remove the drawer’s dividers so you can have a single spacious compartment.
When typing, the beveled design at the edge will keep your wrists aligned and comfortable. There are also paper stoppers at the back and front edges to keep the tray’s content from falling.
Another thing to love is the tray’s all-black design that will lend a high-end look to your office desk. Despite having a drawer underneath, the manufacturer was still able to maintain a fairly low profile, so you don’t have to worry about your knees bumping into the drawer.
Sleek appearance, storage options, and ergonomic design—this affordable keyboard tray is worth a look.
#7 Simple clamp keyboard tray

VIVO Clamp Keyboard Tray
Editor's opinion:
The Vivo Under Desk Keyboard Tray’s is an affordable option for those looking for a sturdy keyboard tray. Despite its fairly low price, the tray’s construction is at par with the other trays in the list. With its solid steel track construction and sleek and classy all-black appearance, you will never guess that this is one of the most affordable trays in this list.
Pros
- Wide platform surface
- Affordable
- Comes with cord manager
- Anti-skid padding for scratch resistance
Cons
- Will work only for desks that are 1.75-inch thick and less
- Issues with the slider
- No locking mechanism to prevent the tray from closing on its own
The VIVO Under Desk keyboard Tray is one of the most affordable keyboard trays on the list, but despite its low price this tray is built to perform.
As a clamp-on keyboard tray, you can’t expect it to have the adjustability features that other ergonomic keyboards have, but it still has many user-geared features that you would love.
The tray’s mount is manufactured using solid steel, which keeps it extra sturdy and properly secured. The construction ensures that the platform will remain stable as you work. On the other hand, the tray’s beveled edge is designed to keep your wrist properly aligned while typing as well as added comfort.
For its price, you would think that it has no special or unique features, however, it seems like the manufacturer still found a way to add some value to its design. One example is the cable management.
At the back of the tray, you will find gaps in the metal walls that you can use to organize the cables of your keyboard and mouse.
The tray’s surface also has anti-skid padding that can protect it from scratches. With this, your tray will still look brand new even after a few years.
Its price may be low, but its quality and features will surely impress.
Final verdict
The best ergonomic keyboard tray can help you maintain the ideal typing posture and reduce the risk of wrist injury. When choosing an under desk keyboard tray, the top three things you should consider are the measurements of your desk and the keyboard tray, adjustability features, and stability.
To further reduce the risk of wrist injuries, you may want to consider using an ergonomic keyboard. If you wish to reduce the wrist pain you’re feeling, doing a few wrist exercises may also help.
Katie Smith
Katie is a researcher and writer at Painless Movement. Her talent lies in digging through the internet to find the best products for your well-being.