Low EMF Keyboard – A Buyers Guide

If you work in an office or use your home computer for only a few hours a day, you need to consider the amount of EMF (Electromagnetic Frequency Radiation) radiation you're being exposed to.

Although the more dangerous sources will be the computer itself and the monitor, finding a low-EMF keyboard is another great way to reduce your overall exposure.

The proximity of your hands and wrists to the keyboard amplifies the amount of EMF radiation you're exposed to from the device.

In this article, I want to outline the best Low EMF keyboards on the market, talk about how to measure the radiation from your keyboard and discuss steps to reduce radiation.

Trying to save time? My top recommendation for a Low EMF Keyboard is this one you can pick up on Amazon.

Do Computer Keyboards Emit EMF Radiation?

Yes, keyboards will emit some electric field and magnetic field radiation.

First of all the circuitry in the keyboard itself will emit a small amount of EMF radiation.

This radiation is caused when short pulses of electricity are sent from the device to the computer whenever you depress and release a computer key.

Non-mechanical keyboards also emit EMF radiation even when you are not using them as they are constantly monitoring for the key presses.

The EMF of a keyboard is caused by the short pulses of currents that go through its printed circuits whenever a key is pressed.

There are some EMF emissions even without pressing any key because the keyboard's circuit checks the status of the keys.

The reason that keyboards can be harmful is due to the distance between the radiation and your hands and wrists.

Proximity to the source of radiation is the single greatest indicator of your exposure.

If you read my articles on radiation from washing machines, refrigerators, televisions, or anything else in the knowledge section, you'll see examples of this exponential radiation increase.

This is due to something called the inverse-square law of physics, which essentially states that as we double our distance from a source of radiation, we quarter our exposure to it.

The issue with keyboards is that we are not able to use them without having our hands and wrists directly against them.

This is why selecting a low EMF keyboard can be such an important decision.

Next, if your keyboard is wireless, it will also emit a small amount of radio frequency or Bluetooth radiation.

Depending on the additional features, there may also be other small amounts of EMF from other sources.

How to Choose the Best Low EMF Keyboard

When you're selecting the best low EMF keyboard, there are a few really important characteristics you need to look for.

Make sure the keyboard is wired – wireless keyboards will also emit some radio frequency or Bluetooth radiation as they send and receive data.

Mechanical Switches – Mechanical switches are exactly what they sound like, instead of a rubber dome and digital sensor, they have an actual physical switch that gets triggered when the key is pressed.

These keyboards are not only higher quality and more enjoyable to use but emit a little less radiation.

No Lighting or LCD Screen – If you're trying to find a keyboard that emits low amounts of EMR, it is important to find one that does not have added frills and features like backlighting, added music controls, etc.

The 3 Best Low EMF Keyboards

Rank	Keyboard Name	Features	EMF Rating	Price Range	Special Features
1.	IKBC CD108 Mechanical Keyboard	Wired, mechanical switches, ergonomic design	Very Low	$$	Doubleshot keycaps, adjustable tilt
2.	Logitech K845 Mechanical Keyboard	Wired, mechanical switches, illuminated keys	Low	$$	Illumination, compatible with Mac/Windows
3.	Cherry STREAM Wired Keyboard	Wired, quiet keys, spill-resistant	Very Low	$	Whisper-quiet switches, spill resistance

1. IKBC CD108 Mechanical Keyboard

Check the current price here

I personally think this is the best low-emf keyboard on the market.

The iKBC CD108 Mechanical Keyboard combines durability, functionality, and comfort, making it a really good choice for those seeking a low-EMF keyboard.

This wired mechanical keyboard minimizes wireless radiation exposure while delivering a responsive and satisfying typing experience, thanks to its Cherry MX key switches.

Its ergonomic design includes adjustable tilt settings and doubleshot keycaps for durability and precision.

Ideal for home or office use, the iKBC CD108 is perfect for those looking to balance performance with safety.

2. Logitech K845 Mechanical Keyboard

Check the current price here.

This is another great option for a low-EMF keyboard.

I've personally used this keyboard and love it. It's durable, stylish, and simple, and the keys feel great.

Most importantly, it's a simple, wired, mechanical keyboard, that puts off very little EMF radiation.

It does have illumination, but in my testing, the EMF radiation was still very low.

You can use it with Windows or Mac.

3. Cherry STREAM Wired Keyboard

Check the current price here.

The Cherry Stream wired keyboard is a simple, low-cost option for a solid low-EMF keyboard.

This is another keyboard that I bought and used and tested specifically for this article.

I found that I really enjoyed typing on it, and was surprised how nicely it worked considering the comparatively low cost that I paid for it.

The switches are also really quiet, which I prefer.

I also like that it's made with a high level of spill resistance because I've been known to spill a coffee every now and then.

Overall, this is probably the best budget low-EMF keyboard that I have found.

Measuring EMF Radiation From A Computer Keyboard

I think it's important to note here that all of these keyboards are likely to still emit very small amounts of EMF radiation.

This is why being able to measure that radiation is so important!

The most important part here is getting the right EMF meter.

I have and highly recommend, the TriField TF2 (read my review).

It is an extremely high-quality EMF meter, but more importantly, it measures all three types of EMR: radio frequency, electric field, and magnetic field.

Once you have the EMF meter, start by measuring AC electric field radiation.

Measure with the keyboard unplugged to get a baseline measurement.

Then, plug the keyboard into the computer and take another measurement.

Next, press the keys and test to see if there are spikes of radiation on the keypress.

This is easy with the TriField TF2, as it consistently measures and displays the peak radiation measured in the last 3 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

I wanted to answer a few more of the common questions I get on this topic, so I rounded up the most popular.

Why should I choose a wired keyboard over a wireless one for reducing EMF exposure?

Wireless keyboards use Bluetooth or Radio Frequency signals to communicate with your keyboard, which means they are going to emit far more EMF radiation than a wired keyboard.

While the EMF radiation exposure levels from keyboards are fairly low, the proximity of the radiation to your hands and wrists increases the potential danger.

Do Mechanical Keyboards emit less EMF radiation than membrane keyboards?

Yes, typically mechanical keyboards will emit less radiation because they rely on a physical actuation of a switch rather than electronically monitoring for key presses.

Although there is a fairly small difference in the amount of EMF radiation emitted, choosing a mechanical keyboard is still the better option.

Final Thoughts On Low EMF Keyboards

When it comes to the dangers of EMF radiation, it is important to take every precaution.

Because of the proximity to your hands and wrists, the wrong keyboard can expose you to unnecessary risk.

I hope you enjoyed my article on Low EMR Keyboards, if you did, please consider sharing!