The Best Wooden Wrist Rest

Buying Guide

Computer use can be tough on the body. Sitting at a desk and staring at a screen while using your keyboard and mouse can cause conditions like tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, both of which can cause pain and eventually require treatment.

There are some things that you can do to reduce the strain on your body. It starts with making an effort to perfect your posture. Sit up straight, feet on the floor and shoulders relaxed. If you can’t invest in a chair that provides back support, use a pillow to help you comfortably achieve the perfect position. If your feet don’t touch the ground, you can buy a footrest that will bridge that gap.

Optimizing your arm position is an essential part of making sure you’re working ergonomically. Your elbows should be positioned at a 100- to 110-degree angle, which might mean tilting your keyboard slightly. You can buy elbow pads to keep you comfortable while using a chair with armrests. Your wrists should be either at a neutral or straight position when you’re either on your keyboard or using a mouse.

If that straight wrist positioning makes you uncomfortable, a wrist wrest can help, when used properly. This tool sits on your desktop in front of your keyboard, providing cushioning during pauses while typing and alleviating pressure on your neck and shoulders.

You can buy them in a variety of materials, but wooden wrist rests provide a few specific benefits. One is that they don’t promote moisture buildup between your skin and their surface, helping keep you dry even during the warmest months of the year. Another is that they have a classy look that’s a good fit for any décor. But perhaps the biggest benefit is that wood is especially durable, resisting fading and wear while also being easy to clean.

There are different types of wood, so it’s important to shop around before choosing a wooden wrist rest. You might choose one that matches the wood of your desk or otherwise expresses your own personal style.

• Wrist rests come in a variety of sizes. Some are universal, while others are designed for specific keyboards, like the compact ones that don’t have numerical keypads on the right (tenkeyless). For best results, measure your keyboard before buying a wrist rest to make sure you’re getting the look and utility you expect.
• If you have a laptop, keep in mind the positioning of your wrists as you type, since there is more space between the keyboard and the front edge of the laptop than you get with a standard keyboard and there may be a height difference.
• Gaming keyboards feature a different design than general-use computer keyboards. You may have to search for a wrist rest designed especially for gaming.
• If your keyboard is full-size and has a numerical keypad, it will typically be longer than other keyboards. Keep this in mind as you’re choosing a wrist rest.
• You’ll find a variety of wood types in wooden wrist rests. They can vary in color from reddish and medium brown to dark brown or black.
• Wrist rests can slide around a little when you’re typing or using a mouse. Look for one that has an antislip base to ensure it stays where you set it.
• Make sure your chosen wrist rest has a smooth, uninterrupted grain that will keep you comfortable while you’re using it.
• Wood can be especially sensitive to moisture. Some wrist rests feature a protective seal that will allow for the occasional spill. Still, try to keep your wooden wrist rest dry if at all possible.
• Occasionally, you’ll need to clean your wooden wrist rest. If its finished well, you may be able to wipe it with water and a clean cloth, but use only a damp cloth and try to avoid cleaning solvents that could damage the wood. Follow manufacturer instructions for care.
• Select your wrist rest as part of an ergonomically-designed workstation; ideally, it should be soft or smooth, with a sloped design.
• When not used correctly, wrist rests can lead to conditions like tendonitis due to pressure on the tendons on the undersides of your wrist. Make sure your hands can move freely above the wrist rest while typing. At rest, the pad should contact the palm of your hand, not the wrist. Adjust other items at your desk, including your keyboard to make sure your wrist can maintain a neutral posture.